Bulls soared to a top of 4,700gns, while female trade reached a ceiling of 2,420gns at the April sale in Dungannon.

 

Sale leader was the pre-sale male champion Prehen Franzen ET PLI £571 exhibited by Robbie and Stuart Smith. This sixteen-month-old entry was sired by Midas Touch Bullseye, and is bred from the UK’s number one GPLI £576 cow Prehen Altabarney Froukje ET VG87. She produced almost 9,000kgs at 4.22% fat and 3.34% protein in her heifer lactation.

 

Buyers at 4,700gns were James and Edward Stevenson from the Aughnahoory Herd in Kilkeel.

 

Judge James Walker awarded the reserve championship plaudits to Derrydorragh Righteous Brother ET PLI £308, a December 2015 Zahbulls Alta 1st Class son bred by Willard and Adam Watson.  His dam is Derrydorragh Legend Roxette EX95-3E, who averaged 10,134kgs at 4.35% fat and 3.28% protein in five 305-day lactations. The reserve champion attracted a bid of 3,900gns from Thomas Nicholson, Kilkeel.

 

Next best at 3,600gns was Prehen Goldrush PLI £376, the honourable mention prize winner. Born in February 2016, he is by Prehen Omen ET, and is out of Prehen Windbrook Goldrain ET, who averaged 8,769kgs at 4.3% fat and 3.32% protein in three 305-day lactations. Buyer was Stephen Cargill from Parkgate, Balllyclare.

 

Leading the female portion of the catalogue was the Patton family’s Ards Diamond Sara. This two-year-old heifer is a daughter of Seagull Bay Diamond, and is bred from Ards Meridian Sara. She caught the judge’s eye to secure the female championship ribbons sponsored by Moore Concrete, and attracted a bid of 2,420gns from Norman and James Morton, Milford, Armagh.

 

Second calvers peaked at 1,700gns, paid to Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, for the unshown Hilltara Razor Charlotte GP83-2yr. 

 

Averages: 12 bulls £2,575 (100%); 64 females £1,412 (98%).