The Suffolk Sheep Society held its first sale in 2012 at Roscrea in Ireland. The South of Ireland Branch of the Society moved the sale forward by three weeks to avail of the pedigree trade.
There was strong demand for Suffolk shearling ewes with an 80% clearance rate and an overall average of €761.
The highest price on the day of €3,100gns (see above) was paid by Rory Skerritt from
Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, for the open male champion which stood overall winner on the day.
W and R Wilson brought out this ram sired by Errigal Simply the Best out of a Baileys Big Brother ewe. Out of the same pen came the reserve overall and second prize ram lamb, but this one was sired by Cairness Achievement out of a Strathisla Dylan Thomas ewe. The final bid of €2,200gns (below) came from G&W Hennessey, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny.
Well known Irish breeder Oliver Deane from Ballitore Co Kildare had a memorable day with his Cairness Achivement sired lamb. Not only did he win first prize in the Novice Ram Lamb Class but this lamb went on to be placed third in the Open Class.
The icing on the cake came when Herbert Stanley paid €2,000gns (below) to secure his services for the Bawnogue Flock.
The Performance Recorded Class was won by Mary and Mark Grealey from Oranmore, Co Galway. This impressive lamb with a tremendous loin was sired by Cionn-Mhalanna D Best and out of a Castlewellan Challenger ewe. He certainly impressed the judge John Christie as he went on to make the final bid of €2,500gns. The lamb (below) now heads for use in the Westcarse Flock at Stirling.
The final class of the day was the group of three and as had gone before was won by the Shannagh flock of W&R Wilson. The highest price of these was an Errigal Simply the Best son which was sold for €2,700gns to Edward Jeffery, Ladysbridge, Co Cork.
The remaining best price on the day was from JA Doherty, Co Donegal of €2,600gns to P Savage, Ballywalter, Co Down. The Doherty Bros had a cracking day selling four to average €1,562.
Michael and James O’Connell from Ennis Co Clare had the first prize shearling ewe which was overall female champion on the day.
Being first into the ring was no disadvantage when she quickly was sold to Northern Ireland breeder P McVerry for €1,200gns. This outstanding female was sired by Aughnakeeragh Captain out of a Castleisle Livewire ewe.
Thomas and Mary Burke from Tuam, Co Galway won first prize ewe lamb with a Deburca Deezer sired lamb out of a Solwaybank Ranger ewe. This was unsold leaving the ring at €1,400gns. The highest price ewe lamb at €900gns came from James Browne, Letterkenny, Co Donegal and was sired by Errigal Simply the Best.
John Hanly from Thurles, Co Tipperary won the Shearling ram class with a son of Cairness Ciro which was sold for €1,000gns.
(Ballymena Livestock Market)
