The Irish Angus Cattle Society hosted an Elite Show and Sale of export-tested pedigree registered Angus bulls an heifers at the Showgrounds, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon, on Saturday, December 7.
Despite the aftermath of Storm Darragh leaving travelling conditions tricky, there was a strong trade in the bull sale with the heifer trade a little more tricky, but good average sale prices achieved for both bulls and heifers.
There were a total of 48 bulls and 45 heifers catalogued for the event with 41 bulls and 40 heifers present on the day. There was a clearance rate of 78% in the bull sale and 22 of the 40 heifers sold, resulting in an overall clearance rate of 67%.
The average sale price of the bulls was €3,940 and the average sale price of the heifers was €3,970. The judge in the pre-sale show was Richard Brinettee from Germany.
It was a September 2023-born heifer owned by Ger Ryan from Ballyhooly, Co. Cork that took the top price in the sale.
Selling for €8,000, was the 2024 Irish Angus All Ireland Junior Female Champion and Reserve Overall Junior Champion, Ryans Whitney.
Taking the top price on the day, this heifer was bought by Declan Miley from Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon.
At €7,700, September 2023-born bull Drumcarbin Warrior took the second-top price of the sale and top-priced bull in the sale for Shane McKiernan from Ballinagh, Co. Cavan.
Rated five star within breed on the Terminal, Replacement and Dairy Beef Indexes, this bull was bought by Joseph Kelly and Portauns Pedigree.
The Drumcarbin Herd also sold a second bull in the sale by way of Drumcarbin War Smith making €6,000.
Selling to Samuel Morton from Dromore West, Co. Sligo, this bull had five stars in the Replacement, Terminal and Dairy Beef Indexes also.
Selling for €7,200 was Driney Wizard owned by Gerard Regan from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
The August 2023-born bull was sired by Drumcrow Tribesman and was five star in the Replacement and Dairy Beef Indexes. This bull was bought by Albert De Cogan from Co. Cork.
A March 2022-born heifer also from the fold of Gerard Regan sold for €7,100. Sired by Loughlynn Hum Dinger, Driney Vital Spark sold as scanned in-calf to Drumcrow Tribesman.
A third entry from Regan’s Driney fold made €6,600. Driney Western Spark is a September-2023-born bull sired by Fordel Lockdown and was Reserve Champion at the 2024 Roscommon Show.
Selling for €5,600 was Carrowboy Wilberto owned by Alan Gibbons from Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The Drumcrow Tribesman sired August 2023-born bull proved popular in the ring with five stars on the Replacement and Dairy Beef Indexes.
A March 2023-born heifer owned by Brian McWeeney from Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim sold for €5,300. Mough Wendi was sired by Tower Tommie and her dam was Mough Kiara.
Corlismore Winston also sold at €5,300. Owned by Sean and Gary McKiernan from Corlismore, Co. Cavan, this August 2023-born bull was sired by Drumcrow Savoy.
Two bulls sold at €5,100 namely Knockmountagh William owned by Eamon and John McKiernan from Co. Louth and Gallaway Winchester, owned by Pauline McKiernan from Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. Winchester was purchased by Certified Irish Angus.