Strong call for Charollais sires

By FWi staff

COMMERCIAL buyers pleased with returns from this seasons prime lamb crop returned to re-invest in Charollais sires at the breed societys show and sale at Portadown.

Strong demand left only three rams from the 90 catalogued entries unsold. Top price of 1100gns came for the champion ram lamb sired by Carnew Arkle, who topped the sale at 1200gns last year.

From Jonathan Aikens Carnew flock at Dromara, Co Down, the lamb is out of a Balmoral winning ewe and was bought by William McAllister for his Artnagullion flock in Co Antrim.

Mr Aiken took three red cards including the reserve championship with a shearling by the French import Royal Bastille and out of a ewe by Riverdale Sir Lanceleot.

Imported French breeding paid dividends for Drew Cowan whose Tullyear flock produced a smart ram lamb by Atlas, and out of a French-bred ewe by Cantona.

The lamb also led the performance recorded class. Buyers were Jack and Keith McGowan for their Greenrigg flock. A shearling by Atlas from the same home made 520gns (Automart).