TULLY TEST HEREFORD BULL SELLS FOR TOP PRICE OF €3650 Given the current state of the economy, the large sums of grant aid outstanding to farmers and the loss of off farm employment by farmers, Hereford breeders approached the sale with some trepidation. Fears were allayed however given the presence of a large crowd at judging with prospective buyers from Donegal to Waterford .
One of the first bulls into the ring, Kevin and Monica Diffley's Duibhgiolla Popular 3 rd very quickly went on the market to sell at €2950. Sired by the Australian Yarram Pompeii V055, he is out of a homebred cow, Delight, by B.B. Power 0270. The first of a number of bulls to sell to Northern Ireland , his purchaser, Duncan Crawford said he wanted to put more beefing qualities in his Holstein calves. Such calves were worth an extra £100 over straight dairy calves, he said. His brother, Robert, stated a difficult calving cost the dairyman approx. £200. This, he said, was a serious consideration. The brothers live in close proximity to Omagh Meats whose Certified Hereford Beef - scheme is paying significant premiums.
Interestingly, the Grandam of Gerard, Steil Stella is by Lisnabin Jovial, bred by the late DJD Purdon of the famous Lisnabin herd at Killucan, Co. Westmeath which has had such an influence on the breed in Ireland and beyond over the past 150 years. Many breeders present at the sale had just days previously attended Mr. Denis Purdon's Remembrance Service at Killucan. Sincere sympathy is offered to his wife and family at this difficult time.
The day's Champion, Lisnalurg Goldfinch, youngest Bull at the sale at fourteen months, sold at €2700 to John Wauchob of Newtownstewart, N. Ireland. Again by Yarram Pompeii V055, he is out of Pauline Casey's prize-winning cow, Lisnalurg Bea 4 th . Brian Clarke, Carnaross exhibited the Reserve Champion, Church Hill Geoff. By Grianan Emperor, out of Church Hill Debie by SJ43G Domino 36N he sold to Lindsay Vance, Arva, Co. Cavan for €2850. Slaughtering at Clones by Hereford Prime is gathering pace and beginning to show dividends. Rathregan Belgold withdrawn from the ring at 3000 later sold at 3100 to David Dempsey, Polhore Hse. Killurin, Enniscorthy. Belgold is bred and exhibited by Val Ledwith, Rathregan, Batterstown, Co Meath and sired by UK bull Border General V85 also sire of the female Champion at the Society's October sale. The dam Rathregan Ellen is by Knockmountagh Major son of leading maternal sire Smithston Something Special a five star bull for suckler-beef, weaning, beef carcass, calf quality together with milk and fertility. Other principal prices on the day included J.J. Farrell's Trillick Ronnie, by Churchill Storm V583 at €2500 to Thomas Doyle, Kenagh, Co. Longford. Joe O'Connor's Boveen Ginger, by Kilsunny Abraham sold to Coote Geelan, Bornacoola, Carrick-on-Shannon, Joe McCormack's Steil Gregory, by Churchill Storm V583 to Joseph Mahony, Kilkee, Co Clare and Ivor Deverell's Bally-aville Recover, by Corlismore Swampy, to Kevin Brennan, Buninadden, Ballymote all at €2300 each. A number of bulls failed to reach their reserve in the ring. Happily a number of these sold outside afterwards at very satisfactory prices. Range: €1500 - €3650. AV: €2334. Clearance: 70%
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