The west is awake to quality Irish Limousin – 100% clearance in Roscommon
Spring Sale season for the Irish Limousin Cattle Society came to a conclusion on Saturday 23rd May, 2015 at Roscommon Mart, in the beautiful west of Ireland. An average price of €3,312 was achieved in the bull ring, this is up substantially by €1,192 from last year’s sale at this venue. Heifers were also up on last year, making an average of €2,267.
Mr. George Candler, returning to his native Roscommon presided as auctioneer over this sale. Judge for this event was Mr. Sean Ryan of the Sliabh Felim herd based in Cappamore, Co. Limerick. Speaking after judging this event Sean said: “I was delighted to be asked to officiate as judge here in Roscommon. I was presented with a consistent group of quality Limousin cattle. The bulls here should be capable of producing the required cattle for all markets. This was a fantastic sale for the breed with a 97% clearance rate of bulls. I would like to thank everyone involved here at the sale today and wish the purchasers the very best with their new stock.”
At the conclusion of this sale Breed Secretary Paul Sykes commented: “A 97% clearance rate of the bulls on offer was an exceptional return, however I am pleased that all our sales this year have been well received. Breeders are reporting back on successfully selling bulls at home. Limousin cattle are commanding high returns in each and every mart ring, from the young calf right through to aged cull cows and bulls. Farmers are recognising this fact and are voting with their feet by purchasing Limousin bulls and using Limousin AI sires.
Prices ranged from €4,700 to €2,000 reflecting no matter what your budget for a bull – there is always one in your price range. Purchasers here today were predominately from the West of Ireland, speaking to them afterwards the main reason for choosing Limousin is the Easy calving trait along with the excellent conformation of Limousin cattle. While Limousin didn’t have as strong a footing as in the West of Ireland as in other regions the breed is now gaining a foothold in this area.
As this was our concluding spring sale I would like to take the opportunity to thank all involved at the Spring sales – the marts, the stewards, our judges, the auctioneers, the breeders, the purchasers and of course the society staff. I would like to wish the purchasers all the very best with their new Limousins.
Anyone who may not have being able to acquire the genetics they were seeking can contact us in the Limousin office at 025-85036, where we would be delighted to help you source the animal to suit you, Limo Locator on our website is also a convenient tool to direct potential customers to breeders in their area.
Show season 2015 is now well underway and I would like to wish all connections at these summer shows the very best – tremendous efforts are made by many people to ensure smooth running of these events and here in the Limousin society we greatly appreciate their diligent work.”
Topping the sale at €4,700 was the smashing 14 month old Ronick Hawk son “Ballinascraw Joshua Tree” from father and son team – John and Stephen Lynch, Ballinalee, Co. Longford. Joshua Tree carries five star ratings in almost all traits including Terminal Index, Replacement Index, Docility, Carcass weight, Carcass conformation and Daughter Milk. He has a muscle score of 118 and a skeletal score of 127. His dam is the homebred Clonboyne Travino daughter Ballinascraw Claret, her sire stack includes Louxor, Highlander, Dauphin and Milbrook Handsome. Joshua Tree had claimed third prize in the show. After strong bidding he was acquired by John Forbes, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath to run with his pedigree Jeffrystown herd.
“Sallyfield Jupiter” was also purchased by a Mullingar based farmer, suckler producer Richard Gorman. Thirteen month old Jupiter is a son of Ampertaine Commander and the Balieys Darwin daughter Baileys Fluzie. He boasts a Terminal Index value of €151 and a Replacement Index value of €145. Awarded first place in his class, his selling bid was for €4,100. Jupiter was bred by James Holohan, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.
Dundalk based Eugene McElroy had his long journey rewarded when he sold his 13 month old Wilodge Cerberus bull “Killycroney Jacob” for €4,000. Jacob’s back breeding includes Ronick Hawk and Dauphin. He has an array of five star ratings including Terminal Index, Replacement Index, Carcass Weight, Carcass Conformation and Daughter milk. He was purchased by suckler farmer Sean O’Dowd, Belturbet, Co. Cavan.
Four thousand euro was top call for first prize winner “Newtown Jock”. Bred by Stanley Richardson, Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim. Jock is a son of Dinmore Goldcrest and the Goldies Terence dam Ashmara Abbey. Jock has a Terminal Index of €137 and a Replacement index of €169. Gerard Fahy, Kinvara, Co. Galway purchased Jock to run with his suckler herd.
Well known Limousin breeder Thomas Bailey, Batterstown, Co. Meath presented two bulls for sale. Both bulls are steeped in homebred genetics. Selling for €3,850 was “Baileys Jack” a son of Baileys Darwin and Baileys Golden Girl (a Queenshead Altea daughter). Jack was placed first in his class. He has a muscle score of 130 and a skeletal score of 124. He was secured by George Brett, Achonry, Co. Sligo.
The Flaskagh herd of Michael Shally, Dunmore, Co. Galway purchased this year’s Champion bull “Baileys Igor” for €3,800. Igor is a son of Baileys Ursula and Queenshead Altea, his back pedigree includes Genereux and Pelletstown Buccaneer.
Also selling at €3,800 was “Coolrain Jaydon Besy Mpa” from the herd of Gearoid and Padraic Kennedy, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Jaydon is a son of one of the Coolrain herd sires – Ballyfin Engine Et. His pedigree includes Sympa and Ronick Hawk. Placed third in his class in the pre-sale show, he was purchased by Padraig Lyons, Swinford, Co. Mayo.
At the same selling price was the Reserve Champion bull – “Gallaway Joker”. Born in February 2014, Joker is a son of Ampertaine Foreman and the Villy daughter Drumeel Tabitha. He was bred by Michael Kiernan, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. Joker has a five star Terminal Index value of €143. He heads to Cootehill, Co. Cavan to the herd of Donal Keappock.
Three bulls changed hands for €3,700. Second prize winner “Eyrecourt Jack” from the yard of John Murphy, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway was first at this price. Jack is a son of the society sire On-Dit and the Mas Du Clo dam, Eyrecourt Gealtacht. Jack came to the ring with five star ratings in Terminal Index, Replacement Index, Carcass weight, Carcass conformation and Daughter Milk. John Garvan, Westport, Co. Mayo was the final bidder for Jack.
The third prize winning Procters Cavalier son “Currane Jameson” was also sold at €3,700. Jameson was one of two bulls offered for sale by Limousin breeder Patrick McKeown, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Carrying a muscle score of 125 and a skeletal score of 123, Jameson has Fieldson Alfy and Festin in his lineage. Joe Lohan, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway acquired Jameson for his suckler herd.
Patrick McKeown’s second bull “Currane Jumper” was purchased by Peter Towey, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Sligo. Jumper is a yearling son of Emerson and Currane Cara. He has a five star Terminal Index of €144. Jumper was placed second in his class.
The oldest bull on offer here in Roscommon was “Ballymagirl Intrepid”. Born in August 2013, Intrepid was bred by Leslie Hewson, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. He was purchased by Mary Hussey, Dunmore, Co. Galway for €3,600. Intrepid has Marchermore Augustus, Clowney Roy and Ibis in his pedigree. Intrepid took the blue rosette for second place in his class.
Michael Brady, Granard, Co. Longford offered two five star Sympa sons for sale. “Copperdoor Joker” has Milbrook Tanko and Navarin in his back pedigree. He has a muscle score of 125 and a skeletal score of 132. Carrickaboy, Co. Cavan based Michael Brady acquired Joker for €3,500.
“Copperdoor Jasper” has Navarin and Highlander in his lineage. Jasper carries a muscle score of 127 and a skeletal score of 120. After a flurry of bids, he was procured by local farmer Hubert Maxwell, Castlerea.
“Sweetwood Jupiter” a fourth prize winner was presented for sale by Oliver and Cyril Loughlin, Drumkeerin, Co. Leitrim. Jupiter has a Terminal index value of €141 and a Replacement value of €151. Just 13 months old, Jupiter is a son of Wilodge Enrico and Sonnyhill Countess, a Nino daughter. Jupiter was purchased by Robert McCoach Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
The winner of the best bull in the North East Herds Competition in 2014 was “Annaghanne Intercepter Et”. This 18 month old son of Emerson was offered for sale by his breeder Declan McCaffrey, Scotshouse, Co. Monaghan. Carrying five star ratings in Terminal Index, Docility, Carcass Weight and Carcass conformation, Intercepter sold to David Canning, Portuma, Co. Galway for €3,300.
The Grahams Apache son “Carrowclogher Jack” sold at €3,200. Jack was bred by Sean Vahey, Castlebar, Co. Mayo from the Wilodge Tonka dam Milan Gina. Thomas Teevan, Belturbet, Co. Cavan purchased Jack.
Eugene McElroy’s second bull “Killycroney Jack” was snapped up for €3,200. Jack has Cloughhead Umpire, Malibu and Faignant in his pedigree. Boasting five star ratings in both Terminal and Replacement index, Jack was acquired by Padraic Ward, Creggs, Co. Roscommon.
Fourth prize winner “Boyanagh Iarla” was purchased for €3,000. Iarla was bred by Mary Tarpey, Elphin, Co. Roscommon. He is a son of Wilodge Fastrac and Broher Annie, a Highlander daughter.
Boasting five star ratings in almost all traits was the yearling bull “Keeltown JP”. Presented for sale by Brendan Hanley, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. JP is by Wilodge Cerberus and has Navarin and Hortensia in his back pedigree. He was acquired by Michael Lennon, Dundalk, Co. Louth for €2,900.
Fourth prize winner “Culategle Josh” sold for €2,800. Josh was bred by Patrick Flood, Newtowncashel, Co. Longford. Josh is a son of Powerful E077 and Cullinmore Emma. He heads to Balldangan, Co. Roscommon to the herd of Gabriel Mitchell.
“Woodview Jake” a Wilodge Goldcard son sold for €2,600. Jake was bred by David Abbott, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan. He was purchased by suckler farmer Billy Burke, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
David Abbott’s second bull “Woodview Joie” was the second purchase for Hubert Maxwell, Castlerea. Joie was placed second in his class. He is a son of Carmorn Dauphin and Woodview Fiona. His purchase price was €2,550.
Fourth prize winner “Ammaghmore Jinkin Joe” also sold at €2,550. Jinkin Joe was bred by Sean Garrett, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. He has Cloughhead Umpire, Mas Du Clo and Ourson in his pedigree. Brendan McLoughlin, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon purchased Jinkin Joe.
Other Notable Prices
Cushcallow Jemm by But – €2,400.
Sweetwood Jock by Wilodge Enrico – €2,400.
Clooncara Limousins Jackpot by Ardlea Dan – €2,400.
Coppertop JJ by Fieldson Alfy – €2,350.
Fereshan Ipache by Ardlea Dan – €2,300.
Sweetwood Jaffa by Carmorn Dauphin – €2,250.
Carrowreagh Jackson by Carmorn Dauphin €2,000.
Carrowreagh Jude by Grahams Apache – €2,000.
Milan Jaguar by Moero €2,000.
Heifers
Champion heifer here in Roscommon for 2015 was the eye-catching Wilodge Fastrac daughter “Woodview Janet”. Born in February 2014, Janet was bred by David Abbott, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan. Her dam Portnason Fee is a daughter of Arita-Ben. Janet the youngest heifer on offer, she left the ring unsold having failed to meet her reserve.
David Abbott also presented the Reserve Champion heifer – “Woodview Jolly” a daughter of Carmorn Dauphin and the Chouchou dam Portnason Gertie. Jolly also left the ring unsold.
Pedigree breeder Tony Glynn, Gort, Co. Galway paid €2,850 for fourth prize winner “Lisangeeragh Invy”. Born in July 2013, Invy is a daughter of Ampertaine Commander. She was bred by Des Joyce, Williamstown, Co. Galway. She has five star ratings in Terminal Index, Replacement Index and Carcass Conformation. Invy sold incalf to Cloughhead Umpire, she now joins Tony’s Glencarrigh herd.
First prize winner “Newtown Isabella” was purchased by Rosemary McNally, Virginia, Co. Cavan for €2,350. Isabella sold incalf to Lodge Hamlet. She boasts Wilodge Fastrac and Ronick Hawk in her pedigree. Isabella is from the yard of Stanley Richardson, Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim.
Also from Stanley Richardson came “Newtown Jordan” a homebred daughter of Newtown Gilbert Et and Castleview Vache. This third prize winner was acquired by Eamon Colleran, Hollymount, Co. Mayo for €1,500.
Upcoming events:
Roscrea Premier Bull sale – Monday 26th October
Tullow sale – Wednesday 18th November
Roscrea Premier Heifer sale – Saturday 21st November.
The National show will be held in Tullamore on Sunday 9th August in conjunction with the Tullamore National Livestock Show. Details of all Limousin classes are available on our website. Entries are now being taken, if you wish to enter please contact Tullamore Show Society directly on 057 9352141 or via www.tullamoreshow.com
For more Limousin events in your area please see our website www.irishlimousin.com and our weekly strip advert in the Irish Farmers Journal.
