The online sales platform pedigreesales.ie, which was first launched by Tommy Staunton for his Caramba beef Shorthorn herd in April 2016, has now seen the 2017 sale lots reach their end. This year, the sale incorporated both bulls and heifers from the Caramba herd, as well as Shane and Francis Brigdale’s Rowanberry herd.

The bidding, which opened on Sunday 9 April, gathered a lot of momentum from the get-go. Once lots meet their opening bid, other registered users have 72 hours to place a higher bid.

Nobody could have anticipated the massive interest shown in this new platform from throughout the UK and further afield, bringing to fruition the markets and opportunities that lie in store when going to sell cattle into the future.

Caramba Katrina out on top

While bidding was officially closed for a number of the opening lots on the night of Tuesday 11 April, the amount of traffic to the site in the closing hour of the auction caused it to crash. Therefore, a number of lots were given added time, where those bidding had the chance to increase their bids if they wished.

Eight animals opened on the first night and, by last Thursday evening, the first of the lots were sold to the highest bidder. A further eight lots then also met their reserve at different stages throughout the week.

Topping trade at the sale was Caramba Katrina K171 at €5,200. This yearling heifer is sired by the 8,000gns Carrarock Chalkie and opened at €3,000, taking 14 bids to get her to the top price. She sold to Graham Hunt of the Sowerby Parks herd in north Yorkshire, making her one of six lots to find a new home in the UK.

Following close behind was Caramba Rothes Kissable at €5,000. Another yearling daughter of Carrarock Chalkie, Rothes Kissable is a full sister to Caramba Rothes Hottie, Balmoral female champion in 2015. After opening at €3,000, it took her 17 bids to reach her final price tag, again going to the UK, this time Scotland and the Balnespick herd of Cathryn Williamson. Balnespick also secured Caramba Lovely Kalon K186 at €2,900. This yearling heifer is sired by Bushypark Ultra and secured the reserve all-Ireland heifer calf championship in 2016.

Topping the male trade and selling for the next best price of €4,300 was Caramba Keystone K174. This well-made 15-month-old roan bull achieved 1.2kg liveweight gain per day since birth. Sired by HC Free Spirit 6Y, he was secured by Megan Towers of the Greenley herd in Northants, England. Towers also secured a heifer at the sale, Caramba Secret Koo, at €2,300. Sired by Caramba HaHa, a son of Carrarock Chalkie, Secret Koo’s half-sister sold to Wales at the previous year’s sale.

Topping the Rowanberry outfit was Rowanberry Kathryn at €3,100. This stylish maiden heifer was sired by homebred stock bull Rowanberry Finest and out of a Crusader of Skaillhouse-bred dam. She was sold to Patrick Brady for his well-established Grousehall herd in Co Cavan.

Securing a €3,000 bid was the polled heifer Rowanberry Jewel. Sired by Glenisla Explorer, this October 2015 heifer, along with Rowanberry Judy at €2,500, were purchased by Stephen Millar as foundation stock for his newly formed herd in Co Fermanagh.

The 2016 all-Ireland junior bull calf champion Caramba Ultra Kebbie K190 was secured at €2,800. Sired by Bushypark Ultra, top bidder was new breeder Declan Molloy, Co Mayo.

Last of the bulls to sell was Caramba Ultra Kelt K187 at €2,300. Sired again by Bushypark Ultra, he is out of Ballyliney Mary Rose 1083, who has previously bred bulls sold to pedigree herds. Successful buyers here were the Sheedy brothers of Tipperary for their well-known Clashagad herd. The brothers also purchased the young heifer Caramba Rothes Kayla by Caramba HaHa at €2,300. Altogether, 11 heifers sold to average €2,945, while three bulls sold to average €3,100.