This autumn has seen a few difficult sales for pedigree breed societies at their October/November sale venues and last Saturday was no different at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society pedigree bull sale held in GVM Mart, Tullamore.

It was described by many as a tough trade and the clearance rate of 50% demonstrated that. 81 of the 123 cataloged bulls turned up for sale with some bulls sold at home and others entered for the Charolais Society's flagship sale of the year in Elphin on Saturday, 1 December.

Topping the sale was Jim Geoghegan's June 2017-born bull Lisnagre Natural ET. By Pirate and out of Ballydownan Curie ET this bull had a five star terminal index of €146 and a calving figure of +7.1%. He was knocked down to a Co. Westmeath based purchaser at €6,400.

Nigel Matchett, the pre sale show judge tapped out Lot 19, Tullvillage Narcos from the herd of William Flynn, Balinasloe, Co. Galway as his senior champion. This May 2017-born bull was by Fiston and out of a Utrillo BP cow. He had a five star terminal index of €130 and a very easy calving figure of +5.3%. He was sold to an Offaly based purchaser at €4,000.

The reserve senior champion came from the herd of David Magee, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan. Corney Niall a Goldstar Echo son who had a four-star terminal index of €135 and a calving figure of +7.3%. He was knocked down to a Galway suckler farmer at €3,100. The day's Junior champion came from the herd of John Fleury, Co Offaly. This September 2017-bull by Lyonsdemense Pat failed to reach his reserve and went home unsold. The next Irish Charolais Cattle Society bull sale takes place in Elphin Mart on Saturday, 1 December.