“Top quality bulls met with a very strong trade” at the newly formed Munster Angus Breeders’ inaugural premier sale at Kilmallock Mart last Saturday (April 1st, 2023), writes That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane.
Peter O’Connell of the Raceview herd in Mallow officiated as show judge and tapped out Tubridmore Up Lazy River from the herd of Denis Twomey, Causeway, Kerry, as show champion.
Lazy River is a December-2021-born 5-star son of Intelagri Matteo and went to clinch the second-highest price tag of the day at €4,500.
The reserve champion silver went to Ardglass Usain Bolt from the herd of Aidan Crowley Charleville.
Usain Bolt is a September-2021-born son of Liss Brendan, and he later went on to sell for €3,400.
Angus sale
The highest call of the day went to Clara Utrecht from the herd of Dan & Rose Murphy, Millstreet. This second prize winner to the show champion made €4,800 and is a December-2021-born 5-star son of Milah Murrah Klooney.
The Murphy family had what a group spokesperson described as a “red letter day”, as they sold their three lots for an average of over €4,130.
They pocketed €4,100 for Clara Uttoxer, a December-2021-born son of Hf Alcatraz, and €3,500 for Clara Urraco, a December-2021-born son of Rawburn Bogg Hogg.
The third highest price of the day, €4,400, went to Ger Hogan of Kilfeacle, Tipperary, for Beryl U6, an October-2021 5-star son of Lavally Prince.
Next on the price table was Joe Hennessy, Clonmel, with €4,300 for a son of Rosemead Karona, Knockeevan Valentine, a January-2022-born full brother to champion bull in 2022.
Other top prices for the day went to Martin Mulcahy, Charleville, for Rathfort V132, a Februrary-2022 son of Drumcarbin Prince Mambo, at €3,900.
Timmie Taylor Knocklong secured €3,800 for his August-2021 entry named Monemore Uri.
Spokesperson comments
Speaking following the sale, a spokesperson told That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane:
“While on-farm sales continue to be strong, there were 27 bulls on offer out of the 37 catalogued.”
“It was noticeable from the large crowd and active bidding that buyers continue to have faith in breeders they can trust to deliver quality cattle.”
“All bulls presented were breeder bred, met new Dairy Calf Scheme stockbull criteria, genomic tested, inspected and weighted on entry to mart as well as all being fertility tested.”
“There was 100% clearance with an average of €3,525 – reflecting the quality of bulls on offer; this is also the highest ever average for Angus bulls at Kilmallock.”
“Our auctioneer, Denis Barrett, passed the €4,000 barrier on five occasions – with all these bulls also being five-stars.”
“There was a broad customer base for bulls across dairy, suckler and pedigree with at least three bulls joining pedigree herds.”
The spokesperson concluded: “The committee would like to thank all the buyers, exhibitors, our judge, Peter O’ Connell, stewards, Gerard Coughlan, Danny Fleming, Ray Cronin, Amy O Sullivan & Sean Cronin, Denis Kirby and all the team at Kilmallock Mart, Fergal O Gorman, photographer, and Denis Barrett, our auctioneer.”
Upcoming sale
The next sale of the Munster Angus Breeders will be take place on Sat, April 22nd, 2023, where all bulls will again be:
- Fertility tested;
- Sire verified;
- Exhibitor bred.
