The Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society held its elite pedigree sale in Carrick-on-Shannon in mid-December. The sale saw 179 bulls and heifers catalogued, of which a total of 128 were offered for sale, including cattle from the Limousin, Charolais, Simmental and Belgian Blue breeds. Overall trade could be described as tough, with just under 45% finding new homes. Dangerous driving conditions that morning had a notable influence on the sale, with a small crowd in attendance. This, coupled with the possibility of a long winter with lack of sufficient fodder, led to buyer uncertainty. Four bulls sold to Scotland, with a further seven animals going North.
The Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society held its elite pedigree sale in Carrick-on-Shannon in mid-December. The sale saw 179 bulls and heifers catalogued, of which a total of 128 were offered for sale, including cattle from the Limousin, Charolais, Simmental and Belgian Blue breeds.
Overall trade could be described as tough, with just under 45% finding new homes. Dangerous driving conditions that morning had a notable influence on the sale, with a small crowd in attendance. This, coupled with the possibility of a long winter with lack of sufficient fodder, led to buyer uncertainty. Four bulls sold to Scotland, with a further seven animals going North.
Top-quality bulls were a good trade, but plainer animals were harder to sell, especially in the later half of the sale.
Charolais
Charolais saw the highest number of entries, with 86 bulls and 12 heifers offered for sale. Forty per cent of bulls and 50% of heifers sold to an average of over €2,800 and over €2,100 respectively.
The overall Charolais male champion Boyannagh Marty by Crossmolina Euro was sold for the top price of the sale at €5,500. This five-star terminal bull was owned by Terry Bradley, Westmeath, and was sold to Scotland.
The reserve champion male Galloway Mavrick was from Michael and Paul Kiernan, Co Leitrim. This August 2016-born bull with a five-star terminal index was by CF52 and was sold at €4,000 to a Scottish purchaser.
Other top Charolais bull prices were €5,200 for Muckanagh Master from the Mitchell family, Co Leitrim; Gerard son Ballyalla Miley from William Dinsmore sold for €4,500; while Camber Max for Vincent McBrien sold for €3,700.
Charolais heifer champion went to Joseph Doorigan for his May 2016 daughter of Lisnagre Hansome. She sold to Co Offaly for €2,400.
Shammer Madonna from Michael Harrison, Donegal, a September 2016-born heifer by Pirate, was sold for the top price of €2,600 to Cian Beirne, Elphin.
Limousin
The champion Limousin bull came from the Laheens herd of Cathal and Cormac Duignan, Co Leitrim. This very stylish bull sired by On-Dit was sold for €3,000 to a Roscommon farmer.
The champion Limousin heifer, also from Leitrim, Newtown Lexi, owned by Mark Richardson, sold for €2,500 to a northern buyer.
Of the 18 Limousin bulls and seven heifers offered for sale, 60% of bulls found new homes at an average of €2,300, while the heifers had a healthy 86% clearance at an average of just under €1,800.
Demand for Simmental and Belgian Blues on the day was low, with only one Simmental bull finding a new home. The champion, owned by Fergal Doherty, failed to reach his reserve.
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