Cow and calf outfit make 4,000gns at Ballymena Limousin sale

The first British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) sale of 2015 saw a top call of 4,000gns for a cow and calf outfit at Ballymena on the weekend (10 January).

Overall, there was a 91% clearance rate with 42 of the 46 lots finding homes, 10 more lots than the corresponding sale last year. Averages were also up on the year at £1,663 (+£87).

Leading trade was the 2009-born cow Glarryford Egnima from R Coleman Glarryford herd, Ballymena. Sired by Goldies Astrix (a Domino son) she is out of the dam Milbrook Titanya and sold with her July 2014-born heifer calf at foot Glarryford Jersy, a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Teeshan Elmo, a Wilodge Vantastic son. Purchaser was Hugh Quinn, Killycolpy, Dungannon.

Second best call of 2,800gns and top maiden heifer price went to L and R Allison, Limavady, for Scotchtown Ivory. This September 2013-born heifer is sired by Ampertaine Elgin and is out of the homebred dam Scotchtown Velvet, a Nenuphar daughter. She headed the Clydevalley herd of Tom Clyde, Antrim.

Just shy of this at 2,600gns was Glarryford Dannie, again from R Coleman. Sired by Goldies Astrix and out of the homebred Glarryford Amy, she sold to Mike Frazier, Templepatrick, with her July 2014-born calf by Teeshan Elmo at foot.

She was followed by her stablemate Glarryford Edith, sired by Hafodlas Llion, a Broadmeadows Cannon son, and out of the dam Glarryford Blossom, a Milbrook Tanko daughter. She sold with her heifer calf Glarryford Jen – again sired by Teeshan Elmo – at foot. This pair was bought by TA and P Paul, Dunloy.

Second best price of 2,250gns for a maiden heifer came in the form of Scotchtown Ibis, another from Messrs Allison. Born in August 2013 she is sired by Haltcliffe Dancer and is out of the Wilodge Vantastic son Scotchtown Fidget. Buyer was RJ Mowbray, Newtownstewart.

Averages:  Seven cows and calves, £2,789.85; 35 heifers,  £1,551.15.

(JA McClelland and Sons)