Trade good for in-lamb Texels
Top rank heifer shines at NIs Diamond day
By Jeremy Hunt
North-west correspondent
BIDDERS who study the high genetic merit form book for dairy cows would have predicted that the Skyhigh Ivory Mandel heifer would head the "Sale of Diamonds" fixture at Clogher in Northern Ireland.
Trade in one of Ulsters premier black-and-white sales held last week did not disappoint either, as the August 2000 born heifer, by Lystel Leduc, realised a top price of 4800gns.
Inch Leduc Ivory, from Jim Morrisons herd at Downpatrick, was another star lot.
Out of the outstanding Ivory Mark family, she traces back through 10 generations of VG or Ex cows. Her dam, by Mandel, gave 11,500kg. She was bought by Robert Smith, who finally claimed her for his Prehen herd in Londonderry.
The same vendor also consigned another top-flight September-born calf from the high-type VG cow Inch Dellia sired by Maughlin Storm. Buyer at 3100gns was Bertie Kelso and Sons, Dungannon.
Exciting calves
David Throne from Strabane bought three exciting calves to the sale representing cow families such as Roxy, Ebony and Jil. His top seller was the Silky Gibson daughter Willofarm Gibson Roxy from the Inspiration Star Roxy cow. It realised 2500gns to Andrew Wylie, Glengormley.
Another from this selection, a Duncan Progress calf from the same dam, sold at 1750gns. A Comestar Lee daughter from Willofarm Ebony Ann (by Combination Supersire) made 1700gns, and there was an 1800gns call for a Storm calf from Ardmore Integrity Jil.
William Crawford also sold a Jil heifer by Risecrest Emerson from the Ex93 Ardinmore Chesapeake Jill – out of the Ex94 Grantchester Mattador Jill. Buyer at 2000gns was Philip Haffey, Lurgan.
Brain Mawhinney from Ballyclare had an impressive batch of calves, which sold to 2200gns for one by Crichel Principal from the Fay family backed by 10 generations of VG and Ex dams. She joins the Majestic herd of Ian and Willard Watson at Coleraine.
Mr Mawhinneys stock bull Markwell Nobel, the much talked about Merrill son, produced another good seller earning 2000gns for a March 2001 calf out of the Slocum daughter Laurelhill GTS Fay.
Also from this consignment came a 1500gns bid to secure a yearling Convincer calf from the Ex92 Horton Babe cow and 1400gns for a May-2001 Summershade Igniter daughter from the Lou Ella family.
Angus Mawhinney from Ballyclare sold a Comestar Outside yearling daughter from his Ballyvaston Fatal Shower to Nicholas McCann, Bangor at 1700gns (R A Noble and Co). *
Pedigree B&Ws are snapped up
A KEEN trade produced total clearance and an average of £1237 when 75 pedigree black-and-white cattle were offered at the New Year sale at Moira, Clogher, Northern Ireland.
This fortnightly fixture brought forward a selection of top quality in-milk heifers for show judge David Dunlop who pulled out a smart entry from the Ards herd of Newtownards breeders Wilson and Wallace Patton to take the title.
The winning heifer, Ards Extra Duchess, is by Holsteins Extra, one of the newly imported Dutch bulls standing with Cogent. Extra Duchess is out of Coa Luke Duchess, a Cleitus Luke daughter, which gave 10,746kg in her third lactation.
The champion realised the top price of 1700gns to John Morrison, Co Armagh.
French bull Fatal was responsible for the reserve champion paraded by William Crawford of Brookeborough, who has produced many high yielding, well classified heifers over the years.
This one, Ardmore Fatal Anna Ex, was from one of the best groups of heifers on offer at the sale and was bought by David Gordon, Kilrea at 1500gns.
Tievemore Renee 15th, a heifer from George and David Lawders herd from Kiskeery, Co Tyrone, showed impressive stature.
She was the herds only entry and was by Bigbridge Dombination – a Dombinator son – and out of a Ballycairn Satellite cow that looks likely to push 10,000kg with her third.
Renee 15th stood second reserve for the championship and sold for 1500gns to Mr Morrison.
Commented auctioneer Willie Wilson: "If this is the size and type of heifer this bull is capable of producing he looks likely to be a great advantage in the Tievemore herd."
Other leading bids included 1620gns for J and A Pattersons (Donaghadee) Herdstown Rudolph Idaho bought by Mr Morrison who went on to pay the next four highest prices – all for Ards entries from the Patton family (R A Noble and Co). *
Trade good for in-lamb Texels
IN-LAMB Texel ewes are still good trade, says Lanark auctioneer Brian Ross, who was in action last weekend when he sold 80 females, levelling at £486.
The highest priced ewe stayed north of the border with Park House Farmers, Quothan, Biggar, paying a top of 1800gns for a gimmer from the Urray flock consignment of T Morrison, Muir-of-Ord, Ross-shire.
The ewe by Haddo Ettrick and out of a dam by Noresk Usher, is from one of the Urray flocks best families and had been served in September by Glenisla High Command.
Northumberland breeders A L and J Reed were among the first bidders to break the four-figure barrier paying 1500gns to claim a Baltier Ferrari gimmer from Hugh Frames Thinacres flock at Hamilton, Lanarks. She is out of a ewe by Tophill By Design and was in-lamb to Annan Freeby.
The Reeds also gave 1000gns for a Turin Estonian gimmer from the Rascarrel flock of Thomas Mactaggart, Castle Douglas. She was in-lamb to Ettrick Highland Malt.
A gimmer from the Gregors flock of Jim McGregor, Biggar, also realised 1500gns. She was carrying lambs to Grougfoot Hero. Buyer was Stephen Harrison, Ecclefechan.
A third 1500gns call came from Charlie Boden, Stockport adding to his noted Sportsmans flock with a Brague Fireball gimmer from the Rascarrel pens.
Biggar breeder Robert Johnstones Crawfordjohn flock achieved a best of 1000gns with the sale of a North Quarter Favourite ewe to G Johnson, Dalbeattie. This gimmer was out of a Baltier Driver dam.
Sharing the trailer-ride home was another 1000gns purchase – a gimmer by an Ettrick sire in-lamb to Glenside Hotshot and consigned from the Wester Crosshill flock of Alasdair Beaton (Lawrie and Symington). *
Jan 23 Retirement sale of tractors, combine, loader and general equipment at Wootton Marsh Farm, North Wootton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Contact Cruso & Wilkin (01553 6916910).
Jan 23 Farm machinery sale at North Airmyn Grange, Airmyn, Goole, following sale of farm. Sale to include two combines, 10 tractors, two forklifts and vegetable processing equipment. Contact Neville E Townend (01405 762557).
Jan 24 Digital sale at Uttoxeter Market. For more information contact Bagshaws (01889 562881).
This 14-month-old Charolais bull Cader Regal has changed hands for £15,000. Bred from the Cader herd in Wales, run by Meirion Roberts, Gyllellog, Pennal, near Machynlleth, he has a beef value in the top 5% of the breed. He will be a junior sire in Richard Hassells Penfold herd, which runs with Rachael Wyllies Brailes herd in Oxfordshire.