Watch: €6,600 made at IHFA premier bull sale

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) recently held its 51st annual Premier Bull Show and Sale in Kilmallock Mart, located in County Limerick. This prestigious event attracted significant attention from dairy farmers and enthusiasts alike, as it provided an opportunity to showcase and sell some of the finest Holstein bulls in the country.

Judging duties fell to John Dillion, who faced a challenging task given the high standard of the bulls competing. The margins between the Champion bull, Reserve Champion, and Honourable Mention were extremely narrow, reflecting the exceptional quality of the entrants.

Following the show, the ring in Kilmallock mart quickly filled with eager bidders. Auctioneer Denis Barrett took to the rostrum, and the sale proceeded with enthusiasm. The average sale price for the bulls was €4,680, with a top price of €6,600 achieved on the day.

The September-2024-born Laurelelm Perseus Bro was crowned the Champion Bull. Bred by Rickey Barrett of County Cork, this impressive bull boasted an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €44. His milk sub-index was even more impressive at €49, with traits including 401kg milk at 10.6kg proteins and 9.65kg fat. Additionally, he had a fertility sub-index of €12. Laurelelm Perseus Bro went on to make €5,000 in the sale, demonstrating his value to potential buyers.

The Reserve Champion title went to Greenlea Clash, a November-2024-born bull bred by the Greenan family. He had an EBI of €144 and a milk sub-index of €47, with strong traits for milk production, including 50kg milk at 8.45kg fat and 4.94kg protein. Greenlea Clash also had a fertility sub-index of €65 and a health sub-index of €14. He sold for €4,500 in the ring.

The Honourable Mention of the day was awarded to Mountfarna Beast, a 100% Holstein bull born in October 2024. Bred by John O'Callaghan of County Cork, he had an EBI of €79 and a milk sub-index worth €83. His traits included 221kg milk at 15.15kg fat and 10.95kg protein, along with a fertility sub-index of €18. Mountfarna Beast was sold for €5,500.

The best seller on the day was Mountfarna Zeus, a pure-bred Holstein born in October. He achieved the top price of €6,600 in the ring, highlighting his exceptional quality and desirability among buyers.

The IHFA Premier Bull Show and Sale is a crucial event for the dairy farming community in Ireland, providing a platform for breeders to showcase their best bulls and for farmers to invest in high-quality genetics. The success of this year's event, with its impressive sale prices and high-quality entrants, underscores the importance of such gatherings in fostering the growth and development of the dairy industry in the country.