The tough trade at the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society spring sales continued for the Angus and Hereford breeds last Saturday.

However, while prices may have been back, clearance rates still hovered around the 70% mark.

A total of 42 Angus bulls averaged nearly €2,150. While this average is slightly back on the year a further four bulls were sold, helping boost clearance rate significantly. The continental breeds had met a similarly tough trade the previous week.

A total of 42 Angus bulls averaged nearly €2,150

Leading the way in the ring was Molloy David T246 from Brian Faughnan, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim.

A second prize winner in the pre-sale show, David took the ring by storm, attracting a number of bids before reaching his final destination.

Sired by Netherton Mr Brazilian, the October 2017-born bull is a grandson of three-time all-Ireland champion Rosemead Karona.

This was one of two bulls exhibited by the outfit, which claimed the pair championship in the show ring.

The second exhibit, Molloy Lord Henry T247, was also in the top 10 prices at €2,600.

Reserve overall champion Loughlynn Powerhouse who sold for €3,600, exhibited by Patrick and Gerard Regan.

This October 2017 born bull is sired by Rawburn Enigmatic P88g and out of an Aynho Rossiter Eric-bred dam.

Securing the second top price, and also the reserve overall championship, was Loughlynn Powerhouse.

Bred and exhibited by Patrick Regan, this September 2017-born bull is a son of Towerhill Noel and his dam is Loughlynn Kimberley.

With five stars on the terminal index, Powerhouse hit the market at €3,600.

Judge Joe Moran awarded the overall champion sash to Drumcrow Prosecco T714.

Bred by Frank and Margaret McKiernan, this stylish young bull is a son of Netherton Americano, with Coldstream Genetic Trend and Rawburn Eventer also in the lineage.

However, the tough day’s trading had its effect, and Prosecco left the ring unsold.

Overall champion Drumcrow Prosecco T714.

Judge Joe Moran awarded the overall champion sash to Drumcrow Prosecco T714

The first lot into the ring last Saturday, Ballinalee Lord Harry T385, secured a bid of €3,200. The extremely muscled bull was sired by Lisduff Dandy K895 while the dam line goes back to Bohey Madge. This two-year-old bull carries five stars on the terminal index.

John and Cathy Farrell’s first prize winner Dillon Preston secured a bid of €2,900.

This son of stock bull Duibhgiolla Mario again goes back to the aforementioned Coldstream Genetic Trend and carried five stars on the replacement index.

Matching him at the money was Dararea Pablo. This May 2017-born bull was brought out by Eileen Beirne, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, and is a son of Dovea AI bull Bunlahy John G.

The small entry of Herefords present saw four sell to average €2,100.

Topping these at €2,400 was Portanob Roy. This two-year-bull was brought out by John Canty of Kildalkey, Co Meath. Sired by Balleen Revival, Roy carried a calving figure of 4.2%.

Continental breeds

There were 38 continental animals on offer the previous week, comprising 29 Charolais bulls, one Charolais heifer and eight Limousin bulls.

It was a disappointing trade, with only 14 of the 38 animals that passed through the ring selling on the day.

The 14 sold at an overall average of €2,475, with the Charolais average boosting to €2,580.

The top price of €3,150 went to Cahirglissane Ned, which was exhibited by Patrick Hehir, Cloonahaha, Gort, Co Galway.

Ned also had a five-star terminal index, with a €uro-Star value of €140 and 6.1% for calving ease

Along with taking top price on the day, Ned also collected a third place rosette in the pre-sale show.

He was sired by the Dovea AI bull Sicilien and out of a home-bred dam by Liscally Eti.

Ned also had a five-star terminal index, with a €uro-Star value of €140 and 6.1% for calving ease.

Three lots claimed a price of €3,000. First of these was lot four, Portland Nero sired by Blelack Digger.

Nero carried an impressive €uro-Star index of €162 and €155 for terminal and replacement respectively, and also had five stars.

He was bred by Donegal breeder Sidney McDaid from Kilmacrennan, Letterkenny.

Next up was Cavehill Niall, which was awarded the red rosette in his class and went on to take champion Charolais of the show for Padraig Farrell, Aughavoneen, Fardrum, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Niall was sired by Dromiskin Viceroy and displayed a five-star terminal index, with a 6.9% calving ease.

Joseph O’Reilly, Brickeens, Keenagh, Co Longford, was the last of the breeders to fetch a price tag of €3,000.

His stylish 17-month-old bull sired by a Goldstar Echo-bred stock bull also received first prize in his class earlier in the day.

Demand for Limousin bulls was poor. Only two of the nine Limousin bulls on offer were sold.

Both the champion and reserve Limousin were withdrawn, unsold from the sales ring.

Aberdeen Angus AGM

The 125th annual general meeting of the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association will be held in the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on Saturday 16 February 2019 at 2pm.

All plans for the 2019 year will be discussed with all welcome to attend.

Hall of fame

Nominees from the bovine, equine and ovine industries for the 2019 National Hall of Fame Awards are now due from all breed secretaries.

The event sees a total of 22 awards given out in recognition of breeders’ lifetime commitments to a breed.

This year’s event takes place on the Sunday of the May bank holiday weekend.