With smaller than anticipated entries, which reduced even further before auction due to private sales, it was hoped bulls would be in high demand this week at the Limousin cattle society’s premier May sale in Roscrea.

However, pedigree sales throughout the country continue to feel the aftereffects of the unprecedented long winter witnessed on Irish farms, so this wasn’t to be the case.

The sale saw only 28 out of the 40 bulls present trade hands, back substantially from the 81 sold at the equivalent sale last year. Average price also took a hit by over €100 to settle at €3,667.

While the 2017 sale was back on the preceding year, it still witnessed highs, with bulls selling to €12,600. However, that wasn’t matched this year, with the sale-topper securing a bid of just over half that price at €6,750.

Leading the way was the previous afternoon’s senior champion Logrea Mr Muscle from Michael Rattigan, Claremorris, Co Mayo. This powerful January 2017-born bull is out of flavour-of-the-month AI bull Lodge Hamlet, while dam is Wilodge Vantastic daughter Logrea Jamelia.

This line is no stranger to winning championships at Roscrea, with Jamelia being a full sister to three previous junior champions. With five stars on the terminal index and a calving ease figure of 5%, Mr Muscle sold to John Martyn.

Securing the reserve senior championship, having placed top of the line in the second class, was Birchpark Mighty Mouse from Owen Flannery, Mountshannon, Co Clare.

January 2017-born, Mighty Mouse is sired by the 2014 national male champion Mullary Intrepid, while the dam is a Procters Cavalier daughter.

Despite carrying five stars on the terminal index, he left the ring unsold having failed to meet his reserve.

Adam Watson of the Saunders herd in the UK came over to adjudicate for the sale. He has judged a number of events throughout the UK and, this coming October, will be given the big stage at the Carlisle bull sales.

Junior champion Gerrygullinane Maxibull, which sold for €5,000. \ Alfie Shaw

His choice of junior champion was again from Mayo, this time Gerry Walsh’s Gerrygullinane Maxibull. This 15-month-old bull is sired by the well-known Wilodge Cerberus, while the dam is a maternal sister to the 2016 Limousin congress male champion Derrygullinane Kingbull.

This stylish bull carried five stars on the terminal index and met trade at a call of €5,000. Successful bidder was Gary Bell.

The reserve junior champion came from the same class, with the second-prizewinner Newtown Miller ET tapped forward.

Brought out by the Richardson family from Newtowngore, Co Leitrim, the March 2017-born Miller carries a wealth of breeding.

Sired by old favourite Ronick Hawk, the dam’s side is a cross of Wilodge Vantastic and the renowned Castleview Rub. With five stars down the line, Miller came under the hammer at €4,900, selling to Hugh Brady.

Gaggin Master ET, which sold for €5,000. \ Alfie Shaw

Cork breeder Patrick Hegarty secured a bid of €5,000 for his January 2017-born Gaggin Master ET. Sired by homebred Gaggin Junction, his lineage also features Roundhill Nero and Poulnasherry Crusader.

Master exhibited one of the best sets of figures in the catalogue, with five stars down the line, combined with a calving index of only 4.2%. Making the final bid on this well-grown bull was Christy Moore.

Sarah McElligot sold her two exhibits to average €4,550. Top of her pen with a call of €4,700 was the October 2016-born Shannon Lakeland.

This bull is sired by French AI bull Hamac, while the dam line features Ardea Dan and Otan. Five stars on the replacement index, Lakeland was secured by Ted O’Sullivan.

The multi-starred Shannon Master 2 then secured a bid of €4,400. This bull’s lineage includes Edakkya, Bavardage and Lino. John Coyne saw the page of stars Master carries and ensured he was the successful bidder.

Also boasting a page of stars was Patrick Hegarty’s second exhibit Gaggin Lord ET. This September 2016-born bull was sired by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of Bunratty Uvilinis, who was also the dam of previously mentioned Gaggin Master ET, who sold for €5,000. However, €4,500 was enough to secure Lord, with the hammer falling to Denis Kenneally.

Females

The female trade can’t be described as much better. Averages took a hit of over €500, with 12 fewer selling compared with last year. In total, eight of the 14 through the ring met trade to average €2,913.

Leading the way in the female section with a call of €4,500 was the second-prizewinning Gerrygullinane Maggie.

Brought out by Gerry Walsh, this five-star heifer is sired by Plumtree Fantastic, while the dam is out of Procters Cavalier.

This January 2017-born heifer is no stranger to the show ring, having claimed numerous red rosettes in 2017. Successful bidder of the female leader was Jonathan Neill.

Securing the female championship of the show was Liverpool Lady from Michael and Kevin Graham, Keadue, Co Roscommon.

This big powerful two-year-old heifer was sired by Ampertaine Elgin, while the dam line features Shire Milton and Genial. Despite the championship rosette, Lady left the ring unsold having failed to meet her reserve.

Gerry Walsh’s Gerrygullinane herd was back in the limelight, claiming the reserve female championship. His 14-month-old heifer Gerrygullinane Madam ticked the boxes in the second class of females before being tapped forward as reserve.

Sired by homebred AI bull Gerrygullinane Glen, she is out of a homebred Emerson-bred dam. A similar story as the champion, she left the ring unsold.

Overall trade throughout both bulls and females was tough, with stars again a prominent feature in purchasers’ decisions.