There was a strong demand for bulls and quality females at this week’s Holstein NI show and sale, conducted by J A McClelland and Sons at Ballymena Mart.
The event attracted bidders from throughout the Province with bulls averaging £2,111 per head, and heifers selling to level at £1,750 each. Auctioneer, Jonathan Speers, reported a complete clearance of the small catalogued entry, and said that bigger numbers were needed to satisfy the demand from commercial customers.
Leading the day’s trade at 3,000gns was a fourth prize bull from Jim Morrison’s noted Inch herd based at Downpatrick, County Down. The fifteen-month-old Inch Blackisle Dan ET is by Blackisle Glenalbyn and bred from Inch Sem Daphne 2 VG87 – a cow which boasts exceptionally high milk quality. He attracted spirited bidding and was sold to R J Mawhinney from Castledawson.
Next best at 2,750gns was Carnhill Fabian – the highest PLI Wa-Del Hayden son in the UK -bred and exhibited by Conor Casey from Cloughmills, County Antrim. This November 2009 born bull was bred from Laurelhill Ford Fay EX91 – the highest indexing Ford daughter in the UK. She gave over 15,000 kilos at 4.66% butterfat and 3.27% protein in her second 305 day lactation. This one was snapped up by C Gillan, Ballymena.
Judge, James Walker, Caddy Herd, Randalstown, awarded the male championship to Killane Pearsy, an August 2009 born entry consigned by brothers, David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, County Antrim. Sired by the Jocko Besne son, Jango, he is bred from the EX91 Killane DC Pretty Pat 157. This bull came under the hammer at 2,700gns, selling to I Paisley, Magheramorne, County Antrim.
Twin brother to the male champion, Killane Pointing, scooped the reserve male championship honours and sold for 2,000gns. The successful bidder was Harry Carson, Dundrod, County Antrim.
Topping the female entry at 2,080gns was Conor Casey’s Carnhill Blitz Dairymaid. She is by the Picston Shottle son, Ards Blitz GT, and is out of a home-bred Leif daughter.
The father and son team of Dessie and Ian Maybin, Broughshane, County Antrim, realised 1,950gns for Dunaird Sam Lady 3. She is by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam ET PI, and out of a home-bred Calbrett IHH Champion daughter.
Next best at 1,920gns was Dunaird Baxter Helen, an Emerald Acres SA T Baxter daughter, also consigned by the Maybin duo. Baxter was also behind the breeding of Dunaird Baxter Helen 2, which sold for 1,800gns.
Following close behind at 1,900gns was the female champion, Hilltara Baxter Sara, exhibited by Sam McCormick, who had made the journey from Bangor in County Down.
The championship awards were presented by Ben Mallon of AI Services (NI) Ltd.
Results from the judging ring...
Female, any age – 1, and female champion, Sam McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Baxter Sara by Emerald Acr Sa T Baxter; 2, and reserve female champion, Wallace Gregg, Cloughmills, Frocess Sirit Dewdrop 2 by Frocess Spirit PI; 3, Albert Wallace, Magherafelt, Cloney Careca Belle 721 by Careca.
Bull, any age – 1, and male champion, David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Pearsy by Jango; 2, David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Ponting by Jango; 3, Albert Wallace, Cloneygold Joshua by Jacob 13.
