The last of the Irish Hereford Cattle Society sales took place in Nenagh over the weekend. While both average and clearance were back noticeably on the year, bulls continued to move, resulting in a 72% clearance. Average price for bulls dropped back below €2,550, from just shy of €3,000 in 2017.

While a number of lower-quality bulls hampered the average, a number of top bulls sold for respectable prices. Leading the way with a €3,700 bid was Castleday King, owned by Michael Farrell. This 18-month-old bull is sired by popular AI bull Cill Cormaic Kasper and carried four stars on both the terminal and replacement indices. The sale topper will now join the Ballyaville herd, a well-recognised herd name in the world of Herefords owned by Joe Deverell.

A bid of €3,600 was enough to secure Ballinveney Tiger from breeder Rory Farrell. This stylish 13-month-old bull’s breeding contains Yarram Star and Bowmont Storm. Placing the final bid was Phil Smyth, who owns the Ardmulchan herd in Navan, Co Meath.

The Dudleys of the Kilsunny herd were out in search of a stock bull and their pick was Padraig McGrath’s 13-month-old Kye Hotspur 783.

This first-prizewinning bull is sired by well-known Free Town Hotspur and carried five stars on both indices, with a calving figure of just 2.8%. Hotspur 783 met his reserve at €3,400.

Champion of the show, under judges Eugene and Eoin Lynch of the Droumdaniel herd, went to Cill Cormaic Padraig Pearse. This 16-month-old bull, bred by David Larkin, sold for €2,800. Sire behind the champion was homebred stock bull Cill Cormaic Lincoln, who has produced a number of notable progeny.