The Irish Simmental cattle society held its annual autumn premier sale in Roscommon over the weekend. Following the trend set by earlier premier beef sales, the Simmental breed too witnessed an extremely tough trade. Males in particular were hard hit with clearance rate below 50% and the average slashed by over €1,400 to settle at €2,525. Females saw a number of sale highs which helped see the average rise to €2,705, however this is still back €800 on the year.

There was one highlight which boosted breeders' spirits however and this was when Lissadell Just The One entered the ring. This stylish young yearling heifer had, earlier in the day, won the weanling heifer championship in the pre-sale show and also claimed the same championship at the society’s national finals in Tullamore. A number of buyers waited eagerly for the red and white heifer to enter the ring which saw bids cumulate until the hammer finally fell at €9,100. Bred by Kieran and Paul Mullarkey in Co. Sligo, she returns back that way with the successful bidder Eoin McGovern, Kilmore. Sired by three-time Balmoral champion Dermotstown Delboy, Just The One is out of Curaheen Tyson daughter Cladymore Edith.

Full report to follow.