The first sale for the Irish Limousin Cattle society of 2016 took place on Saturday the 27th February at Roscrea Mart. This sale saw the introduction of mandatory veterinary checks of all bulls presented at Society sales. This check is to fulfil the necessary criteria of the FBD Fertility Insurance scheme with the premium paid by the seller, this new requirement gives extra confidence to both the seller and buyer of Limousin bulls.
The judge at this sale was Jonathan Watson of the Tweeddale herd based in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. This was Jonathan first time to judge in Ireland and he relished the opportunity to visit an Irish show and sale. The Tweeddale herd comprises 80 pedigree Limousin cows, a small amount of Embryo work is also done. Jonathan commented that the bulls presented to him in Roscrea at the top end were of excellent quality while his Champions and Reserve Champions were very impressive. Overall the bulls at this show/sale were well muscled and in good condition to go with cows immediately.
Breed Secretary Paul Sykes commented after the sale:
“This sale was a good start to our sale season – we had a clearance rate of 83% with an average price of €3,730 and a top price of €9,500. At this sale in 2015 the clearance rate was 75% while the average was €3,660. An increase in the price and clearance rate is pleasing, given the terrible weather conditions Ireland has and is experiencing all winter.
The number of bulls at this sale which are destined for the UK (23) is a huge indication of how competitive our livestock are in the international market. Irish genetics are much sought after and the number of return customers highlights the success Limousin cattle from Ireland have had.
We have introduced a new pre-requisite entry requirement for all our sales – Bull Fertility Examination. This is in conjunction with FBD Insurance Ltd.
The purchasers here today were from all spectrums of the cattle industry – Dairy farmers were looking for easy calving bulls and also short gestation bulls, Suckler farmers were seeking bulls that would produce high quality weanlings and replacement heifers, our breeders are producing bulls to satisfy any requirement.
I would like to thank our judge Jonathan Watson, our two auctioneers George Candler and Denis Barrett and our stewards for their efforts here in Roscrea. I wish all purchasers the very best with their new bulls.
Our three pedigree host farms for the hugely anticipated International Limousin Congress – Drummin, Ardlea/Elite and Roundhill — had some outstanding young bulls on offer at this sale (testament to the quality that will be on display when congress delegates visit in late August), all three herds featured strongly in the show line-up and also in the sales ring.”
Drummin Jameson Et
Topping the sale was the exceptional Junior Champion “Drummin Jameson Et” from the herd of John McInerney, Newmarket On Fergus, Co. Clare. Jameson was born in November 2014 and is by Wilodge Vantastic and out of the remarkable homebred donor dam Drummin Cliona (Et). Cliona has an outstanding legacy in the Limousin Herd book, her offspring are continually in the top end of shows and sales, she has back-breeding to Mas Du Clo, Moustic and the renowned Drummin Peach. Jameson has a Muscle score of 142 putting him in the 1% of the breed along with a skeletal score of 133 (top 2%). He carries five star ratings in Terminal Index, Carcass weight, Carcass conformation and Docility. Jameson was purchased by R&N Barclay, Harestone Farm, Aberdeenshire, UK for their Harestone herd. Commanding huge interest before the sale, Jameson was sold after a flurry of bids for €9,500.
Sheehills Jet Et
Local breeder John Searson, Sheehills, Roscrea presented the Reserve Senior Champion, “Sheehills Jet Et”, for sale. Jet was born in September 2014 and is a son of Ampertaine Elgin and Sheehills Dawn 1 Et, a Ronick Hawk daughter. He came to the ring with a Terminal Index of €115 and a Replacement index of €81. Jet was one of a number of bulls purchased by Owain LLyr, Tyn-Y-Wern, Ruthin, North Wales. The securing bid for Jet was €8,000.
Keltic Jacko
Senior Champion at this sale was “Keltic Jacko” from Enfield, Co. Meath based breeder Teleri Thomas. Jacko is a son of Wilodge Fastrac, his dam Cwmpedran Beauty is also the dam of Keltic Handsome (OKH) standing at Progressive Genetics. Jacko has five star ratings in Terminal Index, Replacement Index, Carcass Weight, Carcass conformation and Daughter Milk. William Shennan, North Threave Farm, Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland was Jacko’s eventual purchaser for a securing bid of €7,800. Jacko was one of four bulls offered for sale by the Keltic herd.
Ernevalley Jaguar Et
Also heading to the UK, after a final bid of €7,600 is the outstanding Bavardage son “Ernevalley Jaguar Et”. Jaguar was bred by Eddie Lynch, Loughduff, Co. Cavan. His dam Sarkley Gertude has Malibu and Ronick Luke in her lineage. Jaguar carries five star ratings in most traits along with a Muscle score of 119 and a Skeletal score of 123. Placed first in his class in the pre-sale show, Jaguar was acquired by returning Roscrea customers Messrs K.I. & E. & H.I. Jones, Bryn Ddraenen, Conwy to run with their Garnedd Herd.
