Steady trade for Aberdeen-Angus bulls in Dungannon

There was standing room only at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club Show and Sale held this week at Dungannon Farmer’s Mart. Demand for the female portion of the catalogue was exceptional with steady returns for service age bulls also recorded.

Causing a stir at ringside was the super cow and bull calf combination Woodvale Beuatiful Kitty D997 and Woodvale Bachelor J874 forward from Alwyn and Carol Armour’s noted Woodvale herd securing the headline price of 4300gns. This Ankonian Elixir daughter has a proven track record in the Woodvale herd with her first daughter being retained for breeding and her February 2008 born bull destined for next season’s spring sales. Her show stopping bull calf is sired by Woodvale Mr Awesome E207, an embryo son of the top performance bull in the states Vermilion Dateline out of the massive donor cow Coldstream Miss Annie.There was spirited bidding for this outfit from both new and established breeders, with the hammer falling to Trevor Wallace, Dromore.

The Old Glenort herd of James Porter was to the fore with his first calving heifer Old Glenort Mayflower F727 selling with a smart Netherton Fleur’s Legacy F390 daughter at foot for 3000gns. This outfit is bred from the heart of the successful Mayflower family in the herd, which traces back to the interbreed champion at Antrim Show Mayflower of the Lodge. Back in calf to the same bull, this herd builder should prove to be a sound investment for Mike Frazer, Templepatrick, who had several lots picked out for his recently established herd.

Leading male trade at 2800gns was Cluntagh Paddy H135 from Frank Morrison

Leading the way in the bulls was Frank Morrison, Crossgar, with his March 2008-born Cluntagh Paddy H135, a son of Idvies Euris B112 out of Baronagh Pansy Y437 which sold for 2800gns. This was an eye-catching entry with plenty of length and super conformation. This bull was the Northern Ireland calf show champion in 2008 and he has a self replacing index of +27. The successful purchase for this lot was Messrs Dunbar, Newtownstewart.

The male champion sold for 2700gns for the McKeown family who currently run 20 females in their Ashvale herd based at Templaptrick. Ashvale Master Piece is sired by the herd’s stock bull Woodvale Exclusive E141 who has been champion at Antrim Show and reserve male champion at Balmoral Show.

Richard McKeown scooped the male championship with Ashvale Master Piece. Adding his congratulations is judge Robin Lamb

This August 2008-born bull was selected male champion by judge Robin Lamb who presented the sponsorship award on behalf of Corby Rock Mill, Monaghan. He sold to Robert Scott, Hillsborough.

Reserve male champion was awarded to Drumlone Euro H656 exhibited by Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw. In the female section the top honours went to Fintan Keown for his Fordel Eisenhower daughter Home Farm Elisa. Both these lots were withdrawn unsold.

The reserve female champion Woodvale Eyrie H675 was sold at 2100gns to Mike Frazer, Templepatrick. This was a well grown daughter of the sought after Woodvale Mr Awesome presented by Robert Campbell, Seaforde. The same purchaser also forked out 2100gns to secure Croftburn Priceless accompanied by her DMM Traction daughter at foot from John Robson, Augher.

The next date in the Aberdeen Angus diary is the World Forum Meeting scheduled for Dunganon Rugby Club on Thursday 5th November. Guest speaker will be Society President William McLaren Jnr. For full details of this and all Club events contact Alan Morrison 07811447812.

For more pictures and picture re-prints go to Agri Images

Averages: 8 bulls £1825; 6 cows and calves £2666; 6 heifers £1350 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).