The Irish Angus Munster branch relaunched its autumn sale at Kilmallock Mart last Friday night. While a large crowd overslooked the proceedings, it was obvious the attendance only had intentions on purchasing females, with just one of the four bulls on offer selling for €2,300.

However, strong demand was witnessed in the female ring, in particular for better-quality haltered heifers. Over 83% of the females presented for the evening sale found new homes to an average of over €2,000.

This average was greatly increased by the presence of haltered females, with nine of the 11 September to December 2015 heifers selling to an average of €2,300.

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Topping the trade was John Lynch with the pre-sale show champion Portanes M Vanesa. Born September 2015, Vanesa is sired by former stock bull Liss Man K089 out of a homebred Bramley Grange Black Brindley cow. She met her reserve at €3,500 and sold to James Kelly, Co Clare.

Judge Michael Horan also awarded John second and third place rosettes in the class of the champion for his only other two exhibits, Portanes M Orchid and Portanes Mary.

First into the ring and selling for the second-top price of €3,000 was Portanes M Orchid. Sired once again by Liss Man K089, this one goes back on a Lawsons Ford Bagatelle cow and sold to Mr Clive Jennings for his Brookfield herd at €3,000. The last of the Portanes team, and another half-sister, Portanes Mary sold for €2,500 to Davin Jennings.

Scooping the reserve championship was one of the younger heifers of the sale Mercury Miss Joy from John Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork. Carrying five stars on replacement, this heifer is a full sister to the overall champion at the premier in April and is sired by imported former stock bull Knockoneill Figo. Successful bidder at €2,200 was Davin Jennings.

Knockoneill Figo was again behind the second heifer from the Mercury team, this time Mercury Miss Pam. Born 30 November 2015, she sold for the fourth-top price of €2,350 to Ray Cronin.

Claiming top spot in the small entry of males was Denis Twomey, Causeway, with Tubridmore Mark. Sired by Friarstown Ideal Pete and out of a Sitz Alliance embryo bred dam, Mark failed to meet his reserve on the day.

Claiming reserve championship honours in the male section was Dromalty Maestro from father and son outfit Aidan and Eamonn O’Donovan, Cappamore, Co Limerick. Sired by Mogeely Joe with Lawsons Ford Bagatelle in the back breeding, the May 2015-born bull also went unsold. Monemore Mike from Timmy Taylor, Knocklong, Co Limerick, was the only bull to find a new home on the night having met his reserve at €2,300.

Speaking after the sale, Irish Angus Munster branch chair John Murphy said: “It was great to get the sale off the ground again with such success and hopefully the strong clearance and prices made for the better-end heifers will prompt more breeders to save their best for this sale again next year.”

Vendéen in-lamb sale tops €610

Once again, Roscommon Mart played host to the annual in-lamb ewe sale of the Irish Vendéen Sheep Society. The sale produced an improved clearance of 80% and an average price of €420.

Topping the trade was the two-year-old Landmark Nesta Ally from Cork breeder Ena Nagle. Sired by Cottage Jasper, she found a new home with Joey Walsh’s Tober flock.

Taking the overall champion on the day were well-known breeders John and Stephen Lynch, Ballinalee, Co Longford, with their shearling ewe Ballinascraw Oprah. Oprah met her reserve at €600 and sold to the Springfield flock of Cyril and Keith Anderson.

Taking reserve honours was Ballinascraw Maiden, owned by Ciaran Coughlan, Ferbane, Co, Offaly. Shay Kennedy from the Windy Gap flock was the successful bidder at €570. Ciaran Coughlan also received another first prize rosette from judge Pat Oliver, this time for his young ewe which went on to sell for €500.

Brian Halton Memorial cup winner 2016

Donated by family, the Brian Halton Memorial cup has become prestigious among the Saler showing community since its introduction five years ago.

The cup is awarded to the cow which receives the most number of points at regional shows throughout the country.

Defending her 2015 title was Clewbay Kate, who secured champion sashes at Cork, Athlone, Rathdowney and the National Livestock Show in Tullamore. Owners of Kate are Clare breeders Declan and Kieran Bell.