Simmental bulls top 5,000gns at Dungannon
Pedigree bulls topped 5,000gns at the NorthernIreland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s March show and sale, at DungannonFarmers’ Mart.
Bulls achieved a 78% clearance, with 18 lots sellingto average £3,045 a head – an increase of £179 on the same period last year.
Sale leader at 5,000gns was the first prize winningKilbride Farm Doagh, brought out by Billy Robson OBE, and sons Michael andNorman, from Doagh, Ballyclare. This fourteen-month-old entry was sired by thehome-bred Kilbride Farm Newry son, Kilbride Farm Warren, and is out of a dam bythe 15,000gns Cairnview Snazzy.
This bull is in the breed’s top 25% with a terminalsire index of +68, and a self replacing index of +77; and is in the top 5% withan eye muscle area of +4.4. Highest bidder was Norman Wilson fromTemplepatrick, County Antrim.
Next best at 4,600gns was the day’s reserve malechampion Hiltonstown Cyclone, a September 2011 born entry from the 35-cow herdof Robert Rodgers, and son Richard, Portglenone, County Antrim. Sired by the herd’s stock bull Auroch Amos -purchased at Roscommon in November 2010 for €4,000; he is bred from theBallinlare Farm Rival daughter, Innerwick Valentine – bought privately fromScottish breeder Dorothy Moffat.
The Hiltonstown herd was founded 18 years ago, andthis was the first Amos son offered for sale. He is in the breed’s top 15% forcalving ease +3.4, has an eye muscle area of +4.4, a terminal sire index of+92, and a self replacing index of +98. Buyer was J Torrens from Garvagh,County Londonderry.
The first prize winning Breaghey Charlie went underthe hammer for 4,200gns from Andrew Clarke, Tynan, County Armagh. This fifteen-month-old Cairnview Snazzy sonwas bred from the Hillcrest champion daughter, Brogeen Tara. He was snapped upby Messrs D and S McCauley from Downpatrick, County Down.
Next and selling at at 4,200gns was RanfurlyCassius from the home of David Hazelton, Dungannon. Born in December 2011, heis bred from the Dovefields Gallant daughter, Old Engine Guinevere 2nd,and sold to Ballymena suckler herd owner Kevin McAuley. This one has a terminalsire index of +82 and a self replacing index of +85, placing him in the breed’stop 5%; while his eye muscle area +3.6 is in the top 10%; and calving ease +3.6is in the top 15%.
Another Kilbride Farm Warren son from the Robsonfamily sold at 4,000gns. The December 2011 Kilbride Farm Crusader TSI+71 SRI+75was bred from the Seaview Prince Charming daughter, Kilbride Farm Eunice 52T -one of 80-cows in the long-established herd. This one is a full brother to the4,000gns Kilbride Farm Blizzard -reserve champion at last year’s spring showand sale at Dungannon.
The father and son team of Michael and EamonMcCloskey, Kilrea, County Londonderry, realised 3,400gns for the fourth placedDrumagarner Darragh TSI+46 SRI+54. Born in January 2012, he is by herd sireBarnattin Wally, and is bred from the Marbelhill Liam daughter, DrumagarnerAlexandra. Buyer was Eric Lindsay fromStrabane, County Tyrone.
The Robson family also topped pedigree female tradewhen the second prize winning Kilbride Farm Eunice 121 came under the hammer at3,600gns. Born in March 2011, she is by the Seaview Prince Charming son,Kilbride Farm Vaten, and is out of a home-bred dam by the 12,000gns DovefieldsGallant. This one is in-calf to the 15,000gns Cairnview Snazzy, and sold toChris Traynor for his Rose Meadow Farm Herd based at Armagh, County Armagh.
Harold Stubbs, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, claimedthe female and reserve supreme championship honours with the November 2011 bornDerrycallaghan Crown Princess. She wassired by the Blackford Explosion son, Glebefarm Reputation, and is out of a damby the home-bred Derrycallaghan Hamilton.
Described by the judge as a very sweet and stylishheifer, she attracted a bid of 3,250gns, and sold to John Withers from Lisburn,County Antrim.
Next best at 2,800gns was the reserve femalechampion Owenskerry Chaz, bred by Brian Cowan from Brookeborough, CountyFermanagh. This May 2011 born heifer is a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter, out ofthe Omorga Murray sired Stralongford Shannon. Buyer was Niall McKiver fromDungannon, County Tyrone.
An entry of nine pedigree heifers achieved acomplete clearance, selling to average £2,497 per head.