Brisk Trade for Limousin Females at Ballymena
14/01/09

At the first British Limousin Cattle Society Sale of the year, held on 10th January at Ballymena, there was further evidence of the popularity and strength of the Breed with a packed sale ring and an almost total clearance of lots forward at prices consistent with the current up-turn of returns from the Beef sector in general.

Ballymena sale ring

This was exclusively a female sale and the lots on offer covered a wide range of maturity stretching from mature cows up to 9 years of age – some with calf at foot - down to maiden heifers as young as 10 months. The quality of stock was good with interesting breeding lines which encouraged many of the buyers and subsequent bidding was keen as nearly all lots changed hands.

Overall 48 lots averaged £1,292 with the keenest demand for super-quality young heifers with the six youngest animals on offer (birth dates between 4.01.08 and 16.03 08) selling at an average of £1,307. Also worth noting is the spread of purchasers, from local farmer Mr P Donnelly from Rathkenny, Ballymena who purchased no fewer that 8 lots, to buyers from right across Northern Ireland and, indeed, into Donegal, further underlining the demand for easy-care, profit-leaving Limousin females.

The day’s top price of 2,050gns went to Messrs L & R Allison, Limavady with their March 2007 born heifer, Scotchtown Colga. By their stock bull, Homebyres Visitor, and out of the Greensons Gigolo daughter, Scotchtown Olga, this smart heifer with a Beef Value of LM+26 sold to JB O’Kane, Garvagh, Coleraine. Rounding of a good day’s trading, Allison Bros later sold Scotchtown Clover - sired by Glenrock Spartacus and out of a Shire Milton daughter - to A Clements, Muckamore, Co Antrim for 1,600gns.

Second best price was the 2,000gns given by I McIlveen, Kells, Ballymena for Banville Bouquet brought forward by Berry Bros, Banbridge. August 2006 born, this heifer was by the Ocean son, Cairnways Utopia, and out of the French dam, Parmelie. In all, Berry Brothers’ three lots averaged £1837 and comprised the 1,700gns Ocean daughter, Banville Belle, who is out of Springhill Rachel when selling to TA Rodgers, Broughshane together with the 1,550gns Banville Beaut, another by Cairnways Utopia and out of the Uplands Batman sired Hollybank Penny when knocked down to Paul Brown, Loughgilly, Armagh.

Next at 1,850gns was the April 2006 born heifer, Spage Babe, from W Campbell, Carnlough, Ballymena. By Milbrook R2K and out of Newmill Sharon she sold to John Laverty Jr. Armoy, Ballymoney.

Other Leading Prices:
1,750gns: Lot 53, G McCague, Newry, Co Down – July 07 Heifer, Bridgeview Cassy by Madden Picaro sold to Mrs M E Johnston, Glenavy, Crumlin, Co Antrim.
1,700gns: Lot 60, Brian McAuley, Antrim – August 07 Heifer, Larkhill Cindy by Vivaldi sold to S McKeown, Quigley’s Point, Co Donegal.
1,650gns: Lot 22, J Ferguson & Sons, Comber – April 06 Heifer Seaview Bluebell by Ronick Hawk sold to McCormick Bros, Cushendun, Co Antrim.
1,550gns: Lot 82, J Ferguson & Sons, Comber – February 08 Heifer, Oldehouse Dingo by Ryedale Paragon sold to P Haughey Newtownhamilton, Armagh.
1,520gns: Lot 12, Mrs M Rutherford, Killinchy Co Down – November 03 Cow, Scorboro Ulala by Aldwick Sirocco sold to Alan McRenolds, Stewartstown, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
1,500gns: Lot 2, W Crowe, Coleraine – July ’99 Cow, Kilmaconnell Pussywillows, by Grange Malivia sold to Alan McReynolds, Stewartstown, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Sponsor: Francis Connon, Connon General Merchants, Ballymena.

Averages:
6 maiden heifers £1307.25
42 females £1290.50
Overall 48 lots £1292.59

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