The Doonowney herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle was dispersed last Saturday at a farm sale conducted by Tom Cox at Skreen, Co Sligo.

While the crowd was small, there were plenty of buyers in attendance, with a good sale clearance.

Six cattle headed to Northern Ireland, while other buyers included breeders from west Cork, Tipperary, Cavan and Donegal.

Cows were sold in-calf or with young calves at foot and they averaged €2,058.

Top prices were €2,500 for Doonowney Lily, a 2014-born Bon Lea Emperor K079 daughter.

She sold in-calf to Idivies Euris calving in December and joins the Berrymount herd of William Foster, Berrymount, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan.

2014-born CWM Rosa Erica was also knocked down at €2,500. She sold with a Doonowney Myles Karlos heifer calf at foot.

The third call of €2,500 went to Doonowney Julia, another 2012 Bon Lea Emperor K079 daughter due in January to Nightingale Parker.

Maiden and weanling heifers averaged €1,494, with a top call of €2,250 going to Doonowney Nicky 2. This November 2016 heifer is by Netherton Mr Brazilian and met with a flurry of bids before being knocked down to local man, David Clarke, Co Sligo.

Next highest price was Doonowney Nicky at €1,900. This June 2016 maiden heifer was by Nightingale Parker P781 and out of a Normanby Pride Princess cow.

Young weanling bulls met an easier trade, with a number failing to meet their reserve. Top price of €1,300 went to Doonowney Pablo, a Nightingale Parker P781 son born in May 2017.

Commenting on the sale, Tom Cox said: “We were very happy with the sale. Trade was very good for good-quality breeding cows and heifers and existing breeders saw the sale as an excellent opportunity to acquire quality animals and new genetics.”