Huge interest in Killadeas herd of Charolais cattle
Huge interest in Killadeas herd of Charolais cattle
THE Killadeas herd of Charolais cattle has been one of the most prominent producers of top money Perth bulls and prepotent sires in recent years so it was no surprise that a large crowd gathered in Portadown for the herds production sale.
The sale yard held an impressive selection of stock from owners Stuart and David Bothwell who established the herd at Ballinamallard in 1973. Only a few selected females have been introduced since then.
Top price of 3300gns was paid for Killadeas Oonagh, an August 1998-bred heifer by the popular bull Oldstone Egbert. Oonagh is out of the Brampton Embark-sired Killadeas Linda whose dam, Mosshall Bliss, was brought into the herd for 7000gns. Oonagh was sold in-calf to the 10,000gns Harestone Nighthawk and joins the Codnaslee herd of Gilbert Crawford.
Another from the 1998-bred heifer crop realised 3100gns. Killadeas Odessa is by Brampton Embark – the bull that has made such a huge impact in the herd – and out of a Bowerhouses Topper dam. She was also in-calf to Nighthawk and joins the Codnaslee herd. The Embark-sired served heifer Killadeas Ovation sold for 2500gns. Shes out of a Brampton Petition cow and was bought by D McKay, Ballymena.
Although the served heifer selection drew most attention from buyers, the sale included a good draft of cows and calves. The most sought after reached 2250gns when Maguiresbridge breeder Adrian Richardson secured Killadeas Helga suckling her March-born calf by the great producer Killadeas Jack.
Helga, a fifth calver, is by the MMB Occidental son Escott Alexander and was sold in-calf to Clonkeefy Macauley. Leading the maiden heifers was a flashy daughter of Brampton Embark at 1450gns (Automart). *