A buoyant demand for females contrasted sharply with a more sluggish demand for males at the recent Shorthorn Society beef premier show and sale at Roscommon Mart. Steady demand for heifers saw an increase in the average to €1,600 (up from €1,200 at the same sale last year), while bulls averaged €1,700 (up from €1,500 last year).

Just one heifer was unsold (90% clearance), while the clearance for bulls was similar to last year at slightly under 50%. About a quarter of the buyers came from Northern Ireland, but commercial farmers and new pedigree breeders were also active.

The top-priced female was the reserve female champion Bethlehem Ruby, bred by Tom Fox, Glasson, Athlone. She sold for €1,920 to a Co Meath suckler farmer.

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Meanwhile, Pat Sheedy, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, took the top male price of €2,150 for Clashagad Typhoon Ban. He was bought by a Co Westmeath commercial beef farmer.

In the ring, Padraig Flanagan, Elphin, scooped both the male and female championships with Lismacool Jethro and Lismacool Crystal respectively. Crystal made €1,700 in the ring, but the male champion was unsold.

Reserve male champion went to Grousehall Ted, bred by Noel and Patrick Brady, Grousehall, Co Cavan. He was also unsold.