Limousin females reach 6500gns at Ballymena

Limousin females sold to a top of 6500gns and achieved a 93% clearance at Ballymena on Saturday, with the first lot in the ring taking the day’s top price.

This was a cow and calf unit from Greenmount College, Co Antrim. Limo Viva, a cow with a beef value of +31, is sired by the noted Greensons Gigolo and is out of the French dam, Operette.A 2004 born fourth calver, Viva was sold with her July 2010 born heifer calf at foot, Limo Frances, sired by the 50,000gns bull Wilodge Cerberus.  She was sold in calf to Neuf, and was purchased by A Finney, Castlewellan Rd, Banbridge for his Chinauley Herd.

Second best price of the day was also consigned by the Greenmount Herd, this time in the shape of Limo Emu, a May 2009 born heifer. Emu is by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the Tanat Mostyn-sired dam, Limo Urma.With a beef value of +36 she sold for 3400gns to L Crilly, Forkhill Rd, Mullaghbawn, Newry for his Shanhill pedigree prefix.

Another heading to Mr Crilly was the May 2010 born heifer calf, Millgate Flora, brought forward by Michael Loughran, Mill Road, Dungate. Sired by Ballyline Udolf and out of Treetops Tara, a Greensons Gigolo granddaughter, this eight-month-old calf went under the hammer for 2700gns.Selling at the same money was a cow and calf unit from  local breeder S Caldwell, Gortahar Rd, Rasharkin.  This was Granagh Betty, a June 2006-born daughter of Malibu and out of Groggan Reo. She sold with her November 2010 born heifer calf at foot, Granagh Fiona, sired by Loganburn Stirling.  Purchaser was R Savage, Blakes Rd, Articlave, for his Aghadolgan Herd.

Averages: two cows with calves at foot £4830, 26 heifers £1364 (J A McClelland).