Simmental bulls to 3,400gns and heifers to 2,400gns at Dungannon

Pedigree bulls reached a ceiling of 3,400gns in a selective trade at the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s autumn show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart on 11th October.

Topping the sale and setting a new herd record of 3,400gns was the March 2011 born Pointfarms Columbo, bred and exhibited by Frank and Matthew Cunning from Glarryford, County Antrim.

Sired by the Raceview King son Hiltonstown Warrior, he is bred from the Cleenagh Nelson daughter Pointfarms Vixen – one of 12 cows in the herd which was established in 2006. This third prize winning entry caught the eye of Jim Hewitt.

New breeder Stephen Millar from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, who founded the 12-cow Glenrock herd three years ago, was making his debut in the show and sale rings, and was delighted to secure the day’s male and supreme overall championship plaudits.

Leading the prize winning line-up was the July 2011 born Glenrock Cannon Ball, a Hillcrest King son, bred from a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter carrying the Magheracrigan prefix. He came under the hammer of auctioneer Trevor Wylie at 2,600gns, selling to pedigree breeder Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.

Following close behind at 2,500gns was the July 2011 born Woodford Crackerjack, bred and exhibited by Mrs Thelma Gorman from Armagh. Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, he was bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. Shown successfully during the summer, he was snapped up by Kenny Veitch from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh.

Judge Thomas Hamilton, Rock, Dungannon, awarded the reserve championship to Knockreagh Conrad, a June 2011 born Omorga Volvo son, shown by the father and son team of Val and Conrad Fegan from Rostrevor, County Down. This one was bred from a Freighduff Brendan daughter carrying the Raceview prefix. He failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn from the salering unsold.

“The champion and reserve complement one another very well. The overall winner is a super ended bull with good conformation, and carried himself well on sound legs and feet,” added the judge.

The pre-sale show was generously sponsored by Bruces Hill Cattle Company and Farm Shop, who provided a new trophy for the overall champion. Stephen Buick presented the Bruces Hill Perpetual Cup to Stephen Millar.

Pedigree females peaked at 2,400gns, paid to Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, for the female champion Corrick Chelsea. Born in March 2011 and sired by Omorga Tarbuck, she is bred from the Hillcrest Naughty daughter Corrick Sunset, and is a full sister to Corrick Benson – intermediate and supreme Perth champion in October 2011. Buyer was Robin Boyd who runs the noted Slievenagh herd based at Portglenone, County Antrim.

Next best at 2,200gns was the fifth prize winning Sperrin View Crystal, a June 2011 born daughter of the 20,000 Euro Curaheen Tyson, out of a home-bred dam by Ballinlare Farm Rival. Consigned by William Ferguson, Stewartstown, she sold to Richard Booth.

The May 2010 born in-calf heifer Woodford Bluebell came under the hammer at 2,100gns for Mrs Thelma Gorman, Armagh. Sired by Sacombe Edgar, this second prize winner is bred from the Ballintlea King daughter Woodford Paula. In-calf to Kilbride Farm Newry, she sold to John Jardine.

Pedigree bulls averaged £2,690, while 10 pedigree heifers changed hands to level at £1,885 each.

An entry of commercial Simmental females met a ready market with in-calf heifers peaking at £1,160 twice, paid to Seamus Casey, Dungannon, and Henry Rice, Castlewellan. Other leading prices include: Seamus Casey £1,120, Henry Rice £1,080 and £1,020 twice.

Maiden heifers achieved a top of £710 over weight, paid to Roland Hadden, Dungannon, for a 490kgs heifer at £1,200 (245); and £680 over weight, also paid to Roland Hadden for a 500kgs heifer at £1,180 (236). PJ Kearney, Plumbridge, also realised £680 over weight for a 420kgs heifer at £1,080 (258).

Cows with bull calf at foot sold at £1,260 and £1,240 for John Perry, Dundonald.

The commercial section of the sale was kindly sponsored by McGirr Haulage based at Tempo, County Fermanagh.

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull, born between 23/12/10 and 10/04/11 – 1, William Ferguson, Stewartstown, Sperrin View Champion by Delfur T Bone; 2, John Warnock, Carrowdore, Templefyn Caleb by Dirnanean Reno; 3, Frank and Matthew Cunning, Glarryford, Pointfarms Columbo by Hiltonstown Warrior.

Bull, born between 07/05/11 and 04/07/11 – 1, Val and Conrad Fegan, Rostrevor, Knockreagh Conrad by Omorga Volvo; 2, John Warnock, Templefyn Clint by Kilbride Farm Newry; 3, David and Margaret Thompson, Ahoghill, Lummin Conrad by Hiltonstown Aristocrat.

Bull, born between 07/07/11 and 25/09/11 – 1, Stephen Millar, Newtownstewart, Glenrock Cannon Ball by Hillcrest King; 2, David and Margaret Thompson, Lummin Cecil by Hiltonstown Aristrocrat; 3, Sean Burns, Rathfriland, Longbeach Caesar by Kilbride Farm Viduka.

Heifer, born between 23/05/10 and 24/02/11 – 1, Joe Wilson, Newry, Ballinlare Farm Cinders by Raceview Valintino Miracle; 2, Mrs Thlema Gorman, Armagh, Woodford Bluebell by Sacombe Edgar; 3, Harry and John Moore, Beragh, Omorga Connie by Sterling Herkules.

Heifer, born between 13/03/11 and 29/04/11 – 1, Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, Corrick Chelsea by Omorga Tarbuck; 2, Cecil McIlwaine, Corrick Chloe by Omorga Tarbuck; 3, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, Lisglass Connie by Omorga Regan.

Heifer, born between 21/05/11 and 06/07/11 – 1, Andrew Hanna, Irvinestown, Stralongford Candice by Bridgemount Vixon; 2, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Cream by Raceivew Stanley; 3, Andrew Hanna, Stralongford Carol by Omorga Volvo.