Strong export trade for Blues at Dungannon

A vibrant buzz round the sale rings at Dungannon Farmers Mart resulted in an almost full clear out of Belgian Blue bulls and averages creeping £600 up on last year’s sale for the Northern Ireland Belgian Blue Club’s first export sale.

Auctioneer Trevor Wyllie commented after the sale on the lively trade with a strong demand for quality stock, with nearly half of the bulls forward being sold for export to Southern Ireland.

Having taken the supreme championship ticket under judge Michael Woods, Drogheda, Gola Alan from Co Fermanagh breeder Thomas Bogue sold to Co Sligo-based Johathan Harte for the top call of the day at 4700gns. This Tintin De My-sired bull is out of Hillview Norma.

Mr Harte also came in again on Woodview Azu from Andrew Craig, which sold for 3600gns, with Mr Craig later selling at 4100gns to John Best, Poyntpass, who bought Woodview Adel (pictured below).

The second highest call on the day came from the Teague brothers, Co Tyrone, when they purchased Chatham Andy from J M Morrison and Son for 4200gns.

The reserve overall and champion female, Knockagh Asset (pictured below), came from Northern Ireland club chairman Jim Ervine and sold to Hartford Arnold, Lisburn for 2300gns. Second highest call for females came from Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, who bought Robert McCormick’s Baronagh Blues Abi for 2100gns.

Other leading prices:
Messrs J M Morrison and Son’s Chatham Allen sold to Pat Fearon for 3200gns
Daniel Rogers’ Ballykeel Alpha sold to Kenny Veitch for 3200gns
W J Ervine’s Knockagh Asteris sold to M E Graham for 3100gns
Francis O’Hare’s Shorefront Argon sold to James M’Gee for 2800gns
Oliver McGuinness’ Faughanvale Arthur sold to Rodney Elliott for 2800gns