While not an easy decision to make by Albert and Jennifer DeCogan, the time has come to sell all females from the world- famous Mogeely herd. Earmarked as one of the sales of the century by the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association, it offers prospective buyers an opportunity to purchase from the heart of the herd, with every female offered for sale.

The Mogeely Angus herd has been running for over four decades. Both the DeCogan and Mogeely names are synonymous with Aberdeen Angus cattle.

Based just outside Midleton in Co Cork, Albert and his wife Jennifer first started breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle back in 1984.

Over the years the herd invested in some of the very best bloodlines in the breed. World-renowned family lines from throughout Ireland and further afield include the Miylos, Pru, Miss Essence, Blackbird, Duchesses, Lady Hazel, Kim, Lady Blossom, Evening Tinge, Flora and Jody to name a few. These came from well recognised herds such as Laheens, Kilkelly, Liss, Friarstown, Lisduff, Cheeklaw, Luddenmore, Mercury, and Duncanziemere.

Bull power

Albert is a firm believer that no matter how good the family, unless the right bull is used, you will be left with nothing.

This philosophy has led to the pair buying only the best of bulls available, and with that has come a string of successes, both at breeding level and at the shows. Former stock bulls in the herd include three different supreme All-Ireland champions, Stirling champions, show champions and sale toppers.

“First bull we bought that won an All-Ireland was Glendara Walnut. He was a nice correct bull but wouldn’t have been big,” added Albert.

This was the first of many All-Irelands for Albert and Jennifer – in the years following Walnut’s win, they secured it a massive six more times.

“Walnut won the All-Ireland in Mohill and he won the following year then in Bantry, so two years in a row. Deveron Jasper Eric won in Tinahely, and he won the Beef Expo the same year. Rosemead Karona won three in row then and Wedderlie Blackbox the following year,” he said.

Following this, a son of Blackbox called Mogeely Dreamer went on to claim the title of supreme champion in 2019 for new owners John and Sean McEnroe of the noted Liss herd.

President

Albert also served as president of the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association and the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, as well as judging at shows throughout the world. Albert said that this has led to many great friendships for the two, which they are very grateful for.

The duo are “addicted” to showing, and it’s this reason both the prefix and surname is so widely known across the country.

Their careful selection of the correct breeding stock and consistently choosing breed character has resulted in a uniform herd.

This has led to strong sales demand from AI centres, pedigree breeders and overseas buyers.

As well as strong repeat business at home, the Mogeely prefix has been behind many high sellers in recent years at the association’s Extravaganza. This demand was highlighted in the Mogeely heifer sale in 2023, which saw a full clearance rate and prices reach a high of €9,000.

Albert added “We’re getting a lot of overseas interest in both males and females of late and have sold stock to Germany, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Italy and the Azores.”

Window of opportunity

Shane Murphy from the IAAA said, “breeders need to use this sale as a window of opportunity to buy into a herd which carries such depth of pedigree”.

Opening on Friday 4 July, the sale will be a fully timed auction on irishaberdeenangus.marteye.com, with lots beginning to close at 7pm on Monday 7 July.

An open day to view all cattle will take place on farm, eircode P25FW11, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 5 July.