A Pine Tree Altaoak son from the high ranking PLI Froukje family secured a top price of 2,850gns at Holstein Northern Ireland’s May show and sale, held at Kilrea Mart.
The fifteen-month-old Prehen Franko, bred by breed club chairman Stuart Smith, and father Robbie, Londonderry, boasts a PLI of +£363 and sold to Norman Bell, Cookstown. His dam is the O-Bee Manfred Justice daughter Prehen Oman Froukje 2 ET VG86 – the number 17 PLI (+£416) cow in the UK. She averaged 12,418kgs at 3.47% butterfat and 3.15% protein in three 305 day lactations.
This bull is a half brother to Prehen Fracas and Prehen Frankel sold to Genus ABS.
Next best at 2,000gns was the day’s supreme champion Mullaugher Chief bred by the father and son team of Norman and David McNaugher, Aghadowey. Born in December 2013 he is by Penrikka Inka Chief Red, and is backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams. His dam Penrikka Shottle Cinderella VG87 produced over 11,140kgs at 4.72% butterfat and 3.40% protein in her second 305 day lactation. Buyer at 2,000gns was Boyd Douglas from Dungiven.
The McNaugher duo experienced a steady trade at Kilrea, selling four bulls to average £1,922 per head.
They also secured 1,880gns for the honourable mention award winner Mullaugher Scotty ET. Sired by Picston Shottle, this seventeen-month-old bull was bred from Ebyholme Gibson Melissa EX92 4E LP70. His granddam Hillcroft Leader Melaine EX96 3E LP80 was the grand champion at Madison and All Canadian 4yr-old in 2004. Highest bidder was Wallace Bradley from Garvagh.
Judge Mervyn Johnston from Lisbellaw awarded the reserve championship to Prehen Romeo, a thirteen-month-old entry from Robbie and Stuart Smith. Sired by TOC Farm Goldsun, he is out of the home-bred Prehen Talent Eddi Red EX93 (2). Buyer at 1,660gns was Moore McCurdy from Dervock.
The Prehen herd sold four bulls to average £2,034 per head.
Sponsors David Anderson and Campbell Hume from Grassland Agro were on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards.
Auctioneer Mark Stewart confirmed an 87% clearance with 13 lots changing hands to average £1,734 per head.
