In pictures: pedigree cattle sales draw to a close

In total, 95 pedigree animals across three breeds took to the show ring for the Midland and Western Livestock Society’s elite sale of Continental bulls and heifers.

This was the first show and sale held by the society at its new exhibition hall, which capped off one of its busiest years to date.

The Charolais breed dominated both the entries and the headlines with 83 cattle forward selling to a top of €4,850.

Securing the top price was 13-month-old Mandela Lucas from Ultan Lynch, Virginia, Co Cavan. Carrying five stars on the terminal index, Lucas has Doonally New, Oscar and Excellent in his breeding history.

Benedict Mulrennan, Elphin, Co Roscommon, was next in the money, selling his May 2015-born bull Derrykirk Luke 2 for €4,700. Sired by Cloverfield Excellent, with Balthazar as the grandsire, Luke was a first prizewinner in the pre-sale show.

Kilvilcorris Leader 2 from Matt Ryan, Thurles, Co Tipperary, was next at €4,200. Again a first prizewinner in the pre-sale show, this one has Lisnagree Elite and Doonally New in the direct lineage.

Overall Charolais bull championship

Matt Ryan was also the recipient of the overall Charolais bull championship with the youngest bull catalogued, KIlvilcorris Levi. Born on Christmas Day last year, this stylish young bull is sired by Thrunton Voldemont and changed hands for €4,100.

Claiming the reserve championship rosette was Ballymakea Leggo from Peter Mcnamara, Mullagh, Co Clare. Leggo, a Tullygarley Alibaba son with Pirate and Doonally New in his breeding line, found a new home in Northern Ireland after selling for €3,000.

Overall, 42 of the 68 Charolais bulls on offer sold to average €2,750, with five going across the border and a further six to Scotland.

Heifers

Fifteen heifers were put forward for sale, but only six found new homes with a top price of €3,900 paid for the reserve champion Castlenode Lucy.

Bred by Anthony Bosquette, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, this embryo-bred daughter of Texan-Gie from a Bourgogne bred dam boasts five stars for replacement and again found a new home in the North.

Ultan Lynch, breeder of the sale topper, claimed the champion title with his two-year-old Mandela Jameson. Sired by Mandela General Et with the €24,000 Cottage Devon as the grand sire, Jameson found a new home at €2,600.

Clearance rates for heifers remained low at 40%, selling to an average of €2,225.

The Charolais female champion Mandela Jameson from Ultan Lynch. The Charolais breed dominated both the entries and the headlines with 83 cattle forward selling to a top of €4,850. \ Tricia Kennedy

Simmentals

Only two Simmental bulls were put forward for sale on the day with both finding new homes at an average price of €1,825. Topping the trade was the pre-sale show champion Rathlee General Et from Gerry Lenehan, Easkey, Co Sligo. Sired by Hillcrest Champion, this bull – not yet 12 months – met his reserve at €2,225.

The Simmental champion Rathlee General Et from Gerry Lenehan. Sired by Hillcrest Champion, this bull – not yet 12 months – met his reserve at €2,225. \ Tricia Kennedy

The small turnout of Limousin cattle saw a top of €3,500 for Tom Mulligan’s Currycamp King Foreman.

Sired by Ampertaine Foreman with Highland and Mas Du Clu in the breeding background, King Foreman boasted five stars on both terminal and replacement indices.

Martin O’Connor selected Liverpool Kenny as his overall champion. Bred by Michael and Kevin Graham, Keadue, Co Roscommon, Kenny is sired by Haltcliffe Dancer from a Sauvignon-bred cow. Selling with five stars on the terminal index, he found a new home at €2,500.

In the female Limousin section, the Richardson family claimed both the overall and reserve championships with their only two entries.

Securing the championship was Newtown Kiwi by Lowerffrydd Empire, which changed hands at €2,100, while the reserve, Newtown Kizzy by Castleview Gringo, found a home after selling for €2,000.

There was a clearance of 60% of all animals presented for sale, with the continued trend of customers buying with star ratings in mind.

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