By Julie Hazelton

There was a strong demand for bulls and heifers at the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society’s regional show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.

Prices for bulls peaked at 6,200gns, while a maiden heifer led female trade at 4,000gns.

Auctioneer Trevor Wylie said more Aberdeen Angus bulls were needed to satisfy demand at the annual Native Breeds sale. He confirmed six lots sold to average £5,127 – an increase of £787 on last year’s sale.

The pre-sale was judged by Christopher McCrea from Strabane.

Claiming the male championship sash and a top price of 6,200gns was the eighteen-month-old Drumhill Master Plan A277 TSI+41 SRI+49, bred by the Doyle family – Jonathan, Lisa, Jack and Jessica, who run a 60-cow herd based at Cookstown.

He was sired by the 15,000gns Galcantray Jedi Eric V287, and bred from the Water End Jackpot Eric N110 daughter, Schivas Morning Princess S430 – bought for 18,000gns as an in-calf heifer at the Shivas dispersal sale in October 2018.

This young bull scooped the reserve yearling championship at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show in November. He was snapped up by online bidder, Dr Michael Sheahan, for his noted Luddenmore Herd at Cappawhite, Co Tipperary.

Second highest bid of 5,200gns was paid to the father and son team of Adrian and Graeme Parke, Strabane, for the eighteen-month-old entry, Coolermoney Robin A473 TSI+36 SRI+48. This third prize winner is a Rawburn Ernan W110 son, out of the Ankonian Elixir 100 daughter, Coolermoney Rosita T736. This bull was snapped up by Sam Rooney from Enniskillen.

Next best at 5,000gns was the second prize winner Coltrim Parker A517 TSI+35 SRI+47, bred by Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore. This twenty-month-old bull was sired by Stouphill Paddi X358, and bred from the Tofts Evergarth R409 daughter, Coltrim Princess W386.

He was a second prize winner in the senior yearling bull class at the November 2025 calf show. Buyer was M Anderson from Richhill.

Following close behind at 4,900gns was the first prize Drummeer Philip A725 TSI+19 SRI+28 from Alan and Naomi Morrison’s herd at Maguiresbridge. Born in May 2024, he was sired by Liss Masterstroke W013, and is out of the home-bred Drummeer Polly Angelina V216. Buyer was John McConville from Rathfriland.

The Morrison family’s female champion Drummeer Evie B031 sold for 4,000gns to Peter Fitzgerald’s Cherryvalley Herd at Crumlin. This maiden heifer is by Lisduff Banjo Y020, and bred from the Drummeer Lord Thunder U017 daughter, Drummeer Evie X196.

A draft entry of females from Ivan Forsythe’s 30-cow herd topped at 3,400gns, with three selling to average £3,290 each.

Leading the line-up was the May 2024 born Coltrim Evana A543 sired by Stouphill Paddi X358, and bred from Coltrim Evana U977. She is in-calf to the 38,000gns Blelack Dean Martin – February 2022 Stirling intermediate champion. This heifer joins Andrew Clarke’s Tynan pedigree herd in County Armagh.

Next best at 3,000gns was the March 2024 Coltrim Lady Jane A344. She was sired by Island Farm Master Missie X854, and is out of the Coltrim Ellipse W272 daughter, Coltrim Lady Jane Y843. This heifer in-calf to Richhill Batman Z461. She sold to Anne Morrison, and nephew Mark Morrison, for their Tullyglush Herd in Middletown, County Armagh.

Also selling at 3,000gns was the March 2024 Coltrim Blackbird A381. Another by Stouphill Paddi X358, she is bred from Coltrim Blackbird X515. Buyer was John McKenzie from Cookstown.

Results from the showring:

Bull, born between 11/03/24 and 15/05/-24 – 1, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Philip A725 by Liss Masterstroke W013; 2, Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Parker A517 by Stouphill Paddi X358.

Bull, born between 09/07/24 and 09/09/24 – 1, and male champion – Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Master Plan A277 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287; 2, and reserve male champion, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Lord Tik Tok A843 by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Robin A473 by Rawburn Ernan W110; 4, Graeme Donaghy, Lisnavaragh Elite A211 by Lisnavaragh Phoenix Conor Y056.

Female, born between 28/07/24 and 02/04/25 – 1, and female champion, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Evie B031 by Lisduff Banjo Y020; 2, and reserve female champion, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Blackbird A817 by Liss Masterstroke W013; 3, Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Lady Jane A344 by Island Farm Master Missie X854.