Aberdeen Angus Bulls to 4000gns at Dungannon
2010-02-11

Aberdeen-Angus bulls reached a ceiling of 4000gns at this week’s breed society show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart, Northern Ireland.

Sale leader at 4000gns, Old Glenort Kit H674

Breeders bulls were in short supply and trade was underpinned by commercial suckler producers and dairy farmers who were selective throughout. Following the day’s trading the auctioneers reported a disappointing 44% clearance with 14 bulls selling to level at £2317 per head.

Speaking after the sale, auctioneer Trevor Wylie, said trade was sticky but there was a ready market for stronger, fitter bulls. “We had customers for correct bulls with good conformation, with the plainer types proving harder to sell. Buyers were also keen to secure bulls backed up by above average Breedplan performance figures.”

Topping the day’s trading at 4000gns was the first prize winning Old Glenort Kit H674, a 23 month-old bull brought out by James Porter, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn. Sired by the 2009 Balmoral champion, The Moss Mr Eshton D409, he is out of Old Glenort Kathleen E657 – a granddaughter of the 17,000gns Kathleen of Fordafourie.

Boasting a Breedplan terminal sire index of +20, and a self replacing index of +34, the sale topper caught the eye of pedigree breeders Dessie and Isobel Mackey who run the 40-cow Moneybroom herd based at Magheragall, Lisburn.

James Porter sold three bulls for an average of £2765 each. All three were second crops sons of the herd’s 36,000gns stock bull, The Moss Mr Eshton D409 – shared in partnership with Willie McLaren’s noted Netherton herd in Perthshire.

Next best at 3300gns was the reserve champion, Kiltariff Lord Trendsetter H105, exhibited by Kenneth Bready, and son, Steven, who run a herd of nine pedigree cows at Rathfriland, County Down. He is one of the first sons of the Canadian-bred BJ’s No Limits to be offered for sale in Northern Ireland, and is out of a home-bred heifer by Ankonian Elixir. Born in May 2008 this bull has a terminal sire index of +25 and a self replacing index of +31. He was snapped up by A Buchanan from Victoria Bridge, Strabane.

Judge, David Weir, awarded the supreme overall championship to Drummeer Pedro H587, a June 2008-born entry shown by NI Aberdeen Angus Club chairman, Alan Morrison from Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.

Sired by Nakkeg Nord 913 he is bred from the Hurdcott Eurocrat Y180 daughter, Galcantry Peral D717 - one of 12 cows in Alan and Naomi Morrison’s Drummeer herd. This was the Morrison’s first-ever breed championship at Dungannon, with the bull also achieving a new herd record of 3250gns. Pedro was breed champion at Enniskillen Show last year, and sold to Markethill suckler producer, Phillip Dillon.

“This bull caught my eye when he entered the show ring,” explained David Weir, who runs 100 commercial suckler cows and a butchery business. “He is a well grown bull with good conformation, coupled with great hindquarters and a level topline.”

Next best at 2600gns was Lana Vinron H183 exhibited by Alan Cheney, Trillick, County Tyrone. Born in April 2008 he is by Mosston Muir Lord Ronaldo B044, and is out of a home-bred Ankonian Elixir daughter. This one has a terminal sire index of +29, and a self replacing index of +39.

Following close behind at 2500gns was the first prize winning Killaney Exel H616 brought out by the husband and wife team of John and Sandra Blackburn, Clogher, County Tyrone. This 22 month-old bull was sired by the Tivanagh Baron son, Coneyisland Legend E112, and is out of a home-bred dam by Tui Tidy Ben. He sold to Sam Campbell, Coleraine, Co Londonderry.

The youngest bull through the sale ring, Ballyheather Krackerjack H277, came under the hammer at 2400gns for John and Liz Henderson, Strabane and sold to Drew Lynn, Omagh, County Tyrone. This first prize winner was sired by Fordel Eisenhouwer Y423, and is out of a Black Banner X1 of Idvies daughter carrying the Cronberry prefix. He has a terminal sire index of +23, and a self replacing index of +29.

The female championship went to Woodvale Eyrie H815, a June 2008 born Woodvale Mr Awesome E207 daughter, exhibited by Alwyn and Carol Armour, Dromara. She is out of the Woodvale Roscoe Y054 daughter, Woodvale Eyrie D894, and sold at 1800gns to pedigree breeder, John Best from Poyntzpass.

Red Aberdeen-Angus maiden heifers peaked at 800gns for Marian Tracey from Tempo, County Fermanagh, while a March 2005 born in-calf heifer realised 1080gns for Alan Cheney.

The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society would like to thank Jack Maguire, JM Livestock Care, Clogher, for his generous sponsorship of the event.

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