Top price paid for Tipperary Hereford Bull

The strong demand for Hereford bulls continued at the Society’s April Sale at Kilmallock with a very good clearance and an average similar to the Hereford Sale at Nenagh the previous week.

Once again the numbers forward were influenced by current very strong on farm demand with successful farm to farm sales taking place across the country.

The day’s top price went to Rory Farrell, Ballinveney, Toomevara who last week exhibited the €3,450 top price bull and Reserve Champion Ballinveney Master at Nenagh. On this occasion it was stablemate Ballinveney Marvel by Australian sire Yarram Star General W251 out of Ballinveney Hilda by Glaslough Esquire (GSQ) that made the top price when the auctioneer’s hammer came down at €3,750. Purchased by well known Offaly breeders Joe an Ivor Deverell, Marvel is a five star bull for terminal and maternal traits with a below average calving difficulty figure thus indicating this bull has the pedigree and performance to fit his intended role as a herd sire.

The Champion Kye Sting 595 a Bowmont Storm A584 son from the well known herd of Padraig McGrath, Elphin, Co Roscommon was a bargain at €2,900 for S&N Heatrick, Glaslough, Co Monaghan. The dam Kye Sorcha 3rd is by the very successful Churchill Storm.

Local breeders Paddy O’Rourke and son Darren from Kildimo exhibited the Reserve Champion Ardlahan Malcolm. This 15 month old is an exciting son and one of the first progeny of new Australian sire Smithston Darby to come to market. Out of Clouncagh Peach 5 by Church Hill Chip he was purchased by Michael Molloy, Glebe, Belmont, Co Offaly.

It was another successful day out for Kanturk couple Liam Philpott and Anne Pounds gaining a first prize for their Allowdale Man of Leisure by Bowmont Storm A584. Out of Allowdale Cleopatra by Kilnagralta Polo he sold at €3,000 to James Kennelly, Listowel, Co Kerry.

The couple also exhibited Allowdale Darius again by Bowmont Storm this time out of Moyclare Pansy 6th by Ervie Classic S30. He sold to Michael O’Mahony, Ballyhea, Charleville, Co Limerick at €2,700.

Offaly man Joe O’Connor, Sharavogue, Birr sold Boveen Keegan at €2,700 to bring his total for bulls sold during the week to five all at similar prices. By herd sire Corran Hill Classic he is out of Boveen Lady Naomi by Kilsunny Abraham and was purchased by Con O’Sullivan, Rosscarbury, Co Cork.

Westmeath breeders Tom & Anselm Fitzgerald exhibited Grianan Liberator out of Grianan Orange H506 by Yarram Pompeii V055. Liberator is again a son of Bowmont Storm A584 a bull consistently producing top progeny in recent years. The purchaser at €2,700 was Jerry McCarthy, Broadford, Co Limerick.

Overall average for the sale was €2,490 with a range of €2,000 to €3,750 and a clearance of 78%. The Society’s final spring sale takes place at Nenagh on Saturday May 18th.