The Irish Aubrac Cattle Society is set to its first sale of pedigree breeding bulls of the year at Cashel Mart, Co. Tipperary on Saturday, April 13.
The sale is set to feature over 20 pre-selected Aubrac bulls from a range of herds breeding pedigree Aubrac cattle.
The Aubrac sale takes place as the cattle breed society has confirmed that it is currently in negotiations “with various bodies” to set up a producer group.
According to the society, the aim of the producer group – if established – will be “to further enhance the market for Aubrac beef”. The society confirmed that details on the new producer group “will “should be finalised shortly”.
More information on the sale is available on the Aubrac society website.
According to the society, the Aubrac cattle breed “has a very bright future ahead with the recent addition of three new bulls in Artificial Insemination (AI)”, which the society says is adding to what is already ” a very successful” offering of sires.
There are currently three Aubrac bulls in the top 10 ranking bulls on the Dairy Beef Index (DBI) as of the March 2024 evaluations.
According to the society, “the breeds’ ease of calving, short gestation and a vibrant calf that is up and thriving within minutes makes them an excellent choice for dairy and suckler farmers”.
About the Aubrac breed
Aubrac cattle have been around for a couple of hundred years, originating in the mountainous regions of the Auvergne and France’s Massif Central.
This region bred hardy cattle that could survive harsh terrain and thrive on a meagre diet, according to the society.
In their region of origin, the cattle also had to be easy calving as the chances of assistance at calving were non-existent.
It is from these genetic fundamentals that the modern breed has been developed.
A small number of enthusiastic breeders established the breed in Ireland just a few decades ago.
The breeders saw the potential of the cattle, with their dark eyes and snout and gentle temperament, to introduce important beef traits that were needed by Irish farmers.