Bidding was brisk for quality bulls and prices soared to a top of 5,200gns at Holstein NI’s 25th annual autumn show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Leading the day’s trade was the third prize winning Ards Ellwood ET (PLI £183) bred and exhibited by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down.
Sired by the Braedale Goldwyn son, Maple Downs IG Atwood ET, he is backed by twelve generations of VG and EX dams. His dam, Ards Bolton Lou Ella ET EX92, gave over 13,600kgs at 4.30% butterfat and 3.60% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Successful bidders were Dessie and Jonathan Moore from Fintona, County Tyrone.
Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, had a good day at the premier sale trading three bulls from their noted Ards herd to average £4,077 per head.
The Patton family also claimed the second highest price of the day 4,650gns, realised by the reserve champion and milk quality award winner Ards Primetime (PLI £182). This fourteen-month-old entry is by Gillette Jordan ET, and has seven generations of VG and EX dams behind his pedigree. He is bred from the VG86 Ards Oman Primrose which gave over 14,200kgs at 3.53% butterfat and 3.25% protein in her second 305-day lactation. This one joins John Armstrong’s herd at Dromore, County Tyrone.
Judge Mick Gould from Shrewsbury described the reserve champion as a strong, stylish bull with good legs and feet.
Next best at 4,050gns was the honourable mention award winner from Austin and David Perry’s herd based at Ahoghill, County Antrim. The April 2011 born Killane Equator (PLI £143) is by the O Bee Manfred Justice son, Gran-J O Man McCormick, and comes from eight generations of VG and EX dams. His dam, Killane Hanno Lou Etta has averaged 8,593kgs at 4.43% butterfat and 3.44% protein in three 305-day lactations. Buyer was Thomas Boyd from Kilwaughter near Larne, County Antrim.
Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone, sold their best at 3,400gns. The third prize winning Relough Ravioli (PLI £152) also caught the eye of John Armstrong from Dromore, County Tyrone. This thirteen-month-old bull is by Regancrest Altaiota, and is backed by six generations of VG and EX dams. His dam, Relough Buckeye Raven EX produced over 10,500kgs at 3.72% butterfat and 3.24% protein in her third 305-day lactation.
The McLean trio also had a successful day at the Pedigree Sales Arena, selling five Relough bulls to average £2,619 per head.
They also realised 3,300gns for the fifth prize winning Relough Frank (PLI £204). This August 2011 born entry is by O Man End Story, and is bred from Relough Lancelot Frances ET VG86 which averaged over 9,699kgs at 4.51% butterfat and 3.52% protein in four 305-day lactations. He is a full brother to Relough Freddie and Relough Firefighter both at the Genus ABS stud. Buyer was John O’Brien from Poyntzpass, County Down.
Relough Revamp (PLI £117) secured the supreme overall championship, sponsored by Gortavoy Feeds, and sold to Stephen McAllister, Dungannon, for 2,700gns. Sired by Comestar Lauthority ET, he is bred from nine generations of VG and EX dams.
Mick Gould said:”The champion is a well-grown bull with strength and power, and is exactly what commercial dairy farmers are looking for.”
Following close behind at 2,650gns was the third prize winning Ballycairn Iota Lee (PLI £167) consigned by William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine. Born in July 2011, he is by Regancrest Altaiota, and is bred from the VG87 LP80 Ballycairn Novalis Lenora which produced over 7,500kgs at 4.92% butterfat and 3.52% protein in her eighth 305-day lactation. He sold to Robert Rainey from Beragh, County Tyrone.
Next best at 2,600gns was Hilltara Trump (PLI £181) bred by the father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Tyrone. Born in April 2011, he is by Schillview Gerrard, and is out of Hilltara Bolton Tippy VG which produced over 10,000kgs at 4.42% butterfat and 3.02% protein in her heifer lactation. This bull stood fourth in his class and was runner-up for the milk quality award. He sold to Ian McFarlane from Craigavad, Hollywood, County Down.
Auctioneer Michael Taaffe reported a 71% clearance, with 30 lots selling to average £2,298 per head.
Results from the judging ring include:
Bull, born between 10/04/11 and 25/05/11 – 1, and honourable mention, Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Equator by Gran-J O Man McCormick; 2, Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Hannibal ET by Ri-Val-Re 2338 Niagra ET; 3, Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Morgan ET by England Ammon Million.
Bull, born between 26/05/11 and 27/07/11 – 1, Willard Watson, Coleraine, Derrydorragh Kerry ET by Ponsstar Shogun; 2, William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, Ballycairn Euros George by Ballycairn M Euros; 3, William and Andrew McCollum, Ballycairn Iota Lee by Regancrest Altaiota.
Bull, born between 28/07/11 and 02/09/11 – 1, and reserve champion, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Primetime by Gillette Jordan ET; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Rory ET by O Man End Story; 3, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Ellwood ET by Maple Downs I GW Atwood ET.
Bull, born between 03/09/11 and 27/10/11 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Revamp by Comestart Lauthority ET; 2, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Mozart by Gillette Jordan ET; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Ravioli by Regancrest Altaiota ET.
