Dungannon Simmentals well sought after
Bull trade at this week’s Simmental sale at Dungannon was led at 4000gns by the reserve male champion, Cleenagh Big Ben, brought out by the father and son team of Adrian and Clive Richardson, Maguiresbridge. 
This fifteen-month-old entry was sired by Omorga Murray, and is bred from the Hillcrest Champion daughter, Cleenagh Poppy. He has a TSI of +23, a milk value of +4, and sold to James Newell, Ballymoney, County Antrim.
First-time exhibitors at Dungannon, Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, realised 3800gns for the second prize winning Knockreagh Barney. This February 2010-born entry was sired by the Cleenagh Flasher son, Omorga Volvo, and is out of a home-bred dam by Kilbride Farm Nemesis. He sold to Francis Watson, Cloughey, Newtownards.
Next best at 3600gns was the unplaced Ranfurly Arkansas consigned by David Hazelton, Dungannon. Born in October 2009, he was sired by Whitemire King Kong, and is out of a homebred dam by the German-bred Balist. This bull boasts a milk value of +12 – the highest in the catalogue – and sold to John Raffery Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
Following close behind at 3400gns was the first prize winning Ranfurly Alaska, also brought out by David Hazelton. Sired by Seabank Flint, this 16 month old bull is out of a homebred Raceview King daughter. Snapped up by the Nugent Estate, Portaferry, he has a terminal sire index of +21 and is +4 for milk.
Also selling at 3400gns was the fourth prize winning Drumlone Brandy bred by Kenny Vetich, Lisbellaw. This 13 month old bull is by the Milton Lord Tiffany son, Brookwood Premier, and is out of a dam carrying the Ballagan prefix. The buyer was Allan Croskery, Downpatrick.
NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club vice chairman, Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, realised 2900gns for homebred Tillymaud Valiant son, Bridgewater Farm Admiral. This second prize winner was scooped up by Ivan McIlroy, Bessbrook, Newry.
Topping the female trade at 6000gns was the female and reserve supreme champion, Cleenagh Blanche, an embryo transplant daughter of Omorga Murray – sire of last year’s 12,000gns elite sale record breaker, Cleenagh Avon. Also consigned by Adrian and Clive Richardson, this 15 month old heifer was bred from a dam carrying the Raceview prefix.
She attracted strong attention from the packed ringside audience, with several pedigree breeders aspiring to secure her for their herds. The successful bidder was Chris Traynor who recently established a new herd at Rose Meadow Farm, Armagh.
The second prize winning Longbeach Amy, brought out by Sean Burns, Rathfriland, also caught Mr Taynor’s eye at 3800gns. Born in November 2009, she is by the Seaview Prince Charming son, Kilbride Farm Viduka, and is out of a home-bred dam – one of 25 cows in Mr Burns’ herd.
William Ferguson, Stewartstown, realised 3000gns for the second prize winning Sperrin View Beauty. Almost 12 months old she is by Delfur T-Bone, and out of a homebred Kilbride Farm Newry daughter. Buyer was Stephen Etherson, Ballymoney, County Antrim.
The July 2009 born Sperrin View Adele notched up the reserve female championship honours and sold at 2600gns for William Ferguson. She is by the Starline Nelson son, Dirnanean Salvador, and is out of home-bred Starline Klassik dam. This one was snapped up by Rodger Henderson, Tobermore, County Londonderry.
Next best at 2,300gns was the fourth prize winning Lakeside Avril, an August 2009 born Omorga Regan daughter, shown by Ceci l Chartres and David Farrell, Lisnaskea.
Auctioneer Trevor Wylie said there was roaring trade for pedigree heifers, and a complete clearance which saw.
There was a strong demand for commercial Simmental females, with prices soaring to £3.46/kg paid to Eamon McCloskey, Kilrea, for a 490kgs heifer which sold for £1,700.
Averages; 18 bulls £2596, 20 heifers £2210 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).