Tullamore GVM was the venue for our final spring sale on Friday evening the 29th of April. With on farm sales continuing to remain strong, just 22 of the 32 bulls catalogued were presented for sale on the night. Despite this trade remained solid, with both Beef and Dairy farmers actively buying bulls on the night. Over all averages were well ahead on the same sale the previous year, clearance rate was also up, with the average selling price up €500 on last years sale at €2,921. Judging duties on the night were undertaken by Cian Martin of the Knocanroe herd, Templederry, Co. Tipperary.
Over half the bulls sold for €3000 and higher with the pre-sale show Champion bull Jennalyn Mighty Vintage ET for Lyndsey Behan, Ballyfin Co. Laois setting the pace. Mighty Vintage is by the herds senior stock bull Manor Park Hansome, out of the Raceview King daughter Corbally Vintage Katie Et, from the famous ‘Katie’ family. Boasting a replacement index of €151 and a calving figure of 3.8%, this Sept ’20 bull achieved the top price of the sale, selling for €4,000.
Reserve male champion went the way of Tipperary breeder William O’Halloran, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, with Bearna-Dhearg Niko Et, sired by Curaheen Evolution P, off Delfur Decider daughter Ballyduff Grace 2, this March ’21 born bull failed to meet his reserve in the ring, selling outside for €3500.
Next in the money was Towerhill Ninety Nine for Seamus Aherne, Cappamore, Co Limerick. Sired by Derreen Jack off a homebred Celtic benny dam, Towerhill Gingerspice. Ninety Nine placed 3rd in his class and boasts a replacement figure of €192 with a calving ease of 1.4%, +15kgs on milk, this Feb ’21 bull sold for the nights second highest price of €3,800 to a Co. Meath based Pedigree and Commercial herd.
Close behind was Ardunsaghan Naughty Boy for the Connolly family, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. Born Feb ’21 this Bruchag Glenfiddich 15 off Derrough Gretta, Naughty Boy attracted a flurry of bids before been knocked down to an export customer for €3,600.
A further four bulls sold for €3000
- Bridgemount Marshall for William O’Riordan, Rathcormac, Co. Cork, By Curaheen Earp out of Seepa Tee Jay daughter Bridgemount Janelle. `
- Mount Nicholas for Joe and James Kelly, Ballynacally, Co. Clare, a Glebe Farm Tyson son, again from the Katie family, this time Corbally VIP Katie.
- Mount Neeko, a Derreen Jack son out of Mount Hilda for Joe and James Kelly, another one heading across the water to an export customer.
- Leeherd Noah for the Finnegan Family, Coachford. Co Cork. By their herd sire Dermotstown G Mac, out of Kilbride Farm Newry daughter, Leeherd Beauty, the dam of AI bull Leeherd Harry, again selling for export.
Heifer entries were also feeling the effects of strong on farm sales, with just one heifer presented for sale. Tonrevagh Natasha for Charles Swanick, Castelrea, Co. Roscommon, herself a Monaduff Snorter daughter, from a Tonrevagh Fred Star daughter, Glenanaar Hilary born March ’21. Natasha failed to reach her reserve in the ring.
Our next sale takes place Wednesday evening the 11th of May at Roscommon mart, where we have up on 70 commercial Simmental Heifers on offer. Catalogue is available today on our website.