The Irish Aberdeen Angus Association’s first national bull sale of the year in Tullow earlier this week saw a 75% clearance, with lots levelling at €3,374/head, writes farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane.
A total of 28 bulls came under the hammer on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, with 21 out of 28 lots changing hands.
A solid 82% of bulls fetched €3,000 or more at the sale, which followed on from last year with no pre-sale show but instead, a pre-sale parade of bulls.
Top of the town with the €4,600 Lisnafanna Desmond X058 was Co. Cavan-based breeder, John Brady.
The October-2021-born son of Keirsbeath Karma had a carcass weight figure of twice the breed average at +15.3kg and a Dairy Beef Index of €142.
Aberdeen Angus bull sale
Next on the price table was Leo McEnroe, Co. Cavan with Lisduff Dan OG X970, which saw the hammer fall at €4,500.
Dan Og is a son of the popular A.I. sire Kealkil Prime Lad – which featured in this news article with John Lynch of Dovea Genetics – and boasted an impressive page of figures with a whopping Dairy Beef Index of €182 and an appealing calving difficulty figure of +0.5%.
The success for the Cavan-based breeders continued, but it was now the turn of Michael & Barry Smith with Lawsonsford Lord Harvey X497, which sold for €4,400.
This Gortnalon Nidge son carried an appealing set of figures and a very attractive low risk for dairy heifer calving difficulty topped off with a Dairy Beef Index of €157.
Three bulls left the ring selling for €3,900, and the first to hit the mark was Lisduff Lymbo X976 from Leo McEnroe Co. Cavan.
Lymbo is by the renowned Rawburn Boss Hogg N630 and sold carrying a 4-star replacement index and low calving figures.
Next to fall down at €3,900 was Lisnafanna Paudie Y062, property of John Brady Co. Cavan.
Paudie is by the A.I. sire Hw Adonnis T243, and himself is a February-2022 bull carrying low calving ease figures and a Dairy Beef Index value of €154.
The last bull to make this price tag was Drumcarbin Victorious from Shane McKiernan, County Cavan.
Sired by the renowned Drumcrow Prosecco T714, Victorious boasted very attractive calving ease figures alongside a 4-star rating for carcass weight.
Other prices on the day:
- €3,800 for Knockmountagh Leader Y992 from Eamon & John McKiernan, Co. Louth;
- €3,750 for Rabawn Michael Y075 from Liam Muldowney, Co. Mayo;
- €3,500 for Liss Dominic X111 from John & Sean McEnroe, Co. Meath;
- €3,500 for Liss Big M X112 from John & Sean McEnroe, Co. Meath;
- €3,400 for Luddenmore Jager Bomb X535 from Dr Michael Sheahan, Co. Limerick;
- €3,200 for Lisduff Phillip Y995 from Leo McEnroe, Co. Cavan;
- €3,000 for Lawsonsford Lord Hunter Y500 from Michael & Barry Smith, Co. Cavan;
- €3,000 for Mogeely Dare Y831 from Albert & Jennifer De Cogan, Co. Cork;
- €3,000 for Knockmountagh Taurus Y007 from Eamon & John McKiernan, Co. Louth.
Murphy comments
Speaking following the sale, Shane Murphy of the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association – which is headquartered in Tuam, Co Galway – commented:
“The association would like to thank all the staff at Tullow Livestock Mart for their help and wish all the customers the very best of luck with their purchases.”
“There were also four €250 cashback vouchers on offer, with two sponsored by Angus Beef Ireland and the remaining two sponsored by the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association.”
“These were on offer for the four highest priced bulls with a Dairy Beef Index of the breed average or greater.”
“The next IAAA sale will take place in Thurles on Wednesday, April 26th, at 1 pm. Online bidding is again available on MartEye, and the catalogue can be viewed on our website,” Murphy concluded.
