FEMALES proved the star attraction at the Irish Simmental Society's Premier Autumn show and sale at Roscommon, where several lots sold across the Irish Sea to Scotland.

Trade overall reflected the general mood of the beef sector with bulls in particular hard to cash, however the females reversed this trend selling to a top of €9100 for the weaned heifer champion, Lissadell Just The One, an ET from Kieran and Paul Mullarkey, Ballinfull, Co Sligo. This Dermotstown Delboy-sired yearling out of the Curaheen Tyson dam, Cladymore Edith, was purchased by Eoin McGovern, Fivemilebourne, Co Sligo to join his newly established Crossane Simmental herd.

The senior heifer champion and first heifer through the ring sold next at €5100. This was Rathlee Jessica, a rising two-year-old Glebefarm Tyson daughter from Gerry Lenehan, Easkey. She is bred from the Celtic Rock dam, Glebefarm Wanda and was purchased by David and Joe Kilkenny, buying for their Kildera herd from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

Clive Houldey who owns the Manor Park herd from Lockerbie, bought two heifers at €5000 to include the junior heifer champion, Clonagh Jolly Glam Posh, a 16-month-old from Garrett Behan, Ballyfin, Portlaoise. The breeding behind this youngster includes Clonagh Tiger Gallant onto the Kilbride Farm Dragoon-sired dam, Clonagh Glamorous Post.

The same money was then paid for the yearling heifer champion, Jennalyn Jellybean Nora, from Lyndsey Behan, Ballyfin, Portlaoise. Similarly aged, this August 2017-born heifer is by Clonagh World Class and out of the Banwy T-Rex daughter, Jennalyn Flora Nora.

Two bulls also sold across the Irish Sea with Mr Houldey at €3100 and €2600. Dearest was the junior male champion, Lissadell Jacob ET, again from Kieran and Paul Mullarkey. At 11-months of age this December 2017-born entry is a son of Curaheen Gunshot, bred from the Monaduff Snorter dam, Tawley Gretta.

The Mullarkey's also sold the €2600 bull, Lissadell Jupiter ET, a yearling son of Dermotstown Delboy, that stood reserve junior at the pre-sale show.

Morayshire breeder, Richard Pettit, Den Farm, Fochabers, also got in on the act forking out €4000 for the reserve junior heifer champion, Mainview Jodie, consigned by Kevin Treanor, Scotstown, Co Monaghan. This 18-month-old is by Drumlone Anchor and out of a Banwy T-Rex dam, Broomfield Della.

Co Offaly breeder, Padge Mulhare, Cloghan, went to €5000 for the heifer calf champion, Lochview Kandy, from Pat McNamee, Portlaoise, Co Laois. A daughter of Kilbride Farm Bantry, this nine-month-old is and bred from the Glebefarm Tyson dam, Fearna Elegance Vienna.

Top price amongst the males was €4100 paid on two occasions. First to hit this mark was the senior bull champion, Brideland Jaguar, from Ava O`Leary, Ballincollig, Co Cork. This September 2017-born entry, tapped forward by the judge David Donnelly of the Atlow herd, is by the Scottish sire, Woodhall Ferrari and out of the Kilbride Farm Newry daughter Littlerock Dervela Annie. The buyer was Carlow farmer Billy Atkinson.

Attracting the same €4100 price tag was Kichhams Jupiter, a 14-month-old son of Curaheen Tyson from Michael Keating, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary. He is bred from the Curaheen Wakeman dam, Carbery Firefly and was purchased by Martin Regan, Clonfad, Co Roscommon for his Corrib herd.

By the end of the day, bulls recorded a 50% clearance to average €2520, with heifers cashing in at €2700 with a clearance 80%.