Prices for Hereford bulls got a real lift on Thursday at the Irish Hereford Breed Society's show and sale in Nenagh.
Buyers came out in force to secure bulls for the breeding season, with dairy, suckler and pedigree farmers all securing future stock bulls.
A total of 22 young stud bulls went in front of auctioneer Eamonn Gaffney, who reported 16 sold to an average of €4,615.
Springvilla spectacular
It proved a spectacular day out for the Roycroft family from Co Cork, who claimed both the champion and reserve championship titles under judge Tommy Beirne, before going on to sell their three bulls for an average of €5,700.
Taking the top price of €6,300 for the Roycrofts was the overall champion Springvilla Martin 1220 HH.
Sired by the herd's stock bull Corlismore Dafydd 151, his dam Springvilla Catriona 688 is a daughter of Corlismore Fire 606.
Born in July 2024, this full-horned bull carries a five-star replacement index of €130 and well below breed average calving figures. Taking him back to Co Limerick was Patrick Lane.
He was quickly followed by the reserve champion Springvilla Mason 1240 HH at €5,000.
Another full-horned bull, this time sired by Corlismore Dynamite 993 and out of a Kilsunny Ozzy-bred cow, Mason carries just a three-star terminal and replacement index, but came with a five-star DBI of €112 and a calving figure of just 2.7% on dairy cows.
He was knocked down to Albie Ryan from Co Tipperary.
Reserve champion Springvilla Mason 1240 HH, which sold for €5,000.
Not to be outshone by his two stable mates, Springvilla Mitchell 1246 HH hit €5,800, selling to Tipperary man Michael O'Connell.
Sired by Corlismore Dynamite 993, this October 2024-born bull ranks in the top 40% of the breed for terminal and dairy-beef traits.
Polled bull
Selling for the second-highest price of the day was Firmoll Preston PP, a full-polled bull from local breeder Paul Sammon.
Out of Solpoll 1 Handsome and Solpoll 1 Dainty W3, he packed a glowing set of indexes, ranking in the top 20% of the breed for replacement and terminal. Acquiring this third-prizewinner was John Brew from Co Clare.
Firmoll Preston PP, shown by Paul Sammon, sold for €6,200.
Trading at €6,100 was Ballinveney Harvest HH from the herd of Rory Farrell just outside Nenagh.
Homebred on both sides, he is a son of Ballinveney Fugitive, going back to Pute Nascar N13 and Churchill Storm on his dam's side. Offering a nice balance of figures and garnishing a second-prize ticket from the pre-sale show, this October 2024-born bull will now join Tom Brennan's well-known pedigree herd in Co Kilkenny.
Ballinveney Harvest HH, shown by Brian Farrell, sold for €6,100.
Rory Farrell also received €6,000 for Farney Willam 2 PH, bred by local woman Mary Johnston.
A son of Gouldingpoll 1 Zoro, this 18-month-old bull's mother goes back to Fabb 1 Northern Star and Allowdale Rory.
He boasted a vibrant set of figures, backed up by a calving figure of just 3.1% on dairy cows and will now take up residence with Aidan Treacy in Co Galway.
Prices for Hereford bulls got a real lift on Thursday at the Irish Hereford Breed Society's show and sale in Nenagh.
Buyers came out in force to secure bulls for the breeding season, with dairy, suckler and pedigree farmers all securing future stock bulls.
A total of 22 young stud bulls went in front of auctioneer Eamonn Gaffney, who reported 16 sold to an average of €4,615.
Springvilla spectacular
It proved a spectacular day out for the Roycroft family from Co Cork, who claimed both the champion and reserve championship titles under judge Tommy Beirne, before going on to sell their three bulls for an average of €5,700.
Taking the top price of €6,300 for the Roycrofts was the overall champion Springvilla Martin 1220 HH.
Sired by the herd's stock bull Corlismore Dafydd 151, his dam Springvilla Catriona 688 is a daughter of Corlismore Fire 606.
Born in July 2024, this full-horned bull carries a five-star replacement index of €130 and well below breed average calving figures. Taking him back to Co Limerick was Patrick Lane.
He was quickly followed by the reserve champion Springvilla Mason 1240 HH at €5,000.
Another full-horned bull, this time sired by Corlismore Dynamite 993 and out of a Kilsunny Ozzy-bred cow, Mason carries just a three-star terminal and replacement index, but came with a five-star DBI of €112 and a calving figure of just 2.7% on dairy cows.
He was knocked down to Albie Ryan from Co Tipperary.
Reserve champion Springvilla Mason 1240 HH, which sold for €5,000.
Not to be outshone by his two stable mates, Springvilla Mitchell 1246 HH hit €5,800, selling to Tipperary man Michael O'Connell.
Sired by Corlismore Dynamite 993, this October 2024-born bull ranks in the top 40% of the breed for terminal and dairy-beef traits.
Polled bull
Selling for the second-highest price of the day was Firmoll Preston PP, a full-polled bull from local breeder Paul Sammon.
Out of Solpoll 1 Handsome and Solpoll 1 Dainty W3, he packed a glowing set of indexes, ranking in the top 20% of the breed for replacement and terminal. Acquiring this third-prizewinner was John Brew from Co Clare.
Firmoll Preston PP, shown by Paul Sammon, sold for €6,200.
Trading at €6,100 was Ballinveney Harvest HH from the herd of Rory Farrell just outside Nenagh.
Homebred on both sides, he is a son of Ballinveney Fugitive, going back to Pute Nascar N13 and Churchill Storm on his dam's side. Offering a nice balance of figures and garnishing a second-prize ticket from the pre-sale show, this October 2024-born bull will now join Tom Brennan's well-known pedigree herd in Co Kilkenny.
Ballinveney Harvest HH, shown by Brian Farrell, sold for €6,100.
Rory Farrell also received €6,000 for Farney Willam 2 PH, bred by local woman Mary Johnston.
A son of Gouldingpoll 1 Zoro, this 18-month-old bull's mother goes back to Fabb 1 Northern Star and Allowdale Rory.
He boasted a vibrant set of figures, backed up by a calving figure of just 3.1% on dairy cows and will now take up residence with Aidan Treacy in Co Galway.
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