The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held its Premier Bull sale in Nenagh Livestock Mart last Thursday.

Demand for the bulls on offer was limited by challenging grazing conditions and the cold and wet weather that preceded the sale.

Some 34 bulls with superior health status were catalogued and all had their parentage verified before heading to Co. Tipperary.

All bulls were pre-inspected in advance of the sale, with minimum qualifying standards for milk solids production and conformation.

The sale was organised for breeders and dairy farmers alike and, on the day, some 27 bulls were put forward for sale – as some had been sold in the yard pre-sale.

Top price on the day went to Mountfarna Rangler. The bull, exhibited by John O’Callaghan from Bandon, Co. Cork, sold for €4,000.

The Reserve Champion, Mountfarna Wonder, was also exhibited by John O’Callaghan and made €3,400.

A son of Vieuxsaule Flame, Monamore Tall Order, had an EBI of €151 and made €3,400. The bull was exhibited by Tom and James Kelly, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Radney Giggs and Radney Leo, were both exhibited by Henry O’Keeffe from Freemount, Co. Cork and sold for €3,100 and €2,850 respectively.

Another bull, Reary Pete, was exhibited by Kevin Flynn, Clonaslee, Co. Cork and sold for €2,800.

Evergrange Planet crowned show champion

Evergrange Planted, exhibited by Mervyn Eager, Newcastle, Co. Dublin, was crowned the Champion of the Show.

The bull is bred from the Sunnylodge Jean family and sired by Lumville Duke Planet (LPK). Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin herd, Co. Wicklow was the judge and he complimented all exhibitors for the quality of bulls presented.

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Evergrange Planet exhibited by Mervyn Eager with Charles Gallagher, IHFA, and judge Garry Hurley

Denis A. Barrett conducted the sale at Central Auctions, Nenagh Livestock Mart and noted that buyers were focused on quality, proven cow families having high protein, good conformation and longevity.