Aberdeen Angus bulls to 3,300gns at Dungannon
Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to a top price of 3,300gns and 3,200gns at the annual native breeds show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Sale leader at 3,300gns was Drummeer Elliott X255 TSI+44 SRI+51 bred by Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge. Born in May 2021, he was sired by Gretnahouse Blacksmith L500, and is out of the Nightingale Playfair K527 daughter Lana Elass N465. This second prize winner was snapped up Sammy Caldwell, and daughter Leah, from Beragh near Omagh.
Mr Caldwell, who runs a herd of 200 commercial dairy cows, also paid out 3,200gns to secure the third placed Coltrim Ellio X681 TSI+32 SRI+40 consigned by Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore.
Sired by the home-bred Cheeklaw Punch R529 son, Coltrim Javier Eric U911, this June 2021 born entry was bred from Coltrim Evana U977.
The pre-sale show was judged by Ian Rea from Nutt’s Corner near Crumlin. He awarded the supreme championship ribbons to the July 2021 born Tynan Count Dynamite X281 bred by Andrew Clarke from Tynan, County Armagh. This bull came under the hammer of auctioneer Trevor Wylie at 2,800gns, selling to John Hanna from Downpatrick.
Andrew Clarke founded his Aberdeen Angus prefix in 2019 with the private purchase of Drumgar Lodge Corona U203 from neighbouring pedigree breeder Brian Anderson. The champion was sired by Elliott Bravo T452 and is the second son bred from Drumgar Lodge Corona U203. His full brother Tynan Charles W071 was champion at last year’s Dungannon sale, and sold for a joint top bid of 4,400gns.
The Scottish-bred Elliot Bravo T452 is ranked in Breedplan’s top one percent of the breed for milk +29, terminal sire index 55 and self-replacing index 80; and top 5% for eye muscle area +6.5. He was purchased by the Foyle Food Group for its High Genetic Sire Scheme, an initiative aimed at encouraging Aberdeen Angus Quality Beef Ltd producers to use superior genetics.
The reserve championship went to Dartrey Red Version X904 TSI+28 SRI+35 bred by NI Aberdeen Angus Club chairperson Hylda Mills. Born in March 2021, this first prize winner was sired by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911, and is out of Dartrey Red Vears U832 – one of 11 cows in the herd. He sold for 2,250gns to Martin Bloomer from Cookstown.
Judge Ian Rea thanked the club for inviting him to judge, and praised the quality of entries on parade. “There was a small show of Aberdeen Angus bulls. The overall champion was an outstanding bull with tremendous style, and he will be an asset to pedigree or commercial any herd.
“The reserve champion is another very correct bull, displaying great style and ring presence.”
Four bulls changed hands to level at £3,032 per head (80% clearance).
Results from the showring
Bull, born between 15/03/21 and 30/03/21 – 1, and reserve champion, Hylda Mills, Dartrey Red Version X904 by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911.
Bull, born between 20/05/21 and 22/07/21 – 1, and supreme champion, Andrew Clarke, Tynan Count Dynamite X281 by Elliot Bravo T452; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Elliott X255 by Gretnahouse Blacksmith L500; 3, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Ellio X681 by Coltrim Javier Eric U911; 4, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Robbie X134 by Rawburn Black Bush S420.
