The Irish Charolais cattle society hosted its first breed society sale of 2020 in Tullamore on Saturday, with strong demand for bulls resulting in a 90% clearance.

This is very much in line with what was seen across the water at the Stirling bull sales earlier in the week where Charolais was the best-performing breed, with the average price rising by over £600.

While entry numbers were back significantly in Tullamore, it was still positive to see clearance rate rise by 21 percentage points. The average sale price rose by over €100 to reach €3,254.

While the high-priced lots mightn’t have gone as high as other years, a strong commercial trade meant that over 50% of the bulls sold made €3,000 or more.

Topping trade at a price of €4,800 was Rathfeston Oz ET from Wayne Mulligan, Geashill, Co Offaly. This five-star terminal Jupiter-sired bull is out of a homebred dam by Erckmann.

Following close behind at €4,700 was Kilvilcorris Olav from Matt Ryan, Thurles, Co Tipperary. This second prize winner is a son of the old favourite Pirate, while the dam’s pedigree features Major and Indurain.

Champion bull Cloughbrack Ohio sold for €4,600.

Securing the overall championship sash under judge Alan Burleigh was Cloughbrack Ohio from Mattie Kelly, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Sired by Endield Plexus, his pedigree also includes Doonally New and Loch Ness. After back and forth bidding, auctioneer Tom Cox eventually secured a final bid of €4,600.

The reserve champion, Weskel Orlando, went unsold in the ring but later found a buyer outside at €4,000. This bull was bred and exhibited by Wesley Kellett from Bailieborough, Co Cavan, and is a son of easy-calving bull Blelack Digger. With five stars down the line, he heads to a herd in Northern Ireland.

A further three bulls exceeded the €4,000 mark.

Full report in next week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

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