Charolais sale proves a real Christmas cracker
Featuring a strong export trade to NI, the show had bulls with length, power and growth, resulting in a clearance of 80% and an average of €4,235 for bulls at the sale. The average was €4,238 (same as 2011) for 79 bulls sold.
In the smaller, female section, 26 heifers (mostly yearlings) sold at an average €3,340 (slightly down on last year’s outstanding average of €3,753) with a very good clearance of 75%. Price range was from €1,500 to €6,000.
Some 23 cattle were exported, 21 to Northern Ireland, one to Scotland, one to Wales.
Some 19 bulls sold at €5,000 and over, with a price range from €2,000 to €10,000.
Trade (for bulls) topped at €10,000 for the reserve junior champion, Gallaway Ginger, a 13-months-old, first-prize winner at the 2012 National Show. Bred in Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, by Michael Kieran and by Major, he sold to Brian McCullagh, Greencastle, Omagh, Co Tyrone. (A full brother and first-prize winner at the 2011 Cracker sale sold for €7,200.) The next highest price, €9,500, was received by Tony Grady, Claristown, Julianstown, Co Meath, for the 13-month-old Ashleigh Gem, by Pirate, and out of a home-bred dam by Ashleigh Admiral. He was purchased by a Northern Ireland breeder.
The first Irish Charolais Cattle Society-run sale in 2013 is scheduled for Tullamore, Co Offaly, on Saturday, Jan 26. This show/sale is for bulls only and the closing date for entries is Jan 3.
