51st Premier Bull Show & Sale
94.7 % clearance as Bulls average 4,677 gns with a top price of 6,600 gns
Report by Donal Carey
Market demand for quality bulls backed by generations of high performing Dams was very evident at the 51st IHFA Premier Bull Show & Sale. Bidding was brisk and the trade overall was strong evidenced by a clearance of 94.7% as 18 Bulls from a total of 19 forward on the day sold under the auction hammer. It was commented positively by many in attendance that the selection of Bulls was very strong with a choice of quality bulls on offer to suit different milk production systems.
- The average price was 4,677 gns,
- 13 bulls achieved prices over 4,500 gns
- Mountfarna Zeus (Lot 8) bred by John O’ Callaghan, Farnivane, Bandon, Co. Cork sold for 6,600 gns commanded the top price.
The 2026 show & sale took place on Thursday April 2nd, conducted by Denis A. Barrett Pedigree Sales & Auctions and the venue was Kilmallock, Golden Vale Co-Op mart, Co. Limerick. Entry was conditional on minimum standards of Dam production and Classification. All Bulls were pre-inspected in advance.
Proceedings commenced with a pre-sale show at 11am. There were three classes with 1st & 2nd place Bulls going forward into the Championship. An award for the highest EBI bull was presented in each class.
Championship Results
Champion Laurelelm Perseus Bro (Lot 2) bred by Rickey Barrett, Ballinhassig Co. Cork.
Reserve Greenlea Clash (Lot 13) bred by Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Co. Monaghan
Hon Mention Mountfarna Beast (Lot 5) bred by John O’ Callaghan, Farnivane, Bandon, Co. Cork.
Thanks to John Dillon, Piperhill herd, Duagh, Co. Kerry for judging. All bulls were turned out to a very high standard.
Mountfarna Zeus bred by John O’ Callaghan sold for 6,600 gns was the sale topper. An October ’24 born Zythos (FR8118) son, he is bred from the Beattie cow family, with three generations of VG/EX Dams including Uacter TM Beattie 2 EX92 4E, a Diamond award recipient. He is bred from five generations of Dams averaging 4.75% Fat, 3.71% Protein.
Mountfarna Birdman (Lot 10) sold for 5,800 gns was the next top priced Bull. Also bred by John O’ Callaghan, Birdman is backed by six generations of VG/EX Dams. Five of his nearest dams recorded lactations over 10,000 kgs milk and over 3.50 % Protein. Sired by Westcoast Earlybird (FR9734) Birdman has a PTA’s of +514 kgs milk, +33.6 kgs milk solids.
Mountfarna Beast (Lot 5) also bred by John O’ Callaghan was the next highest price selling for 5,500 gns. Sired by Slash (FR6376) and born in October ’24 he is bred from the same Beattie cow family as the sale topper Mountfarna Zeus.
Show Champion Laurelelm Perseus Bro (Lot 2) bred by Rickey Barrett, Ballinhassig, Co Cork sold for 5,000 gns. His Dam Laurelelm Fever Brilliant EX95 6E won Champion & best udder Tullamore National Livestock Show 2018 and she also won Reserve Champion & best udder National Dairy Show 2018. A second-generation IHFA Diamond award recipient, she recorded a lifetime yield of 117, 056 kgs milk, 9,643 kgs milk solids, 4.78% Fat, 3.46% Protein in eight lactations. Her Dam Laurelelm Damion Brilliant EX91 4E recorded a lifetime yield of 103,593 kgs milk, 8,364 kgs milk solids, 4.78% Fat, 3.56% Protein in seven lactations.
A sale price of 5,000 gns was also commanded by two other bulls; Radney Bully Boy (Lot 17) bred by Henry & Liam O’ Keeffe, Freemount, Co Cork & Mountain Martini 24 ET (Lot 19) bred by Mícheal Spillane, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Radney Bully Boy was the highest EBI bull in the show and sale with an evaluation of €242. Sired by Dungrange Dan (FR9316), he is bred from the Ostrich cow family. His VG86 Dam & VG87 Grand Dam twice recorded lactations over 4.00 % Protein with consistent calving intervals and positive lifetime longevity.
Mountain Martini 24 ET was one of three Pure Friesian bulls in the sale, all from the Mountain herd. Backed by three generations of EX Dams from the Petula family his is sired by Martini ET (FR4316). His Dam Mountain Jubilaris Petula EX91 4E averaged 9,128 kgs milk, 691 kgs milk solids, 3.81% Fat, 3.76% Protein per lactation in a lifetime of seven lactations. His Grand Dam Mountain Frosty Petula EX95 10E is a 2nd generation Diamond Award recipient with a Calving Interval average of 366 days in a lifetime of twelve lactations.
Monamore Frank Zappa (Lot 12) sold for 4,900 gns was the sale topper for Thomas & James Kelly, Monamore herd, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Bred from the Fifi cow family he is backed by six generations of VG/EX Dams and eight generations of Dams yielding over 10,000 kg milk per lactation. His sire is Westcoast Rocknroll (FR7806).
Reserve Champion was won by Greenlea Clash (Lot 13) bred by Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Co. Monaghan who sold for 4,500 gns. A maternal brother to the 2025 Premier Bull Show & sale Champion he is sired by Slash (FR6376) and backed by four generations of VG/EX Dams. His VG89 Dam has yielded 48,049 kgs milk, 3,880 kgs milk solids, 4.38 % Fat, 3.69% Protein in six lactations to date.
Thanks to John Kirby, chief steward on the day.
