IHFA Bull Show & Sale 2017

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association Premier Bull Sale 2017 catalogued 34 bulls with tremendous protein %, EBI and conformation for discerning breeders and dairymen alike. Bulls forward on the day were 27 as some were sold in the yard pre-sale.

Reserve Champion, Mountfarna Wonder, with owner John O’Callaghan

The cold and wet weather throughout March has been a re-adjustment following the mild and mostly settled weather that persisted since the start of the year. Conditions have been difficult with cows re-housed in many areas. These challenging grazing conditions were the backdrop to the Bull Sale on March 23rd, with demand in limited supply. Entry on the day was 27 and the following is a snapshot of prices achieved;

Lot 12 Mountfarna Rangler exhibited by John O’ Callaghan, €4,000.
Lot 13 Mountfarna Wonder exhibited by John O’ Callaghan, €3,900 (Reserve Champion of the Show).
Lot 14 Monamore Tall Order exhibited by Tom & James Kelly, €3,400.
Lot 25 Radney Giggs exhibited by Henry O’ Keeffe, €3,100.
Lot 22 Radney Leo ET exhibited by Henry O’ Keeffe, €2,850.
Lot 32 Reary Pete exhibited by Kevin Flynn, €2,800.

Champion of the show was Evergrange Planet exhibited by Mervyn Eager, Newcastle Co. Dublin. He is bred from the Sunnylodge Jean family and sired by Lumville Duke Planet (LPK). The highest EBI bull exhibited in each class was presented with a rosette.

All bulls were pre-inspected in advance of the sale with minimum qualifying standards for milk solids production and conformation. All bulls were genomically tested. Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin herd, Co. Wicklow was Judge and he complimented all exhibitors for the quality of bulls presented. Denis A. Barrett conducted the sale at Central Auctions, Nenagh Mart and noted that buyers were focused on quality, proven cow families having high protein, good conformation and longevity.