Ballylinney production sale smashes Beefshorthorn records

Beef Shorthorn records were smashed in Carlisle on Saturday (14 March), when a proportion of Derek and Cindy Steen’s Ballylinney herd, from near Lockerbie, went under the hammer.

A new male record breed price of 18,000gns was achieved together with a new record female average of £3,644 for 135 entries, representing 100% clearance.

Sale leader at 18,000gns was Ballylinney Glenn, a two year old dark roan bull by Glengloy Callum and out of a Glenisla dam by the 4,800gns Holmeere George. Glenn joined Sheepdrove Organic Farm’s 170-cow suckler herd and its 40 pedigree cows based at Lambourn, Berkshire.

The day’s second top call at 6,800gns went to the female leader, Ballylinney Matchless 1264, a red and white 21-month-old maiden heifer by Tullycore St David and out of a homebred dam by Croxton Park Orville. The buyer was Tommy Jackson, Saintfield, County Down.

Minutes before, Ballylinney Wheat – another maiden heifer this time by the Stirling junior champion, Priestland Cain – commanded a 6,200gns bid from E McCormack, Strokestown, County Roscommon.

Next in the price stakes at 6,000gns was the 20-month-old roan bull, Ballylinney Greatdeal, a Fearn Wyvis son, out of a homebred dam. He sold to the Croxtonpark Partnership, St Neots, Cambridge.

The previous lot in the ring, Ballylinney Gently, another same age roan Wyvis son made 5,800gns to Brian and Jane Landers, Newtown Stewart, Wigtownshire.

Ballylinney Asphodel 24, a roan, third calver by Wyvish, sold in calf to Priestland Cain and was secured for 5,200gns by BF Walker, Richhill, County Armagh. Her eight-month-old dark roan heifer calf by the 9,500gns Fearn Duke made 1,500gns to fellow NI breeder, JP McFadden, Ballymena, County Antrim.

Next at 5,000gns was Ballylinney Lily 25, a red second calver by Wyvis and in calf to Cain to the Drayton Farm Partnership, Petersfield, Hampshire, whilst her nine month old red heifer, Ballylinney Lily 1433 by Expatriate of Upsall, sold for 2,400gns to J and M Byrne, Antrim, Co. Antrim.

The Drayton Farm Partnership took home 11 more lots including Ballylinney Tanzy Yasmin 4 for 4,400gns. She was a white second calver, by Wyvis and in calf to St David. Her 10 month old roan heifer calf, Ballylinney Tanzy Yasmin 1370 by Expatriate of Upsall, sold for 2,500gns to Andy and Steph Ryder, Carlisle.

Averages: 31 cows served/suckling, £4,183.06; 32 heifers served/suckling £4,270.55; 62 in calf heifers, £3,099.19; 10 bulling heifers, £3,349.50; four stock bulls, £8137.50; two young bulls, £6,195.00; four bull calves, £2,598.75.

(Harrison and Hetherington)