The final Irish Limousin Cattle Society Premier Show and Sale of the season takes place this coming Monday, May 1, at Roscrea Mart.

An exciting catalogue of both bulls and heifers is available with a bull to suit every production system – whether that’s a suckler farmer producing weanlings for the Irish or export market or a beef farmer finishing their offspring. 

An analysis carried out by the Irish Limousin Cattle Society earlier this year revealed the true potential of Limousin genetics here in Ireland.

The data retrieved clearly shows that the Limousin breed delivers a premium for all categories of stock both in the marts and in beef processing plants.

There was a massive €0.90/kg between the top third of Limousin bulls on a given week in March when compared with the equivalent week in 2022.

Taking a 420kg weanling LM bull, this equated to a €380/head difference.

The table below shows the returns available for Limousin weanlings ringside:

Focusing on the LMX steer (500-600kg) category, there was an extra €0.26/kg or €156/head available between the average LMX and the top third in the same week – assuming a steer weighed 600kg.

The table below shows price per kilo secured for 500-600kg steers:

This analysis also examined the prices available for Limousin stock for farmers and finishers in the factory lairages – and again, the figures clearly show the positive returns that are achievable.

The below data was retrieved for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Beef Pricewatch App for the week ending February 26th, 2023 and the equivalent week in 2022.

Assuming a steer carcass weight of 420kg, grading U+ with a fat score of 3-, there was an extra €332/head or €0.80/kg available for Limousin steers that week when compared with the same week in 2022.

Table 3. Factory returns week ending February 26, 2023:

Limousin is unsurpassed when it comes to killout %, factory grade, and their ability to hit target specifications.

This analysis cements that quality pays and that Limousin genetics deliver a monetary premium for all categories of stock in all stages of the supply chain – whether that be suckler farmers in terms of weanling sales or – on the other side – finishers bringing those weanlings and stores through to beef.

Limousin is undoubtedly Ireland’s number one beef breed, and there are many reasons for this. With such a high percentage of farmers having off-farm jobs, the calving ease figure is one of the first traits to be looked at when purchasing a bull.

Limousin is renowned for ease of calving; this, coupled now with even shorter gestation sires available, they are the ideal sire for both suckler and dairy production systems.

The breed also has top star ratings – on both the Replacement (maternal) and Terminal Indexes. So, whether you are looking for a terminal bull to produce top-quality weanlings suitable for finishing or producing replacements for your herd, Limousin ticks all the boxes.

With an abundance of top-quality milk, Limousin-sired dams make the ideal suckler cow – with statistics indicating that Limousin is the number one beef dam in the country. 

Also, an array of 4- and 5-star bulls are catalogued for Monday’s sale, so hitting certain requirements of the new Suckler Cow Efficiency Programme (SCEP) will not be an issue. 

€400 VOUCHER TOWARDS ALL BULLS SELLING FOR A MINIMUM OF €4,000 IN THE SALE RING;
All bulls are fertility tested & export ready on the day of sale;
All animals come from high-health status herds;
All animals from herds that participate in CHECS Johnes accredited testing;
Easy-calving bloodlines;
Free transport to central locations in Northern Ireland.

When and where?

The Roscrea Premier Show and Sale will take place at Roscrea Mart on Monday May 1^st. The show will begin at 9:30am with the sale commencing at 1:00pm.

The sale catalogue can be viewed by clicking here.