The show and sale held by the NI Simmental cattle breeders’ club in Dungannon mart last Friday 18 March saw a mixed trade, with some high-quality lots attracting strong prices, but a significant number also remaining unsold.

The top price on the day of 5,400gns was paid by Oliver McGuinness for the female champion shown by Adrian Richardson from Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh. This exceptional February 2015-born heifer, Cleenagh Good Girl, was sired by Ashland Brandy 10 and out of the homebred Cleenagh Vikki.

In total, of the 11 heifers presented for sale, six exchanged hands. The second highest price of 2,500gns was paid for Lisglass Foxy, a Dermotstown Delboy daughter presented by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup from Ballyclare. The four remaining heifers sold averaged 1,650gns.

In the bull section, the top price of 4,600gns was paid for Lakeside Fred 14, a June 2014-born bull shown by Lisbellaw breeders, Messrs Chartres and Farrell. The Drumlone Anchor 09 son is out of the cow Lakeside Beauty. He has a self-replacing index of +85 (top 20% of breed) and a terminal sire index of +73 (top 30% of breed).

The next highest price of 3,400gns was paid for Lisglass Fortress, also out of the sire Dermotstown Delboy and presented by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup. Only four other bulls made over 2,000gns.

In total, 12 bulls sold to average 2,333gns. Five animals were unsold, mainly because they failed to meet the minimum reserve of 1,800gns. A further 10 animals listed in the show catalogue were not presented on the day.

Ballymena sale

It was also a fairly mixed trade at the multi-breed sale of beef bulls at Ballymena mart on Friday, with only seven of the 19 catalogued bulls shown changing hands.

The top price of 2,000gns was paid for the Aberdeen Angus bull Taugh Blane Black Duke shown by Trevor Wallace from Dromore.

The 22-month-old bull was sired by Blelack Duke and from the dam Taugh Blane Blackbird.

George McAuley from Ballyclare sold his Angus bull Mossbank Eirwyn for 1,650gns. The 14-month-old bull was sired by Thrunton Rocket and from the dam Mossbank Eve.

The top price paid for a Limousin was 1,850gns for Pointhouse Juke. The 18-month-old bull was shown by Michael Diamond from Garvagh and was sired by Wilodge Fastrac and from the dam Pointhouse Fab.

Ian Davidson from Larne received 1,700gns for his 18-month-old Limousin bull Ballyrickard Jock. The bull was sired by Ionesco and from the dam Ballyrickard Bell.

None of the Charolais bulls on show were sold and the only Simmental bull catalogued, Ballyvallough Farmboy, was passed at 1,000gns.