Limousins set new centre record at Dungannon

A strong trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Spring Bull & Female Sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart yesterday realised a centre record average of £3,135.

In all, 29 out of the 30 bulls found homes to achieve a 97% clearance rate with averages up over £400 on the year. Nine out of the 11 heifers forward  sold to an average £2,292 – up £789 on the corresponding sale in 2011, and another record average.

Top price of the day went to the Overall Supreme Champion, Rahoney Fantastic, bred by Messrs H & D McFarland, Trillick. This May 2010 born bull carries a Beef Value of LM+37 and was sold for 4,800gns to Mr R Matthewson, Newtownstewart, for his commercial herd.

Rahoney Fantastic is sired by the herd’s stock bull Drummin Beau, a Mas Du Clo son purchased privately from Mr J McInerney, Limerick. The dam of Rahoney Fantastic is the homebred Homebyres Visitor daughter, Rahoney Bethany, who also holds Tanat Mostyn bloodlines. Judge Mrs Mary Reynolds, Buriton, Petersfield, Hampshire had earlier put him up as her Champion in the pre-sale Show. 

Second top price of 4,700gns went to Ballynahone Fantastic bred by Mr R Henderson, Tobermore and sold to Mr N Donagh, Londonderry. This September 2009 bull had been placed second in a very strong intermediate class where the top three placed bulls averaged £4,130. Ballynahone Fantastic is sired by the prolific 42,000gns Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the dam Sarkley Velveteen, a Ronick Gains daughter. He was sold with a Beef Value of LM+40.

Next best were two bulls at 4,100gns apiece. First into the sale ring was Ballyrobin Firestone, the Reserve Senior Champion, consigned by Miss J Gilliland, Antrim. May 2010 born, he is sired by Ironstone Bomber and is out of the homebred dam, Ballyrobin Scallywag. Purchaser was by Mr P Rafferty, Forkhill.

Also achieving the price of 4,100 gns was Millgate Finlay, the Junior and Overall Reserve Champion. This September 2010 born bull, bred by Mr M Loughran, Dunamore is by the AI sire Rocky and is out of the Pelletstown Ken daughter, Carmorn Tanya. He sold with a Beef Value of LM+27 to Mr W Ferguson, Wheathill, Derrygonnelly.

Three more bulls fetched bids of 4,000gns. Mr & Mrs R J Campbell, Templepatrick, Ballyclare achieved this price for both their bulls: Ashmore Fivestar, sired by Wilodge Vantastic, when heading to Mr D Clark, Antrim; and Ashmore Floyd, sired by Milbrook Tanko, when snapped up by Mr K Farrell, Fivemiletown. Also achieving 4,000gns was the Intermediate Champion Eniver Fran, a Rocky son bred by Mr M McKeefry, Garvagh when going under the hammer to Mr E Charlton, Honey Haugh, Forfar, Scotland.

Female trade was equally strong with a top price of 3,800gns for the Female Champion, Grenville Frances, brought forward by Mr G Clarke, Keady. This September 2010 born heifer is sired by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the dam Aghadolgan Buttercup, a Sarkley Sebastian daughter.  Grenville Frances now heads to the herd of pedigree breeder Mr A Geary, Keady.

Second top price of 3,000gns fell to the March 2011 born heifer Aghadolgan Great bred by Mr RAG Savage, Coleraine.  This young heifer is sired by Sympa and is out of the homebred dam Aghadolgan Blossom, a Haltcliffe Underwriter daughter. Her new home is the pedigree herd of Mr M McKinstry, Nuttscorner.

Third top price of 2,800gns went to Erne Fannyanne bred by Mr R Crawford, Maguiresbridge.  This September 2010 born heifer is by the French-bred bull Vigot and is out of the dam Cloughhead Cracker. New owner is Mr O Miskelly, Belfast who runs the pedigree Chefcog Herd.

Averages: 29 Bulls £3135.30 (+£403.30), 9 Heifers £2292.15 (+£789.15)  

>> Pictures to follow