Trade at the Irish Angus’s annual elite show and sale continues to gain traction year on year. Females again dominated the headlines this year, with both the top price and average seeing a significant increase on the previous two years. Overall, 70% of the females on offer found new homes to average just over €3,400, up from €3,100 in 2015 and €2,600 in 2014.

Topping trade and finishing off a year to remember was John Appelbee, who secured €8,300 for his 15-month-old heifer Carrigroe Mrs Dunbar. This didn’t just mark the top price of the sale, but also now rests as the society’s second-highest price for a female ever, after Lavally Angie broke all records in 2005, selling for €31,000.

The Appelbee family has enjoyed much success in 2016, having already won the overall senior championship at the Aldi all-Ireland finals at Iverk Show and the supreme championship at the society’s all-Irelands in Strokestown with Carrigroe Mr Rebel.

Picking up the reserve overall title under judge Norman Little, Mrs Dunbar is no stranger to success, having also claimed first prize at the all-Irelands in September. Sired by Nightingale Dunbar, she has a wealth of breeding behind her, with her grand dam Carrigroe Dakota the highest-figured cow on replacement index over the last number of years.

The successful buyer after a flurry of bids was pedigree breeder Kenneth Preston, who runs the Dunbreen herd in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Reserve female championship honours went to Kevin Diffley, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, for his 20-month-old Clooncolligan Minnie.

This heifer also enjoyed success at the all-Irelands in Strokestown, securing the senior female championship. Sired by stock bull Drumsna Harry and out of a Ballymagrine Wonder-bred cow, she sold for €5,100 to John O’Brien, Ballymaclody, Co Cork, for his Kilcraheen herd.

Second top price in the female section of €5,700 went to Brideswell May. Bred and exhibited by Patrick Harrison, Athlone, Co Westmeath, this January 2015-born heifer is sired by old favourite Bohey Jasper and all-Ireland champion Ballyshannon Eric as her grand sire. She sold in-calf to ConeyIsland Legend, calving in March. Patrick also secured €3,550 for his November 2014 first prizewinning Brideswell Lance sired by Ballyshannon Eric.

Nigel Peavoy, Mountrath, Co Laois, was next in line for the money when he sold Coolrain Lena for €5,400. Sired by Friarstown Ideal Pete and out of a Priestown Jupiter-bred dam, this October 2014 heifer also sold in-calf.

Moydrum Monalisa, another Bohey Jasper daughter, secured €5,000 for Athlone breeders Michael and Oliver Flanagan. This March 2015-born heifer is a daughter of Clooncolligan Fizz, all-Ireland female champion 2011.

Two heifers traded at €4,100, the first Millbawn Missie from Amanda Bogan and Conor Craig. Entering the ring with a red rosette from the pre-sale show, the June 2015-born Missie comes from the Balckbird line and is sired by AI bull Rawburn Edge J983.

Matching them at the money were Edel and Brendan McCawley, Dowra, Co Leitrim, with their summer show heifer Newbridge Miss Perfect.

Placing second to the sale topper, the September 2015 heifer is sired by Allwood Pepper, a Fordel Eisenhower son.

Selling for €3,000 was Cairnmore Lacey from the Holland family, Rathdowney, Co Laois. This heifer was very kindly donated by the family to raise money for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. She found a new home with Jim Jack, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone.

This is the second charity heifer Mr Jack has purchased, having paid €4,100 for Aughnamona Jionna at the sale two years ago. Further helping the cause, credit must go to Brian Holland, who managed to raise another €1,100 from donations on the day.

Bulls

While the highs witnessed in the female ring weren’t as noticeable in the male section, 39 of the 45 bulls on offer still sold to average €3,000.

This clearance rate of almost 87% marks a strong increase on both 2015 and 2014, which had clearance rates of 70% and 50% respectively.

Claiming both the male and reserve male championships were Cathal and Cormac Duignan of the well-known Laheens herd.

Their overall male champion came in the form of Bunlahy John G son Laheens David R419 who met his reserve at €4,100 selling to Kenneth Preston, purchaser of the sale topper. This October 2015-born bull was a twin to a bull, with the other half also selling for €3,700.

Laheens Miko was the bull to secure the reserve championship for the family. Out of an Aynho Rossiter Eric dam, Miko was again sired by Bunlahy John G and met his reserve at €3,100.

The Laheens outfit also saw their last bull Laheens Major sell for €3,100. Sired by Friarstown Ideal Pete and out of a Fionn cow, Major is a full brother to last year’s male sale topper Laheen Larry at €6,400.

Top price in the bull ring went to Hugh Fox, Elphin, who sold Greeve Powerhouse R235 for €5,300. Sired by Early Sunset Hightime and out of a Coneyisland Legend dam, Powerhouse earlier in the day placed second in his class.

First of two bulls to trade at €4,000 was Caggle Master from Frank Gibbons, Strokestown, Co Roscommon. This May 2015-born bull sees five stars down the line, selling with a replacement index of €131. Sired by Coneyisland Legend, Master is out of Rawburn Lord Rocket daughter Burrengrove Genus.

Next at the money were Michael and Oliver Flanagan, Athlone, Co Westmeath, with Moydrum Moonraker. Again a five-star animal on replacement, the September 2015-born Moonraker is homebred on both sides sired by Bohey Jasper son Moydrum King.

Voucher

Successful bidder was David Clendenning, who was the lucky recipient of the €3,000 voucher towards any animal at the sale. This voucher was funded by Tesco Ireland in association with the Irish Angus producer group which held the competition at this year’s Ploughing.

Joe and Cathal McCormack, Tulsk, Co Roscommon, sold three bulls at €3,800, €3,700 and €3,100. Born September and October 2015, these were all sired by proven stock bull The Moss Kriss L128.

Selling his two bulls for €3,600 and €3,500 was Sean McKiernan, Corlismore, Co Cavan. Both bulls were sired by AI bull Netherton Mr BrazilianE377.

Exports to the North saw a significant drop in 2015, with five making their way across the border, compared with 14 last year. However, three bulls broke into a new Spanish market not witnessed at Angus sales before.