The Hillcrest dispersal took place on Saturday in Tullamore Mart. Owned by Padge Mulhare, the herd has been at the forefront of the Simmental breed through the years, breeding bulls such as Hillcrest Champion and Hillcrest Butcher, whose progeny are still in high demand today.

While the sale went down well, achieving a 100% clearance with average settling at just shy of €3,000, the day was packed with emotions seeing a man who adored cattle bidding farewell to the breed he loved.

Hitting the highlight on the day was the five-year-old cow Raceview Favourite ET, which was knocked down by auctioneer Tom Cox at €7,200. Sired by Padge’s greatest breeding achievement Hillcrest Champion, she goes back on a Kilbride Farm Newry-bred dam. She sold with her May-born bull calf by Clonagh Just A Dream. This stylish cow was originally bred by Peter O’Connell but now finds a new home in Northern Ireland with Leslie Weatherup.

Lochview Kandy sold for €7,000. \ Alfie Shaw

Following close behind selling for €7,000 was Lochview Kandy. This Kilbride Farm Bantry daughter is out of a Glebefarm Tyson daughter which goes back to the prolific cow Fearna Regal. Boasting five stars down the line, she sold in-calf due in April to the €12,500 Clonagh Just A Dream. This January 2018-born heifer was secured by Michael Reap, Ballina, Co Mayo.

The homebred Hillcrest Grace was next in line and she sold for €5,500. This four-year-old cow is sired by the aforementioned Hillcrest Champion while the dam is Curaheen Warrior crossed with Marsha Wanda. Selling alongside her March bull calf by Just A Dream, she was the pick of Gerry Lenehan, Co Sligo.

Corbally Eternal ET sold for €5,200. \ Alfie Shaw

Corbally Eternal ET was next in line when she sold for €5,200. A six-year-old cow, she sold alongside her four-week-old heifer calf and was secured by Maria Caffrey, Ballinagh, Co Cavan. Another by Hillcrest Champion, she is out of the well-known Corbally Vintage Katie. She sold with five stars down the line and a replacement index of €129.

Two lots

Two lots sold for €4,200. First up was the September 2017-born Hillcrest Jordi ET. This in-calf heifer is a full sister to Hillcrest Grace which sold for €5,500. Another animal carrying five stars down the line, she was knocked down to Conor Kirwan, Co Louth. Matching her at the money was the service sire for most of the animals, Clonagh Just A Dream. This Kilbride Farm Dragoon son goes back on Cloneygowan Temptress Posh.

Hillcrest Jordi sold for €4,200. \ Alfie Shaw

Two further lots made €4,100. First at the money was the second lot into the ring Seepa Gem. Sired by Bel Dhu Capercaillie, the five-star four-year-old cow sold back to original breeder Patrick Hennelly, Co Sligo.

Matching her at the money was the in-calf heifer Hillcrest Jackie. This Curaheen Wakeman daughter is out of the previously mentioned Corbally Eternal ET.

Semen

Throughout the sale, some lots of semen from Hillcrest Champion were offered for sale which met a very strong trade.

In total, four lots of two straws were sold ranging from €400- €520 per straw. Overall, the eight straws offered averaged €463 each.