The Aberdeen-Angus breed provided the overall sale topper at the multi-breed bull sales at Kilkenny yesterday, outselling all other major beef breeds, including all of the continental breeds from a total combined entry of well over 200 beef pedigree bulls.

The sale topper came from Frank & Margaret McKiernan, Drumcrow, Corlismore, Co Cavan who sold their December 2017 born bull, Drumcrow Pilbara for €3800. This four star terminal index bull took the reserve Aberdeen-Angus championship and also boasted a calving ease figure of just 1.7%, which was significantly below the official breed average. The Drumcrow Aberdeen-Angus herd also sold Drumcrow Palladium T704 and Drumcrow Pepperbox for €3200 each to average €3400 for their offering of three Aberdeen-Angus bulls.

Drumcrow Pilbara.

The supreme Aberdeen-Angus championship was awarded to Westellen Pete T829 exhibited by John & Kate Tait, Westwood, Rostellan, Midleton, Co Cork and this November 2017 born bull went on to sell for the day’s second highest price of €3350. This one is a son of Bova Lord Bonanza N266 and carried a five star terminal breeding index and caught the eye of show judge, Albert DeCogan of the Mogeely Aberdeen-Angus herd to secure top championship honours in the pre-sale show.

Westellen Pete.

Overall, customers preferred the mature Aberdeen-Angus bulls with 2017 born bulls selling most freely in the ring to realise a 75% clearance, whilst their younger counterparts brought the overall sale clearance down to just 45% once all the 2018 born bulls were included. The average price settled at just over €2400 with in excess of 30 Aberdeen-Angus bulls trading on the day.

John Tait (exhibitor) and Albert DeCogan (judge) with the supreme Aberdeen-Angus champion.

The next sale of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus takes place at Cillín Hill, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny on Wednesday, May 15th.