The annual Lisduff Angus sale in the Mid-Tipp Thurles Mart saw a tough trade throughout, with both the average and clearance rate dropping significantly on the year.

In total, only 14 of the 34 pedigree bulls offered for sale met trade, with the majority of these the older bulls on offer. The average price also dropped back to €2,743 from over €3,100 in 2018. The major reason for such a substantial drop is the lack of high sellers. In 2018, 10 bulls made between €3,000 and €4,500, compared with only six selling for between €3,000 and €3,500 this year.

This was coupled with an increased number of particularly light younger bulls, many of which would be unsuitable to go bulling cows or bigger batches of heifers. These younger bulls were principally the reason for the decreased clearance rate, with only four of the 18 bulls born in 2018 finding new homes.

There was again a higher demand for red Angus bulls. This year, only six red bulls were offered, but four of these found new homes. They also secured the top two prices and managed to get an average of just shy of €3,000. Topping the sale with a call of €3,500 was the November 2017-born Lisduff Red Mist T572. This double five-star bull is out of Lanigan Red Krackerjack and Silverfield Red Dalles L745. Sire of this bull was also the sire of the high sellers at the previous two sales at €8,000 and €4,500 respectively.

Selling directly after Red Mist was Lisduff Red Master which hit the market at €3,400. This bull carries four stars on the terminal index and five stars on the replacement, with a calving figure of 1.6%. Sired once again by Lanigan Red Krackerjack, his lineage also contains Flodden Red Beau and Hawkley Red Jack.

Top of the black bulls was the first lot into the ring Lisduff Pioneer. This February 2017-born bull is sired by Bunlahy Kojak, with Rossiter Eric and Blelack Elijah also in the pedigree. Four stars on the terminal index, Pioneer was knocked down by auctioneer Tom Cox at €4,100.

The McEnroes’ second sale will be held on the Lisduff farm in Maghera, Co Cavan, on 4 May.