Pedigree sheep farming started on the Miley family farm back in 1992 when Declan was just 11 years old, after a visit to the Chessy Suffolk flock of Padraic and Margaret Niland. On this visit, Declan was given the opportunity to take his pick of the Chessy flock.

From that day on, Declan’s father gave him the free rein of running the pedigree flock. Declan says: “Even to this day, it’s the same mantra. The right decisions aren’t spoken about and the wrong decisions are discussed regularly.”

Over the next 32 years, this dedication led to the flock growing into the award-winning flock that it is today.

Foundation of the Charollais flock

The Charollais breed was always highly valued commercially on the Miley farm for its ease of lambing, coupled with both high growth rates and killout percentages.

In 2012, the decision was made to establish the Knockcroghery flock, comprising pedigree Charollais sheep. When establishing the flock, the Mileys placed a huge emphasis on securing the best females available to give the flock the best possible start.

These first signature females were purchased from the Irish flocks of Lisfuncheon, Powerview, Awebeg and the Scottish Logie Durno flock.

The first ram was then sourced from the Kilbarry flock. From 2012 onwards, Declan introduced a number of select females to the flock each year.

Record all-Ireland showing success

Over the years, the Mileys have always placed a huge emphasis on attending agricultural shows and coveted all-Ireland championships. They find it a great way of showcasing the flock and also as a live measure of where the flock rates against the breed’s elite.

The 2015 all-Ireland Charollais championships were the first attended by the Knockcroghery flock. It was at this show that the renowned Charollais ewe Oprah won the all-Ireland hogget ewe class before going on to win the flock’s first overall all-Ireland Charollais championship.

In 2016, Oprah completed the amazing feat of winning back-to-back overall all-Ireland Charollais championships. On that same day, the flock also secured the red ribbon in the hogget ewe class with a homebred hogget.

Oprah was back again in 2017 and to the fore winning the aged ewe class and her homebred son, Knockcroghery Sportsman, won the ram lamb class and topped it off by winning the overall all-Ireland Charollais champion title.

Also, in 2017, the inaugural National Sheep Breeders Interbreed Championships were held for the first time and it was again Oprah that reigned supreme on this historic occasion.

In 2018, it was an Oprah daughter, Knockcroghery Serana, that took the flock’s fourth consecutive all-Ireland championship title. It set a record within the breed as the only flock to win four consecutive all-Ireland titles in a row.

Also, on the magic day, Oprah herself took the overall reserve champion title.

Declan says that he “will never forget being the first flock to achieve a major accolade of this stature” and that “it is something he will always cherish, being able to look at the all-Ireland trophy and see the best flocks in the history of the breed and to see our name four times in a row”.

After a break due to COVID-19 lockdown, the flock was back to its winning ways in 2022. It was homebred hogget ewe Knockcroghery Winter that stole the show at the all-Ireland Charollais competition for the flock winning the all-Ireland championship title, with Declan describing her “as one of the most perfect sheep” he has ever seen.

In 2022, this perfect ewe’s winnings did not just stop with an all-Ireland title, but she also took the overall interbreed championship title at Dundalk Show on the same day.

Winter was back to compete for her title at the 2023 all-Ireland championships. There, she was successful in winning the strongly contested aged ewe section and then winning back-to-back all-Ireland titles.

In 2024, Winter won the aged ewe class, completing three in a row in her class championships. Homebred Knockcroghery Ballyglass also won the hogget ram class in 2024.

The Knockcroghery flock has won two overall reserve championships at the Charollais premier sale. The top price achieved by the flock for a ram lamb was 4,100gns. This was achieved by a homebred ram lamb, Knockcroghery Valdisere, that sold to the UK-based Edstaston flock.

The Knockcroghery flock has won numerous regional sale champions over the years. In 2023, the flock set a record price for a regional sale at €3,040 for the homebred ram lamb, Knockcroghery Ballydoyle. He sold to the Kilbarry and Carriganella flocks.

When it comes to female prices, the flock has recorded highs of up to 3,100gns. This price was achieved by a Serena daughter that was sold to the Shanavagoon flock.

Top genetics

The Mileys have used artificial insemination and embryo transfer over the years with a view to improving the flock. Through the use of these practices, it has allowed them to maximise the flock’s best genetics and allow for the choice of using both fresh and frozen semen across these high-end females.

Whether buying stock rams or females, Declan strives to secure the best possible stock available that will complement the breeding plan in place within the Knockcroghery flock.

The massive decision has been made by Declan and the Miley family to disperse the award-winning pedigree Charollais flock. The sale will take place in Roscommon Mart on Saturday 23 November at 3pm. Included in the star-studded lineup, will be all-Ireland winning ewe Knockcroghery Winter, full sisters and a number of daughters.

There will also be direct progeny from the Oprah, Sportsman and Serena breeding lines and a strong number of show-quality ewe lambs.

There will be a number of recipients scanned carrying pedigree embryos, frozen embryos and frozen semen from some of the greatest genetics in the flock.

Two of the flock’s stock rams will be on offer at the sale. They are Pembrooke Bulletproof, which was purchased privately for a record price in Wales last year. He has bred extremely well within the flock in his first season. The second ram is Turret Coolmore, a very exciting upcoming ram that was purchased at this year’s Irish Charollais premier sale.

The sale will also include a guest consignment from the Kilbarry and Carriganella Charollais flocks. There will also be a number of Milford ewe lambs for sale on the night from the Knockcroghery flock.

All of the pedigree lots are available for export on the day to Northern Ireland and the EU.

Arrangements have also been made for stock purchased by UK mainland buyers.

The Knockcroghery flock is donating a pedigree ewe lamb for auction on the day, with all of the proceeds going to Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals. This charity is very close to the Miley family and a collection will be in place on the day of the sale and an online link will also be available.

Declan would like to thank all previous customers of Knockcroghery pedigrees for their custom over the years.