The Irish Aberdeen Angus Association spring sales kickstarted over the weekend with a new sale in Tuam mart (2nd April 2022)
This sale was launched in a bid to capture the suckler market in the west which is recording record growth with regard Angus sire usage. Many of the bulls catalogued were also suitable for dairy cows, which have also seen an increase since the abolition of milk quota in 2015.
A strong yard of quality Angus bulls was led with a call of €3,800. This was paid for Lisnafanna Ed W052 from the herd of John Brady, Virginia, Co Cavan. Born September 2020, this powerful bull was awarded champion bull calf in last year’s Connaught Leinster Aberdeen Angus clubs herd competition. Sired by AI bull Stouphill Bomber T182, he is out of Scottish imported cow Cheeklaw Emilia R527.
Tasked with judging the pre-sale show was well recognised breeder Albert De Cogan, who runs the Mogeely herd in Cork. He awarded his overall champion to Lisduff Vincy W817 from the herd of Leo McEnroe, Virginia, Co Cavan. This June 2020 born bull is sired by stock bull Mogeely Josh with the dam going back to Prospect Of Kilberry. This topped an exceptional day in the show ring for Leo McEnroe who also placed first in the second class of the day with Lisduff Daniel W864. This one was sired by the well-Known AI bull Rawburn Boss Hogg N630.
Making it a family affair, Leo’s brother John McEnroe took the reserve overall championship with Liss Donald Duck X026. This January 2021 born bull came out on top of the youngest class of the day. He is sired by imported stock bull Cairnton Killimanjoro, with the homebred Liss Darl R561 on the dam’s side.
Unfortunately, both the champion and reserve champion of the day failed to meet their reserve so left the unsold.
Angus beef Ireland the Association again provided cash back premiums to customers on the day. These two €500 premiums were given to the purchasers of the highest ranked Terminal bulls sold. Both bulls receiving the premiums were bred by local member Alan Hernon of the Musicfield herd. These were both sired by stock bull Clara Preston and met their reserve at €2,600 and €2,300 respectively.
While it was a tough days trading, new ground was broken and those that sold recorded a healthy average of €2,700.