The curtain was brought down on pedigree cattle sales for 2025 at the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, as the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society held its final sale of 2025.
Cataloged for the show and sale were mostly Charolais and Limousin bulls and heifers, with just one Simmental, one Belgian Blue and one Parthenaise on offer.
Prior to the sale taking place, the Crowe family presented the Tom Crowe Memorial Cup for the first time to Seamus and Lisa McCann for winning the champion Charolais heifer under judge Basil Bothwell.
The late Tom Crowe, who passed away in June of this year, was the society's veterinarian for decades.
Society president Thomas Abbott expressed the society's gratitude to the Crowe family for presenting the cup and remembered Tom's loyal support over the years.
When the sale did start, buyers were selective with their purchases, as 13 out of the 22 bulls on offer exchanged hands, selling to an average of €4,223.
In the heifers, just four out of the 13 heifers in the yard found new homes, averaging €3,550.
Maghermore Vincent selling for €5,800
Prices peaked at €5,800 for the Charolais bull Maghermore Vincent from Michael Grant in Co Donegal.
A son of Clenagh Lyle, this April 2024-born bull picked up a red ticket in the pre-sale show and went to auction with a four-star terminal index of €156 and a single copy of the F94L gene.
Going back to Inverlochy Ferdie and CF52, this ready to work bull sold to a suckler herd in Co Sligo.
Fawnlion Victor 2 selling for €5,600
The day's overall Charolais champion Fawnlion Victor 2 was next best at €5,600, selling to Martin Mannion in Co Roscommon. Exhibited by Joseph McLoughlin from north Co Leitrim, this soft-fleshed bull is a son of the French sire Magicien and out of a Goldstar Ludwig-bred dam.
As well as garnishing the championship ribbons, he packed a terminal index of €169 and a carcase weight figure of +45kg.
Coolembley Vincent selling for €5,300
Charolais dominated the prices, as Coolembley Vincent from Martin Herity in Co Sligo realised €5,300.
A son of the in-vogue Neptune, this September 2024-born bull is out of the Thrunton Bonjovi daughter Liscally Rosie ET.
Stars were in abundance here, as Vincent displayed a five-star terminal index of €188, along with a five-star dairy beef index (DBI) of €148. Picking up this single F94L carrier was Doreen Madden in Gort, Co Galway.
Rooskeynamona Vivaldi selling for €5,200
The last bull to cross €5,000 was Rooskeynamona Vivaldi, the property of Gerard Mulligan from Co Leitrim.
Sired by Rameau out of a homebred dam by CF52, this November 2024-born bull carries two copies of the F94L gene and was acquired by a Galway suckler farmer at €5,200.
Topnotch Umbrella selling for €4,400
As well as claiming the overall champion with Topnotch Unique, which failed to meet her reserve on the day, Seamus McCann from Lusk in Co Dublin led the female trade with Topnotch Umbrella at €4,400.
A 28-month-old daughter of Swalesmoor Orville, she sold in-calf to Vosgien to Leitrim breeder Paddy Kilraine.
Read all about the sale in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
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