The British Limousin Society hosted a regional spring show and sale, conducted by JA McClelland and Sons at Ballymena Livestock Market on Saturday, February 22.
According to a sale report form Julie Hazleton, trade was underpinned by commercial bidders, resulting in a 90% clearance with 35 bulls selling to level at £4,813/head – down £347 on last year, but with 17 more bulls finding new homes.
Securing the day’s top bid of 8,000 guineas was the junior, reserve male and reserve supreme champion, Carmorn Ultra, bred and exhibited by father and son duo, Francis and Frank McAuley from Toomebridge.
This 18-month-old bull was sired by the €38,000 Carrickmore Maximus who was the National Limousin Champion at Tullamore Show in 2018.
His dam is the home-bred Ampertaine Nugent daughter, Carnmorn Ruby – one of 65 cows in the herd. He has F94L and Q204X myostatin genes, and sold to B. Blaney from Cushendall.
Noted suckler producer and judge John Kingham from Tateetra and Rathmore Farms in Co. Louth described the animals on parade at the pre-sale show as ‘top notch’.
He said: “I’d like to thank the NI Limousin Club for inviting me to judge. Congratulations to all exhibitors on a fantastic line-up of bulls and heifers. The animals are of a very high standard and a huge credit to all involved. “
The second-highest price of the day, 7,200 guineas, was paid to Robert Clyde from Templepatrick for the reserve intermediate champion, Clydevalley Ultimate.
Born in June 2023, he is by the home-bred Staveley Iceland son, Clydevalley Ranger, and out of Clydevalley Raunchy. The buyer was C. Windrum from Ballygowan.
The senior, male and supreme overall champion Spage Unison came under the hammer at 6,000gns for Paul Campbell from Carnlough.
A Gleneagle Icon son, he is bred from Spage Meg, one of the herds’ best show cows. This 21-month-old bull has F94L and Q204X genes, and was snapped up by B. McCullagh from Cookstown.
Two lots attracted bids of 5,800gns each. First to sell was Carnew Underorders, a 21-month-old Carnew Millreef son bred by James Aiken from Dromara.
He is bred from the Lodge Hamlet daughter, Carnew Madison, and has F94L and Q204X genes. Highest bidder was SH Bellingham from Ballymoney.
Also selling for 5,800 guineas was the reserve junior champion Wastelands Upandcoming consigned by Charlotte Martin, Dromara.
A 17-month-old ET bull sired by Gunnerfleet Lion, and bred from Corranhill Somethingspecial, he has a myostatin mix of F94L and Q204X. Buyer was Phillip Robb, Ballynahinch.
Wastelands Upandcoming chalked up a number of accolades last year, including junior champion at the NI Rising Stars Calf Show, junior male champion at Balmoral and the NI National Limousin Show at Antrim.
The August 2023 born Claragh Umar bred by John Rainey, Kilrea, sold for 5,200 guineas. Sired by Ronick Hawk, his dam is the Wilodge Vantastic daughter, Clarragh Lily. This second-prize bull has F94L and NT821 genes and sold to A. Canning from Dungiven.
Robert Clyde was in the money again at 5,000gns, selling the June 2023 Clydevalley Umbro. This one is by Claragh Neyar, and out of the home-bred Clydevalley Sixer. He sold to Karol McCaughan from Ballycastle.
Michael and Kile Diamond from Garvagh had a successful day at the Ballymena saleyard, securing the intermediate championship and selling five bulls from their Pointhouse Herd to average £4,221 each.
Their best at 5,000 guineas was the fourth-placed Pointhouse Utwo. Born in July 2023, he is the result of an embryo from Ampertaine Foreman and Pointhouse Jewel. This bull has a F94L and Q204X myostatin pairing, and caught the eye of P McIlvar from Garvagh.
Also selling at 5,000gns was the second prize Golanview Ultra bred by Ryan McLaren from Dromore, Co. Tyrone.
This 17-month-old was sired by the Mereside Godolphin son, Barrons Major, and is out of the home-bred Golanview Summer. He has double F94L genes, and caught the eye of Clive Richardson from Annaghmore.
Females peaked at 6,200gns, and following a brisk trade, auctioneer Graham Loughery confirmed that nine heifers sold to average £3,105 each.
Claiming the limelight was the 17-month-old heifer Larkhill Unette, bred by the father and son duo, Brian and Cahir McAuley from Co. Antrim.
She impressed the judge to secure the female championship ribbons and sold for 6,200 guineas to P. McKeag from Newtownards.
This eye-catching heifer was sired by Glenrock Redemption, and is out of the Bernish Memphis daughter, Larkhill Rachael. She has F94L and NT821 myostatin genes.
Herd mate, Larkhill Udette, attracted a bid of 3,200 guineas from R. McMullan, Garvagh. This second-prize maiden heifer is by Claddagh McCabe, and bred from Larkhill Penny. She has a F94L and Q204X gene pairing.
