The Cooltomin pedigree Angus herd of Tommy Liston from Ardagh, Co Limerick, is set to go under the hammer on Saturday 17 April in Kilmallock Mart.

Established nearly 40 years ago, the herd was originally run alongside a dairy herd, but for the last five years, the Angus have taken pride of place.

Selling due to retirement, the sale comprises of 26 cow and calf pairings, five maiden and in-calf heifers, a four-year-old stock bull and a number of young bulls suitable for work.

Split herd

The herd is split between autumn and spring calving, with most cows with calves at foot scanned back in-calf again.

Over the years, the herd has used mostly AI, with a stock bull then used to mop up.

Stand-out bulls AI bulls used over the past number of years include HF Rebel, Cornamuckla Lord Hardy, Te Mania Berkley and Netherton Americano.

While most animals have been bred from the initial foundation females purchased in 1984, a few additions have been added over the years, including females from the Ellen Erica and Pamela family lines.

Speaking about what he looks for in Angus, breeder Tommy Liston said: “Docility for me is the most important thing. Then I’d look at conformation and since I’m selling breeding bulls mostly to dairy herds, easy calving is also a key trait.”

Sale catalogue and pre-sale photos can be viewed by searching Facebook for Cooltomin pedigree Angus herd dispersal.