Prices reached a ceiling of 3,350gns at Holstein NI’s 23rd annual autumn bull show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Hitting the headlines at 3,350gns was the first prize winning Killane Lamb, brought out by David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill. This April 2009 born entry was sired by Burlane Tennyson, and is backed by two generations of EX. His dam, Killane Stormatic Lucy 27, gave over 9,000 kilos at 4.57 per cent butterfat and 3.38 per cent protein in her fourth 305 day lactation. He sold to William Parke from County Down.
Following close behind at 3,300gns was Ards Rossiter bred by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards. Born in March 2009, he is a Mascol son bred from five successive generations of EX. His dam, Ards Outside C Ruth 2 gave over 13,000 kilos at 3.74 per cent butterfat and 2.97 per cent protein in her third lactation. This bull won the honourable mention ribbons and sold to Lyle Bryson, Dunadry.
Mascol was also behind the breeding of Prehen Matador ET which came under the hammer at 3,200gns for Robert and Stuart Smith, Londonderry. Born in April 2009, he is bred from six generations of VG, and is a full brother to Prehen Marshall - sold for 3,300gns at Moira in April. The buyer was S Caldwell from Beragh.
Fourth highest price of the day 3,100gns was paid to Jim Morrison, Downpatrick, for Inch Stalwart. This fourth prize winner was born in June 2009, and is by Regancrest Mr Durham Sam.  His dam is the VG89 Picston Shottle daughter, Inch Shottle Daphne – maternal sister to the twice Irish National Holstein Show Champion, Inch Storm Daphne ET EX95 4E. He was snapped up by Mr Dillon from Poyntzpass.
Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, sold their best at 3,000gns. The second prize winning Relough Render was sired by Picston Shottle, and is backed by six successive generations of EX. This thirteen-month-old bull sold to David and Alan Wallace, Antrim.
Next best at 2,850gns was Relough Remark ET, a Sandy Valley Bolton son, also consigned by the McLean family. This second prize winning entry was born in September 2009, and is backed by four successive generations of EX. His dam, Relough Durham Ruth EX94 is bred from the legendary brood cow, Markwell B Star E Raven EX95, and has daughters with AI contracts. He sold to Sean O’Brien from Poyntzpass.
The April 2009 born Ballycairn Spooky Major realised 2,750gns for William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine. Bred from seven generations of VG and EX, he was sired by Huddlestone Spooky, and has a full brother at Genus.  He sold to Gareth Forsythe, Loughguile.
A September born Leif son also realised 2,750gns for William and Andrew McCollum.  Backed by two generations of EX, Ballycairn Leif Turbo ET is a maternal brother to Ballycairn Goldwyn Tina (VG86 2yr) – the number five PLI (+£306) cow in the UK. The buyer was George Rainey, Beragh.
Also selling at 2,750gns was the supreme overall champion, Relough Rustler, consigned by Ronald McLean and Sons. This June 2009 born bull was sired by Picston Shottle, and boasts eight generations of EX. He sold to Riddle Murphy, Derrynoose.
Scottish judge, Jonny Cousar, from the Howcommon herd in Kilmarnock said:”This is a good bull with great feet and legs. His overall conformation is excellent, and he will suit the commercial market.”
Mr Cousar awarded the reserve championship honours to Derrydorragh Kevin Ratcliff, a June 2009 born Huddlestone Spooky son bred by Willard Watson, Macosquin. “This bull is very similar to the champion,” added the judge, who was impressed with the overall standard of bulls catalogued.
Bred from five successive generations of VG, he comes from the Kylie family, and came under the hammer of auctioneer, Michael Taaffe, at 2,700gns. This bull also scooped the milk quality award, and sold to Tom Adams from Rathkenny.
Also selling at 2,700gns was the first prize winning Killane Dunadry, an August 2009 born Andacres Morty Onward son, bred by David Perry, Ahoghill. He is bred from five successive generations of EX, and comes from the noted Dellia family. This one joins George Bingham’s herd based at Sevenmile Straight, Nutt’s Corner.
The third and final bid of 2,700gns was paid to the McLean family for the first prize winning Relough Lifeguard. This thirteen-month-old Picston Shottle son is bred from the EX91 Relough Wade Lamona, who gave over 10,000 kilos in her seventh lactation. He sold to John Hamilton, Bangor.
The event was generously sponsored by Gortavoy Feeds, and company representatives Joe Gilkinson and Stephen McKenna were on hand to congratulate the winners.

Other leading prices include:
Messrs Johnston, Cookstown, Bankville Impreza, 2,650gns to N Thompson, Newtownards.
Sam McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Erebus, 2,500gns to Gareth Forsythe, Loughguile.
Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, Glasson Goldhost ET, 2,400gns to Jim Poots.
Philip and Simon Haffey, Glasson Umpire, 2,400gns to Stanley Porter, Drumbo.
Average: 41 bulls, £2,146 – up £128 on the same period last year when 30 lots levelled at £2,018.

Results from the judging ring.
Class 1 – 1, Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Rossiter by Mascol; 2, Andrew Magowan and Son, Rathfriland, Bannwater Sir Raid by Buckhorn Acres Raid Red; 3, Messrs Johnston, Cookstown, Bankville Impreza by Picston Shottle.
Class 2 – 1, David Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Lamb by Burlane Tennyson; 2, Jim Morrison and Son, Downpatrick, Inch Tenor by Burlane Tennyson; 3, Robert and Stuart Smith, Londonderry, Prehen Favourite by Stabilo.
Class 3 – 1, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Jubilee ET by Sold Gold Colby; 2, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Tycoon by MD Delight Durham Atlas; 3, Aubrey Patterson, Bangor, Ballycrochan Bolton by Sandy Valley Bolton.
Class 4 – 1, Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Relough Rustler by Picston Shottle; 2, Willard Watson, Coleraine, Derrydorragh Kevin Ratcliff by Huddlestone Spooky; 3, Willard Watson, Derrydorragh Richard Gough by Ked Outside Jeeves.
Class 5 – 1, David and Austin Perry, Killane Dunadry by Andacres Morty Onward; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Render by Picston Shottle; 3, Richard and Louise Graham, Dromore, Moyrah Everest ET by Windy Knoll View Pronto.
Class 6 – 1, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Lifeguard by Picston Shottle; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Remark ET by Sandy Valley Bolton; 3, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Winston by Regancrest