Full Roscrea Limousin report

The Irish Limousin Society sales for 2010 kicked off on Monday 1^st March with a bumper entry of 137 males and 44 females.  Interest was once again high amongst UK breeders with a total of 21 lots selling for export, 15 males and 6 females. The sale of males resulted in an average of €3108 selling from €1800 to €10,000, while females averaged €3313 selling from €1850 to €6500.  The judge for the day was Mark Philips of the Newmarque and Mardoneen herds, Cumbria, UK.

Topping the trade at €10,000 was the senior male champion, Bremore Djerk from Bobby Jones, Skerries, Co Dublin. This September 2008 bull is by Nenuphar out of a homebred Ferry daughter, Bremore Rudy ET.

He boasts a 5 star rating for SBV, Weanling Export, Beef Carcass and Calf Quality and also a muscle score of 129. He went across the water to Messrs K I, E and H I Jones, Conwy, Wales, for their Garnedd Herd.

Next best call of €9800 went to the reserve senior champion, Killcastle Dael ET from Alan Kelly, Moate, Co Westmeath. This June 2008 bull is by Mas Du Clo out of Milbrook Monique ET.

He is a full brother to top AI sire, Milbrook Tanko (TKO) who sired three champions at the last three Premier Sales. He also sports five star values for SBV, Weanling Export, Beef Carcass, Calf Quality and a muscle score of 127. He goes to R P Hutchinson, Newark, Nottinghamshire, for his Beaconshire herd.

Followingon from this was a young December 2008 bull, Liss Dauphin from MartinDoherty, Lifford, Co Donegal selling for €7000 to an undisclosed UK breeder.

A second prizewinner in class nine, this bull is by Wilodge Vantastic out of a French dam, Valencia.

Thejunior male champion, Rathnestin Dynamite from Raymond Bird, Dundalk,Co. Louth sold for €6100 to S Allen, Drumclamph, Co Tyrone. 

He was bornin November 2008 and is by Millbrook Tanko out of a Mozart daughterBishopland Alice and has a 5-star SBV of €99 and muscle score 129.

Sellingfor €4800 was second prizewinning bull Elite Drury ET from BernadetteTynan, Mountrath, Co Laois. This October 2008 born bull is by Sauvignonout of an Ideal 23 dam, Rucie B and has a five star SBV of €138 with amuscle score of 138 to match. He sold to Gerard Hackett, Clogher, Co.Tyrone.

His stable mate Ardlea Dan was the next highest price selling at €4500 to the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) in Enfield,Co. Meath. This September 2008 born bull is a second prizewinner to thesenior champion and out of the easy calving sire, Vivaldi. His dam,Bremore Verynice is a daughter of Rucie B with Nenuphar and Ideal 23breeding behind her. He sold with 5 star ratings for SBV, WeanlingExport, Beef Carcass and Calf Quality along with a muscle score of 132.

Leadingthe female trade at €6500 was the female champion Baileys Countess fromThomas Bailey, Batterstown, Co Meath. No stranger to the show ring,this young cow had already claimed the top spot in her class atBalmoral Show 2009 as a senior heifer.

She is by Ronick Hawk and out ofthe double All Ireland winning Marlhill Tess by Elite Popsi ET. Shesold with her January 2010 born bull calf at foot by Queenshead Altea.She was purchased by the sale judge, Mark Philips for his Newmarque and Mardoneen herds, Cumbria.

Followingon from this at €5400 was the reserve champion female Greenhill DonnaET from John Greene, Lifford, Co Donegal. This October 2008 born heiferis by Wilodge Vantastic and out of a homebred dam, Greenhill Ursula ETby Meridien.

Her grandam Nana bred the well known show bulls GreenhillTrojan and Greenhill Viper. She also heads across the water to Paul Gentry, Newark, Nottinghamshire, for his newly established Gentrys herd.

Nextbest call went to a third prizewinning heifer Greenhill Connie alsofrom John Greene selling for €4700 to Joe Rafferty, Enniskillen, CoFermanagh. This December 2007 Nenuphar daughter was sold served toVeteran.

Atthe same money was a second prizewinning heifer Knockcroghery Debbiefrom Joseph Miley, Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon. This October 2008heifer is by Sauvignon out of a Nenuphar dam, Newtown Abigail. She soldto Philip Dunne, Bailieboro, Co Cavan.