A Longford-bred bull changed hands for €15,000 at the Charolais Society’s Premier Show and Sale, reports
Martin Ryan
FOURTEEN-month-old bull Noble Prince became the new ‘king’ of the Charolais breed when he sold for €15,000 at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Premier Show and Sale at Elphin on Saturday.
Purchased for export to Northern Ireland, where he is likely to become available through an AI service, the Co Longford-bred bull hit the highest price achieved by a Charolais bull in this country in several years.
In an exciting flurry of bidding, the increments increased from bids of €200 to bids of €500, during the final rounds. Up to five active interests were in the hunt before auctioneer Tom Cox brought the hammer down.
“We haven’t seen that price for a Charolais in several years,” said the experienced livestock salesman.
The outstanding, five-star bull, with calving ease at 4.3pc, was awarded Junior Male Champion of Show by judge Will Shortt of the
Woodpark Pedigree Charolais herd in Co Tyrone.
Bred and exhibited by Harry Noble, Kilcoursey, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, Noble Prince is a son of Thrunton Fairfax and out of the home-bred dam, Noble George 1. The herd has a long track record for breeding some of the top Charolais stock in the breed.
The second highest price for a male was €7,200 paid for Richard Hackett’s second prizewinner, Limkiln Pajoe ET, from his herd at Clonlara, Co Clare.
Forty bulls sold for an average of €3,787, almost €100 less than the 2019 figure. The top price was double last year’s figure.
Barry Quin’s Female Champion, Clenagh Orion, from his herd at Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare topped the heifers at €6,100 for export to Co Armagh.
The small entry of heifers averaged €2,967, which was up €90 on last year, while the leading price was up €1,000.
David Erskine, Crosses, Co Monaghan with his prize winning bull, Fieldview Pedro, which sold for €4,800 at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Premier Show and Sale at Elphin; also pictured is Barry McKee, handler.
Best in show:
The Senior Champion Bull, Kilvilcorris Odran, with handler Paul Fahy and exhibitor, Matt Ryan, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, sold for €4,700 at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Premier Show and Sale at Elphin; (below) Brendan Feeney, Scurmore, Enniscrone, Co Sligo with his Reserve Senior Champion Bull which sold for €3,200 at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Premier Show and Sale at Elphin.