Limousins topped the beef breeds at the 94th Kilkenny Agricultural Society Bull Sale held in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny, on Wednesday 23rd March last. With a top price of €4,200 and a sale average of €2,411 and clearance of 62%.

Champion Limousin of the pre sale show was Ballyquirke Ed, owned and bred by local breeder Mr. Ollie Byrne, Ballyquirke, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. With full French bloodlines, by Mas Du Clo out of a Dauphin dam, he drew favour in the sales ring also and strong bidding ended with him being knocked down for €4,200 to Mr. Nicholas Landy, Ballytobin, Callan, Co. Kilkenny to run with his herd of British Friesian cows.

Champion - Ballyquirke Ed

Reserve Champion went to Trevor Masterson, Galbally, Ballyhogue, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, with his stylish Fieldson Alfy son, Galbally Eli, who failed to meet his reserve on the day.

Galbally Eli

Three bulls tied for 2nd highest price of the Limousins on the day of €2,800. Ballyquirke Enriqua, Mr. Ollie Byrne’s Cloughead Lord son was placed 2nd in the pre sale show to the reserve champion and following keen bidding was sold to Mr. Tommy Purcell, Kilkenny. 

Ballyquirke Enriqua

Also on this price from the same yard was Ballyquirke Elmo, by Nenuphar out of a Mas Du Clo dam, who drew many admirers before finally being sold to Mr. Niall Moody, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Finally at this price was 3rd prizewinner Coolrain Elm, by Millbrook Tanko, out of a J38 dam, sold by Messrs. Pat & Gearoid Kennedy, Derryduff, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co. Laois,  to Mr. Phillip White, Co. Laois.

Messrs. John & Tom Hickey, Knockbrittas, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary sold their 2nd placed Sable son Brookland Ernie for €2,750 to Mr. Tom Dempsey, Co. Waterford.

The next Show and Sale of pedigree bulls held by Kilkenny Agricultural Society, will be on April 20th, again in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny. With health status requirements of 90 day TB and Brucellosis testing, along with BVD virus negative testing a requirement also, this sale should continue to draw great interest from both dairy and suckler farmers alike.