There was a buoyant trade for quality Aberdeen Angus bulls at the society’s Dungannon show and sale.

Prices soared to a top of 5,200gns, and following an 80% clearance auctioneer Trevor Wylie reported that 12 lots changed hands to average £3,167 – an increase of £122 on this time last year.

Breed society chief executive Barrie Turner, and newly elected president Alan Cheney from Trillick, County Tyrone, welcomed the steady trade.

“Today’s sale reflects the growing demand for Aberdeen Angus cattle. The brand is continuing to gain momentum, and is currently enjoying a strong position on the national and global markets.

“Aberdeen Angus beef is recognised for its quality, taste and texture. The easy calving and early maturing Aberdeen Angus ticks the boxes for both farmers and processors, as its economical to finish and produces lower carcase weights.

“Farmers are aiming to produce the best beef they can, and the Aberdeen Angus delivers quality, and the fits the market requirements of the processor, retailer and consumer.”

Hitting the headlines in both the show and sale rings was the June 2018 Richhill Rusty U164 TSI+34 SRI+40 bred by Robin Lamb and sons from Richhill. Sired by the herd’s 6,500gns stock bull Keirsbeath Kingsland R537, he is out of the home-bred SAV Brave 8320 daughter Richhill Rosanna N403 – one of 40 cows in the County Armagh herd. The Rosanna family has featured consistently over the years in the best cow family category of the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual herd competition.

This much-admired bull caught the eye of judge Barry Smith from the 25-cow Lawsons Ford Herd at Cootehill, County Cavan, to take the male championship ribbons. “This bull really caught my eye. He has superb ring presence, a great Angus head, tremendous breed character and conformation, and correct feet and legs. Attracting a top bid of 5,200gns he sold to James Thompson, Culmore, County Londonderry.

Second highest price of the day 3,700gns, was paid to Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam Matchett from Portadown, for the fifth placed Birches Lord Harrison U614 TSI+34 SRI+46. Born in May 2018, he was sired by stock bull Cheeklaw Emlyn P480 – All Ireland Champion in 2017, and is bred from the successful show cow Mogeely Lady Hilda H967. Ranked in the breed’s top 20% for eye muscle area +4.9, this one was snapped up by Michael O’Brien from Poyntzpass.

Two lots came under the hammer at 3,200gns. First to sell was the third placed Old Glenort Eric U344 TSI+31 SRI+39 bred by James Porter, Gill Hall Estate, Dromore, County Down. A son of herd sire Carlhurlie Gentilex S124, his dam is the Moss Quebec K027 daughter Old Glenort Ella S471. Buyer was A Wilson from Armagh.

Francis McConvey from Ardglass, County Down, paid out 3,200gns to secure the June 2018 Kiltariff Dorian U111 exhibited by Kenneth Bready from Rathfriland. Sired by the home-bred Netherton Americano M703 son Kiltariff Deacon S875, he is bred from Kiltariff Demelza S842. This second prize winner boasts high ranking Breedplan figures TSI+50, SRI+58, milk +13, and eye muscle area +7.2.

Following close behind at 3,100gns was the second prize winning Coltrim Edmundo U003 TSI+29 SRI+46 bred by Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore. Born in October 2018, he was sired by Wedderlie Ergo M574, and is out of the Oakchurch Duster M109 daughter Coltrim Evana S605. Ranked in the top 10% for calving ease +3.7, he sold to dairy farmers Andrew and Liz Addison, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn.

Judge Barry Smith awarded reserve male championship to the May 2018 Sess Eagle U923 TSI+26 SRI+36 bred by Margaret Buchanan from Augher. Sired by Bunlahy John G, his dam is the Netherton Mr Brazilian E377 daughter Sess Elf P856.

“This is another stylish bull. He is well made, has great spring of rib and good bone,” added the judge. This one came under the hammer of Trevor Wylie at 3,000gns, selling to Linton Selfridge from Maghera.

Also selling at 3,000gns was the fourth placed Coolermoney Lord Hublo U876 TSI+31 SRI+51 bred by Adrian Parke, and son Graeme, from Strabane. This July 2018 entry was sired by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630, and is out of a home-bred dam by Steil Hero 202. Ranked in the top 5% for milk +21, he sold to John McGovern from Newtownbutler.

Claiming the female championship was the June 2018 Relaghan Noel daughter Home Farm Lady Helena U286 bred by Fintan Keown, Belleek. Taking the reserve award was the July 2018 Balmachie Lord Jock R198 daughter Island Farm Esmeralda U445 bred by Kevin McOscar, Cookstown.

A draft entry of females from David Whan’s Slievecroob Herd at Dromara, peaked at 1,400gns, realised by the April 2018 Glen Cowie Evie U472. She was sired by Blelack Evolution R454, and is bred from Balgay Egyptian Queen P285. Buyers were Messrs Rea from Aughnalcoy.

Results from the judging ring:

Bull, born between 01/02/18 and 30/05/18 – 1, and reserve male champion, Margaret Buchanan, Sess Eagle U923 by Bunlahy John G; 2, Moses Irwin Jnr, Denamona Blackboard U835 by Blelack Lord Heston S721; 3, James Porter, Old Glenort Eric U334 by Carhurlie Gentilex S124; 4, Hylda Mills and Brian Johnston, Dartrey Excess U946 by Dartrey Red George R311.

Bull, born between 06/06/18 and 26/07/18 – 1, and male champion, Robin Lamb, Richhill Rusty U164 by Keirsbeath Kingsland R537; 2, Kenneth Bready, Kiltariff Dorian U111 by Kiltariff Deacon S875; 3, James Porter, Old Glenort Knight U543 by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124; 4, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Lord Hublo U876 by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630.

Bull, born between 05/09/18 and 10/10/18- 1, Syndey Cromie, Prospect Black Haugh U941 ET by Nightingale Proud Jake G405; 2, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Edmundo U003 by Wedderlie Ergo M574.

Female, born between 08/04/18 and 01/07/18 – 1, and female champion, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lady Helena U286 by Relaghan Noel; 2, and reserve female champion, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Esmeralda U445 by Balmachie Lord Jock R198.

Top price at the Aberdeen Angus Society’s Dungannon show and sale was the 5,200gns Richhill Rusty U164 exhibited by Peter Lamb, Richhill. Included is judge Barry Smith from Cootehill, County Cavan.

Second highest price of the sale 3,700gns went to Gail Matchett, Portadown, who exhibited Birches Lord Harrison U614.

Reserve male champion was the 3,000gns Sess Eagle U923 bred by Margaret Buchanan, Augher, and shown by Alan Burleigh. Included is judge Barry Smith, Cootehill, Co Cavan.

Ian Rea exhibited the 3,200gns Old Glenort Eric U344, bred by James Porter.

Fintan Keown, Belleek, exhibited the female champion Home Farm Lady Helena U286.

Nigel Fields exhibited the reserve female champion Island Farm Esmeralda U445 on behalf of Kevin McOscar, Cookstown.

Peter Lamb, Richhill, exhibited the male champion Richhill Rusty U164 sold for a top price of 5,200gns. Included is judge Barry Smith, Cootelhill.

Dungannon Aberdeen Angus judge Barry Smith from Cootehill, County Cavan.

Kenneth Bready, Rathfriland, exhibited the second placed Kiltariff Dorian U111 sold at 3,200gns.

Brian Johnston from Scarva keeps an eye on the Aberdeen Angus judging at Dungannon

Keeping an eye on the Aberdeen Angus judging at Dungannon are David Whan; Dessie Martin and Hugh Dickson.