Friesians top Kilkenny multi-breed at €4,800

Kilkenny Co-operative Livestock Mart, Cillín Hill, witnessed a large entry of bulls across a range of breeds on Wednesday last 15 March. This event marked the Kilkenny Agricultural Society’s 100th annual show and sale of bulls. There were 134 bulls up for grabs and a clearance rate of 55% was achieved.

Angus

The Angus ring saw loads of activity, with a crowded ringside. However, of the 41 Angus bulls which went through the sales ring, only 21 found new homes. In saying that, the average price was solid at €2,714.

The top price of €4,000 was achieved by Michael Moran for his bull Powerstown Mannix, who was purchased by Sean Whitehead. Mannix was sired by stock bull Killeen Lord Iceboy K115, who also bred the day’s reserve champion for the Moran family in the form of Powerstown Monroe. Monroe sold to Thomas Codd at €3,500.

Both Angus classes were judged by John Farrell, who awarded first prize and overall champion to Knockmountagh Mikey from Eamon McKiernan, Co Louth. Daniel Costigan was the successful bidder of this high-indexed Friarstown Ideal Pete son at €3,400. Margaret McKiernan, Co Cavan, sold her third-prize winning bull Drumcrow Mexico to Stephen Keating, Co Tipperary, for €3,600.

Limousin

The Limousin sale encountered an active ringside where 30 bulls passed through, with 18 being sold. These 18 bulls sold to a healthy average of €2,740, with high-star bulls commanding the higher prices.

Judge Clive Jennings tapped forward Parkhill Kevin in the first class. Exhibited by Joe Maher, Co Kilkenny, this Ozeus son went on to claim the overall championship and was purchased by Edward Conway, Co Wexford, for €2,800.

Ballyquirke Kojack, bred by Oliver Byrne, Co Kilkenny, claimed first prize in the second class and later claimed reserve championship. Sired by Emerson, he failed to meet his reserve.

The top price was hit by Trevor Masterson with, Roundhill Saturn ET son Galbally Kiley 1094. This September 2015-born bull was sold for €4,500 to Terry Brophy.

Third-prize winner Templequain Kenneth went on to claim the second top Limousin price on the day. Exhibited by Thomas O’Shea, Co Laois, this October 2015 Ampertaine Elgin son sold to fellow Laois man William Kenny for €4,000.

Simmental

Along with judging the Limousin, Clive Jennings was also given the job of judging the Simmentals. There were seven Simmental bulls available, with four of them being sold under the hammer to an average of €1,888.

The joint-top price of €1,950 was achieved twice by William Dorgan for his September 2015-born bulls. Carrigglen Gene, a grandson of Banwy T-Rex, was sold to John Delehanty, while Carrigglen Grouse, a Curaheen Apostle ET-sired bull, was sold to James Walsh.

Charolais

John Jones was in charge of judging the Charolais. A small entry of Charolais saw only four bulls on offer, with two sold.

First place was awarded to Mary Nolan, who received €2,600 from Eamon Sally for her October 2015 bull sired by Epernay.

However, it was the second-prize winning reserve champion Castleottoway Lee who achieved the highest price of €3,050. This bull bred by Seamus O’Dwyer, was sired by Sicilien and from an Oldgrange Sindurain dam. He sold to Martin Kealy, Co Kilkenny.

Hereford

Michael Jones was the judge for the Hereford cattle. There were 12 Hereford bulls up on offer, with nine finding new homes. These nine bulls were sold to an average price of €2,678.

There was a joint top price of €3,400, which was achieved twice by Kilkenny local Thomas Brennan.

Both bulls were September 2015-born sons of AI bull CKVX. Balleen Diploma ET was sold to Edward Condon, while Balleen Perfection ET was knocked down to Tom Landy.

Friesian

On the dairy side of the sale, 34 Friesian bulls hit the ring, with 18 selling under the hammer. This clearance rate of 53% had an average sale price of €2,997.

PJ Kelly was the judge and in the first class he tipped forward Mountfarna Trendy, who was bred by John O’Callaghan, Bandon, Co Cork.

Sired by Grandeur Tannenbaum, this bull went on to command the highest price of the day at €4,800, selling to Edward Hennessy.

In a close second was Mountfarna McCaw, sired by Piet Adema 186. Also bred by John O’Callaghan, he was again purchased by Edward Hennessy for the second-highest price of the sale at €4,700.

Picking up the yellow ribbon for third place in the same class was Locker-Lane Rw Banning son Reary Tonto.

Bred by Kevin Flynn, Co Laois, he was eventually knocked down to David Doyle of Wexford for €4,250.

In the second Friesian class, John O’Callaghan was again on top with Mountfarna Magneto. Sired by Interstice, he sold to Walter Hall, Co Wexford, for €3,300.