Aberdeen-Angus Trade Soars to 4400gns at Dungannon
2011-02-16

Aberdeen-Angus bulls were in strong demand at this week’s Society show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart on Tuesday 15th February.

Sess Escape

Prices reached a ceiling of 4400gns and at the end of the day’s trading auctioneers confirmed an 85% clearance, which resulted in 22 bulls changing hands to level at £2,126, with eight more bulls sold than last year.

Leading the sale at 4400gns was the second prize Sess Escape from Margaret Buchanan’s seven-cow herd at Augher, County Tyrone. This May 2009-born Idvies Paris B102 son is out of the Rawburn Transformer daughter, Sess Eliza. He boasts a Self Replacing Index (SRI) of +41 and sold to suckler producer, Bernard Venney, Downpatrick.

Judge, Mrs May Jack from the 80-cow Strule herd in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, awarded the male championship honours to Coolermoney Rochester J955, a 23 month-old bull brought out by the father and son team of Adrian and Graeme Parke, Strabane, County Tyrone. Sired by the home-bred Rawburn Eventer 2nd son, Coolermoney Rossiter F734, he is out of the Idvies Paris B102 daughter Coolermoney Rosebud F686. Despite a tussle of bids from the packed ringside audience, this bull failed to meet his vendor’s expectations and was withdrawn unsold at 3000gns.

Second highest price of the day, 2900gns, was paid to Alan Cheney, Trillick, County Tyrone, for the fourth prize Lana Performer J522. This May 2009-born entry was sired by the Nakkeg Nord 913 son, Ballycaher Commander and is out of a home-bred Fordel Eisenhower Y423 daughter. He has a SRI of +26 and sold to William Brownlee, Loughgall, County Armagh.

Next best at 2700gns was Cavanbellaghy Master Bart J774 from Robert Steenson’s herd at Killylea, County Armagh. Born in May 2009, he is by the Netherton Figo C244 son Kincardine Castle Pluto F511 and out of a home-bred Rawburn Eventer 2nd sired dam. With a milk value of +7, and a SRI +28, he sold to Robert Watson, Poyntzpass, County Down.

The reserve male champion, Macknagh Mills Jacob J784, came under the hammer at 2400gns for breeder and vintage tractor restorer, Michael Lagan, Upperlands, Maghera. This April 2009-born Cudlobe Millennium 12M son is out of the Gigginstown Tuco daughter Baronagh Joanna F946. He sold to Guy Clements, Beragh, County Tyrone.

Following close behind at 2300gns was the first prize Dartrey Duke J747 consigned by the Mills and Buller partnership, Scarva, County Armagh. This June 2009-born entry is by the herd’s 11,000gns stock bull, Logie Lustre and is out of the Tui Bon Y019 daughter Wedderlie Duchesse E031. Buyer was Ballymoney-based suckler farmer, William Patton, who also runs a farm shop specialising in home-produced Aberdeen-Angus beef.

The second prize Ballyvaston Elvis J602 sold at 2200gns for C J Strain, Downpatrick, County Down. Born in April 2009, he is by Glasswater Eclipse D091 and is out of the Gigginstown The Conqueror daughter, Old Glenort Edwina D854. This one sold to Gary Young, Castlederg, County Tyrone.

The same price was paid to Allan Brady, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, for the second prize Curragh Daniel J535. This 20 month old ET-bred bull is by Hoff Limited Edition SC594 and out of the Bar 20 Rainmaker 344D daughter Sandy Bar Duchess 33G. He boasts a milk value of +10 and a SRI of +32. The successful bidder was Adrian Kyle, Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

Alan Irwin, Fintona, realised 2100gns for Priestland Fame. This March 2009-born entry is sired by Derryboye Dickson D076 and is out of the Priestland Lad Z056 daughter Cleenish Amelia. He sold to dairy farmer, Colin Hughes, Keady, County Armagh.

The collective entry of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus females peaked at 1900gns, paid to Michael Lagan for his female champion, Macknagh Mills Ellie J832. This August 2009-born heifer is by Dieulacresse Ernie D178 and out of the Duncanziemere Edwin D148 daughter Ballyheather Edwina Evilrosa G942. Described by the judge as a stylish and growthy heifer, she sold to Ulster rugby captain and Ireland hooker, Rory Best who runs the Loughans herd based at Poyntzpass.

Scooping the reserve female championship ribbons was Birches Pearl J794, brought out by brother and sister duo, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Portadown. This June 2009-born Coldstream Genetic Trend 80F daughter is out of Drumcrow Perola D199. She failed to meet her reserve and returned home unsold. Six heifers sold to average £1146 per head.

The dispersal of the Jian herd on behalf of Alan Armstrong, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, topped at 1350gns, with 25 lots selling to average £824 each. Leading this offering was the July 2008 born Jian Elma H164. By Rawburn Lord Roy D376 and out of the DMM Dynasty daughter Fern Elma Y443, she sold due to calve in May to Jonathan Doyle, Cookstown.

Next best at 1160gns was the five year old cow Jian Vera E556. By Haymount Wiveritor Y454, she is out of a home-bred Rawburn Eventer 2nd daughter. The successful bidder was P Owens, Ballygawley, County Tyrone.

Speaking after the sale Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society chief executive, Ron McHattie said he was delighted with the outcome of the sale. “It’s been a very strong sale. Commercial farmers were bidding briskly for bulls and females were in great demand. The overall clearance rate is very heartening.” The pre-sale show was kindly sponsored by Scotmin Nutrition Ltd.

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