One breeder at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society's elite sale in Tullamore on Saturday described the trade as having “a few good prices but the trade wasn’t great for alot of the heifers".

Looking down through the prices, this view probably summed up the trade well.

Junior champion Goldstar Osanna ET made €11,000, pictured with purchasers H and H Heron. / Tricia Kennedy

The junior champion from the Goldstar herd of Martin Ryan was the talk of the yard on Saturday morning, as Goldstar Osanna ET was tapped out as junior champion by Balthayock Farm's Tracey Nicoll, the judge for the show.

No stranger to the show ring, Osanna had been crowned national senior calf champion at the National Livestock Show in Tullamore last August.

This September 2018-born heifer was by Goldstar Hugo ET and out of the famous Goldstar Jamaique.

After a marathon bidding session, she was eventually knocked down to H and H Heron, Newtownards, Co Down, for €11,000.

Next-highest price went to John Ward, Drumoureen, Bantry, Co Cork. John’s long trip from Bantry paid off as his heifer Coolomane Opal was selected junior reserve champion in the pre-sale show.

This September 2018-born heifer was out of Goldstar Echo and out of a Meillard cow. She was sold for €6,200 to Noel and Joan Rathgallen, Golden, Cashel, Co Tipperary.

The day’s senior champion went to Cavan breeders Basil and Victoria Kells for their September 2017-born heifer Dalehill Nadine.

She was by CF52 and out of a Liscally Eti cow. She was sold for €5,200 to Jimmy Kelly, Kerrikyle, Ardagh, Co Limerick.

Average price at the sale was €3,158 for 29 heifers sold at a clearance rate of 48%.

The sale average for 2018 was €3,280, while the clearance rate was much higher at 75% in 2018.

Nine heifers were sold across the border at Saturday’s sale. See this week’s Irish Farmers Journal for photos and full sale report.