The Irish Limousin Cattle Society this year hosted its annual May premier online with Denis Barrett auctioneers.

The sale had a depleted catalogue, with more than 20 of the 44 bulls initially catalogued sold in advance of the sale. This 44 was already back from over 60 bulls that were originally supposed to be offered. The strong off-farm sales meant Denis Barrett only had 23 bulls to sell, with nine finding new homes for a healthy average of €3,717.

Leading the way with a call of €8,000 was Liverpool Pirate from breeders Michael and Kevin Graham, Keadue, Co Roscommon. One of the youngest bulls catalogued at just over 13 months of age, he caught the attention of many but was eventually knocked down to a UK buyer.

In-demand

Sired by the in-demand Plumtree Fantastic, he is out of the homebred dam Liverpool Kate, whose breeding contains Ampertaine Commander and Shire Milton. Pirate carries five stars on the terminal index, with a cow calving figure of only 3.2%.

The same UK buyer also splashed out on the Grahams’ second exhibit, Liverpool Peter. Born February 2019, this bull is also a son of Plumtree Fantastic, with Cameos on the dam’s side. Carrying five stars on the terminal index, he was knocked down at €3,500.

Securing the sale’s second top price was Ardlea Napoleon from Dan Tynan, Mountrath, Co Laois. This ET son of Bavardage is out of the homebred dam Elite Kimberley, herself an Elgin daughter. Carrying five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices, he was secured by a Cavan breeder for €6,100.

In the females, the top price was achieved by Gareth McGuiness for the heifer Milan Nigella. This two-year-old daughter of Ampertaine Gigolo is out of Loosebeare Fantastic daughter Milan Janella. Scanned six months in-calf to Lodge Hamlet, she was knocked down at €4,300.

Full report to follow.