Irish Belgian Blue Premier Sale Draws Crowd
The Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society hosted its annual premier show & sale in Roscrea Mart last Saturday 9th April. It drew crowds from all angles of the country and a number of UK buyers. The task of judging was left in the very capable hands of Mr Sean O Brien, Donegal. Overall, the bulls on show were of a very high standard and were fit to run with cows immediately. The society would like to thank Tom Melby of Clippers Ireland for sponsoring the sale and donating a top of the range clipper to the Male Champion.
Tapped forward as Male Champion was Lot 13 from Trevor Jackson, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow. Carraigview Isaac ET is an exceptionally well muscled VDC son who was 5 star across both Terminal and Replacement Indexes. Isaac was overall champion at Tullow Shoe 2015 and a 2nd prize winner in Tullamore Show 2015 also. He went on to sell for €5000 to Annemarie Connolly, Clones, Co Monaghan.
The reserve champion was Lot 15 from the Rockfield Herd of Eamonn Orohoe, Kenagh, Co Longford. Rockfield Iggy was a super correct Solway View Dynamite son. His eventual purchaser was Mr Stephen Twatt, Orkney Islands at €4000.
Eamonn was back again with ld Hughie, an all black dafydd son from the same dam as the Reserve Champion. He went on to sell for €4500 to D Ellis, Cornwall. Males averaged just short of €3850
In the female section, judge Sean O Brien tapped forward Melvin Masterson’s October born heifer calf as female champion. She failed to meet her reserve.
The reserve champion female was Lot 23- Sheehills Ideal from Mr John Searson, Roscrea. This quality heifer stayed local going on to sell for €2300 to Carmel Kenehan, Roscrea.
John was in next with a full sister to the reserve champion who again sold to Carmel Kenahan for €2200.
Topping the female section was Rosemount Isla from Trevor Ashmore, Enniscorthy. This flashy heifer heads to Mark Graham, Enniskillen at €2450.
Belgian Blue Bulls are beginning to attract huge demand from Dairy men as milk prices are tough. BB are consistently proving to be the ideal breed for crossbreeding. A video highlighting the easy calving nature on Dairy cows can be seen on the society Facebook page
