Semen from 45 of some of the “most highly sought-after” AI Angus bulls will come under the hammer in Angus Stars of the Future’s online timed auction in aid of charity later this month.
An independent group of pedigree Angus breeders are collaborating with Mart Eye and Mid-Tipp Mart to hold the auction from 1 pm on Friday, January 27th through to 7 pm on Monday, January 30th, 2023, in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance and BUMBLEance– The Children’s National Ambulance Service.
As exclusively revealed by That’s Farming last month, the initiative is the brainchild of Colin Duffy, of the renowned Kilgarvin Angus herd in Co. Westmeath, who first proposed the idea to his 3,200-strong Angus Stars of the Future Facebook page, which he established five years ago.
Fellow breeders and AI companies have independently rowed in behind the fundraiser, donating 118 Angus AI straws from 45 bulls.
Duffy’s comments
Speaking to That’s Farming ahead of the online timed auction, Colin Duffy said:
“After such generosity from Angus breeders across the length and breadth of the country, I set up a committee, comprising Jim Dockery – Towra Angus, Michael Dullea – Deelish Angus, and Stuart McKeague – McKeague Angus along with Catherina Cunnane, editor of That’s Farming.”
“Given the unprecedented levels of interest that the fundraiser gathered, we collectively made a decision to move from a raffle concept to an online timed auction route instead.”
“This will give any breeder interested in buying straws the chance to buy the exact straw they want. In line with this, we are very lucky that Jamie Nolan of MartEye came onboard along with Murt Ryan of Thurles Mart to facilitate our auction.”
“As this is a charity auction, we have decided to split the sale proceeds between two charities, with the first being the Irish Community Air Ambulance.”
“This is a vital service providing a hugely important service, and all of us in the farming community will never know when we might be in a position to avail of their life-saving services.”
“Our second chosen charity is BUMBLEance, Ireland’s first interactive ambulance for children. The Children’s Ambulance Service of Ireland provides safe and comfortable transportation for children between their homes and hospitals, hospices, treatment centres and respite centres nationally.”
“We will also have a donation lot which will allow anyone that may not want to buy a straw to donate to these charities. Anyone who buys straws will be put in touch with the seller to organise collection.”
“We hope that this will be very successful for both charities involved and it would not be possible only for all the breeders, AI companies and breed societies that have come together. Hopefully, we can work on this and maybe grow it into the future,” he concluded.
Online timed auction – format
A spokesperson for MartEye told That’s Farming:
“People will have to request to bid. They may have to fill out additional information about themselves, including their address, phone number, ect.”
“All lots will start at 0. People can click on the picture of each lot and scroll down to see more information such as donated by, collection location etc.”
“On Monday evening, the lots will begin to close. If a bid is put on in the last minute, the lot will reopen for another minute and so on.”
“People will have the option of using the max bid function where they can submit their highest bid. This will allow the computer to bid on their behalf only if someone else bids,” he concluded.
Semen list:
- Bohey Jasper;
- DMM Dynasty;
- Drumcrow Joker;
- HF Rebel;
- Luddenmore Fionn;
- Rawburn 007;
- Ballyart Trade Secret;
- Bova Lord Blackwood;
- Bunlahy Kojak;
- Carrigroe Kian;
- Coolcran Linkin;
- Cheeklaw Edgar;
- Coney Island Rocky;
- Clooncolligan Noddy;
- Dillon New Holland;
- Coney Island Legend;
- Drumhill Lord Highway;
- Masterpiece of Gilkey;
- Mogeely Joe;
- Ryan’s Ringo;
- Towra Munchkin;
- Coolrain Patriarch;
- Drumcrow Tribesman;
- Carton Roe Ernie;
- Drumdeevin Dancer;
- Highland Colossal;
- Priestown Jupiter;
- Sandylane Tadgh;
- Deelish Transformer;
- Drumcarbin Prince Mambo;
- Drumcrow Savoy;
- HW Evander;
- O’Neill’s Black Bardolier;
- Mercury Royal Tinge;
- Drumhill Explorer;
- Karma (sexed female);
- Young Dale Superior;
- HF Alcatraz;
- Rawburn Jagger Eric;
- Deelish Transformer;
- HW Farghal;
- Kealki Prime Lad;
- Oakela Red Glacier;
- Maine Dragon;
- Lanigan Deep Canyon ET.
For more information, view MartEye
