The Irish Aubrac Cattle Breed Society held its annual Pedigree Show and Sale on Saturday, October 24, at GVM Tullamore Mart, Co. Offaly.

A society sale report noted it was "a record-breaking sale for the Aubrac Breed in Ireland" with "top-quality animals on offer and record prices for bulls".

Sale price averages were up for all categories of stock also.

There were 10 bulls for sale on the day and the Irish Aubrac sale record was broken not once but on three occasions during the sale.

The Overall sale champion went the way of Ashbrook Vantastic, property of Longford Aubrac breeder, Michael Hanlon of Ashbrook Aubracs.

This bull was first to break the record. A Johnstown Prince son, from a Dauphin cow, he went on to sell for €5,600 to Wicklow breeder Marcus Hanbidge.

Then Hanlon's second bull, Ashbrook Vital entered the ring, igniting the interest of buyers.

The society noted: "This classy Heritier son was fought over by a number of buyers, finally selling for €7,000 to Colin Jackson of Wicklow-based Knocknagree Aubracs.

The highest-price of the sale however went to an entry from well-known Co. Westmeath breeder, Francis Donohoe of Johnstown Aubracs.

His Reserve Male Champion in the pre-sale show judged by Karol Connell was Johnstown Volcano - a Java son out of a French cow, 'Muscade'.

The bull became the new Irish Aubrac sale record holder, selling to the top price of €7,200 to Co. Laois-based breeder John Whelahan.

Overall, there was a 70% clearance for the bulls selling to an average price of €4,914/head.

In-calf cow

First in this section went to Turloughmore Ultimate Best, out of a home-bred bull, Turloughmore Prancer.

This cow sold with her stylish Harmonieux-sired heifer calf at foot.

Bred by Kevin O'Brien from Turloughmore Aubracs, there was keen interest in her on the day and the outfit went on to sell for €4,700.

Second place went to Ardough Roxy, in-calf to Deerpark Rowe.

Owned by Eamonn Cass, she sold for €3,650. There was a 100% clearance for in-calf cows in the sale.

First in the in-calf heifer section went to Altamont Unice, out of the home-bred bull Altamont Oats, this outstanding heifer sold in-calf to Turloughmore Sensational.

Property of Leo Dooley from Altamont Aubracs, she proved to be in great demand and sold for €4,750.

Maiden heifers

Demand for maiden heifers on the day also proved strong, with 30 maiden heifers on offer.

There was a 90% clearance selling to an average of €3,211/head.

First place in the sale, female champion and overall reserve champion went to Ballintra Veronica, a Johnstown Nelson daughter, bred by John Walsh from Rockhill Aubracs.

This catchy heifer sold for €4,700, finding a new home in Northern Ireland with Fermanagh-based breeder Oliver Donegan.

Reserve Female Champion Ballyclough Valentine was owned by Jim Woulfe from Ballyclough Aubracs.

This fully polled heifer is a daughter of Spirou out of an Otto Dam and sold for the highest female price on the day of €4,900 to Co. Laois-based breeder Cathal Bannon.

Weanling heifers

There were eight weanling heifers entered in the sale and all found new homes selling to an average of €2,544/head.

First-prize winning heifer in this section went to Deerpark Vera.

Bred by James and Tomas Lacey from Deerpark Aubracs and out of a homebred Rocky son, she went on to sell for €3,000 to Co. Kilkenny-based breeder Dermot Tobin.

This breeder also purchased second-place winning heifer, Kayreerk Venus, a Johnstown Tuarus daughter bred by Seamus Shortall from Kayreerk Aubracs; she sold for €2,100.

A statement from the society said: "Overall, it was a very successful show and sale with fantastic quality on offer which reflected in the prices achieved."

The Aubrac Society expressed its thanks and congratulations to all sellers and buyers.