Charolais bulls sell to 7,600gns at Dungannon

Charolais met a consistently strong demand selling to 7,600gns at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club’s official autumn show and sale at Dungannon last Friday (4 November). The packed ringside set what is believed to be a record average for this autumn sale with 42 bulls averaging £3,681.

“Trade met an insatiable demand for Charolais bulls from commercial suckler men following sales of Charolais cross calves that have exceeded all expectations,” says British Charolais Society chairman Martin Donaghy.

Fifteen month old Kinnegohill Frankie, a Doonally Nicefor son, led the day’s trade selling for 7,600gns for his breeder N Weir, Loughgall, County Armagh to R Scott, Omagh, County Tyrone.

Next came Altnaveigh Ferdinand, a 15 month old by Moncur General and out of a Doonally New sired dam, from S and R Thompson, Newry, County Down selling for 6,800gns to the County Tyrone based Wesley Cousins, Omagh. The same breeders also had a call of 4,800gns for their Doonally New sired 15 month old Altnaveigh Falbrav selling to D Brown, Derrylester, County Fermanagh.

A cow and calf unit from a draft of lots consigned by Tom and Libby Clarke, Lurgan, County Armagh led the female section. The six year old Gretnahouse Agenta by Gretnahouse Noel was knocked down sold to P O’Kane, Cookstown, County Tyrone at 6,500gns with her eight month old heifer calf Springfield Gentle TI+ 28, SRI+ 25, by the 10,000gns Thrunton Alpha.

 The same buyers paid 3,500gns for Dartonhall Embrace, a maiden Knockane Collen daughter, from J A Erskine, Killylea, County Armagh.

Messrs Erskine also made 6,000gns for the reserve female champion Dartonhall Emma, a maiden heifer sired by the French bull Major, with a bid from C Richardson, Annaghmore, County Armagh.

Innisrush Freddy TI+ 51, SRI+ 40, a 19 month old Doonally New son, was taken home by W Calvin, Macosquin, Coleraine making 5,200gns for his breeders J Whyte and Sons, Portglenon, County Antrim.

Two lots sold to 5,000gns. First came the supreme male champion Ballyvaddy Falcon, a 19 month old sired by Fury Action from W McVey, Ballymena, County Antrim and secured by A Douglas, Limavady, Londonderry. The same breeder also sold 19 month old Ballyvaddy Flynn by Ballyvaddy Utopia to J S Robinson, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone for 3,600gns.

The 14 month old junior male and reserve supreme champion Kiltybane Francis, a Kiltybane Baron son made 5,000gns for his breeders, S and A Bellew, Newry, County Down and going home with Londonderry-based J and J McKeagney, Maghera. Messrs Bellew also sold Francis’ 16 month old paternal half-brother Kiltybane Fertilizer for 3,400gns to R O’Neill, Dunloy, County Antrim.

Tedd Ferdinand, a 14 month old by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort from S Hunter, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, was secured for 4,800gns by P Campbell, Draperstown, Londonderry.

A call of 4,200gns was made three times. Rathkeeland France, a 20 month old by Simpsons Gregg and out of the imported 2002 Magny Cours champion Rathkeeland Oncteuse, was purchased from breeders R Crawford, Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh by A Semple, Dungiven, Londonderry.

The same price was paid for Ballyoak Felix, a 17 month old Dunlon Ulick son, by J McDonnell, Glenarn, County Antrim to his breeders S and A McKenna, Clogher, County Tyrone. Drumacritten Frankco TI+ 25, SRI+ 21, a 16 month old by the 10,000gns Perth champion Thrunton Bonjovi from W and M Nelson, Rossleagh, County Fermanagh, was also knocked down sold for 4,200gns to D McPartland, Camlough, Newry Down.

The reserve senior male champion, 19 month old Mountain Frank, by Lisbawn Valour and entered by L Johnston, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, achieved a bid of 4,100gns from T Grant, Donaghmore, Newry Down.

Drummeer Finlay, TI+ 40, SRI+ 38, sold for 4,000gns. This 17 month old Oldstone Egbert son, bred by E Morrison, Maguirebridge, County Fermanagh was purchased by F West, Newtonbutler, County Fermanagh.

A call of 3,800gns secured Crannon Frank, a 17 month old by Prime Roberto, for Downpatrick based C Maxwell, Clough from his breeder M Donaghy, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Two lots were purchased for 3,600gns. Female champion Ballyreagh Eilsa, a Fury Action maiden heifer from S and P Somerville, Ballygawley, County Tyrone was claimed by B Quinn, Dungannon, County Tyrone. Back with the bulls, class winner Killadeas Falcon TI+ 32, SRI+ 23, a 20 month old by Dunlon Ulick from S and D Bothwell, Ballinamallard, County Fermanagh, was purchased by J Kennedy, Lillaloo, Londonderry. The same breeders also sold 14 month old Killadeas Fergus, another Ulick son, for 3,500gns to R Wilson, Ballyward, Castlewelan.

A bid of 3,500gns was also made for Mullinveigh Fanta TI+ 30, SRI+ 28 from A Quigley, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. This 15 month old Allanfauld Vagabond son was taken home by S McMullan, Bellaghy, Londonderry.

Class winner Tonaghmore Famed TI+ 26, SRI+ 22, a 15 month old sired by Mullaghbane Topline, made 3,400gns for H Crawford, Fintona, County Tyrone after a call from R Fulton, Dungiven, County Derry.

Averages: 42 bulls £3,681; 10 heifers £2,904; 3 cows with calves at foot £3,815.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart