Although there were a number of high prices for some of the top-end bulls, the overall trade for Hereford bulls at the Hereford society's premier show and sale in Tullamore on Saturday could only be described as sticky.
With three-week-old Hereford-cross-Friesian calves freely making from €350 to €450 in the commercial market this spring, one would think a breeding bull at €4,000 would not be out of the way.
On Saturday, some bulls failed to hit that mark, as bulls sold from €2,600 up to €8,000, with the average settling at €4,521 for 19 bulls sold (68% clearance).
Stealing all the limelight, taking the overall championship and the top price of €8,000 back to Co Cork was Yvonne and Robert Roycroft for Springvilla Maximus 1238 HH.
Having wooed judge Tommy Cregan in the pre-sale show, the October 2024-born bull also vindicated himself in the sale ring, selling to an esteemed pedigree herd in Co Monaghan.
Sired by the herd's stock bull Corlismore Dafydd 151 and out of the Knockmountagh Super 2 daughter, Springvilla Jackie, Maximus carries a five-star replacement index of €136 and calving figures in the top 20% of the breed.
Mighty Moyclare
It proved a mighty day out for Michael Molloy's Moyclare herd based in Co Offaly, trading two bulls for €6,100 and €5,000 respectively.
Leading the charge at €6,100 was Moyclare Xeno HH, a full horned bull sired by Moyclare Vance out of a Caislean Jake-bred cow.
In the top 20% of the breed for terminal, replacement and dairy-beef, auctioneer Eamonn Gaffney knocked him down to the herd of Nigel Donaldson in Co Monaghan.
Moyclare Xeno HH shown by Michael Molloy sold for €6,100. \ Shanon Kinahan
His companion Moyclare Xray paved the way for him, trading at €5,000 earlier in the day.
Born in May 2024, this powerhouse of a bull is a son of the herd's former stock bull Caislean Jake and out of the Free Town Nadal-bred cow Moyclare Rose 46.
Like many of the high-sellers, he boasted some impressive terminal numbers, including a carcase weight figure of +15.9kg. Taking him back to the northeast was Patrick Callan from Co Louth.
Polled bull
Up next at €5,600 was the full polled bull Bawnlea Gizmo PP, brought out by Peter Cooke and family from Co Tipperary.
Having picked up the reserve championship title earlier that day, the Panmure 1 Henry son also packed a nice array of figures, including five-star terminal and dairy-beef indexes.
Backed up by a strong maternal line in Bonleapoll 1 Dua Lipa, a Gouldingpoll 1 Superstar ET daughter, he will now join Glen Chapman's herd in Co Wexford.
Bawnlea Gizmo PP, reserve champion which sold for €5,600. \ Shanon Kinahan
Roscommon breeder Coman Neary featured well when he received a call of €5,200 for his flashy bull Clooncullane Rory 566 HH.
A son of Allowdale Rambo 738 out of a Conmelvin Ollie-bred dam, this lovely headed bull carries a five-star replacement index of €128 and went home with Martin Delahunty from Co Kilkenny.
Clooncullane Rory 566 HH shown by Coman Heary sold for €5,200. \ Shanon Kinahan
Dynamite son
The second-prizewinner Grianan Charles PP found a new residence when he traded at €5,000 for Westmeath breeders Tom and Anselm Fitzgerald.
Born in August 2024, the Solpoll 1 Dynamite P son goes back to the herd's famous Orange line and will now join Matthew Shortall's herd in Co Tipperary.
Also retailing at that price tag was Carrowboy Delboy PP, the first-prizewinner from the last class of the day.
Bred and exhibited by Alan Gibbons from Co Roscommon, this Ringfort 1 Carlos son is out of the Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid Pp-bred cow Woodviewpoll 1 Pippa.
With a string of red ribbons in his locker from the 2025 show season, he displayed four-star terminal and replacement indexes and was the pick of Kildare breeder Stephen Morrsion.
Read all about Saturday's sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
Although there were a number of high prices for some of the top-end bulls, the overall trade for Hereford bulls at the Hereford society's premier show and sale in Tullamore on Saturday could only be described as sticky.
With three-week-old Hereford-cross-Friesian calves freely making from €350 to €450 in the commercial market this spring, one would think a breeding bull at €4,000 would not be out of the way.
On Saturday, some bulls failed to hit that mark, as bulls sold from €2,600 up to €8,000, with the average settling at €4,521 for 19 bulls sold (68% clearance).
Stealing all the limelight, taking the overall championship and the top price of €8,000 back to Co Cork was Yvonne and Robert Roycroft for Springvilla Maximus 1238 HH.
Having wooed judge Tommy Cregan in the pre-sale show, the October 2024-born bull also vindicated himself in the sale ring, selling to an esteemed pedigree herd in Co Monaghan.
Sired by the herd's stock bull Corlismore Dafydd 151 and out of the Knockmountagh Super 2 daughter, Springvilla Jackie, Maximus carries a five-star replacement index of €136 and calving figures in the top 20% of the breed.
Mighty Moyclare
It proved a mighty day out for Michael Molloy's Moyclare herd based in Co Offaly, trading two bulls for €6,100 and €5,000 respectively.
Leading the charge at €6,100 was Moyclare Xeno HH, a full horned bull sired by Moyclare Vance out of a Caislean Jake-bred cow.
In the top 20% of the breed for terminal, replacement and dairy-beef, auctioneer Eamonn Gaffney knocked him down to the herd of Nigel Donaldson in Co Monaghan.
Moyclare Xeno HH shown by Michael Molloy sold for €6,100. \ Shanon Kinahan
His companion Moyclare Xray paved the way for him, trading at €5,000 earlier in the day.
Born in May 2024, this powerhouse of a bull is a son of the herd's former stock bull Caislean Jake and out of the Free Town Nadal-bred cow Moyclare Rose 46.
Like many of the high-sellers, he boasted some impressive terminal numbers, including a carcase weight figure of +15.9kg. Taking him back to the northeast was Patrick Callan from Co Louth.
Polled bull
Up next at €5,600 was the full polled bull Bawnlea Gizmo PP, brought out by Peter Cooke and family from Co Tipperary.
Having picked up the reserve championship title earlier that day, the Panmure 1 Henry son also packed a nice array of figures, including five-star terminal and dairy-beef indexes.
Backed up by a strong maternal line in Bonleapoll 1 Dua Lipa, a Gouldingpoll 1 Superstar ET daughter, he will now join Glen Chapman's herd in Co Wexford.
Bawnlea Gizmo PP, reserve champion which sold for €5,600. \ Shanon Kinahan
Roscommon breeder Coman Neary featured well when he received a call of €5,200 for his flashy bull Clooncullane Rory 566 HH.
A son of Allowdale Rambo 738 out of a Conmelvin Ollie-bred dam, this lovely headed bull carries a five-star replacement index of €128 and went home with Martin Delahunty from Co Kilkenny.
Clooncullane Rory 566 HH shown by Coman Heary sold for €5,200. \ Shanon Kinahan
Dynamite son
The second-prizewinner Grianan Charles PP found a new residence when he traded at €5,000 for Westmeath breeders Tom and Anselm Fitzgerald.
Born in August 2024, the Solpoll 1 Dynamite P son goes back to the herd's famous Orange line and will now join Matthew Shortall's herd in Co Tipperary.
Also retailing at that price tag was Carrowboy Delboy PP, the first-prizewinner from the last class of the day.
Bred and exhibited by Alan Gibbons from Co Roscommon, this Ringfort 1 Carlos son is out of the Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid Pp-bred cow Woodviewpoll 1 Pippa.
With a string of red ribbons in his locker from the 2025 show season, he displayed four-star terminal and replacement indexes and was the pick of Kildare breeder Stephen Morrsion.
Read all about Saturday's sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
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