Last weekend, the Salers Cattle Society held its annual spring show and sale in Mountrath Mart. The continued rain that has kept cattle indoors again hampered trade on the day. This is one of the last breed society’s premier sales, with each finding a tougher trade on the year. While the bull trade was particularly tough throughout, with less than 40% of bulls present finding new homes, the female trade witnessed almost a full clearance.

This trade was led by a €2,700 bid for the first-prizewinner in the unhaltered section. The 14-month-old sale-topper Clewbay Sheila was exhibited by Thomas McGreal, Westport, Co Mayo. This five-star daughter of Laois Nathan is out of homebred Clewbay Jill and carried a replacement index of €175.

Leading the way for the bulls was the day’s pre-sale show champion Sligo Ruddle from Bernard Hunt. Boasting stars down the line, Ruddle carried a replacement index of €143. Sired by AI bull Halley, the 19-month-old champion went on to sell for €2,500.

Heifers out-do bulls at Salers premier

Standing reserve to Ruddle in the male championship was Woodview Sandy. This 14-month-old bull, owned by Eddie Brennan, Coon, Co Kilkenny, was sired by Ballymackeogh Lucas. Despite stars to burn, Sandy left the ring unsold having failed to meet his reserve.

All animals forward for the premier had been pre-inspected with all bulls having to be fertility tested. However, this wasn’t enough, as a scarcity of buyers on the floor meant only four of the 11 bulls forward found new homes. Average for these bulls remained on par with last year’s sale at €2,300.

The female champion was Highfield Sultana, which sold outside for €2,000 having failed to meet her reserve. She was exhibited by Niall O’Connell, Macroom, Co Cork. Sired by French stock bull Icare, Sultana is out of homebred dam Highfield Ophelia. This 15-month-old heifer carried a replacement index of €130.

Reserve Heifer Champion Sligo Pepita which sold for €2,500 with breeder Bernard Hunt and judge Michael Fox \ Tricia Kennedy

Bernard Hunt was back in the rosettes again when he secured the reserve female championship sash for Sligo Pepita. This two-year-old in-calf heifer was sired by AI bull Garou and out of Sligo Hearty. This five-star heifer matched her herd mate’s price when she sold for €2,500.

The youngest weanling that sold, Dunlo Salome, made €1,500. This nine-month-old Dunlo Nelson daughter was out of homebred dam Dunlo Oriana. Salome was bred by Kathleen and Michael Ward, Mackney, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

€uro-Star ratings have become a big part of the Salers breed in Ireland since the roll-out of the BDGP. The breed witnessed a resurgence since the programme’s introduction due to the majority of the breed ranking highly on the replacement index. While buyers were conscious of the stars, it wasn’t detrimental to their purchasing decisions. Both the male and female with the highest replacement indices went unsold. Top female, with an index of €218, was Ashbury Risque, an in-calf heifer sired by stock bull Knottown Leo. Top of the males with an index of €192 was Sligo Rebel. This 17-month-old bull was sired by well-known AI bull Ulsan.

Exports on the day were high, with eight of the 17 females sold heading to Northern Ireland.