The Tipperary based Goldstar herd owned by Martin Ryan and family enjoyed a memorable day in Tullamore last Saturday at the Society's Elite Heifer Sale. The Ryan's realised €17,600 for their three offering's, which included €11,000 for the Overall Junior Champion, Goldstar Osanna. The much admired Osanna went to sale with a decorative show record, which included the Overall Senior Female Calf Championship from the National Charolais Show in Tullamore last August. At just 14 months old, this Heifer displayed tremendous class and power along with a terminal index value of €155 and a calving figure of just 6.7%. A daughter of the well bred show Heifer Goldstar Jamaique, and sired by Goldstar Hugo, this Heifer also came with a prolific pedigree. After a lively round of bidding from all corners of the ring, Osanna was eventually knocked down to Harry Heron from Northern Ireland.

Overall Junior Champion Goldstar Ossana exhibited by Martin Ryan, with Judge Tracey Gunn, Junior judge Veronica Moody and President of the ICCS, Noel Mc Goldrick

The Sale itself resulted in an overall clearance of 68%, with an average of €3,150. Taking into account all the uncertainties at present and the current beef trade, the sale was certainly a positive for the Charolais breed. Next best to Osanna was the Reserve Junior Champion, Colomane Opal exhibited by John Ward from Bantry in County Cork. Once again, this classy 13 month old Heifer displayed style and shape, as well a pedigree and indexes to match. A daughter of Goldstar Echo and the Meillard Rj bred cow, Deeleview Eve, this Heifer carries a five star replacement index of €93, a terminal index of €142 and a calving figure of just 5.9%. Snapping this one up was Noel and Joan Rathgallen from County Tipperary.

Reserve Junior Champion, Colomane Opal

Judge for the day, Tracey Gunn, Manager of the highly successful Balthayock herd in the UK was accompanied by Junior Judge, Veronica Moody. They awarded the Overall Senior Championship to Dalehill Nadine exhibited by Basil and Victoria Kells from Killeshandra in County Cavan. Their selection was backed up in the Sales ring, when Nadine went under Tom Cox's hammer at €5,200. A daughter of the great CF 52, this powerful heifer goes back to Liscally Eti and Vangogh on the dam's side. In calf to Cavelands Fenian, the rising two year old was wrapped up by Jimmy Kelly from County Limerick.

Overall Senior Champion, Dalehill Nadine 

Hitting the €4,500 mark was Grangwood Nora, exhibited by Jerry and Kay O' Keeffe from Knocklong, County Limerick. A third prize winner from the pre-sale show, this two year old daughter of Crossmolina Jupiter and a Enfield Picasso bred dam sold in calf to Whitecliffe James. Not far behind her at €4,000 was the Reserve Senior Champion, Limkiln Nollaig exhibited by Richard Hackett from County Clare. A daughter of Dromiskin Viceroy and a Plexus bred dam, this rising two year old catalogued with an impressive terminal index of €162. Phillip Webster from Castlerea in County Roscommon was the purchaser of this one.

Reserve Senior Champion, Limkiln Nollaig

At €3,800 was Gallaway Orna, a 14 month old daughter of the french sire, Jaquard. Exhibited by Michael Kiernan from Carrigallen in County Leitrim, Orna is a daughter of a Blelack Digger bred dam. Having secured a second prize rosette in the pre-sale show, she sold to Northern Ireland with Liam Ruddy. The Goldstar herd rounded of a wonderful day, when they traded Goldstar Orla at €3,600, one of the last lots through the ring. A daughter of Nelson and a Goldstar Echo bred dam, she catalogued with a five star replacement index of €86. Craig Cullen from Curraghroe in County Roscommon secured this 12 month old Heifer.

Exhibitor's of last year's Senior Champion at the Elite Heifer Sale, the O'Donnell's from Elphin in County Roscommon parted company with their stylish second prize winner, Summervilla Orla at €3,200. A daughter of Cavelands Fenian and a Clonoulty Andraemon bred dam, this one went North to County Antrim. Eamonn O' Connor from Ballinful in County Sligo traded his in calf Heifer for €3,100. This daughter of Indurain and an Excellent bred dam sold in-calf to Cavelands Fenian.

The next Society Show and Sale is the Christmas Cracker, which will take place in Elphin Mart on Saturday the 7th December 

Charolais bulls topped at €5,700 in Tullamore this weekend, at the first of the Society's Autumn Shows and Sales. The trade could only be described as tough, with poor beef prices and a sticky autumn trade for Weanling's clearly starting to take it's toll on suckler farmers. Overall, 50% of the bulls forward sold to average €3,020. That said, quality bulls were still in demand and commanded a premium price. The Overall Champion of the day went the way of Roughan Oscar, exhibited by Pat Mc Clean from County Donegal. This powerful 20 month old son of Roughan Justbeau and Roughan Helene caught the eye of Judge, Basil Bothwell, and went on to sell for the highest price of the day at €5,700. Oscar also carries an impressive spread of indexes, with a five star terminal index of €132, a four star replacement index of €71 and a calving figure of 7%. Wrapping up the Champion was pedigree breeder, Liam Johnson from County Fermanagh.

Overall Champion Roughan Oscar who sold for €5,700, pictured with exhibitor Pat Mc Clean, Judge Basil Bothwell, the Merlet Family from France and Junior Judge Eimear Whelan

Not far behind at €5,600 was the much admired, Clonaltra Officer, exhibited by Terry Bradley from Moate, Co. Westmeath. A first prize winner from the Pre-sale show, this classy bull is a son of Fleetwood and a Cavelands Adam bred dam. This 17 month old bull sold with a whopping terminal index of €154 and below average calving figure of just 6.3%. Securing the Westmeath bred bull was Derek Tighe and family from Navan in County Meath.

Clonaltra Officer who sold for €5,600 with exhibitor Terry Bradley and the Tighe family

The Reserve Overall Champion was awarded to Tonroe Onreal exhibited by the Callaghan's from Swinford in County Mayo. This 19 month bull is a son of Liscally Eti and a Bova Sylvain bred dam. Onreal was knocked down to a suckler farmer in County Offaly at €2,000.

Reserve Champion Tonroe Onreal

Trading at €4,200 was another first prize winner from the pre-sale show, Relaghbeg Oscar ET, exhibited by John Cahill from Bailieboro in County Cavan. This 13 month old bull is a son of CF 52 and a Meillard Rj bred dam. A stylish bull who also carried a boastful terminal index of €152 and a calving figure of just over 7%. Snapping this stylish young bull up was John Mc Loughlin from Swinford in County Mayo.

Louise and Colm Quinn from Edenderry in County Offaly traded their 16 month old, Ballym Oxley for €4,000. A son of Lisnagre Elite and a CF 52 bred dam, Oxley carried one of the highest terminal indexes in the catalogue of €180.  Securing this one was Marshall Wright from Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh.

Pat Mc Clean was back in the limelight once again when he exchanged hands with Roughan Ollie for €3,650, a 20 month old son of Roughan Jason and a Roughan Divin bred dam. This bull packed an impressive set of indexes which included a five star terminal and replacement index, accompanied by a below average calving figure of just 6.1%.

The Ryan's from Borrisoleigh in County Tipperary then received a call of €3,450 for their 15 month old, Kilvilcorris Otto. This one is a son of the herd's stock bull, Bunratty Mike Tyson and a Sesame bred dam.

The next Society Show & Sale is the Elite Heifer Sale, which takes place this Saturday the 9th November in Tullamore Mart