Trade peaked at 3300gns at the December sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart, with assistant breed secretary Neil Caul commenting that there was clearly a demand for naturally fleshed bulls with level tops, good locomotion and breed character.

Sale leader was the day’s male champion Drumhill Embassador P204 from Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, with this bull trading with a TSI of +22 and an SRI of +25. Born in April 2014 he is sired by stock bull Blelack Lord Handsome L739 – purchased at Stirling in February 2013 for 11,000gns. His dam is the Beltie Gaffer Cruz Z053 daughter Deveron Elize C079, bought privately from Scottish breeder Hamish Sclater. In the breed’s top 1% for milk at +12, he sold to Messrs D S and J S Hatrick, Londonderry.

This was the Drumhill herd’s fourth male championship at a breed society sale in Dungannon. They exhibited the winners in April and October 2012, April 2015, and the won the reserve male award in February 2014. Judge Stephen Wallace from the 100-cow Baronagh herd, Garvagh, described the champion as a clear winner. “He has breed character, great conformation, good width and a fantastic backend.” 

Next best at 3000gns was the fifth placed Lana Lord Harley P907. This one from Alan Cheney, Trillick, Co Tyrone, sold with a TSI of +40 and an SRI of +51. He was yearling bull champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show six weeks previously and is by stock bull Nightingale Playfair K527. This one is bred from Blackhaugh Easy Papa G728 daughter Lana Lady Happy K647, a former Ulster champion and dam of the 2013 calf champion and 2014 yearling heifer champion. In the breed’s top 5% for eye muscle area at +6.5, he sold to Seamus Connolly, Victoria Bridge, Strabane. 

Freddie Davidson, Banbridge brought out the reserve male champion Ember Lord James P945. He traded with a TSI of +23 and an SRI of +32 and was bought by Seamus Hughes, Newtownards, for 2800gns. This April 2014 born entry is sired by former stock bull Old Glenort Earl K632 and is out of Birches Lady Joanne K876, one of 12 breeding females in the Ember herd.  

Judge Stephen Wallace added: ”The reserve male champion is a well-balanced bull with a lovely Aberdeen Angus head and good conformation.” 

Following close behind at 2700gns was the second placed Carmean Engelbert P221 bred by John Lawrence, Magherafelt. Born in March 2014, he is sired by Wedderlie Net Profit E916 and is out of the homebred Cheeklaw Eirwyn D165 daughter Carmean Edith J233. In the top 5% for calving ease at +3.9, and top 20% for milk at +13, he was snapped up by John Phair, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh.

James Porter, Dromore, County Down, realised 2500gns for the first prize winning Old Glenort Kramer P023. Sired by The Moss Quebec K027, he is out of the Eastfield Elevator Z024 daughter Old Glenort Kathleen E657. This March 2014 born bull is in the breed’s top 5% for daughter calving ease and caught the eye of David Matthews, Omagh. 

Aberdeen Angus females peaked at 1300gns twice, with five maiden heifers from John Lawrence’s herd selling to average £1117.

First to go at 1300gns was the unled Carmean Eve P232 with a TSI of +35 and an SRI of +49. This March 2014 born Thrunton Rocket L282 daughter is out of a dam carrying the Drumawhey prefix. She joins Jim and May Jack’s Strule herd based at Fivemiletown. 

Also selling at 1300gns was the April 2014 Wedderlie Prize Fighter H606 daughter Carmean Paula P254. Buyer was Seamus Connolly, Victoria Bridge. 

John Lawrence secured the female championship award with Carmean Ella P184. Born in February 2014, she is by BJ’s No Limits 15S, and is out of a homebred dam by Mancini of Drumlister. Buyer at 950gns was James Armstrong, Maguiresbridge.

Results from the judging ring include: 

Bull, born between 03/02/14 and 23/03/14 – 1, James Porter’s Old Glenort Kramer P023 by The Moss Quebec K027; 2, John Lawrence’s Carmean Engelbert P221 by Wedderlie Net Profit E916; 3, Samuel Scott’s Drumawhey Roby P715 by Crerogue Vallis L354.

Bull, born between 06/04/14 and 24/05/14 – 1, and male champion, Jonathan and Lisa Doyle’s Drumhill Embassador P204 by Blelack Lord Handsome L739; 2, and reserve male champion, Freddie Davidson’s Ember Lord James P945 by Old Glenort Earl K632; 3, Leo Cherry’s Tamnaskenny Etock P335 by Ankonian Elixir 100.

Bull, born between 09/06/14 and 04/09/14 – 1, Alan Cheney’s Lana Lord Holiday P933 by Nightingale Playfair K627; 2, Neville and Ivan Forsythe’s Coltrim Dingo P931 by Coltrim Eagle L822.

Female, born15/02/14 and 25/05/14 – 1, and female champion, John Lawrence’s Carmean Ella P184 by BJ’s No Limits 15S.