98 “top-quality” bulls will come under the hammer at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society’s 2021 Christmas Cracker sale.
The sale will take place on Saturday, December 4th, 2021, in Elphin Mart, Co. Roscommon.
All lots were pre-selected from over 170 entries for the society’s “biggest and most anticipated” sale to “ensure a high overall standard for customers”.
At last year’s Christmas Cracker sale, prices soared to €16,600, with 74 selling to an average of €4,717 and 30 bulls changing hands for €5,000 or more.
Meanwhile, prices reached €11,000 at the society’s elite Charolais heifer show and sale at Tullamore Mart on Saturday, November 13th, 2021.
The society reported that the sale produced an average selling price of €4,230 with a 74% clearance.
Charolais Christmas Cracker sale
In a statement to That’s Farming, a spokesperson for the society said:
As an added incentive for buyers this year, the Charolais Society will give €300 back to the purchasers of the first 30 bulls to sell for over €4,500 in the ring at this sale.”
“All bulls will be export tested and will be eligible for export on the day to Northern Ireland.”
“All bulls will be fertility tested; bulls sold within the Republic of Ireland are also fertility insured. All entries are genotyped, sire verified & myostatin tested.”
“Another incentive to buyers from Northern Ireland is the society will pay €100 towards transport costs to Northern Ireland or transport can be arranged to Northern Ireland after the sale.
Deferred payment scheme
Furthermore, there is a deferred payment scheme option in place. Buyers only pay one-third of the price of the bull on the day of sale.
Anyone interested in availing of this must contact the Charolais office at least five days before the sale to apply.
All budgets and systems
Nevan McKiernan of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society told That’s Farming:
“Many of the prize-winners from our National Charolais Calf Show in September are entered in this sale.”
“The quality on display at the show was described as the best seen for many years. The Christmas Cracker Sale has always been the place to find that top quality Charolais bull.”
“We hope the standard this year will be better than ever. Over 96% of the bulls catalogued are genotyped either 4 or 5-star on the replacement or terminal index, qualifying them for the BDGP.”
“Buyers can be sure that there will be bulls to suit all farming systems, budgets, and markets at this sale,” he concluded.
Catalogue and bidding
The show will commence at 10 am sharp on Saturday morning. For the first time, the show will be live-streamed on the Irish Charolais Cattle Society’s website.
The sale will commence at 12.45 pm – Ringside & online bidding through Martbids.
You can view a catalogue for the sale.
