Ballymena Sale 25th May 2016
Simmental bulls to 3,000gns
and heifers to 2,700gns
Bulls reached a ceiling of 3,000gns, while heifers sold to a top of 2,700gns, at the NI Simmental Club’s evening show and sale in Ballymena Mart.
Sale leader at 3,000gns was the first prize winning Kilbride Farm Gleno TSI+60 SRI+67, a polled entry from the Robson family – Billy, Michael and Norman, Doagh, Ballyclare. Sired by Danish-bred stock bull Sneumgaard Imperator, this fourteen-month-old bull was bred from the Crugmelyn Brenin daughter Kilbride Farm Eunice 151D. He is the breed’s top 5% for calving ease +6.2, and eye muscle area +4.6, and was snapped up by suckler herd owner Owen Miskelly from Ballynahinch, County Down.
Norman Robson exhibited the first prize winning Kilbride Farm Gleno sold for a top price of 3,000gns. He was congratulated by Paul McDonald, judge.
Next best at 2,800gns was the second placed Stralongford Governor TSI+81 and SRI+ 89 bred by James Hanna, Trillick, County Tyrone. Born in February 2015, he was sired by the Raceview King son Ashland Brandy, and is out of a home-bred dam by Omorga Murray. In the breed’s top 10% for milk +9, and top 25% for calving ease +2.1, he caught the eye of Ballymena beef producer Kevin MacAuley.
Claiming the male and supreme overall championship ribbons was Ranfurly Fendt TSI+64 and SRI+65 from David and Jonny Hazelton’s Dungannon-based herd. This eighteen-month-old bull was sired by Omorga Murray, and is bred from the Carnkern Titan daughter Ranfurly Lady Diana 6th. He came under the hammer at 2,700gns, selling to Owen Miskelly.
Male and supreme overall champion was Ranfurly Fendt sold for 2,700gns. Jonny Hazelton is pictured with judge Paul McDonald, Tempo.
Judge Paul McDonald, Tempo, awarded the reserve male and reserve supreme championships to Lisglass Geraldo TSI+53 SRI+57, bred by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare. Born in February 2015, he was sired by stock bull Dermotstown Delboy – Balmoral champion in 2014 and 2015. His dam is the Omorga Prince daughter Lisglass Venus. This one attracted a bid of 2,400gns from suckler herd owner Francis Watson, Cloughey, Co Down.
Reserve male and reserve supreme champion was Lisglass Geraldo sold for 2,400gns. Christopher Weatherup is pictured with judge Paul McDonald.
Leading the female line-up at 2,700gns was the female champion Cleenagh Gem TSI+65 SRI+75 consigned by Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge. This yearling heifer was sired by the 10,000gns Drumlone Anchor, and is bred from the Raceview King daughter Cleenagh Tipsy. She joins Wesley Abraham’s Magheracrigan Herd based at Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.
Female Champion was Cleenagh Gem sold for 2,700gns by Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge. Included is judge Paul McDonald, Tempo.
Next best at 1,750gns was the January 2015 born Drumlone Anchor daughter Drumacritten Gwen TSI+69 SRI+83, bred by William and George Nelson, Rosslea. This second prize winner sold to Owen Miskelly.
Duncan McDowell, Newtownards, claimed the reserve female championship with Castlemount Angela 2 TSI+75 SRI+79. Born in December 2014, she was sired by former stock bull Slievenagh Bonjovi, and is out of a dam by the 12,000gns Dovefields Gallant. Buyer at 1,700gns was Philip Robb from Ballynahinch.
Reserve female champion was Duncan McDowell’s Castlemount Angela 2 sold for 1,700gns. Handler Richard McKeown was congratulated by judge Paul McDonald, Tempo.
Commercial females peaked at £1,220 paid to Robert and William Ferguson, Stewartstown; £1,140 paid to Kingsley Bell, Aughnacloy; and £1,080 paid to Colm McConnell, Armoy.
Trade for Simmental bulls was selective, with buyers bidding on a budget. Auctioneer Graham Loughrey confirmed that 15 bulls sold to level at £2,226; while 10 pedigree females averaged £1,628 per head.
The NI Simmental Club is indebted to its sponsors, Mike Frazer from the Edenvale Simmental Herd, and Connon General Merchants.
Results from the Judging Ring…
Bull, born between 11/09/14 and 07/11/14 – 1, WD Hazelton, Ranfurly Fendt by Omorga Murray; 2, W and K Stubbs, Rehall Frederick by Kilbride Farm Delboy; 3, Owen McElroy, Mullanroe Frankie by Dermody Butcher.
Bull, born between08/11/14 and 07/01/15 – 1, J McCaw, Ashdale Future by Kilbride Farm Delboy; 2, JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Flint by Dermotstown Delboy; 3, Chris Traynor, Kilmore Frazier by Raceview King.
Bull, born between 10/01/15 and 04/03/15 – 1, JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Geraldo by Dermotstown Delboy; 2, JJ Hanna, Stralongford Governor by Ashland Brandy; 3, Stephen Millar, Glenock Gin by Kilbride Farm Newry.
Bull, born between 04/03/15 and 20/03/15 – 1, WH Robson and Sons, Kilbride Farm Gleno by Sneumgaard Imperator; 2, Richard Rodgers, Hiltonstown General by Lisglass Colombus; 3, Richard Rodgers, Hiltonstown Goliath by Lisglass Colombus.
Bull, born between 22/03/15 and 25/04/15 – 1, Philip and Avril Whyte, Calfpark Gunner by Kilbride Farm Delboy; 2, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Grant by Kilbride Farm Delboy; 3, Frank and Matthew Cunning, Pointfarms General by Auroch Amos.
Heifer, born between 12/10/14 and 01/12/14 – 1, Duncan McDowell, Castlemount Angela 2 by Slievenagh Bonjovi; 2, JJ Hanna, Stralongford Flora by Dermody Butcher; 3, JJ Hanna, Stralongford Fauna by Dermody Butcher.
Heifer, born between 19/01/15 and 10/05/15 – 1, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Gem by Drumlone Anchor; 2, WE and GE Nelson, Drumacritten Gwen by Drumlone Anchor; 3, WE and GE Nelson, Drumacritten Geraldine by Omorga Volvo.
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