Simmental bulls reached a ceiling of 4,200gns at this week’s export show and sale, hosted by the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
The sale attracted buyers from all over Ireland, and following a 78% clearance, auctioneer Trevor Wylie reported that 20 bulls changed hands to average £2,551 a head. A small entry of heifers peaked at 2,100gns twice, with five lots selling to level at £1,900 each.
Sale leader at 4,200gns was the first placed Omorga Chieftain ET from Harry and John Moore’s herd based at Beragh in County Tyrone. Born in January 2011, he is by the 20,000 Euro record breaker Curraheen Tyson, and is out of a home-bred dam by the 21,000gns Corrick Kentucky Kid.
This bull is in the breed’s 10% for calving ease at +3.8, and in the top 1% for eye muscle area +4.4. He has a TSI of +93 and a SRI of +96, and milk +6. Buyer was Mr C McDonnell from Armoy, County Antrim.
Next best at 3,500gns was the day’s male and supreme overall champion Coolcran Canavan, brought out by brothers Shane and Paul McDonald from Tempo.
The County Fermanagh duo claimed their first championship at a club show and sale, and set a new herd record for the nine-cow herd which was founded in 2006.
Almost thirteen-months-old, the champion is by the Carnkern Titan son, Celtic Rock, and is bred from the Raceview King daughter, Corlesmore Sue – a former junior champion at Balmoral Show. He is +4 for milk, +3.3 for eye muscle area, and has a TSI of +82 and a SRI +95. This one sold for export to Mr E Ormiston from Mullagh, County Cavan.
Judge Raymond O’Malley, Ardee, County Louth, described Coolcran Canavan as a clear winner. “He was a very easy choice for champion, and is one of the best junior bulls I’ve seen in a long time. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the organising committee for inviting me judge, and congratulations to all of the exhibitors who took part in today’s show.”
The father and son team of Michael and Eamon McCloskey, Kilrea, County Londonderry, realised 3,400gns for the April 2011 born Drumagarner Ciaran. This second prize winner was sired by the Raceview Tiger son, Barnattin Wally, and is out of a dam carrying the noted Darshams prefix. With an eye muscle area of +3.5 putting him in the breed’s top 15%. He has a TSI of +75 and a SRI of +68. Highest bidder was Gerald McCauley from Omagh, County Tyrone.
NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club vice-chairman Richard Rodgers, and father Robert, from Portglenone, County Antrim, realised 3,200gns for the third prize winning Hiltonstown Callum. This thirteen-month-old entry is by the home-bred Raceview King son, Hiltonstown Warrior, and is bred from a dam by the herd’s former stock bull Ballintlea King. He has an eye muscle figure of +3.1, TSI +62 and SRI +59. Buyer was John Logan from Katesbridge, County Down.
Following close behind at 3,100gns was the third prize winning Killynure Challenger, brought out by the husband and wife team of Raymond and Joan Porter, Omagh, County Tyrone. Born in February 2011 he is by Omorga Regan, and is out of a home-bred dam by Milnafua Graduate. Successful bidder was Gerry Morris from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone.
David Hazelton, Dungannon, County Tyrone, sold his best at 2,600gns. The fifth prize winning Ranfurly Colorado ET TSI+46 and SRI+44 was born in January 2011, and is by the German-bred AI sire Humdinger. His dam is the show winning Whitemire King Kong daughter, South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd. Buyer was Mr C Clarke from Dungannon, County Tyrone.
