Female prices were up more than £500 (€571) on last year at the 2018 British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Day Show and Sale – and in a surprising move, the show’s judge even joined bidders by raising his hand for the top-priced animal.
With buyers from across the UK at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Monday, 29 bulls found new homes at a healthy clearance rate of 83% and to an average of £3,038 (€3,742) – up almost £300 (€343) on the year before.
Nine females also sold at a clearance rate of 82% and to an average of £2,022 (€2,310) – up £520 (€594) on last year’s May Day sale.
Carmorn Nutcracker
Snatching the top price of 5,300gns was Carmorn Nutcracker, bred by C & F McAuley from Toomebridge, Co. Antrim.
Nutcracker – a February 2017 born embryo calf – was sired by Trueman Jagger and out of the home-bred dam Carmorn Gucci.
He had caught the eye of judge Blair Duffton from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at the pre-sale show and was awarded Overall Supreme Champion, Overall Male Champion and Junior Male Champion accolades.
Duffton said: “Carmorn Nutcracker is a modern bull with a tremendous top-line and back end. I believe he will do well with crossbred cows and will produce superior calves.”
At the sale, Duffton followed through with this sentiment, going on to be the top bidder – with Carmorn Nutcracker now joining him on his way home to Aberdeenshire.
Scottish buyers
Gaining the second top price of 5,000gns was Ballyrickard Mrbean, bred by I N Davidson from Larne, Co. Antrim.
The November 2016 born bull is by Norman Ely and out of the dam Ballyrickard Judy. Mrbean is also heading to Scotland, having been purchased by G Yarr from Angus.
Selling for 4,400gns was Archies Maximus, bred by McKenna Bros, Bellaghy, Co. Derry. This November 2016 born bull is sired by Archies Jazzyjeff and out of the dam Goldies Interflora.
Maximus now heads to a new home with Ross Millar from Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone.
Champions
Intermediate Male Champion Aghadolgan Miles, bred by R A G Savage from Drumahoe, Co. Derry, sold for 4,200gns.
This November 2016 born bull is by Virginia Andy and out of the dam Aghadolgan Ismerelda. Miles was purchased by E English, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.
Rahoney Marshall, an Ampertaine Gigolo son, sold for 3,900gns. Bred by H & D McFarland from Trillick, Co. Tyrone, this November 2016 born embryo calf is out of the dam Rahoney Jerusha and now heads to Co. Fermanagh to join V & D Sommerville’s herd.
Senior Male Champion Rathcarn Mandela sold for 3,800gns and was bred by S & D O’Kane, Maghera, Co. Derry.
This June 2016 born embryo calf is by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the dam Ampertaine Ikea. Mandela was purchased by A Birt from Newtownards, Co. Down.
Females
In the female sale, the top price of 3,400gns was fetched by pre-sale Female Champion Rahoney Natasha bred by H & D McFarland from Trillick, Co. Tyrone.
The April 2017 born embryo calf is by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of the dam Rahoney Hazel. Natasha was purchased by Limousin breeder Mel Lucas from Antrim, Co. Antrim.
Rahoney Natalie, another female from H & D McFarland, took second price at 3,100gns. A March 2017 born embryo calf by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of Rahoney Hazel, Natalie now heads to J P McAlister from Coleraine, Co. Derry.
