Prices reached a ceiling of 5,000gns at Holstein NI’s 25th annual spring bull show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena.
Quality bulls met a ready market, with 28 lots changing hands to average £2,539 in a 78% clearance.
Sale leader was Relough Ross PLI £378, a fifteen-month-old Co-op Bosside Massey son bred and exhibited by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. His dam Relough Legend Roxie 2 VG89-3yr is a potential 10th generation EX cow. She gave over 10,200kgs at 4.47% at and 3.46% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Highest bidder was James Cummings from Castlederg, County Tyrone.
Earlier in the day Relough Ross caught the eye of judge John O’Sullivan from the 320-cow Lisduff herd in County Cork, to secure the supreme overall championship award sponsored by Danske Bank. "The champion is a very well developed and stylish bull. He has a tremendous rump and frontend, and tracks well on good feet and legs."
A fourteen-month-old De Su Freddie Galaxy son came under the hammer at 4,750gns for Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin, County Londonderry. Majestic Galaxy Alert ET PLI £385 is backed by nine generations of VG and EX dams, and is a maternal brother to Majestic Galaxy Alfie PLI £511 – one of the highest PLI bulls in the Genus ABS stud.
His dam Majestic Earnit Annette ET VG-2yr is the number one GTPI Earnit daughter in Europe, and gave 9,834kgs at 4.31% fat and 3.22% protein in her first 305-day lactation. This third prize winner sold to Gordon Fulton from Dromore, County Tyrone.
Next best at 4,200gns was the honourable mention award winner Cluntagh Amazon ET PLI £199 consigned by Steven Robinson who runs a herd of 150 cows at Crossgar, County Down. Born in September 2013 he is the result of an embryo imported from the USA. His sire was the Sandy Valley Bolton son Wabash Way Explode ET, while his dam is the Braedale Goldwyn daughter Larcrest Cambria ET VG87-2yr. Buyer was Gordon McCully from Ballyward, County Down.
Following close behind at 4,000gns was the McLean family’s reserve PLI award winner Relough Gala PLI £407. Sired by De Su Freddie Galaxy, this yearling bull was bred from Relough Iota Gloriette ET VG86-2yr who gave 10,476kgs at 4.24% fat and 3.20% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams he sold to Alastair Barclay from Dunloy, County Antrim.
The McLean family experienced a solid trade, selling nine Relough bulls to average £3,068 per head. They also secured the reserve championship with Relough Richter PLI £373, and the PLI award with Relough Dynasty ET PLI £413.
The November 2013 born Relough Richter PLI £373 came under the hammer of auctioneer Michael Taaffe at 3,650gns. He was sired by the home-bred Regancrest Altaiota son Relough Generate – a high genomic bull in the Genus ABS stud. Backed by nine generations of EX dams, he sold to Messrs T and W A McKinney from Maghera, County Londonderry.
The youngest bull in the catalogue, and one of the highest PLI bulls ever to be offered for sale at public auction, Prehen Franklyn ET PLI £538, sold at 3,400gns for Robbie and Stuart Smith from Londonderry.
This yearling entry was sired by Rosy-Lane LLC Altabarney, and is bred from Prehen Justice Froukje ET VG PLI £472 – the number six PLI cow in the UK. Backed by nine generations of VG and EX dams, this bull is a maternal brother to Prehen Fruition at Genus ABS, and sold to David Matthews from Omagh, County Tyrone.
Results from the judging ring include:
Class 1 – 1, William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, Ballycairn Tiergan Veron by Ballycairn Tiergan; 2, William and Andrew McCollum, Ballycairn Mars Gulliver by Ballycairn Mascol Mars; 3, William and Andrew McCollum, Ballycairn Mars Icarus by Ballycairn Mascol Mars.
Class 2- 1, and honourable mention, Steven Robinson, Cluntagh Amazon ET by Wabash Way Explode ET; 2, Aidan McAfee, Aghadowey, Drumeil Casper ET by Co-op Bosside Massey ET; 3, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Alfie ET by Amighetti Numero Uno ET.
Class 3 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Ross by Co-op Bosside Massey; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Dynasty ET by Regancrest Altaiota; 3, Ian and Kenny Watson, Majestic Galaxy Alert ET by De Su Freddie Galaxy.
Class 4 – 1, and reserve champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Richter by Relough Generate; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Gala by De Su Freddie Galaxy; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Denim by Ladys Manor Rd Grafetti.
