Mayo farmer's retirement sale of suckler stock secures top price of €9,100
A new Victoria Farms sale record price of €9,100 for an in-calf heifer was recorded at Elphin Mart, marking Gabriel Sloyan’s retirement.
Sloyan, a renowned specialist supplier of top-tier commercial suckler stock from Knock, recorded a 100% clearance for his 36 lots.
The heifer, by the AI Limousin bull, Wilodge Joskins, and out of a Limousin-cross dam, is due in December with a bull calf sired by the highly sought-after AI Belgian Blue bull, Tropique, who played a key role in Sloyan’s sale.
The next highest sum of €7,800 was recorded for the first lot into the ring, a suckler cow and calf pairing, which set a lively tone for the night’s trading.
The January 2020-born Charolais-cross Cloncorrick Ned daughter was sold with her January-born Tropique (S841) son at foot. She is back in calf, carrying a bull, to the same renowned AI Belgian Blue bull and is due mid-December.
Meanwhile, the second cow and calf pairing went under the hammer for €6,400. The 2020-born Belgian Blue-cross daughter by SFL (Du Stordeur Flaneur) sold with her April-born LM2014 (Ewdenvale Ivor) daughter at foot. She is in-calf to Tropique, carrying a heifer, and is due in April 2025.
In-calf lots
Several lots exceeded €5,000, including:
€7,400 for lot 16 – Lochanboy Lord daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a bull calf and due the end of December;
€6,300 for lot 21 – Nox De L’Orgelot daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a bull calf and due early January;
€5,800 for lot 8 – BB4599 daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a heifer calf and due the end of November;
€5,600 for lot 9 – EBY daughter, in-calf to Loyal, carrying a heifer calf and due the end of November;
€5,600 for lot 11 – Trusk Morgan daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a heifer calf and due in December;
€5,600 for lot 18 – Leonardus Van De Uilenvlucht daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a heifer calf and due the end of December;
€5,400 for lot 22 – Du Grand Bon Dieu daughter, in-calf to EBY, carrying a bull calf and due in mid-January.
Maiden heifers:
€5,200 for lot 27 – an April 2022-born Du Grand Bon Dieu daughter;
€4,700 for lot 28 – a May 2022-born Sheehills Fearless ET daughter;
€4,500 for lot 35 – a May 2022-born Dartagnan R/BBX104 daughter.
100% clearance
Livestock auctioneer Danny McLoughlin took fast-paced bids from online and ringside bidders across the country. Lots were snapped up by buyers across Northern Ireland, Connacht, the Midlands, Ulster and further afield, as far as Co. Wexford.
Following the sale, Sloyan reflected on what he described as Victoria Farms’ 'most successful sale to date'.
He highlighted the strong demand for quality breeding stock from suckler farmers, particularly those seeking high-quality show and export-type calves.
“Many lots went to young farmers, which bodes well for the future of Ireland’s suckler farming industry,” he said.
“Trade remained consistently strong throughout the night, with in-calf lots attracting the most attention. Twenty-two springers, including two teams, averaged €5,925.”
He continued: “A standout feature of the sale was five animals in-calf to Tropique, an AI Belgian Blue bull. They were highly sought-after on the night. I have been using Tropique for ten years with great satisfaction.
“He is a well-balanced animal that has it all in the right places. Tropique has been pivotal in building Victoria Farms’ reputation over the years.
“A special word of thanks to everyone who assisted with our sale. Thank you to all buyers and under-bidders. I wish you all the best with your purchases and hope they are very lucky.
“Thank you to our sponsors for their extremely generous donations for the top six highest prices paid, including Progressive Genetics, Loughlynn Animal Care, Ballyhaunis Vet Clinic, Delaney’s Hardware, Ballyhaunis and the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh.”
The sale included a carefully selected consignment of two suckler pairs, three in-calf cows, 17 in-calf heifers and 14 maiden heifers, all of which generated strong demand.