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The Irish Limousin Cattle Society held its annual sale in Athenry yesterday. It displayed much-improved trade compared with many of the previous pedigree beef bull sales. The slow spring, hampered even further by the fodder crisis, has led to the majority of pedigree spring sales being below par on previous years. Athenry, however, marks the first big improvement – with 42 bulls selling to average €3,373.
The champions
Leading the way was the second prize winning Ballymulavil Leo from John Connor, Claremorris, Co Mayo. This September 2016-born bull combined high replacement and terminal indexes with a low calving ease figure – a key requirement behind many purchases throughout the day.
This bull was sired by trait-leader Kaprico Eravelle, while the dam was Bavardage-sired cow Thomastown Joan. Quickly rising up the prices, this bull was eventually knocked down to an undisclosed buyer at €6,000.
The junior champion on the day came from the pen of Richard O’Beirne, Tuam, Co Galway.
Judge Garrett McGuiness selected Millburn Louxor ET as his bull, a decision which would later prove popular as Louxor sold for the second top price of €5,300.
This bull carries a wealth of breeding, being sired by Ampertaine Commander and out of Millburn Bobby Dazzler, a cow which also bred the €13,000 high seller at the society’s premier sale last month.
With five stars on both the terminal and replacement indexes, Louxor found a new home with local breeder ML Donnellan.
Senior champion on the day came from the pen of Padraic and Ciaran Golden, Westport, Co Mayo.
Their 18-month-old Wilodge Joskins son, Clew Bay Leo, had a number of things going for him and so was duly rewarded in the showring. With five stars on the terminal index, Leo traded at €4,100, selling to Ballinasloe man Thomas Flynn.
Reserve champions
Both the reserve junior champion and the reserve senior champion secured bids of €4,200.
Standing reserve junior to Richard O’Beirne’s Millburn Louxor was Clive Jennings' Brooklands Leo. This bull’s sire stack featured Gamin, Brooklands F0959 and Elegante Earl. With a birth weight of only 41kg and a calving index of 4.3%, this bull was secured by Christy Faul, Kilcolgan, Co Galway.
Matching him at the money and securing the reserve senior championship was Bobby Jones with Bremore Larry II. French bloodlines line this bull's pedigree, with Hortensia as the sire and Caesar as the maternal sire. With five stars on both the terminal and replacement indexes, this bull stays in Galway, having been secured by Kenneth Waldron.
The best of Trevor Masterson’s outfit saw trade of €4,700 for Galbally Lucas 1187. This bull carried five stars down the line, with a calving index of only 4%.
Sired by AI bull Lodge Hamlet, he is out of Galbally Imelda who features Emerson and Penane Prince in her back-breeding. Lucas heads to Tuam with successful bidder Bernard Mulry.
Close on his heels, securing a bid of €4,600, was the December 2016-born Currane Leo. This bull was bred by Michael McKeown, Castlebar, Co Mayo, and sees Currane Jr, Ronick Hawk and Malibu in his lineage. With five stars on a number of traits and a calving index of 3.9%, this bull proved in high demand and was eventually knocked down to Liam Whelan, Ballyroan, Co Laois.
The first prize winner Carrigdown Lojo was next in line, when he secured a bid of €4,500.
Brought out by Aidan Baker, this bull's pedigree features an array of top Limousin bulls, including Plumtree Fantastic, Cloughhead Lord and Highlander. This July 2016-born bull was secured by Meath native Tom Pentony.
Sale
The first bull into the ring set the pace for the strong sale, going for €4,100. Green Hill Leo from Mary Mcloughlin, Ballina, Co Mayo, ticked all the boxes for Clare buyer Joe Hannon. This bull again boasted a line of stars, with a below-average calving index of 3.8%. Leo is sired by Queenshead Altea and out of homebred Meriden daughter Green Hill Virgina.
Matching Green Hill Limousins was Patrick Gill, who also sold his Kilskeagh Loner ET for €4,100. This bull's pedigree features On-Dit, Lino and Kiskeagh Sam. With five stars on the replacement index and a calving index at 4.1%, Loner was obtained by local breeder Sean Feeney.
While a number of high sellers set the tone of the sale, light middle trade meant a further 13 bulls made between €3,000 and €4,000.
73% clearance at Cork Friesian sale
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