‘Pretty' high prices at Skibb auction

BY EMMA CONNOLLY 

A ‘PRETTY’ looking heifer made the top prize of €5,200 at a high-profile cattle auction in Skibbereen recently.

Breeders travelled from around the country to the farm of Jerry Hegarty, Mohonagh, Church Cross, for his highly-anticipated youngstock dispersal auction.

Jerry said he was not just delighted, but almost embarrassed, at how well the auction of almost 100 animals went. 

The top prize heifer was bought over the phone and has gone over the boarder, said Jerry, who described the animal as ‘pretty looking.’

Top prize for a calf on the day was €3,000 and that has only travelled down the road. Jerry, who has been farming for almost 40 years, has a strong reputation when it comes to herd consistency.

A chance to acquire some of his Mohonagh Holstein Friesian was always going to attract plenty of interest, which explains the turnout of almost 500 people. 

He held the auction after deciding to downsize his farm for lifestyle reasons and will continue to milk a herd of 100.  In a wonderful show of generousity, Jerry has donated the proceeds of two lots to local charities.

‘Lot 1, which made around €2,300 will go between West Cork Autism and West Cork Down Syndrome. 

‘Lot 2, which made around €1,600 will be split between Ilen Rovers and Aughadown Community Council,’ said Jerry. 

He has friends whose children avail of the autism and Down Syndrome groups while his son plays for Ilen Rovers, and he also has an association with the club. Jerry also has an appreciation of the great work done by the community council. ‘I was always reasonably confident the sale would go well and I wanted to give something back,’ he said. 

For now he’s adjusting to a new, and lighter workload. ‘It was a bit emotional seeing the animals leave the year,’ he admits. 

‘But you can’t have it every way,’ he added matter-of-factly.