Prices hit €8,000 for Charolais bulls in Tullamore on Saturday last, one of the highest prices seen at the sale for many years. This, along with four other bulls selling for €5,000 or more, helped to boost average to €3,547.

This average is up €250 on the same sale in 2019, with last year’s sale called off due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Some 33 bulls sold on the day, representing a 61% clearance. In total, 54 bulls went under auctioneer Tom Cox’s gavel from the 89 initially catalogued.

Speaking after the sale, Irish Charolais Cattle Society secretary Nevan McKiernan said: “There has been super demand on farm this spring, so much so we have called off another sale due to insufficient numbers. Today’s sale proved another exceptional day of trading for the real top-end Charolais bull.”

Securing the top price of €8,000 was the last bull through the ring, Crossmolina Rambo. This powerful 12-month-old bull was bred and exhibited by Alan Wood from Co Mayo.

Crossmolina Rambo, which sold for the top price of €8,000, exhibited by Michael Hanifin with breeder Alan Woods.

Sired by Berry Mic, Rambo is from a line of top breeding cows, with the grandmother being breeding Dovea Genetics bull Crossmolina Jupiter.

While stars may have not been on his side, the quality he offered shone through and the sale topper was eventually secured by well-known Scottish breeder Stuart Barclay for his Harestone herd.

Taking home the second-top price at €6,900 was Cuillmore Ryan from Thomas and Michael Keane, Westport, Co Mayo.

This March 2020-born bull is a product of the famous cross of Doonally New and Pirate, with Enfield Plexus also in the back breeding.

Boasting five stars on the terminal index, the 13-month-old Ryan was knocked down to Clare-based John Murphy.

Brocca Powerful Genetics ET was next in line when he sold for €6,400.

Brocca Powerful Genetics ET, which sold for €6,400, exhibited by John Barry Moran.

Brought out by Westmeath breeder John Barry Moran, the November 2019-born bull was sired by Domino, with Jupiter and Indurain also in the lineage.

Another five-star bull on the terminal index, he was the choice of Northern Ireland-based William O’Neill.

In total, four bulls were exported with, two to the North, one to Wales and one to Scotland.

Donegal breeder Pat McClean had another super day of trading, selling his two bulls for €5,000 each.

First at the money was the October 2019-born Roughan Phelix 2. This son of Roughan Dix De Coe is out of a Roughan Galant-bred dam.

Carrying four stars on the terminal index, he was secured by Clare farmer John Costello.

Matching the price tag was Roughan Profit 2. Having failed to meet his reserve in the ring, he was secured by Kilkenny-based John Kenna in the yard.

This double five-star bull is a son of stock bull Roughan Gilbraltar, with Sesame in the back breeding of the dam.

Also having an excellent day of trading was Matt Ryan of the Kilvilcorris herd outside Thurles, Co Tipperary. He sold all his four bulls for an average price of just shy of €4,000.

Top of these was Kilvilcorris Paddy, which sold for €4,300. This five-star terminal bull was sired by Cloverfield Excellent, with Doonally New and Indurain also in the pedigree. This one heads west to Galway with Kevin Manning.

Taking a price of €4,100 was Kilvilcorris Padjo 2. This December 2019-born bull is a son of NCBC bull Fiston, with Blelack Digger and Excellent on the dam’s side.

Carrying five stars down the line, he was the pick of Kildare farmer Brendan McHugh.

Kilvilcorris PJ hit the market at €3,700. This double five-star bull’s pedigree contains Blelack Digger, Meillard and Doonally New.

Finally, selling for €3,600 was Kilvilcorris Philip. This November 2019-born bull was also sired by Blelack Digger, with Doonally New the grand-sire.

The aforementioned Fiston was also behind Makief Phil, which sold for €4,050.

Bred by Cavan-based Derek Woods, this five-star replacement bull is out of a Blelack Digger-bred dam that goes back to Pirate. He was knocked down to Galway farmer Patrick Brennan.

Harry Noble from Co Longford sold his bull Noble Rebel for €3,800. This January 2020-born bull is sired by the successful Goldstar Echo, with the homebred dam by Major.

Matching this price was Monaghan-based Niall McNally with Derryolam Robert. This 14-month-old bull was also sired by Fiston, with Doonally New on the dam’s side.

Reaching €3,750 was Maghermore Ronaldo ET from Michael Grant, Buncrana, Co Donegal. This 15-month-old bull’s pedigree featured Enfield Plexus, Doonally New and Demense Fernando.

Kerry breeder John Culloty sold his March 2020-born bull Blackroad Riviere for €3,700. This son of Bivouac is out of a Hermes-bred dam and has a terminal index of €170.