The Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society held its premier sale in Roscommon on Saturday, with a tough trade across bulls and heifers. While males are generally hard sold, this year heifers also saw a reduction in clearance.
In total, 58% of females were sold at an average of €2,050, back nearly €100 on the year. Males saw a big increase in sale price, settling at €2,233. However, only six of the 16 put forward sold.
This drop in clearance was largely down to a reduction in Northern Irish interest, with only seven heading north, compared with 20 at the previous year’s sale.
The sale was topped by Creaga Niki from Noel and Lisa Dowd, Creggs, Co Roscommon. This young April 2017-born heifer is homebred on both sides, with her sire Creaga Kenko and the dam Winalot Rodney daughter Creaga Eden. This one was secured by UK bidder Andrea Brona for €4,000.
Second top-priced animal Rockville Cherry 414, which sold for €3,700.
Next best with a bid of €3,700 was Rockville Cherry 414 from Anthony Dockery, Elphin, Co Roscommon. This five-star heifer is sired by Fanore Leader, while the dam is a homebred Bushypark Enda daughter. Five stars on the replacement index, the yearling heifer was knocked down to Tommy Staunton.
This topped a successful day for the Rockville outfit, which also sold the top-priced bull Rockville Richie 405 at €3,050. Born April 2017, Richie is a son of Sprys Patents Ace, while the dam is again out of the aforementioned Bushypark Enda. Securing the roan bull was Ann Marshall.
Overall female champion Glann Rosie exhibited by Adrian Flatley.
Female championship
Securing the female championship was Glann Rosie from the Flatley brothers, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.
Sired by Lismacool Jerome, this stylish January 2018-born heifer comes with a proven track record, having placed first in the all-Ireland intermediate heifer calf championship in September. Four stars on the replacement index, she was knocked down to Bobby O’Connell at a price of €3,500.
Standing reserve in the female championship was Graigue Willow 17th from Alan Gibbons, Strokestown.
Originally bred by John Cronin, this Moygara Exile daughter came out on top of an exceptionally strong maiden heifer class before being tapped forward as reserve champion by judge Pat Sheedy.
Carrying three stars on the replacement index, top bidder at €2,950 was local Roscommon breeder Eamon McCormack.
Champion male Ricketstown Logan, exhibited by Martin Kelly. \ Frances Browne
In the male championship, Mr Sheedy awarded the overall title to Martin Kelly’s Ricketstown Logan. This five-star terminal roan bull is sired by UK bull Fearn Capercallie, while the dam is a daughter of the £10,000 Podehole Fenman. Having failed to meet his reserve, Logan left the ring unsold.
Reserve male championship honours went the way of Gillaroo Leo from Robert Emmett McNulty. This April 2017-born son of Mohill Jack was secured by a Northern Ireland breeder for €2,000.
The Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society held its premier sale in Roscommon on Saturday, with a tough trade across bulls and heifers. While males are generally hard sold, this year heifers also saw a reduction in clearance.
In total, 58% of females were sold at an average of €2,050, back nearly €100 on the year. Males saw a big increase in sale price, settling at €2,233. However, only six of the 16 put forward sold.
This drop in clearance was largely down to a reduction in Northern Irish interest, with only seven heading north, compared with 20 at the previous year’s sale.
The sale was topped by Creaga Niki from Noel and Lisa Dowd, Creggs, Co Roscommon. This young April 2017-born heifer is homebred on both sides, with her sire Creaga Kenko and the dam Winalot Rodney daughter Creaga Eden. This one was secured by UK bidder Andrea Brona for €4,000.
Second top-priced animal Rockville Cherry 414, which sold for €3,700.
Next best with a bid of €3,700 was Rockville Cherry 414 from Anthony Dockery, Elphin, Co Roscommon. This five-star heifer is sired by Fanore Leader, while the dam is a homebred Bushypark Enda daughter. Five stars on the replacement index, the yearling heifer was knocked down to Tommy Staunton.
This topped a successful day for the Rockville outfit, which also sold the top-priced bull Rockville Richie 405 at €3,050. Born April 2017, Richie is a son of Sprys Patents Ace, while the dam is again out of the aforementioned Bushypark Enda. Securing the roan bull was Ann Marshall.
Overall female champion Glann Rosie exhibited by Adrian Flatley.
Female championship
Securing the female championship was Glann Rosie from the Flatley brothers, Kilkelly, Co Mayo.
Sired by Lismacool Jerome, this stylish January 2018-born heifer comes with a proven track record, having placed first in the all-Ireland intermediate heifer calf championship in September. Four stars on the replacement index, she was knocked down to Bobby O’Connell at a price of €3,500.
Standing reserve in the female championship was Graigue Willow 17th from Alan Gibbons, Strokestown.
Originally bred by John Cronin, this Moygara Exile daughter came out on top of an exceptionally strong maiden heifer class before being tapped forward as reserve champion by judge Pat Sheedy.
Carrying three stars on the replacement index, top bidder at €2,950 was local Roscommon breeder Eamon McCormack.
Champion male Ricketstown Logan, exhibited by Martin Kelly. \ Frances Browne
In the male championship, Mr Sheedy awarded the overall title to Martin Kelly’s Ricketstown Logan. This five-star terminal roan bull is sired by UK bull Fearn Capercallie, while the dam is a daughter of the £10,000 Podehole Fenman. Having failed to meet his reserve, Logan left the ring unsold.
Reserve male championship honours went the way of Gillaroo Leo from Robert Emmett McNulty. This April 2017-born son of Mohill Jack was secured by a Northern Ireland breeder for €2,000.
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