Kilkenny bull sales hosted its second sale of the year on Wednesday, with trade for Angus at an all-time high.
Similar to many sales across the country, numbers present at the sale were well back on whose catalogued due to vibrant on-farm sales being witnessed for the last six weeks.
In total, 26 of the 53 bulls catalogued were presented for sale, with all but one finding a new home.
This healthy clearance rate was accompanied with an impressive average price of €3,038.
While prices did hit as high as €3,900, it wasn’t the high prices that drove the average up but the fact that over half of the bulls sold make in excess of €3,000.
Leading the prices
Leading the prices at the previously mentioned €3,900 price tag was Carrick-on-Shannon-based Martin Garvey, with his bull Liscolvin S Esminie.
This October 2019-born bull is sired by stock bull Drumbore Valletta, while the dam was Crerogue Elysees P458.
With four stars on both the terminal and replacement indices and with a beef cow calving figure of just 2%, he was knocked down to Wexford farmer Michael Brennan.
This topped a super day's trading for Garvey, who sold his second bull LIscolvin S Kian June at €3,500.
This November 2019-born bull is sired by Gene Ireland bull Carrigroe Kian, with the dam a homebred Crussin Mark daughter.
Also boasting four stars on the terminal and replacement indices, he was secured by a Kilkenny farmer.
Second-highest Angus price
Taking the second-highest Angus price of €3,800 was well-known breeder Frank McKiernan from Co Cavan with his bull Drumcrow Prince Joker V050.
Drumcrow Prince Joker, which sold for €3,800, with breeder Frank McKiernan and buyers Mary and Bobby O'Loughlin.
This August 2019-born bull was homebred on both sides, with his sire the highly successful stock bull Drumcrow Joker.
With a calving figure of just 1.8%, he was secured by Mary and Bobby O’Loughlin from Rathangan in Co Kildare.
McKiernan’s second bull Drumcrow Picasso V794 also proved in demand, selling for €3,300. This five-star son of Rawburn Jagger Eric is out of a Netherton Americano-bred dam.
Next highest at €3,600 was Clonbroney Trevor from Liam Foley, Ballinalee, Co Longford.
This January 2020-born bull is sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric, with Clooncolligan Exotic and Lawsonsford Bagatelle also in the back breeding.
Carrying four stars on carcase weight, he was the choice of a local dairy herd.
Next in line
Fourteen-month-old Templequain Lord John W105 was next in line when he hit the market at €3,500.
Bred and exhibited by Laois breeder Martin Costigan, this double five-star bull is a son of Kealkill Prime Lad, with the dam out of Bunlahy John G.
Herefords
While the average price wasn’t as high, the Hereford breed also recorded a good day's trading, with 13 of the 16 bulls forward selling.
These bulls sold for an average price of €2,642, with top price here settling at €3,200.
Top-priced Hereford Knockduffpoll 1 Kasper, which sold for €3,200.
Securing this price was Wexford breeder Michael Jones with Knockduffpoll 1 Kasper.
This stylish September 2019-born bull is a son of Cill Cormaic Kasper, while the dam is out of Kilsunny Goliath.
With double five stars on the terminal and replacement indices, he was secured by a Wicklow farmer.
The only other Hereford bull to hit the €3,000 mark was Knockmountagh Rebel from Eamon McKiernan, Monasterboice, Co Louth.
This son of popular Haven Kingpin goes back on a Glaslough Esquire-bred dam.
With four stars on the terminal index and with a beef cow calving figure of just 2.4%, he was knocked down to a local Kilkenny farmer.
Limousin bulls
Only two Limousin bulls were offered for sale, with both trading to average €2,850.
Top of these was a call of €3,000 for Crohane Richard. This rising 14-month-old bull was bred and exhibited by Imelda Vaughan from Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Boasting five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices, Richard heads to a farmer in Co Waterford.
Dairy side
On the dairy side, the top price of the entire sale came for a Friesian bull.
Duntryleague Alan, which sold for the top price of €4,000.
Duntryleague Alan from Limerick-based Jack Hogan had a number of interested parties, which saw his price tag rise to €4,000.
This mostly black son of Ballinaborta Primo is steeped in performance, with his homebred dam hitting over 4% protein in her last three lactations.
Nearly 50% British Friesian and carrying an EBI of €213, he was the choice of a Kilkenny breeder.
Overall, Friesian trade was trickier than the beef trade, with seven of the 14 bulls present selling to average €2,221.
Read more
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Kilkenny bull sales hosted its second sale of the year on Wednesday, with trade for Angus at an all-time high.
Similar to many sales across the country, numbers present at the sale were well back on whose catalogued due to vibrant on-farm sales being witnessed for the last six weeks.
In total, 26 of the 53 bulls catalogued were presented for sale, with all but one finding a new home.
This healthy clearance rate was accompanied with an impressive average price of €3,038.
While prices did hit as high as €3,900, it wasn’t the high prices that drove the average up but the fact that over half of the bulls sold make in excess of €3,000.
Leading the prices
Leading the prices at the previously mentioned €3,900 price tag was Carrick-on-Shannon-based Martin Garvey, with his bull Liscolvin S Esminie.
This October 2019-born bull is sired by stock bull Drumbore Valletta, while the dam was Crerogue Elysees P458.
With four stars on both the terminal and replacement indices and with a beef cow calving figure of just 2%, he was knocked down to Wexford farmer Michael Brennan.
This topped a super day's trading for Garvey, who sold his second bull LIscolvin S Kian June at €3,500.
This November 2019-born bull is sired by Gene Ireland bull Carrigroe Kian, with the dam a homebred Crussin Mark daughter.
Also boasting four stars on the terminal and replacement indices, he was secured by a Kilkenny farmer.
Second-highest Angus price
Taking the second-highest Angus price of €3,800 was well-known breeder Frank McKiernan from Co Cavan with his bull Drumcrow Prince Joker V050.
Drumcrow Prince Joker, which sold for €3,800, with breeder Frank McKiernan and buyers Mary and Bobby O'Loughlin.
This August 2019-born bull was homebred on both sides, with his sire the highly successful stock bull Drumcrow Joker.
With a calving figure of just 1.8%, he was secured by Mary and Bobby O’Loughlin from Rathangan in Co Kildare.
McKiernan’s second bull Drumcrow Picasso V794 also proved in demand, selling for €3,300. This five-star son of Rawburn Jagger Eric is out of a Netherton Americano-bred dam.
Next highest at €3,600 was Clonbroney Trevor from Liam Foley, Ballinalee, Co Longford.
This January 2020-born bull is sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric, with Clooncolligan Exotic and Lawsonsford Bagatelle also in the back breeding.
Carrying four stars on carcase weight, he was the choice of a local dairy herd.
Next in line
Fourteen-month-old Templequain Lord John W105 was next in line when he hit the market at €3,500.
Bred and exhibited by Laois breeder Martin Costigan, this double five-star bull is a son of Kealkill Prime Lad, with the dam out of Bunlahy John G.
Herefords
While the average price wasn’t as high, the Hereford breed also recorded a good day's trading, with 13 of the 16 bulls forward selling.
These bulls sold for an average price of €2,642, with top price here settling at €3,200.
Top-priced Hereford Knockduffpoll 1 Kasper, which sold for €3,200.
Securing this price was Wexford breeder Michael Jones with Knockduffpoll 1 Kasper.
This stylish September 2019-born bull is a son of Cill Cormaic Kasper, while the dam is out of Kilsunny Goliath.
With double five stars on the terminal and replacement indices, he was secured by a Wicklow farmer.
The only other Hereford bull to hit the €3,000 mark was Knockmountagh Rebel from Eamon McKiernan, Monasterboice, Co Louth.
This son of popular Haven Kingpin goes back on a Glaslough Esquire-bred dam.
With four stars on the terminal index and with a beef cow calving figure of just 2.4%, he was knocked down to a local Kilkenny farmer.
Limousin bulls
Only two Limousin bulls were offered for sale, with both trading to average €2,850.
Top of these was a call of €3,000 for Crohane Richard. This rising 14-month-old bull was bred and exhibited by Imelda Vaughan from Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Boasting five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices, Richard heads to a farmer in Co Waterford.
Dairy side
On the dairy side, the top price of the entire sale came for a Friesian bull.
Duntryleague Alan, which sold for the top price of €4,000.
Duntryleague Alan from Limerick-based Jack Hogan had a number of interested parties, which saw his price tag rise to €4,000.
This mostly black son of Ballinaborta Primo is steeped in performance, with his homebred dam hitting over 4% protein in her last three lactations.
Nearly 50% British Friesian and carrying an EBI of €213, he was the choice of a Kilkenny breeder.
Overall, Friesian trade was trickier than the beef trade, with seven of the 14 bulls present selling to average €2,221.
Read more
Prices hit €6,600 at Athenry Limousin sale
Irish rare breeds get new herdbooks
Cooltomin dispersal tops out at €4,700
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