Saturday (October 24th) was a historic day for Aubrac breeders after a new record price was set for an Aubrac bull at auction.
Rising to €4,350 at the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society’s annual sale at GVM Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday (October 24th) was Ashbrook Othello.
The sale leader, property of Mr Michael Hanlon of Ashbrook Aubracs, Ballinrooey, Dring, Co Longford, is a son of AI bull, Dauphin, while his dam is a Roussel daughter.
The May-19-born bull boasts a replacement index of €194 and a terminal index of €121.
Ashbrook Oscar, a Johnstown Ian 1039 son, changed hands for €2,700. The May-2019-born bull, with Roussel and Dolby blood in his pedigree, boasts a replacement index of €178 and a terminal index of €129.
From the same stable was Ashbrook Obama who fetched €2,600, respectively. The Johnstown Ian 1039 son, born in May-2019, has a replacement index of €194 and a terminal index of €132.
At €2,000 was Ardough Oliver, another Dauphin son, bred by Patrick Lawlor, Co. Carlow. He has a replacement index of €202 and a terminal index of €130.
Sharing the same price tag was Christy Doyle’s, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Kiltealy Norman, a Johnstown Ian 1144 son with a replacement index of €148 and a terminal index of €159.
Heifers
Top priced heifer on the day at €2,500 was Cairn Hill Orlaith bred by Mr Bernard Casey, Cairn Hill Aubracs, Ohill, Drumlish, Co Longford. The May-2019-born Cairn Hill Gully daughter boasts a replacement index of €156 and a terminal index of €113.
In addition, Francis Donohoe, Johnstown, Collinstown, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath secured €2,400 for his Invincible daughter, Johnstown Oceana 1572. The January-2019-born entry was presented for sale with a replacement index of €155 and a terminal index of €147.
Hitting the same four-figure sum was John Walsh’s Caporal daughter, Ballintra Orsola. The May-2019-born from the Rockhill herd in Ballintra, Co. Donegal has a replacement index of €144 and a terminal index of €121.
Conor and Gerard O’Donnell, Dungloe, Co. Donegal secured €2,000 for their July-2019-born Joker daughter, Heathersfield Olivia. She went under the hammer with a replacement index of €161 and a terminal index of €133.
Weanling heifers
The top price in the weanling heifer category went to Mr John Walsh of Rockhill Aubracs, Rockhill, Ballintra, Co Donegal for Ballintra Peg.
€2,200 secured this March-2020-born Caporal daughter with a replacement index of €163 and a terminal index of €135.
In-calf cows
On the other hand, an in-calf cow Ballinclea Gisele property of Mr Sonny Jennings, Cahergal Aubracs, Cahergal, Tuam, Co Galway, sold for €2,600. The Merville Brutus daughter has a replacement figure of €237 and a terminal rating of €137.
Averages and clearance rates
Speaking following the sale, a spokesperson for the society said: “There were 29 females and 13 males on offer at our online-only sale. Weanling heifers averaged €1,625, while maiden heifers levelled at €1,990.”
“In-calf heifers sold to an average of €1,870, while bulls averaged €2,730. The clearance average of males was 39% and the clearance average of females was 93%.
“Overall, the clearance average was 79%. Congratulations to all our sellers and best of luck to all our buyers.” the spokesperson concluded.
