Ulster bull breeders hit the jackpot
Ulster bull breeders hit the jackpot
By Jeremy Hunt North-west correspondent
A CAPACITY crowd produced a record-breaking sale of Holstein bulls at the Automart auction centre at Portadown, where 51 sires averaged £2551 and prices reached 5700gns.
Buyers from throughout Northern Ireland packed into the market from early morning, which resulted in a flying trade with many deals struck at over 3000gns, with potential customers going home empty handed.
Hitting the jackpot at 5700gns were Donaghmore farmers Ronald McLean and Sons, who produced an outstanding string from their renowned Relough herd. But it was their Relough Pageant, a son of Etazon Addison, that sparked the sharpest bidding.
His dam is the 11,100kg Relough Primrose 3, one of the herds highest index cows (PIN+67) and he has the eight-star brood cow Dynasty Southwind N Primrose as grand-dam. Pageant (PIN+63) was bought by G Gilmore, Newtownards, Co Down.
There were more rich pickings for the McCleans when Relough Aero, a son of Istar Aero, realised 5500gns to R Elliott, Downpatrick, Co Down.
Aero is out of the Fatal-sired French cow Ami Mistiq (PIN+76). She gave 11,200kg in her second lactation at 4.52% fat and 3.39% protein.
Downpatrick breeders TJ Morrison and Sons brought 10 bulls from their noted Inch herd and wooed the crowd with Inch Indian. This son of Risecrest Emerson is out of the 11,600kg heifer Skyhigh Ivory Mandel, which has already bred three sons sold into AI studs.
She is from one of the breeds most talked-about cow families tracing back to Robthom Ruby and Robthom Ivory Mark. Inch Indian made 4600gns to P Forsythe, Ballymena.
Rich pickings
The McLeans added to their already rich pickings with a 4600gns call for Relough Roxson, another Emerson son from the great Roxie family and out of the brood cow Joylan Blackstar Roxie, which has so far produced 10 VG daughters. Buyer was Dessie Reid, Lisburn, Co Antrim.
Relough Ripple topped-up the McClean purse making 4500gns to IW McCaughey, Broughshane. Ripple is by Addison and out of a 11,900kg Rotate-Jed cow from the famous Roxies.
Relough Pokemon made 4250gns to R Shaw, Carryduff. Hes by Addison and out of the great brood cow Dynasty Southwind N Primrose, which is from four generations of cows producing 3.6% protein (Automart). *