Munster Angus Breeders hits a high of €6,800
The champion at the Munster Angus Breeders heifer show and sale in Kilmallock Mart 'Ardglass Amber 367', an in-calf heifer sold for €5,000, with Diarmuid O'Shaughessy, showing, owner Aidan Crowley, Charleville, Sheila Cronin, Scartaglen, Co Kerry, presenting the Michael Cronin Memorial Cup, her daughters Belinda and Gretta and grandchildren Juliet and Grace. Picture: O'Gorman Photography
Amongst the standout achievements the club had was the highest-ever price for a female at €6,800.
With record numbers of cattle on offer and a significant uplift in the average sale prices (an overall average reaching just under €3,425), the day was marked by exceptional buyer confidence, underpinned by the high standards of animal presentation and transparency, with a sale average up €800 per head on 2024.
All cattle on offer were pre-inspected, genomic tested, and certified either in-calf or fit for breeding, reinforcing trust in the quality and integrity of the offering.
Top-quality females, particularly those with high genetic indices, saw robust demand. Eight lots achieved prices of €4,000 or more, reflecting the market’s appetite for premium breeding stock.
In-calf heifers averaged €4,150, up €950 from 2024, while maiden heifers averaged €3,080, up €550. Renowned livestock judge Albert De Cogan of the Mogeely Herd, Castlemartyr, Cork, presided over the show.
His selection for Show Champion was Ardglass Amber 367, a stylish January 2024 in-calf heifer by Tubridmore Twomey, from Aidan Crowley, Charleville. Amber later sold for €5,000.
The Reserve Champion, Luddenmore Ellen Erica A660, a July 2024 maiden heifer by Carruthers Earl W088, from Michael Sheahan, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary, achieved the top price of the sale at €6,800.
A testament to the quality and desirability of the Luddenmore herd, which also saw Luddenmore Tibbie, an August 2024 maiden heifer by Luddenmore Ebony Boy, sell for €4,600.
Angus bulls averaged €3,300 a head. The top-priced bull was Cloonsuck Aonghus, an April 2024 son of Te Mania Berkley, from Mark Flanagan, Meelick, Co. Clare, who sold for €3,600.
