The Angus section of the Midland and western livestock improvement society March sale in Carrick-on-Shannon saw a top price of €3,250.
Securing the price was the day’s pre-sale show reserve male champion Carrowboy Super from Alan Gibbons. This catchy young bull is sired by Dovea AI bull Portauns Volcano, with Coneyisland Legend and Rawburn Lord Rocket also in the back breeding.
Competition judge Tom Mullally awarded the overall Angus championship to Cathal and Joe McCormack’s Steil Rebel 381. This September 2018-born bull is out of former stock bull Ballyshannon Eustace, with the dam sired by Rossiter. Securing the champion was a northern buyer at a price of €3,000.
The €2,800 mark was met twice. First at the money was Simonstown R Vadcar from Gabriel Glynn, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. This Beryl Jamey son featured Nakkeg Nord and Shankill Max in his back breeding. Matching him at the money was Ernest Bogan with his May 2018-born Drumkielvey Money Bags U194. This bull was one of a number of Westellen Diego-sired bulls to go under the hammer on the day.
Overall, Angus bulls sold to average €2,090, with 23 of the 39 present finding homes.
In the female Angus section, Francis Cox took the overall championship with Antfield Rebecca. This Mogeely Joe-bred heifer goes back to a Nightingale El Paso bred-dam and carries four stars on the replacement index. This September 2018-born heifer hit the market at €2,450. Francis also took the reserve female championship with Antfield Rita. This December 2018-born heifer is sired by Netherton Americano but failed to meet her reserve.
Overall championship in the Charolais ring went to Patrick and Kieran Hillary with Whitepark Oliver. This double five-star bull is a son of Carrickbrack96 Hutch, with Inverlochy Gurkha the grandsire. Born July 2019, Oliver hit the market under auctioneer Francis McGowan’s gavel at a price of €3,200.
Taking the reserve Charolais championship in the pre-sale show was Portnason Oregon. Bred by Edward Vaughan, Co Donegal, this November 2018-born bull is a son of Goldstar Ludwig with Balthazar and Padirac also in the back breeding. This five-star terminal bull hit the market at €2,800.
Charolais bulls met a particularly hard trade, with only 10 of the 26 present selling to average €2,220.
Overall trade throughout can be described as tricky. The ongoing bad weather, particularly in the west, was the main contributor. In years like these, it’s very common that the later Carrick bull sales achieve the higher prices and indeed clearances.
