An extremely buoyant trade for an attractive catalogue of bulls was how auctioneer Michael Taaffe described Holstein NI’s show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

“The club’s 27^th annual autumn show and sale boasted a strong selection of bulls with modern pedigrees, proven cow families and components. This was reflected in the excellent trade from start to finish, with multiple competitors bidding on every bull.”

“The sale ring was packed, and with a 97% clearance rate, demand outstripped supply leaving many customers returning home empty handed. 27 bulls sold to average £3,107 – an increase of £731 on this time last year.

Sale leader at 8,700gns was the sixteen-month-old Ballycrochan Aramis Red ET PLI £191 consigned by Clare Patterson from Bangor, County Down. He was sired by the Scientific Destry son Lookout P Redburst ET, and is bred from the world renown KHW Regiment Apple Red EX96 3E USA – sold for $1,000,000 at the Global Glamour Sale in 2008.

His dam has a string of accolades to her credit, including Holstein International World champion red and white Cow 2010, champion red and white World Dairy Expo 2011, All American red and white aged cow 2011, reserve champion red and white World Dairy Expo 2013, and Red Impact Cow of the Year 2013.

Backed by seven straight generations of EX dams with high components, this red and white bull created a bidding frenzy, with the highest bid coming from ME Kenwell who runs the Gulladoo herd based at Fintona, County Tyrone.

Earlier in the day this powerful bull caught the eye of judge Paul Flanagan, Termonfeckin, County Louth, to take the supreme championship award generously sponsored by Gortavoy Feeds. “He is a strong and powerful bull, and an excellent example of the breed. This bull is very correct with a great top line and rump,” said Mr Flanagan from the noted Tubbertoby herd.

Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, CountyTyrone, had a great day with nine bulls from their noted Relough herd selling to average £3,208 per head.

Topping the McLean’s line-up at 5,000gns was the PLI award winner Relough Ardour PLI £451. Born in September 2013, he was sired by Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and is out of Relough Iota May VG87 2yr SP – the number two genomic PLI cow in the UK. She produced 8,780kgs at 5.17% butterfat and 3.36% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to R Elliott from The Grange, Killough, Downpatrick, County Down.

Next best at 4,550gns was the second prize winning Relough Grenadier PLI £421. Born in May 2013, he was sired by Genervations Latimer ET, and is bred from the GP83 2yr Relough Beacon Gloriette – who gave almost 9,900kgs at 4.30% butterfat and 3.11% protein in her heifer lactation. Highest bidder was Sean O’Brien from Poyntzpass, County Armagh.

The McLean trio realised 4,450gns for the reserve PLI prize winner Relough Alligator PLI £425. Also by the Mascol son, Co-op Bosside Massey ET, he is bred from six generations of EX dams. His dam, Relough Goldwyn Amy 4 EX SP averaged 11,267Kgs at 4.71% butterfat and 3.35% protein in three 305-day lactations. This one joins John Hamilton’s herd at Rowantree Farm, Bangor, County Down.

Honourable mention award winner Glasson Focus ET PLI £154 came under the hammer at 4,350gns for Philip Haffey, and son Simon, from Portadown, County Armagh.  This April 2013 born entry was sired by Gillette Windbrook ET, and is out of Berryholme G Jordan Flo ET VG87-2yr SP, who gave over 10,500kgs at 4.07% butterfat and 3.23% protein in her first 305-day lactation. He sold to Robert Anderson, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Other leading prices include:

3,400gns - Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Google PLI £422 sold to G R Gilmore, Portaferry, County Down.

 3,300gns – Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Rugby PLI £172 sold to James Herron, Whitecross, County Armagh.

3,250gns – Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Brodie PLI £339 sold to W Morrow and Sons, Ballyblack, Newtownards, County Down.

3,100gns – Philip and Simon Haffey, Glasson Bomber ET PLI £222 sold to David and Alan Wallace, Antrim, County Antrim.