It was a much improved trade on previous years at the Western Livestock Improvement Society March sale in Carrick-on-Shannon. Last year, under half of the bulls forward found new homes, but that rose to 80% this year.

This high clearance resulted in a further 22 bulls selling compared with the 2018 sale. Adding to this positivity was that average prices remained virtually on par with the previous year.

The sale, run by the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society over the weekend, saw trade peak at €3,700.

Top price

Taking the top price was the Charolais bull Ballyhip Nigel. This August 2017-born bull was brought out by Gerard McGovern, Mohill, Co Leitrim. Sired by Cavelands Fenian, he goes back to a Nippur-bred cow.

Second-top price went to the pre-sale show Charolais champion Breaghwyhill Olly. This January 2018-born bull is a son of Doonally Nicefor, with Thrunton Bonjovi and Lyonsdemesne Tzar also in the lineage. Bred by Josephine O’Connor, Ballinfull, Co Sligo, the champion was knocked down for €3,500.

Sligo-based Martin Herity then secured the next two top prices of €3,400 and €3,150.

Securing the upper of these prices was Coolembley Ned, a five-star Fiston son with the famous CF52 as the grandsire.

His second bull Coolembley Nelson is a direct son of Lyonsdemesne Tzar, with Doonally New and Blakestown Hut also in the back breeding.

Two other Charolais bulls hit the €3,000 mark. First at the money was Corbaun Ned from Sheila and Liam Keogh, Dring, Co Longford. This double five-star bull is sired by Cavelands Fenian, with the dam Corbaun Linda, a daughter of Inverlochy Gurkha.

Matching them at the money was David Rattigan with Rattigan Nemo. Another five-star son of Fiston, the October 2017-born bull’s pedigree also features Blelack Digger and Grimaldi.

Securing the reserve Charolais championship was Muckanagh Noble from Patricia Mitchell. This son of Enfield Plexus failed to meet his reserve and left the ring unsold.

Reserve Charolais champion Muckanagh Noble.

Overall, 20 of the 24 Charolais bulls on offer sold to average just shy of €2,600. The Charolais showed the biggest change on the year, with clearance rate rising to 83% from 35% in 2018.

Angus

In the Angus ring, a top price of €3,000 was achieved for Padraig McGrath’s Drummullian Paul 792. This son of three-time all-Ireland champion Rosemead Karona carried a calving index of only 1.3%.

Following close behind to secure the second-top Angus price was Rawbawn Mike U202 from the herd of James Muldowney, Swinford, Co Mayo. Sired by Tubrismore Gizmo, the bull’s lineage also includes Galacantry Predator and Lawsons Ford Bagatelle. After back and forth bidding, he was eventually knocked down at €2,900.

Anthony Scanlon and Bernard Kerins were next in the money when they sold their second-prizewinning Owenmore Relter for €2,600.

This son of Bohey Kojak is out of the homebred Owenmore Mella and carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices.

This marked a good day in Carrick for the duo, who also claimed the reserve overall Angus championship with Owenmore Prince.

Reserve Angus champion Owenmore Prince.

This September 2017-born bull is sired by Kerins Marshall, with Clooncolligan Amazing and Drumcrow Lord Harry also in the back breeding. However, Prince failed to meet his reserve and left the ring unsold.

The overall championship in the Angus ring was awarded to Antfield Radiant. This stylish January 2018-born bull is sired by Lisduff Dandy, with Bohey Jasper and Nakkeg Nord also featuring in the pedigree. Brought out by Francis Cox, Radiant met his reserve and was knocked down at €2,400.

Angus champion Antfield Radiant.

A total of 22 Angus bulls sold on the day to average €2,030. This average was near on par with the previous year. The Angus clearance rate also rose substantially to 76% from 46% in 2018.

Limousin

The small offering of Limousin bulls saw two of three sold to average €2,100. Topping the prices here was lot 41 Gortermone Matt from Miriam Doyle, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim.

This December 2017-born bull carried five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices and met his reserve at €2,800. Sired by Lodge Hamlet, his pedigree also includes Wilodge Cerberus and Faignant.

Gerry Mulligan RIP

Last Saturday also marked a sad occasion for the Midland and Western society and indeed the wider cattle community following the passing of Gerry Mulligan, Currycamp, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim.

Gerry was an honorary vice-president of the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society and had one of the most decorated cattle breeding careers of anyone in the country. From buying bulls for the Department in the early days to breeding and exhibiting champions in Carrick, he did it all over his 98-year life. A true gentleman and character at shows around the country, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A full obituary will follow in the coming weeks.