Fodder shortages, combined with weather that’s showing no relief, continue to hamper pedigree bull sales across the country. The Irish Simmental Cattle Society’s premier spring sale held in Roscommon over the weekend was no different.

An increase in the number of bulls available on the day and a scarcity of buyers on the ground meant clearance rates and averages took a hit on the previous year. Following a thorough inspection, 45 of the 70 bulls catalogued made it through to the sales ring. This is up from the 29 which went through the ring in 2017.

Of the 45 bulls on offer, only 18 found new homes, representing a 39% clearance. Having soared to €3,821 at the 2017 premier, averages took a substantial hit to settle at €3,330, slightly above that of the 2016 premier.

Females saw a much better trade, with averages increasing by nearly €500. In total, 12 of the 19 heifers on offer sold to average €2,929. Trade was lifted slightly due to fewer heifers available compared with the corresponding sale of 2017.

Three from three: Garret and Lyndsey Behan exhibited all three champions at the Irish Simmental Cattle Society’s premier show and sale over the weekend. From left: Garret Behan with the senior champion Clonagh Hot Shot, which sold for €4,000; Trevor Shortt exhibiting the junior champion Clonagh Just A Dream, which sold for the day’s top price of €12,500; and Lyndsey Behan exhibiting the female champion Clonagh Jazzy Eyes, which sold for the top female price of €6,100. \ Alfie Shaw

Three from three: Garret and Lyndsey Behan exhibited all three champions at the Irish Simmental Cattle Society’s premier show and sale over the weekend. From left: Garret Behan with the senior champion Clonagh Hot Shot, which sold for €4,000; Trevor Shortt exhibiting the junior champion Clonagh Just A Dream, which sold for the day’s top price of €12,500; and Lyndsey Behan exhibiting the female champion Clonagh Jazzy Eyes, which sold for the top female price of €6,100. \ Alfie Shaw

While many breeders went home from the premier spring sale disheartened, it will go down as a day to remember for one breeding duo.

Garrett and Lyndsey Behan of the Clonagh and Jennalyn herds triumphed in the show ring and under harsh trading conditions.

Having secured three from three in the championships of the show under Welsh judge Anthony Davies, the Behan pair later went on to claim the two top prices in both the bull and heifer sections.

Leading the way with a call of €12,500 was the pre-sale junior champion Clonagh Just A Dream. This growthy 12-month-old bull is sired by the herd’s former stock bull Kilbride Farm Dragoon and out of national champion Cloneygowan Temptress Posh.

Junior champion and top-priced bull Clonagh Just A Dream, which sold for €12,500. \ Alfie Shaw

A maternal brother to two national champions, Just A Dream was himself placed third at the society’s national calf finals in September. With five stars down the line, the stylish young bull was knocked down to Padge Mulhare of the famous Hillcrest herd in Co Offaly.

The Behans’ senior champion Clonagh Hot Shot was next in line with a bid of €4,000. Another son of the aforementioned Kilbride Farm Dragoon, Hot Shot is out of another Cloneygowan-bred cow, this time Shania Babe.

Senior champion and second-top priced bull Clonagh Hot Shot, which sold for €4,000. \ Alfie Shaw

This dam needs no introduction having secured five national titles and being awarded the reserve overall female of the year title three times. Having failed to meet his reserve in the ring, he was later sold outside to Patrick Plunkett, Kilcogy, Co Cavan.

Two bulls traded at €3,600. First at the money was Jacinta Wall, with Auroch James ET. This Carnkern Tital son is out of Curaheen Whisper, a full sister to the €20,000 Curaheen Tyson. Born in January 2017, this five-star bull was knocked down to Dovea Genetics at €3,600.

Matching him at the money was another from Garrett and Lyndsey Behan, this time by the name Jennalyn Jackpot. Again, a son of Kilbride Farm Dragoon, this January 2017-born bull is a full brother to two-time reserve national champion Jennalyn Gina Tina. Securing the five-star red bull was Kildare native Edward Murphy.

These three bulls helped nicely in the Behan outfit achieving a €4,500 bull average, with seven sold.

Securing the reserve senior championship was Cork breeder William O’Riordan with Bridgemount Harvey. This October 2016-born bull sees Lisnacran Sunnyboy, Ballyduff Jeweller and Brinkton Brilliant in the lineage. With a bid of €2,800, he was knocked down to Michael Killackey, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

Reserve junior championship honours went the way of Paul Sammon with his January 2017 bull Firmount Jacob, a dark red bull out of Curaheen Fox 2 and Clonguish Daphne. With five stars on the terminal index, he sold for €2,000 to Galway man Dermot Connolly.

Female champion and top-priced female Clonagh Jazzy Eyes, which sold for €6,100. \ Alfie Shaw

It was a similar scene in the female trade, with the Behans securing the top two prices. Top price in the female section and second-top price of the sale was the female champion Clonagh Jazzy Eyes.

Another by Kilbride Farm Dragoon, this one was at foot when her dam Clonagh Darling Eyes won overall Simmental of the year at Tullamore last August. This breeding is no stranger to success, with two genetic full sisters selling for €12,100 and €6,000 at the premier last November. After back and forth bidding, the female champion was knocked down to Cavan breeder Kevin Boylan at €6,100.

Securing the second-top female price of €5,200 was Jennalyn Janet Hilary Rose. This growthy January 2017-born heifer sees Kilbride Farm Dragoon, Banwy T-Rex and Raceview King in the back breeding. Carrying four stars on the replacement index, this one found a new home in Scotland with Clive Houldey.

An astonishing aspect to the sale saw the Behan family take home €49,400 for 12 lots, which accounted for over half of the sale total, which settled at €95,100.

Joe and James Kelly from Ballynacally, Co Clare, secured the reserve female championship with their December 2016-born heifer Mount Horizon. Sired by Artnagullion Flint, this heifer is out of Curaheen Brooklyn, a maternal sister to Progressive Genetics bull Curaheen Earp. The stylish reserve champion was secured by Galway breeder John Lardner for €3,800.

Last of the upper prices in the females was Kevin Treanor’s Mainview Jezabel. With Milnafua Graduate, Cairnview Snazzy and Kilbride Farm Newry in the breeding, this January 2017 heifer was a hit and sold to Welsh breeder Aled Davies for €3,700.

Save the date

The inaugural National Sheep Breeders Association (NSBA) Sheep Championships and Trade Fair will be held at Cillín Hill Mart and event centre on Saturday 9 June. To date, national championships have been confirmed from the Texel, Charollais, Suffolk and Zwartables and Belclare societies, while discussions are ongoing with others to follow. Make a note in your diary for an event not to be missed for 2018. Pictured at a recent meeting at The Hub, Cillín Hill, Kilkenny, were the committee of the NSBA championships (from left): TJ Duffy, Declan Miley, Jim Jeffery, chair Sinead Brophy, John Neville, Francis Lyons and Richard Moore.

The inaugural National Sheep Breeders Association (NSBA) Sheep Championships and Trade Fair will be held at Cillín Hill Mart and event centre on Saturday 9 June. To date, national championships have been confirmed from the Texel, Charollais, Suffolk and Zwartables and Belclare societies, while discussions are ongoing with others to follow. Make a note in your diary for an event not to be missed for 2018. Pictured at a recent meeting at The Hub, Cillín Hill, Kilkenny, were the committee of the NSBA championships (from left): TJ Duffy, Declan Miley, Jim Jeffery, chair Sinead Brophy, John Neville, Francis Lyons and Richard Moore.