50% of entries offered for sale at the final autumn Hereford sale of the 2020 calendar found new homes.
The sale took place in GVM Kilmallock last Friday (October 23rd).
A number of double-entered bulls, which were sold the previous week in Tullamore, along with a number of private sales, led to 19 bulls appearing on the day out of the catalogued 27.
Of the 19 exhibited, 9 were sold leading to a clearance rate of just shy of 50% and a combined average price of €2,190.
A society spokesperson said this was “reflective of the sudden national lockdown that came into effect earlier in the week and the strict restrictions around access to view the bulls in the mart”.
These factors, coupled with all bidding to be conducted remotely, proved to be hurdles for the sale.
“However, despite the unfavourable sale conditions, 50% clearance rate is significantly up on the same sale last year and very respectable considering the wider circumstances.”
Sale-topper
West Cork breeders, the Lynch Family of Droumdaniel Herefords, took home the top price of the day for lot 27; Droumdaniel Captain [main image].
This 5-star terminal bull was sired by Brocca Kieran & home-bred from Droumdaniel Delia 12th and sold to Co. Limerick for €2,900.
Captain, being the herd’s top-performing bull, is a full brother to Droumdaniel Devine who placed second in Tullamore Show.
Devine was also champion of Cork Show, reserve champion in Dunmanway Show and was in the top five of the interbreed class, all in 2019.
Other notable prices
Further success for the West Cork herd came when 15-month-old Droumdaniel Chaser sold for €2,300 to a fellow Cork farmer.
Clouncagh Herefords from Limerick secured the second-best price of the day when Airhill Rory sold to Kilsunny Herefords for €2,500.
Rory is sired by Cill Cormaic Napoleon and bred from Airhill Luiseanna of the Airhill Hereford Herd in Wexford.
“In spite of the current restrictions, there has been a positive outcome from both autumn Hereford sales this year.”
Outcome better than anticipated
“Even though normal circumstances were not available i.e. showing, washing, no buyers allowed around the ring etc, the outcome was much better than anticipated.”
“A huge help was also down to the sponsorship by Irish Hereford Prime to the purchasers of the top five highest-priced bulls which provided an added incentive to those interested in securing the top animals and proved very beneficial to breeders alike.”
“Well done to all exhibitors on the day and the very best of luck to all purchasers & breeders.”
[Lot 8 – John Cahalane’s entry sold for €2,100]
[Lot 18 – Padraig McGrath’s bull sold for €2,100]
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