Heifers reached €3,840 at the Shorthorn Marketing Company’s first annual sale of Shorthorn-cross cattle at Roscrea Mart last Friday (May 7th, 2021).
The top price on the day went to an SH4564 (Gavan Summit) daughter out of a Blonde d’Aquitaine dam. Mr James Muldowney from Co Laois bred the sale-topping female, which found a new home at €7.74/kg.
Shorthorn Marketing Company sale
Organisers told That’s Farming: “There was a really strong demand for heifers for breeding, and prices taken were circa €3.00/kg.”
“There were active buyers for the steers offered on the day as the awareness of the breed bonus of 15c for cattle processed through the Irish Shorthorn Premium Beef Scheme continues to grow. Prices topped out at €2.37./kg.”
Overall, the sale “met with a brisk trade for all animals offered”.
‘The ‘X’ factor’
Commenting on the sale John Clarke, managing director of the Shorthorn Marketing Company, stated:
“We are really happy with how our first sale went. The use of Shorthorn genetics in the suckler and dairy herds are growing in popularity.”
“The top-priced heifer on the day demonstrated the fantastic crossing ability the modern Shorthorn bull has when used on dams from other breeds. It certainly has the X factor,” John added.
New president
Earlier this year, the Irish Shorthorn Society elected Kieran Flatley as its new president.
The Mayo man has involved in the Irish Shorthorn Society for over five years and is its youngest leader to date.
In an interview with That’s Farming, he said: “Over the past few years, the Irish Shorthorn Society has grown a lot.”
“This is a credit to all the council members who were there down through the years to get it to the stage that it is at.”
“It must keep growing, financially and for numbers of members. I would like to see the Shorthorn break into a more commercial market.”
“Furthermore, there is a big push on to get Shorthorn semen into dairy herds and getting them to use it; interest is growing at a rapid pace.”
