An exciting online event will see the first ever open-auction sale of elite Irish Moiled cattle, to be held online in accordance with the government’s Covid-19 guidelines.

The virtual timed auction will start on Thursday September 24 12pm midday and will end 48 hours later, on Sat September 26.

With a reputation for quality and distinction, this native cattle breed has increasingly gained interest from all over the globe during the last few years.

In appointing Harrison & Hetherington to conduct this sale it allows the Irish Moiled Cattle Society to provide a platform for its breeders in all three constituencies it serves, Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to sell cattle of elite quality to established herds and potential new breeders.

This first-time public sale has an entry of 38 head: 26 females and 12 males. Entries in the sale will be from all three constituencies.

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Brian O’Kane, chairman of the Irish Moiled Cattle Society said: “This is an elite sale with some of the absolute best Irish Moiled cattle in the world.

“It is a niche market that is currently growing. People are going back to native breeds which are easy to look after, easier to calve and are milkier animals.

"This is because the breed remains true to its native traits, and so has many big selling points such as being naturally polled and being a great mother.

With the current emphasis on the environmental impact of farming this breed can offer a fantastic opportunity for environmentally conscious farmers to thrive in the industry. It's ability to out-winter and fatten on a grass-based system coupled with its highly marketable appearance make it an attractive opportunity."

One of just a few surviving native breeds to the island of Ireland, the Irish Moiled is gaining attention from beyond Britain’s shores. They are a hardy, medium size cattle, a dual-purpose breed reared for both milk and beef. They also boast a long life which sees them calve well into their teens. This premium beef is notably in high demand for its marbling and fine flavour.

The Irish Moiled cattle society has been at the forefront in protecting the unique genetics of the breed and a certification scheme which verifies the cattle as 100 per cent Irish Mollied pure bred, thus includes DNA parent profiling. This assures sale confidence in buyers, wholesalers and bidders as all animals offered for sale will have full registration status or pending for young calves.

The sale will be an exciting event for the autumn calendar for breeders looking to build up their herd. In another first, last month saw Irish Moile semen exported out to New Zealand and Australia.