Busy weekend of society shows

PEDIGREE breeders are heading into another busy weekend of sales before the season comes to a close on Saturday week for 2018.

The Simmental Cattle Society has an entry of 21 bulls and 12 heifers for their final sale of 2018 at Tullamore Mart on Friday evening. Judging is at 5pm with the sale at 7pm.

The entry is drawn from 22 herds and the only breeder with three animals listed is Garett T Behan from Coolnagowan, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, who showed the champion junior heifer and champion yearling heifers at the society November show and sale at Roscommon where both heifers were also the price toppers within their sector.

On Saturday, December 8, the focus turns to the Irish Angus Society Elite Show and Sale at the Showgrounds, Carrick-on-Shannon, with an entry of 70 bulls and 33 heifers. The purchaser of the highest price bull and heifer on the day each qualify for cash back of €400 and there’s €200 cashback for the second highest price animal in each category.

Five very well-known breeders with four bulls each entered include Kevin Diffley from Bornacoola, Carrick-on-Shannon, Pat Harrison from Brideswell, Athlone, Nigel Peavoy from Coolrain, Portlaoise, Cathal and Joe McCormack from Tulsk, Castlerea, and Patrick Regan from Ballyfarna, Claremorris, Co Mayo.

The season comes to a close on Saturday week, December 15 with the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society Elite Show and Sale of Continental Pedigree Animals at Carrick-on-Shannon.