It proved an up and down trade at the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society’s spring sale in Tullamore last weekend.

A total of 36 animals went through the ring, with 20 finding new homes. This was an exact split between bulls and females, with 10 of each finding new homes. While there was no pre-sale show, those led to the ring and better presented tended to meet a better trade on the day.

The prime example of this was the top-priced animal Ballyconneely Napolean, which sold for €3,050. Bred and exhibited by Sean and Terence McSweeney, this stylish bull was the reserve pick for last year’s Gene Ireland programme. His sire was the famous AI bull Dolby.

One of two bulls to hit the €2,500 mark was Turloughmore Ninja. This bull, bred by Kevin O’Brien, boasts a replacement index of €209 and is sired by French bull Heritier.

Thomas Pollard saw his two lots sell for €2,500 and €2,450 respectively. Hitting the €2,500 mark was Grawn Mr Larry, a son of French AI bull Hussard, with Nipon in the back breeding of the dam. Grawn Neddy, sired by the aforementioned Dolby, hit the market at €2,450.

Top of the females was Omaunmore Maxi 0792, from Martin Bermingham, Barnaderg, Co Galway. Another by the successful Dolby, she is out of Dreylands Evie. Maxi was knocked down at €2,400.

Not far behind, Mr Birmingham sold his second exhibit, Omaunmore Mia 1498, for €2,300. Mia is a daughter of the successful AI bull Roussel.

Tipperary Murty, bred by James Ryan from Doon, Co Limerick, sold for €2,200. Sired by Montrozier 8197, the dam’s lineage contains Causse Ureinou.

Nigel Gill sold two females. First up was Tuloughmore Lady, which hit the market at €2,050. She is sired by JL Batifol Obelix, with the dam’s breeding containing Crueize Ramel.

The second offering, Yenoh Cottage Nova, didn’t meet the same highs and was knocked down at €1,500. This young heifer is a daughter of Cesar, with the dam sired by Obelix.

The Irish Aubrac Cattle Society will host a dairy beef seminar next week, Wednesday 24 April, in Corrin Mart, Fermoy. The seminar will encompass various speakers from across the sector, with stock on show from the different markets. Kicking off at 7.30pm, the event is also KT-approved.