Charolais bulls sell to 7500gns at Dungannon

Charolais bulls sold to a top of 7500gns in Dungannon last week at the Northern Ireland Charolais Clubs’ autumn show and sale where the day’s trade was fuelled by commercial suckler producers.

Sale leader at 7500gns was the reserve champion, Dartonhall Brandy, a 17 month old from John Erskine, Co Armargh. Sired by the Royal Highland champion, Ashleigh Victor who goes back to Doonally New, Brandy was knocked down to a consortium of three NI breeders, Sean McGovern, Martin Donaghy and Gregory Donnelly.

Next at 5600gns was Cloonmore Bernard, an April 2006 born Prince son, bred by Brian Fitzmaurice and offered by Gordon Cutler, Enniskillen. The buyer was Joe Connon, Ballymena.Aughafad Bigben, an 18 month old from Robert Sinnamon, Pomeroy secured a 4200gns bid from the McCabe brothers, Downpatrick. Bigben was a Roundhill Rocky son and out of a homebred dam going back to Oldstone Egbert.

The supreme championship went to Clooncommon Brendan, an 18 month old Doonally New son bred by J and R Lloyd and offered by Eniskillen breeders Victor Bothwell and Gordon Cutler. He made 4000gns to Eric Lindsay, Strabane.

A call of 3600gns was made for Sean McGovern’s 18 month old Ratoary Balmoral, a Doonally New son and out of a Beechdale bred cow. The buyer was Danny O’Hagan, Maghera. Geoerge Henderson, Bushmills sold the July 2006 born Sandelford Boston by Goldies Usher for 3100gns to Jim Kane, Ballyclare.

Average: 41 bulls £2246 (Dungannon Farmers’ Mart).