The Irish Charolais cattle society held their annual Christmas Cracker in Elphin over the weekend which saw averages surpass the best of any breed this autumn.

In all 62 of the bulls forward sold to an average of €4,130. This represents a clearance of nearly 75% with a similar number of bulls sold the previous year. While overall, the average would be back for the sale, the breed outperformed most others which have witnessed a tough autumn season.

Quality lots achieved top prices with a total of 14 bulls making €5,000 or more with a further 12 bulls making over the €4,000 mark.

Leading the way and topping the sale for the second year running was Pat McClean, Newtowncunningham, Lifford, Co. Donegal. His September 2016-born bull, Roughlan Noah 2, was the bull of choice and saw auctioneer Tom Cox drop the hammer at €10,000. Sired by French imported stock bull Roughlan Gibraltar, Noah goes back on homebred cow Roughlan Isadorie.

The €8,500 price tag was hit twice. First at the money was the day’s junior champion Fieldview Nathaniel from David Erskine, Co. Monaghan. This stylish young bull is sired by Ashleigh Admiral while the dam is out of Prime Roberto.

Matching him at the money was the second prize winning Cloonglasna11 Noddy ET. Bred by Padraig Egan, Ballina, Co. Mayo this bull’s pedigree includes Major and Domino.