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The continental breeds took pride of place in Carrick-on-Shannon last weekend for the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society’s April sale.
The majority of bulls on offer were of the Charolais breed, with a total of 24 going under the hammer of auctioneer Francie McGowan.
Of these, 19 sold for a strong average price of €2,950.
This average is up a massive €300 on the same sale in 2019, with last year's called off due to restrictions.
Top call
This average was helped by three of the bulls sold making €4,000 or more.
Top of these was a call of €4,800 for Laheens Promise from the herd of local breeders Cathal and Cormac Duignan.
This December 2019-born son of the famous Doonally New is out of a Goldstar Echo-bred dam, with Meillard also in the back breeding.
Hitting €4,200 was Clewbay Padron from Westport breeder Charles Hughes.
This September 2019-born bull ranked four stars on the terminal index, with Liseron, Goldstar Echo and Pirate all featuring in the pedigree.
Roscommon-based John Keane sold his best offering, Mohedian Popeye, at €4,100.
This son of Highland Show champion Jacquard is out of a homebred Fieldview Hendry dam.
Born in September 2019, Popeye carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices.
Keane’s second bull Mohedian Playboy sold for €3,400. This October 2019-born bull was bred the same way, with the sire being Jaquard and the dam by Fieldview Hendry.
Other notable prices
The €3,500 price tag was hit on two occasions. First at the money was John Boyd with Faus Phoenix ET.
This October 2019-born bull is by the old favourite Pirate, with the dam being former prizewinner Faus Nevada, herself a Liscally Eti daughter.
Matching the money was Aughakil Rodney from Francis Mulvey, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. This son of the aforementioned Doonally New is out of a homebred Pirate daughter.
Michael Kavanagh from Mohill sold his 13-month-old bull Aislinne Ralf at €3,150. This five-star replacement index bull is a son of Pottlereagh Mark, with Lisnagre Elite and Pirate also in the lineage.
Brian Faughnan from Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, sold his January 2020-born bull Clooncarreen Raeburn at €3,000.
This son of Scardaune Mark is out of the homebred Clooncarreen Missey, whose pedigree consists of Hideal and Jupiter.
Top of the heifers
Top of the Charolais heifers on offer was Lisdaly Rosanna, which hit the market at €2,100.
Bred and exhibited by Padraig Butler, this 12-month-old heifer carried four stars on the replacement index and is a daughter of popular bull Fiston.
Limousin bulls
A total of seven Limousin bulls were offered for sale, with five finding new homes to an average price of €2,450.
Taking the top price in this section was Oliver O’Hara with Gortnaskeagh Pablo.
This September 2019-born bull boasted five stars on the replacement index, with a calving figure of just 3.7%. His pedigree included Casimir, Fiesldson Alfy and Sympa.
Selling at €2,800 was Grovehill Puca from Francis McGowan, Mohill, Co Leitrim. This November 2019-born son of Ewdenvale Ivor is out of a Brooklands F0959-bred dam.
Fellow Leitrim breeder John McGovern sold his bull Aughrim Percy at €2,350. This bull had Gamin, Highlander and Milbrook Tanko in his pedigree.
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