Prices reached a ceiling of 3,300gns and 14 lots changed hands to average £1,845 per head at Holstein NI’s January bull sale, hosted by J A McClelland and Sons at Ballymena Livestock Market.

Topping the sale was the first bull into the ring, Rossigh Shottle Minstrel, bred by Gerry O’Donnell who had made the trip from Killadeas in County Fermanagh. This two-year-old entry was sired by Picston Shottle, and is bred from the VG87 (2yr) Croagh Susie Mist 33 which gave over 9,500kgs at 5.20%BF and 3.42%P in her second lactation.

Bidding was brisk for this eye-catching bull. The successful bidder was pedigree breeder Noel Muldrew from Castle Dillon in County Armagh. As the buyer of the highest priced lot Mr Muldrew was the recipient of the £100 cash bonus sponsored by AI Services (NI) Ltd.

Second highest price of the day 2,300gns was paid to Mervyn McGimpsey, Newtownards, for the August 2010 born Towerview Reliant ET. Sired by O-Bee Manfred Justice, his dam is Relough Shottle Raven ET PI GP83. This one was snapped up by James McVitty from Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, who received the £50 buyer bonus.

Two lots came under the hammer of auctioneer Jonathan Speers at 2,200gns each.

First into the salering at 2,200gns was Ballycrochan Golden Shot brought out by Aubrey Patterson, and herdsman Raymond MCartney from Bangor, County Down. This April 2010 born bull was sired by Picston Shottle, and is out of the home-bred Ballycrochan Goldwyn Sara GP84 which gave over 10,000kgs at 4.27%BF and 3.88%P in her second 305-day lactation.

Also selling at 2,200gns was Moree Burns Megalite, a September 2010 born entry consigned by Bertie Kelso and Sons, Pomeroy, Dungannon. Sired by Dudoc Mr Burns, he is bred from the VG85 Moree Scarlet Meg, which produced over 9,900kgs at 4.58%BF and 3.25%P in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyers were Messrs D and A Erwin from Ballymena, County Antrim.

Next best at 2,100gns was the September 2010 born Carnhill C Planet bred by Conor Casey, Cloughmills, County Antrim. This Ensenada Taboo Planet son is out of the home-bred Carnhill Leif Claire EX90, which gave over 10,500kgs at 4.45%BF and 3.59%P in her third 305-day lactation.

Holstein NI chairman Alan Cleland thanked Ivan Minford of AI Services (NI) Ltd for its generous sponsorship.

• Holstein NI’s premier bull show and sale, sponsored by Northern Bank, takes place at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira on Wednesday, February 1. Judging commences at 10.30am, followed by the sale at 11.30am. Catalogues are available on request from Taaffe Auctions on tel: 00353 41 9881288.

 

 

Above: Rossigh Shottle Mistrel