The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held its 51st annual Premier Bull Show and Sale in Kilmallock Mart in Co. Limerick during the week.

John Dillion was given the tough task of judging on the day, with fine margins separating the Champion bull, Reserve Champion, and Honourable Mention.

Following the show, the ring in Kilmallock mart quickly filled ahead of the sale as auctioneer Denis Barrett took to the rostrum.

The sale averaged €4,680, with a top price of €6,600 given on the day.

Show

September-2024-born Laurelelm Perseus Bro was crowned the Champion Bull on the day.

The bull, which was bred by Rickey Barrett of Co. Cork, boasted an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €44.

He had a milk sub-index of €49, broken into traits of 401kg milk at 10.6kg proteins and 9.65kg fat, he also had a fertility sub-index of €12.

The Champion bull went on to make €5,000 in the sale.

Making his way down from Co. Monaghan, Greenlea Clash claimed the title of Reserve Champion at the show.

The November-2024-born bull was bred by the Greenan family and had an EBI of €144.

With a milk sub-index of €47, he carried strong traits for milk production, with 50kg milk at 8.45kg fat and and 4.94kg protein.

As well as that, he had a €65 fertility sub-index paired alongside a €14 health sub-index.

The Reserve Champion bull went on to make €4,500 in the sale.

The 100% Holstein Mountfarna Beast was the Honourable Mention of the day.

The October-2024-born bull was bred by John O'Callaghan of Co. Cork and boasted an EBI of €79.

He had a milk sub-index worth €83 and broken into traits of 221kg milk at 15.15kg fat and 10.95kg protein, as well as a fertility sub-index of €18.

The Honourable Mention bull went on to make €5,500 in the ring.

Sale

Mountfarna Zeus was the best seller on the day, making €6,600 in the ring.

The pure-bred Holstein was born in October of 2024, and boasted an EBI of €96, with a €65 milk sub-index, €23 fertility sub-index, and a €15 health sub-index.

Meanwhile, Mountfarna Dogman made €5,200, as the September-2024-born bull had an EBI of €80, at €45 milk sub-index, €32 fertility sub-index, and €23 health sub-index.

The Mountfarna herd also sold Mountfarna Birdman for €5,800. He had an EBI of €1, with a milk sub-index of €76, broken into traits of 514kg milk at 20.06kg fat and 12.97kg protein.

January-2025-born Radney Bully Boy made €5,000, with an EBI of €242, with a €76 milk sub-index and a €112 fertility sub-index.

Mountain Martini 24 ET also made €5,000 in the ring. The January-2025 bull had an EBI of €158.

Monamore Frank Zappa made €4,900, as the October-2024-born bull had an EBI of €149, with an €87 milk sub-index and a €76 fertility sub-index.