Hereford champion sold for €1,200 at Newport Mart
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Tom Hayes, Kildimo; Michael Crehan, Ballyneety and Edward Roe, Roscrea, exhibitors at the Hereford Show and Sale with Martin Murphy, Irish Hereford Cattle Society.Image 2 of 5
Jerry Murphy with the winner of the Weanling Bull class at the Hereford Show.Image 3 of 5
The winner of the Store Heifer Class at the Irish Hereford Society Show and Sale at Newport.Image 4 of 5
Champion of the Show at the Hereford Sale, exhibited by P J Fogarty and sold for €1,200.Image 5 of 5
The Champion Cow at the Hereford Show and Sale at the Livestock Mart, Newport.Hereford breeders from Clare, Limerick and Tipperary competed for the awards at the Annual Irish Hereford Cattle Society Show and Sale at Newport Livestock Mart, which attracted and entry of 170 animals.
The Overall Championship was awarded to a bullock exhibited by P J Fogarty, Kilmacogue, Newport, weighing 575kgs, and which sold for €1,200.
There was a very strong trade for all categories, with the store animals in particular very keenly sought after by finishers, who were willing to pay top prices for the quality lots.
Up to €3.30/kg was paid for the choice weanling heifers, for which the prices ranged from €2.40/kg. Weanling bulls ranged from €2.40/kg to €2.80/kg, while the tops of the bullocks sold for €2.57/kg. A cow accompanied by her calf sold for €1,540.
Martin Murphy, a former twice National President of the Irish Hereford Breed Society, said that the sale was one of the best in the decade and a half, for which the annual sale has been held at the venue and reflected the general demand for the breed.
He said that the Irish Hereford Prime marketing for Hereford beef has made a big difference and put money in breeders' pockets with a premium price for finished animals, for which there is very strong demand at the factories.
“There is strong consumer demand for Hereford beef both in this country and for export because the housewives have realised the quality of the meat,” he said.
The attendance at the show and sale included Michael Cleary, Irish Hereford Prime, and Henry Dudley, Thurles, a former National President of the Irish Hereford Breed Society, both of whom judged the classes with Jim Fitzpatrick.
RESULTS:
Cow and Calf: 1. Lester and Edward Roe, Roscrea; 2. Lester and Edward Roe; 3. Maura Neenan, Broadford, Charleville.
Beef Cow: 1. Martin Murphy, Lackamore, Newport.
Bullocks: 1. P J Fogarty, Kilmacogue, Newport;
2. Ben O'Sullivan, Corbally, Limerick; 3. John Walsh, Cappamore, Co Limerick.
Store Heifer: 1. Noel Coffey, Shower, Newport; 2. Noel Coffey; 3. Noel Coffey
Best Heifer: 1. Tom Hayes, Kildimo, Co Limerick;
2. Michael Crehan, Ballyneety, Co Limerick; 3. Michael Crehan.
Weanling Bulls: 1. Jerry Murphy, Carrowkeale, Newport; 2. David Hughes, Bodyke, Co Clare; 3. Pat O'Toole, Barna, Newport.
Weanling Heifer: 1. Pat O'Toole, Barna, Newport;
2. Pat O'Toole; 3. Martin Ryan, Silvermines.