The Irish Angus Cattle Society hosted its annual elite sale in Carrick-on-Shannon over the weekend. This was the 13th year of the sale and proved to be one of the best yet, with a record price and average rising to the highest seen in five years. Clearance rates for both bulls and heifers rose to the highest level since 2016, an impressive stat given the catalogue entry has increased substantially since then.
The general sentiment from both breeders and organisers was that the sale was a great success. It must also be noted that the overall standard of bulls offered for sale over the weekend was well up on previous years.
Top female Clooncarne Savanna who sold for €7,300, exhibited by Fiona Mulligan. \ Tricia Kennedy
Having met a number of established breeders in the shed throughout the day, many of whom have attended Angus sales in Carrick for decades, the feedback was unanimous –the best quality of Angus bulls they have seen.
It’s surprising to see this increase in standard in a year such as 2020, when there were no summer shows and no on-farm pre-sale inspections took place, but it goes to show that once the quality is there, buyers are willing to spend to secure their lot of choice.
€8,600 tops lively sale
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, no pre-sale show took place. Instead, bulls were paraded individually and videos uploaded to the society’s social media channels. This all added to the massive presence both the society and breeders had online in the week leading up to the sale, leaving no stone unturned in getting prospective buyers to the showgrounds or to bid online.
This all paid off, with 68 of the 88 animals through the ring finding new homes.
Drumcrow Savoy who sold for €6,200. \ Alfie Shaw
Bulls sold to an average price of €3,300, up a notable €390 on the year. Clearance rate was also well up, with 44 of the 55 bulls offered sold. This is a further 11 bulls sold on the year.
The pre-Brexit rush meant there was a notable Northern Ireland (NI) presence on site, with particular interest in bulls. With all lots export-tested on the day, these buyers didn’t leave empty-handed, with a total of 17 lots (25%) sold to NI.
Highlight
Amid all these positive trends, the real highlight came when Ernehill Samson sold for a sale record price of €8,600. Bred by Cavan-based Francis and Noel Fitzpatrick, Samson had attracted a lot of interest online following the posting of a pre-sale video.
Born September 2019, the super-stylish Samson is a son of Ballymagrine Wonder, while the dam’s line includes sire of last year’s elite sale high-seller HF Rebel and Dalrene Cruz.
Bunlahy Rihanna who sold for €5,300. \ Tricia Kennedy
Power and pedigree weren’t the only things to get the Ernehill bull to the top flight, as he also carried five stars on nearly every trait, along with a calving ease figure for beef cows of just 0.8% After competitive bidding ringside, the bull was eventually knocked down to Oliver Haugh of the Feenagh herd in Co Clare.
The Fitzpatricks’ second exhibit, Ernehill Shot, also found a new home in a pedigree herd. This September 2019-born bull is again sired by Wonder, this time with Priestown Jupiter and Maine Dragon in the back breeding. At €3,700, he was the choice of the Barlow family who run the Gurtavoher herd in Co Tipperary.
While it may not have gone Cavan’s way a week earlier in Croke Park, it certainly was a day for the Breffni men in Carrick last weekend. As well as the Fitzpatricks’ sale-topping price, well-known Ballinagh breeder Frank McKiernan took home €12,200 for his two bulls.
Drumcrow Spectacular who sold for €6,000. \ Alfie Shaw
Taking the sale’s second top price was McKiernan’s Drumcrow Savoy, which hit the market at €6,200. This bull came with a wealth of old breeding, being sired by Cashelane Lord Jeremy and out of a Lissard Mark-bred dam, making him a full brother to the dam of very popular herd sire Drumcrow Joker and 2017 Elite sale high-seller Drumcrow Nightrider.
Carrying five stars on the terminal index with a calving figure of just 0.9% on beef cows, he was the pick of Brendan Regan for AI company Coneyisland Genetics.
Just behind this at €6,000 was Drumcrow Spectacular. This Drumcrow Joker son is out of a Blelack Prince Consort-bred dam, which again goes back to Lissard Mark.
Clara Swanky who sold for €5,100, exhibited by Rose Goulding. \ Tricia Kennedy
One of the first lots through the ring was Clara Swanky, which hit the market at €5,100. This son of Netherallen Peter Pershore is out of a Young Dale Touchdown-bred dam, which goes back to Whitestone Donna. Bred by Dan and Rose Murphy, he carried five stars on nearly every trait, with a carcase weight figure of over 22kg.
Hitting the market at €5,000 was Mercury Saucy Tinge from John Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork. This son of the performance sire Rawburn Boss Hogg is out of the herd matriarch Mercury Fab Tinge.
Carrying five stars down the line, he was the choice of Malachy Tighe for his Meath-based Tara herd. The week before the sale, Saucy Tinge’s ET full-brother Mercury Sexy Tinge was awarded the title of Angus champion of Europe.
A further seven bulls made €4,000 or more. Top of these was a call of €4,800 for Drumcarbin Sombrero from Shane McKiernan. This powerful son of Dillon New Holland is out of a Rawburn Elysium-bred cow that goes back to the famous Bell line. This bull boasts five stars on nearly every trait.
Carrigroe S Lady Jane who sold for €4,500. \ Tricia Kennedy
Sean and Gary McKiernan also exhibited a son of Dillon New Holland, Corlismore Superman, which hit the market at €4,600.
This September 2019-born bull is out of a Friarstown Ideal Pete-bred dam, with Lawsons Ford Bagatelle also in the back breeding.
The Mulligan family based in Dromod outside Carrick-on-Shannon saw their top bull sell for €4,700. Clooncarne Simon was the bull to do it and he was a September 2019-born son of former stock bull Baronagh Producer, with Clooncarne Frank also in the back breeding.
Liscolvin S Dance Evita who sold for €4,300. \ William McElroy
Top of the Steil herd of Cathal and Joe McCormick was a call of €4,300 for Steil Simon.
This end-of-August-2019-born bull is a son of new stock bull Knockarlow P0665, with the dam’s breeding including The Moss Kriss and Foxwood Gerry. Simon boasts five stars on the terminal index, with a beef cow calving figure of just 2.4%.
Selling for €4,200 was the October-born Gallaway Super from Pauline McKiernan, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim. Sired by HW Farghal, he is out of a Netherton Mr Brazilian-bred dam that goes back to Priestown Jupiter.
Just two bulls shared the €4,000 price tag. First at the money was Knockadrinan Stephen from Tom Reynolds, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim.
This son of stock bull Drumgowna Norman has Friarstown Ideal Pete, Ebon Hill Extra Gold and Galacantray Preditor in his lineage. No stranger to the limelight, Stephen stood as junior champion at the Aldi competition in Iverk in 2019.
Matching him at the money was Edgeworth Sam 037 from Harold and Hazel Ferguson, Edgeworthsown, Co Longford.
This highly rated bull on the €uro-Star index is a son of Lisduff Red Pepper, with Netherton Americano and Elmark also in the back breeding.
Overall 50% of the bulls on offer made €3,000 or more, a figure up substantially on previous years and a testament to the quality on offer.
Heifers
Similar to the previous week at the Munster branch sale, average price paid increased on the year. Average price for the elite sale was up €410 on 2019, settling at €3,150. On top of this, the clearance rate rose by 6% to settle at 73%.
Leading trade in the female section was the aforementioned Mulligan family, led by father Tom. Their February 2019-born heifer Clooncarne Savanna generated a lot of interest throughout the day and eventually reached her selling price at €7,300.
Sired by the herd’s former homebred stock bull Clooncarne Frank, she is out of one of the herd’s top females Clooncarne Nicky, herself sired by Baronagh Producer. Securing the top-selling maiden heifer was Padraig McGivney from Co Longford.
This topped an exceptional day for the Mulligans, who also sold their second heifer, Clooncarne Sassy Lady, for €4,000. This five-star daughter of Westellen Diego was born November 2019 and was the choice of Country Crest.
Clooncarne Sassy Lady who sold for €4,000 exhibited by Gearoid Mulligan with buyer Niall MaGuire, Country Crest. \ Tricia Kennedy
Second-top-priced female was the much-admired Bunlahy Rihanna, which sold for €5,300. Bred by David and Aiden Reynolds, Ballinalee, Co Longford, Rihanna is a daughter of all-Ireland champion Carrigroe Mr Rebel and goes back to the famous Beatrice line, which has bred exceptional stock for the family. Sold in-calf to the homebred Bunlahy Setanta, she was the pick of Gigginstown Angus in Mullingar.
Coming off the success of topping the previous week’s Munster branch sale, John and Beatrice Appelbe made their journey worthwhile, selling their two heifers for €8,300.
Top of these was a call of €4,500 for Carrigroe S Lady Jane. Sired by former stock bull Rathosheen Hugo, she is out of a Loughlynn Ace daughter, who goes back to one of the herd’s best cow families.
Their second heifer, Carrigroe S Dakota, hit the market at €3,800, selling to Donogh McCarthy of the Lemonfield herd in Co Limerick. This heifer is bred the same way, with Hugo on the top line and a daughter of Ace on the bottom. Carrying five stars on the replacement index, she is a full-sister to the female sale-topper at the 2017 elite sale.
Local breeder Martin Garvey sold his Liscolvin S Dance Evite for €4,300. This September 2019-born daughter of Drumdeevin Dancer is out of a Carrigroe Kian-bred dam, with Coneyisland Legend also in the back breeding. Securing Dance Evite was the Power family for their Knockarlow herd in Limerick.
Mercury Saucy Tinge who sold for €5,000.
Anthony Dockery sold his January 2019-born in-calf heifer Rockville S Lynda for €3,650. Sired by HF Rebel stock bull Borrow Tiger, she is out of a Currycamp Emmet-bred dam.
The Vickery family, based in Carbery in west Cork, had the longest journey to travel, but made it worthwhile, selling their two autumn 2019-born heifers for an average of €3,450.
Top of these was a call of €3,600 for Carbery Sweet Jasmin. This Friarstown Ideal Pete daughter is out of a Lawsonsford Bagatelle-bred dam and carries four stars on the replacement index.
Read more
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Live exports running 34,220 head behind 2019 levels
The Irish Angus Cattle Society hosted its annual elite sale in Carrick-on-Shannon over the weekend. This was the 13th year of the sale and proved to be one of the best yet, with a record price and average rising to the highest seen in five years. Clearance rates for both bulls and heifers rose to the highest level since 2016, an impressive stat given the catalogue entry has increased substantially since then.
The general sentiment from both breeders and organisers was that the sale was a great success. It must also be noted that the overall standard of bulls offered for sale over the weekend was well up on previous years.
Top female Clooncarne Savanna who sold for €7,300, exhibited by Fiona Mulligan. \ Tricia Kennedy
Having met a number of established breeders in the shed throughout the day, many of whom have attended Angus sales in Carrick for decades, the feedback was unanimous –the best quality of Angus bulls they have seen.
It’s surprising to see this increase in standard in a year such as 2020, when there were no summer shows and no on-farm pre-sale inspections took place, but it goes to show that once the quality is there, buyers are willing to spend to secure their lot of choice.
€8,600 tops lively sale
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, no pre-sale show took place. Instead, bulls were paraded individually and videos uploaded to the society’s social media channels. This all added to the massive presence both the society and breeders had online in the week leading up to the sale, leaving no stone unturned in getting prospective buyers to the showgrounds or to bid online.
This all paid off, with 68 of the 88 animals through the ring finding new homes.
Drumcrow Savoy who sold for €6,200. \ Alfie Shaw
Bulls sold to an average price of €3,300, up a notable €390 on the year. Clearance rate was also well up, with 44 of the 55 bulls offered sold. This is a further 11 bulls sold on the year.
The pre-Brexit rush meant there was a notable Northern Ireland (NI) presence on site, with particular interest in bulls. With all lots export-tested on the day, these buyers didn’t leave empty-handed, with a total of 17 lots (25%) sold to NI.
Highlight
Amid all these positive trends, the real highlight came when Ernehill Samson sold for a sale record price of €8,600. Bred by Cavan-based Francis and Noel Fitzpatrick, Samson had attracted a lot of interest online following the posting of a pre-sale video.
Born September 2019, the super-stylish Samson is a son of Ballymagrine Wonder, while the dam’s line includes sire of last year’s elite sale high-seller HF Rebel and Dalrene Cruz.
Bunlahy Rihanna who sold for €5,300. \ Tricia Kennedy
Power and pedigree weren’t the only things to get the Ernehill bull to the top flight, as he also carried five stars on nearly every trait, along with a calving ease figure for beef cows of just 0.8% After competitive bidding ringside, the bull was eventually knocked down to Oliver Haugh of the Feenagh herd in Co Clare.
The Fitzpatricks’ second exhibit, Ernehill Shot, also found a new home in a pedigree herd. This September 2019-born bull is again sired by Wonder, this time with Priestown Jupiter and Maine Dragon in the back breeding. At €3,700, he was the choice of the Barlow family who run the Gurtavoher herd in Co Tipperary.
While it may not have gone Cavan’s way a week earlier in Croke Park, it certainly was a day for the Breffni men in Carrick last weekend. As well as the Fitzpatricks’ sale-topping price, well-known Ballinagh breeder Frank McKiernan took home €12,200 for his two bulls.
Drumcrow Spectacular who sold for €6,000. \ Alfie Shaw
Taking the sale’s second top price was McKiernan’s Drumcrow Savoy, which hit the market at €6,200. This bull came with a wealth of old breeding, being sired by Cashelane Lord Jeremy and out of a Lissard Mark-bred dam, making him a full brother to the dam of very popular herd sire Drumcrow Joker and 2017 Elite sale high-seller Drumcrow Nightrider.
Carrying five stars on the terminal index with a calving figure of just 0.9% on beef cows, he was the pick of Brendan Regan for AI company Coneyisland Genetics.
Just behind this at €6,000 was Drumcrow Spectacular. This Drumcrow Joker son is out of a Blelack Prince Consort-bred dam, which again goes back to Lissard Mark.
Clara Swanky who sold for €5,100, exhibited by Rose Goulding. \ Tricia Kennedy
One of the first lots through the ring was Clara Swanky, which hit the market at €5,100. This son of Netherallen Peter Pershore is out of a Young Dale Touchdown-bred dam, which goes back to Whitestone Donna. Bred by Dan and Rose Murphy, he carried five stars on nearly every trait, with a carcase weight figure of over 22kg.
Hitting the market at €5,000 was Mercury Saucy Tinge from John Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork. This son of the performance sire Rawburn Boss Hogg is out of the herd matriarch Mercury Fab Tinge.
Carrying five stars down the line, he was the choice of Malachy Tighe for his Meath-based Tara herd. The week before the sale, Saucy Tinge’s ET full-brother Mercury Sexy Tinge was awarded the title of Angus champion of Europe.
A further seven bulls made €4,000 or more. Top of these was a call of €4,800 for Drumcarbin Sombrero from Shane McKiernan. This powerful son of Dillon New Holland is out of a Rawburn Elysium-bred cow that goes back to the famous Bell line. This bull boasts five stars on nearly every trait.
Carrigroe S Lady Jane who sold for €4,500. \ Tricia Kennedy
Sean and Gary McKiernan also exhibited a son of Dillon New Holland, Corlismore Superman, which hit the market at €4,600.
This September 2019-born bull is out of a Friarstown Ideal Pete-bred dam, with Lawsons Ford Bagatelle also in the back breeding.
The Mulligan family based in Dromod outside Carrick-on-Shannon saw their top bull sell for €4,700. Clooncarne Simon was the bull to do it and he was a September 2019-born son of former stock bull Baronagh Producer, with Clooncarne Frank also in the back breeding.
Liscolvin S Dance Evita who sold for €4,300. \ William McElroy
Top of the Steil herd of Cathal and Joe McCormick was a call of €4,300 for Steil Simon.
This end-of-August-2019-born bull is a son of new stock bull Knockarlow P0665, with the dam’s breeding including The Moss Kriss and Foxwood Gerry. Simon boasts five stars on the terminal index, with a beef cow calving figure of just 2.4%.
Selling for €4,200 was the October-born Gallaway Super from Pauline McKiernan, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim. Sired by HW Farghal, he is out of a Netherton Mr Brazilian-bred dam that goes back to Priestown Jupiter.
Just two bulls shared the €4,000 price tag. First at the money was Knockadrinan Stephen from Tom Reynolds, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim.
This son of stock bull Drumgowna Norman has Friarstown Ideal Pete, Ebon Hill Extra Gold and Galacantray Preditor in his lineage. No stranger to the limelight, Stephen stood as junior champion at the Aldi competition in Iverk in 2019.
Matching him at the money was Edgeworth Sam 037 from Harold and Hazel Ferguson, Edgeworthsown, Co Longford.
This highly rated bull on the €uro-Star index is a son of Lisduff Red Pepper, with Netherton Americano and Elmark also in the back breeding.
Overall 50% of the bulls on offer made €3,000 or more, a figure up substantially on previous years and a testament to the quality on offer.
Heifers
Similar to the previous week at the Munster branch sale, average price paid increased on the year. Average price for the elite sale was up €410 on 2019, settling at €3,150. On top of this, the clearance rate rose by 6% to settle at 73%.
Leading trade in the female section was the aforementioned Mulligan family, led by father Tom. Their February 2019-born heifer Clooncarne Savanna generated a lot of interest throughout the day and eventually reached her selling price at €7,300.
Sired by the herd’s former homebred stock bull Clooncarne Frank, she is out of one of the herd’s top females Clooncarne Nicky, herself sired by Baronagh Producer. Securing the top-selling maiden heifer was Padraig McGivney from Co Longford.
This topped an exceptional day for the Mulligans, who also sold their second heifer, Clooncarne Sassy Lady, for €4,000. This five-star daughter of Westellen Diego was born November 2019 and was the choice of Country Crest.
Clooncarne Sassy Lady who sold for €4,000 exhibited by Gearoid Mulligan with buyer Niall MaGuire, Country Crest. \ Tricia Kennedy
Second-top-priced female was the much-admired Bunlahy Rihanna, which sold for €5,300. Bred by David and Aiden Reynolds, Ballinalee, Co Longford, Rihanna is a daughter of all-Ireland champion Carrigroe Mr Rebel and goes back to the famous Beatrice line, which has bred exceptional stock for the family. Sold in-calf to the homebred Bunlahy Setanta, she was the pick of Gigginstown Angus in Mullingar.
Coming off the success of topping the previous week’s Munster branch sale, John and Beatrice Appelbe made their journey worthwhile, selling their two heifers for €8,300.
Top of these was a call of €4,500 for Carrigroe S Lady Jane. Sired by former stock bull Rathosheen Hugo, she is out of a Loughlynn Ace daughter, who goes back to one of the herd’s best cow families.
Their second heifer, Carrigroe S Dakota, hit the market at €3,800, selling to Donogh McCarthy of the Lemonfield herd in Co Limerick. This heifer is bred the same way, with Hugo on the top line and a daughter of Ace on the bottom. Carrying five stars on the replacement index, she is a full-sister to the female sale-topper at the 2017 elite sale.
Local breeder Martin Garvey sold his Liscolvin S Dance Evite for €4,300. This September 2019-born daughter of Drumdeevin Dancer is out of a Carrigroe Kian-bred dam, with Coneyisland Legend also in the back breeding. Securing Dance Evite was the Power family for their Knockarlow herd in Limerick.
Mercury Saucy Tinge who sold for €5,000.
Anthony Dockery sold his January 2019-born in-calf heifer Rockville S Lynda for €3,650. Sired by HF Rebel stock bull Borrow Tiger, she is out of a Currycamp Emmet-bred dam.
The Vickery family, based in Carbery in west Cork, had the longest journey to travel, but made it worthwhile, selling their two autumn 2019-born heifers for an average of €3,450.
Top of these was a call of €3,600 for Carbery Sweet Jasmin. This Friarstown Ideal Pete daughter is out of a Lawsonsford Bagatelle-bred dam and carries four stars on the replacement index.
Read more
Tullamore Farm: cull cows slaughtered and grazing heavy covers with ewes
Watch: pedigree suckler herd dispersal in Elphin this weekend
Live exports running 34,220 head behind 2019 levels
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