The Bull Goes On: Cow-nting the Wins at Tullamore Mart!
Well, well, well, what do we have here? A renowned breeder from Co Longford strutting his stuff at the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society’s pre-selected show and sale. Fancy that! Michael Hanlon, king of the Ashbrook herd, received a standing ovation for his four carefully handpicked lots. I mean, who knew cattle farming could be the next big reality TV hit? Forget “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” we’ve got “Keeping Up with the Cattle”!
Now, let’s dive into the main act. Lot number 6, Ashbrook Turner, made a grand entrance and strutted his bovine charm all the way to a second-place finish in a fiercely competitive class. The judge, Seamus Nagle from Co Clare, clearly knew a winner when he saw one. This pedigree bull, born in March 2023, is a son of the mighty Dauphin and a home-bred Bayon 2 daughter. And for just €4,500, he’s ready to take your farm tours to a completely different level. I’m just saying, you’ll never get better Instagram pics than with him! #BullGoals
Following Turner, we had Lot 12, Ashbrook Roma, the crowd-pleaser! This spectacular April 2021 heifer, selling at €3,000, was in-calf to Heritier and due to calve in mid-November. Talk about timing! If only navigating relationships were as simple as calving schedules, am I right?
The excitement didn’t stop there! Lot 15, Ashbrook Sweet, waltzed in next, fetching another €2,800. Add to that Lot 18, Savannah—yes, you guessed it, yet another Dauphin daughter closing the show at the same price tag. With two classy ladies pacing the auction block, this wasn’t just a sale; it was like a perfectly orchestrated ballet where the cows knew all the right moves! Who knew Daisy was such a diva?
Now, if you compare these prices to last year, bulls are now averaging an impressive €840 more per head! I don’t know about you, but that’s the sort of return I’d like to see on my next investment… henceforth, all my savings will be going into cows instead of stocks! In fact, overall, the figures looked great—43 lots presented, and just one returned unsold. I’d say that’s an almost flawless performance. Perhaps we need to send the unsold one on a motivational workshop?
James Donnellan, chairperson of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, had a grin wider than a Holstein at a dairy fair. “An excellent sale, with record prices for bulls!” he exclaimed, like a proud dad watching his kid hit a home run. When you’ve got the crowd’s favor, you can’t say enough! Sounds like a success story to me. Someone hand that man a trophy!
Behind the Herd
Now, let’s take a quick detour into Hanlon ranching history. Established in 2005, they began their empire with two elite females imported straight from France. As if that weren’t enough, they spent years refining their breeding program using top genetics. Only the very best are allowed in the stable, which, let’s be honest, is probably a sweeter deal than many relationships out there!
On the subject of romance, let’s highlight the Aubrac breed itself. Originally from the majestic mountains of Southern France, these cows are not just pretty faces; they come equipped with milking prowess and sturdy temperaments. Think of them as the Swiss Army knives of cattle! Durability? Check. Low production costs? Check. And they have the kind of pedigree that would make any family drama pale in comparison.
Here’s a fun fact: Aubracs don’t just deliver beef; they produce the kind of quality that commands respect at sales. Who knew cows could be the four-legged version of supermodels? And with calves who are easier to calve, I’ll take two! Oh wait, I meant the bulls.
The Grand Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. From a bustling sale filled with bovine beauties to record-breaking prices and a parade of prime pedigree stock, the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society knows how to host a cattle extravaganza! If this doesn’t light a fire under your interest in farming, I don’t know what will. After all, the grass is always greener when you have a pedigree like that! For more details on this delightful breed, head over to www.aubrac.ie.
And remember, keep calm and moo on!
This article is tailored to be engaging, sharp, and sprinkled with cheeky humor as you requested!
A distinguished breeder from Co Longford garnered acclaim as one of the leading vendors at the esteemed Irish Aubrac Cattle Society’s pre-selected show and sale, held at Tullamore Mart in Co Offaly on Saturday, October 26th, 2024.
Michael Hanlon showcased four meticulously selected lots from his acclaimed Ashbrook herd, revered for its superior genetics and quality.
Among his offerings, the first lot of the day, catalogued as number 6, Ashbrook Turner, exhibited exceptional prowess by clinching second place in a highly competitive class for pedigree bulls. The pre-sale show, which attracted considerable attention, was expertly judged by Seamus Nagle, a respected farmer from Co Clare.
This fine bull, born in March 2023, is a distinguished son of the renowned Dauphin and a home-bred Bayon 2 daughter, leading to a remarkable sale price of €4,500.
Following closely, lot 12 featuring Ashbrook Roma was next in line, captivating buyers and securing a sale price of €3,000. This heifer, born in April 2021, is an Ashbrook Oscar daughter out of a home-bred Bayon 2 dam. She is currently in-calf to Heritier and is expected to calve in mid-November.
Joining her in the sale ring was lot 15, Ashbrook Sweet, born in March 2022. This Dauphin daughter comes from a high-quality Dolby-sired home-bred dam and is set to calve early in April 2025, via the AI Aubrac bull, Johnstown Prince. She attracted a commendable sale price of €2,800.
Lot 18, Savannah, also achieved the same price of €2,800. This striking Dauphin daughter, born in April 2022, hails from a home-bred Capitain descendant. Similar to Ashbrook Sweet, she is due to calve in late March 2025 through the AI sire Johnstown Prince.
In a remarkable trend compared to 2023, the average price for bulls observed a notable increase of €840 per head, while the average price for weanling heifers rose by €485 per head. Maiden heifers showed a healthy uptick of €220 per head as well.
Out of 43 pre-selected lots presented for sale by thirteen herds, a staggering 42 animals found new homes, with only one remaining unsold, highlighting the strong interest in quality livestock.
In a statement following the sale, James Donnellan, chairperson of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, expressed satisfaction over the results, noting, “We had an excellent sale, with record prices for bulls and an almost 100% clearance overall.” He added, “There was great demand from a range of buyers, showcasing some lovely Aubracs on display. Thanks to everybody who supported the sale, and best of luck to all who purchased.”
The history of the Hanlon’s herd dates back to 2005, initiated by the importation of two elite females from France along with additional top-quality females procured at Irish sales.
The establishment of a breeding program utilizing exclusively AI from premier French genetics has led to successes with notable bulls such as Dolby, Capitain, Roussel, Heritier, and Dauphin.
Through a stringent culling policy focused solely on retaining the highest quality females, the Ashbrook herd has produced exceptional bulls that have found homes across numerous counties, both north and south of the border, attracting a loyal customer base.
These bulls are especially valued for their quality of calves and their ease of calving, making them particularly attractive to breeders.
While many bulls are sold directly from the farm, select premier sales are utilized to showcase the superior genetics available to the public.
When top AI bulls are mated with the herd’s elite females, the breeding outcomes are nothing short of outstanding.
The Aubrac breed itself is a renowned suckler cow breed originating from the rugged terrains of Southern France, known for thriving in harsh conditions.
Initially utilized for both milk production and draft work, the breed has maintained its admirable milking abilities alongside a naturally gentle temperament, all while showcasing exceptional beefing potential, hardiness, and cost-effectiveness in production—making it an ideal suckler cow choice.
As a pedigree suckler cow, the Aubrac brings numerous advantages, including generations of selective breeding, consistent production, and elevated sale values for offspring.
For additional details, visit www.aubrac.ie
**Interview with Michael Hanlon: A Champion Breeder at the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society Sale**
*Interviewer:* Michael, congratulations on your successes at the recent Irish Aubrac Cattle Society show and sale! Can you tell our readers what it felt like to receive a standing ovation for your lots?
*Michael Hanlon:* Thank you! It was truly thrilling. The support from the crowd and fellow breeders was overwhelming. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication we put into our Ashbrook herd, and it’s fantastic to see that recognized in such a public way.
*Interviewer:* Your pedigree bull, Ashbrook Turner, secured second place and sold for €4,500. What makes him stand out among the competition?
*Michael Hanlon:* Turner embodies the best characteristics of the Aubrac breed—sturdy build, excellent genetics, and a charming temperament. Being a son of the esteemed Dauphin, along with a home-bred Bayon 2 daughter in his lineage, really sets him apart. When buyers see that quality, they know they’re getting a valued animal for their investment.
*Interviewer:* You had a successful day with multiple lots selling well. With a price increase of €840 per head compared to last year, what do you think is contributing to this rise in value?
*Michael Hanlon:* It reflects a growing appreciation for quality livestock—there’s been a significant push for better genetics and animal welfare in farming. Breeders are more focused on what they deliver, and buyers are increasingly willing to invest in the best. We’re also seeing more interest in sustainable farming practices, and the Aubrac breed is particularly suited for that.
*Interviewer:* You mentioned in-calf heifers like Ashbrook Roma were very appealing to buyers. Why do you think they are so popular right now?
*Michael Hanlon:* In-calf heifers offer an immediate return on investment for farmers since they’re already pregnant and due to calve soon. It’s a practical choice for breeders who want to maximize their herd’s productivity quickly. Plus, with an animal like Roma, you know you’re investing in excellent bloodlines.
*Interviewer:* You’ve had quite a journey since establishing your herd in 2005. How has your breeding program evolved over the years?
*Michael Hanlon:* Initially, I started with just two elite females from France, but I’ve put years into refining and selecting only the best genetics for my herd. This process is all about patience and persistence—ensuring that every calf born is a step toward better quality. As the Aubrac breed gains more recognition, I feel it’s essential to keep elevating our standards.
*Interviewer:* Lastly, any advice for aspiring breeders looking to enter the Aubrac cattle scene?
*Michael Hanlon:* Absolutely! Start with a strong foundation—research your genetics and focus on quality over quantity. Building relationships within the community is just as important; join organizations like the Irish Aubrac Cattle Breed Society. They provide invaluable support and can connect you with experienced breeders. Most importantly, enjoy the journey; it’s rewarding and full of surprises!
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Michael! We look forward to watching your continued success with the Ashbrook herd.
*Michael Hanlon:* Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to share my passion for these incredible animals.
