Black and white bulls attracted a steady trade at Kilrea Mart, resulting in a complete clearance with 18 lots changing hands to level at £1,821 per head.

Sale leader at the Holstein Northern Ireland show and sale sponsored by United Feeds, was the second prize winning Killane Echo bred by brothers Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill, County Antrim. This seventeen-month-old entry was sired by Gillette Wind Hammer, and is bred from Killane Eddie Elegance 34 VG87. Backed by five generations of VG and EX dams, he sold for 2,400gns to W McCormick, Ballycastle, County Antrim.

Second highest bid of the day 2,150gns, was paid to Mervyn Smyth, and son Gareth, from Cloughmills, County Antrim, for Ballyweaney Black Lightning ET PLI £68. Born in April 2013 he is by Lylehaven Lightning, and bred from Sherdon Lucine EX92 24* LP100 who averaged 11,306kgs at 4.40% fat and 3.31% protein in eight 305-day lactations. Buyer was Maurice Hughes from Kircubbin, County Down.

Next best at 2,050gns was Glasson Blaster PLI £68, a Gibbs I Claynook Dude son from Philip Haffey, and son Simon, Portadown, County Armagh. Born in May 2013, he was bred from Glasson Canyon Balise EX94 who is fresh with her fourth and producing 55.4 litres daily. Backed by six generations of EX dams, he sold to Alex McMaster, Broughshane, County Antrim.

Judge John Berry, Skybrook Herd, Armagh, awarded the supreme championship to Glasson Brutus ET PLI £131, an April 2013 born Sully Hart Meridan son bred by Philip and Simon Haffey. This one is also bred from Glasson Canyon Balise EX94 and attracted a bid of 2,000gns from Andrew McAuley, Bushmills, County Antrim.

The Haffey duo secured a bid of 2,000gns for the fourth placed Glasson Senitor PLI £292. By Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul, his dam is Glasson KJ Jasper Sara VG88 – a daughter of the 2011 Balmoral and McLarnon Dairy Cow champion Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 EX92. Bred from seven generations of VG and EX dams with exceptional milk components, he was snapped up by Neil Thompson, Millisle, County Down.

Zani Bolton Mascalese was behind the breeding of the reserve champion Majestic Larchfield PLI £296 from Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin, County Londonderry. Born in April 2013, his dam is Majestic Gerard Licorice VG85 . This one came under the hammer of auctioneer Mark Stewart at 2,000gns, selling to Grange Farms based at Castlerock, County Londonderry.

Tommy and Mark Henry, Stranocum, County Antrim, realised 1,980gns for the May 2013 born Mostragee Fredo ET PLI £330. Sired by Mountfield SSi DCY Mogul, this one is bred from Mostragee Froukje Lauren VG87 who gave over 12,600kgs at 4.03% fat and 3.35% protein in her second 305-day lactation. This bull’s full sister is the number five PLI heifer in the UK.

The youngest bull in the catalogue Relough Ratify ET PLI £307 secured the honourable mention award for Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, County Tyrone. This yearling entry is a son of Heidenskipster Goldday, and is out of Relough Shottle Raven 4 EX91 who averaged 11,778kgs at 4.20% fat and 3.14% protein in five 305-day lactations. He sold for 1,900gns.

Also selling at 1,900gns was Derrydorragh Satchel Licker PLI £194 bred by Willard and Adam Watson, Macosquin. Born in September 2013 he is by ERB Crest Satchel, and is bred from the noted Long Haven Sally cow family. His dam Derrydorragh Maestro Lick Me ET VG87 produced over 13,480kgs at 5.29% fat and 3.53% protein in her second 305-day lactation.

Auctioneers: HA McIlrath and Sons