The Friesian breed continues to be resilient to the tough pedigree sales currently being witnessed. While you would think it should be the same weather woes across dairy and beef sales, this isn’t the case.

Buyers securing Friesian bulls need to do so now, whereas buyers of beef bulls still have time and are biding their time until absolutely necessary to purchase. This was clear to see in Bandon last week when the Friesian breed hosted the highest amount of any breed present and coupled this with the best clearance rate.

The Cork Holstein Friesian Club held its annual sale in Bandon, and saw 26 bulls forward. Of the 26 forward, 19 sold to represent a 73% clearance. This was up substantially from the 47% clearance witnessed at the 2017 sale. The increase in clearance did, however, hamper the average sale price slightly, with bulls back €90 to settle at €2,162.

Leading the way in the Friesian ring for the third consecutive Wednesday was John O’Callaghan of the Mountfarna herd in Bandon. Having taken the top three prices in Kilkenny last month, and the top two prices at the IHFA premier, John was back out in form to take the top three Friesian prices in Bandon.

Champion and top priced Friesian Mountfarna Reliant who sold for 3,400. Pictured with owner John O'Callaghan, Farnivane, Bandon, his nephew Paul Kelly, Seamus Crowley, President Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club, judge Peter Kenneally and Neil O'Riordan, Cork Marts Board Member \ O'Gorman Photography.

Mountfarna Reliant with owner John O'Callaghan, Farnivane, Bandon, his nephew Paul Kelly, Seamus Crowley, president Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club, judge Peter Kenneally and Neil O'Riordan, Cork Marts Board Member. \ O'Gorman Photography.

Top price and joint top price across breeds was the day’s Friesian champion, Mountfarna Reliant. This strong January 2017-born bull is sired by Longview Reliable and out of EX90 classified dam Mountfarna Eight Ruth. This cow is currently giving 51kg and has a projected fourth lactation of over 11,000kg. Reliant carried an EBI of €149 and hit the market at €3,400.

Second best at a price of €2,980 was Mountfarna Jupiter. Sired by Kirkby Jupiter, he is out of Mountfarna Shot Ruby an EX92 classified cow on her eighth lactation who has produced over 76,000kg in her first seven lactations. This bull comes from nine generations of VG or EX classified cows including homeland Ruby 42 EX99.

Third top Friesian price and the last from the O’Callaghan outfit was Mountfarna Greyson. This son of Peak Mr Grey is out of Uacter Tm 2 Beattie 2, a third calver who averaged 9,000kg at 5% fat and 3.7% protein from her first two lactations. Greyson himself carries a milk kg figure of 316 and was sold for €2,900.

Angus

The Munster Aberdeen Angus club held its premier high health sale in conjunction with the Friesian sale. As mentioned previously, the highs being witnessed at dairy sales aren’t being replicated on the beef side. While clearance rates were on par with last year, it is still below what would be liked at 56%, particularly given the reduced number of bulls present. Average increased on the year by nearly €200 to settle at €2,816 but this was for a much smaller number of bulls sold.

Leading the way and claiming the joint overall top price of €3,400 was Inchisine Nial from Denis O’Riordan, Macroom, Co Cork. A September 2016-born bull, Nial is out of stock bull Cooldaniel Jane and carried a calving index of 1.9%.

Top-priced Angus bull

Inchisine Nial.

Top-priced Angus bull Inchisine Nial.

Two bulls traded at €3,000. First at the money was John and Kate Tait’s Westellen Duke S809. Again born in September, this one is sired by Shankill Max while the dam is Liss Dana E680. This one parted ways at €3,000. Matching him in price was Mogeely Flack S490. This five-star 19-month-old bull is out of Liss Boss Man and homebred Mogeely Flora P314.

The champion Aberdeen Angus Brookpark Pedro pictured with owner Clive Jennings \ O'Gorman Photography.

The champion Aberdeen Angus Brookpark Pedro pictured with owner Clive Jennings \ O'Gorman Photography.

Hereford

The Irish Hereford Breed Society also held a sale on the same day, offering 20 bulls. While clearance for the red and whites was above that of the Angus at 65%, average price was back to €2,312.

Leading the way in the Hereford show ring and also the sale ring was Clyda Donncha from Ray Cronin.

Having being tapped forward in the pre-sale show, this Moyclare Lieutenant son claimed the top Hereford price of €2,950.

The champion and top priced Hereford Clyda Donncha is pictured with owner Ray Cronin, judges Pat and Patrick McCarthy presenting the Appelbe Cup. \ O'Gorman Photography.

The champion and top-priced Hereford Clyda Donncha with owner Ray Cronin, judges Pat and Patrick McCarthy presenting the Appelbe Cup. \ O'Gorman Photography.

Next best in this ring was a call of €2,650 for the third prize winning Furaleigh Rory 1077 from Ted O’Sullivan, Fermoy. This Border General son is out of homebred Furaleigh Buttercup 628.

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