The Aubrac Cattle Society held its premier spring sale in Tullamore recently, with the small entry present seeing bulls reach a record-high average.

While the bull average was up, buyers were scarce on the ground, meaning only 50% of the cattle forward found new homes – a story returned by most of the other breed societies with regard to this spring's premier sales.

Leading the way with a top price of €2,850 was the 18-month-old Shrubbywood Lima. Bred and exhibited by Shane and Joanne Bowers, Coole, Co Westmeath, Lima found a new home with Brian Hallinan, Prosperous, Co Kildare. This five-star terminal bull was sired by Johnstown Ian 1144, while the dam was another Johnstown-bred animal, Grace 166.

James Ryan, Doon, Co Limerick, was next in line when he sold Tipperary Leo 307 for €2,800. The oldest bull catalogued, having been born in July 2016, he ticked all the boxes for successful bidder Padriac Moran, Borrisokane, Co Tipperary. Leo is sired by French bull Montrozier, while the dam is Perlou-sired Dama Ina.

Michael Hanlon got Ashbrook Liam away at €2,700. This five-star replacement bull was sired by Dolby, while the dam was a homebred Armenien daughter. Successful buyer here was Northern Ireland breeder Bertie Spiers, Castlewellen, Co Down. Overall, bulls averaged €2,675, up from €2,117 in 2017.

Heifers

Females didn’t reach the same highs as bulls, with the average dropping by nearly €100 to settle at €1,600.

James Ryan was back out in force to claim the top female price of the day with Tipperary Karen. This October 2015-born heifer was again sired by French bull Montrozier, while the dam was Thornhill Iris. This one was knocked down to Mary Killarney, Monivea, Co Galway, for €2,200.

Mary was also the bidder behind Shrubbywood Liberty, which sold for €2,150. Bred by Shane and Joanne Bowers, Liberty carried five stars down the line and was sired by the aforementioned Johnstown Ian.

A small section of crossbred Aubrac cattle were met with a good trade, topping at €2,520.