On a busy weekend for sales, the Irish Simmental Cattle Society held the second of its spring sales in Tullamore last Friday night. Trade continued its mixed trend, with averages well back on the year for bulls. However, last year’s sale was well up on previous years, given the reduced number of bulls forward.

This year’s average levelled at €2,652, over €900 back on the year. While a substantial decrease, a further eight bulls were sold compared with the 2017 sale.

Females witnessed a stronger sale, with a small number forward selling to average €2,280. In all, five of the six forward sold to a top of €3,500.

The €3,500 sale-leader came in the form of the pre-sale show’s female champion Clonagh Jazzy Eyes 2 ET. This 14-month-old heifer was bred and exhibited by Garrett and Lyndsey Behan, Ballyfin, Co Laois.

Jazzy Eyes combines the best of bloodlines, with her dam Milton Senhorita breeding numerous champions, including the 2017 overall Simmental national champion Clonagh Darling Eyes.

Sire behind the sale topper is Clonagh Direct Debit, a son of the three-time Tullamore champion Banwy T-Rex. This stylish young heifer sold as a foundation female for a new herd in Cork.

Reserve female champion Dungimmon Heyley came from Martin and Michael Sheridan, Mountnugent, Co Cavan.

Born December 2016, Heyley was sired by Kilbride Farm Dragoon, while the dam is sired by the aforementioned Banwy T-Rex. This one came under the hammer at €2,500, selling to Michael Byrne, Co Louth.

Bulls

The male side of the house was also led by Garrett and Lyndsey Behan, with Clonagh James Bond ET selling for €3,400.

This February 2017-born bull is a full brother to the female champion and sale leader Jazzy Eyes. Successful bidder was Eddie Punch, Co Clare.

Securing a bid of €3,200 were Joe and Sean McGarry with Clonguish Hudson. Hudson is sired by Kilbride Farm Bantry and out of the prolific dam Clonguish Wee Princess.

Half brothers and sisters to Hudson have performed exceptionally well at shows and sales, with Clonguish Gemma selling for €8,200 at the premier sale in November 2016. Successful bidder of the December 2016-born bull was Peter Mimnagh, Co Longford.

Michael Oliver took centre-stage in the ring that evening and he found his male champion in the form of Tisaran Jameson.

Bred and exhibited by Martin Mooney, Birr, Co Offaly, this 15-month-old bull remains in Birr, having been secured at €3,000 by Una Egan.

Sire behind the champion was Kilbride Farm Bantry, while the dam was sired by Drumlone Anchor.

Reserve championship honours went to Joe and James Kelly for their bull Mount Jammy Dodger.

This February 2017-born bull is sired by Kilbride Farm Comber, while the dam’s pedigree features Glebefarm Tyson and Salisbury Challenger. At a price tag of €3,100, this one heads east to Co Carlow.