Charolais bulls met a flying trade at a packed ringside selling to a top of 7,000gns in Dungannon on Saturday 3 March at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club’s official early spring show and sale. Furthermore, resurgence in demand for Charolais females was reflected in the bidding to a top of 4,200gns twice.

Solitude Aled at 7,000gns from John McMordie

Sale topper was the event’s senior male and reserve overall champion, Solitude Aled CH34 from John McMordie, Ballygowan who 10 days earlier had turned out the supreme Perth champion, Solitude Attaboy that sold for a 32,000gns NI record. A Doonally New son, and out of one of best breeding females from his eight cow herd, Aled qualified for the NI Elite Beef Quality Initiative and he sold to Noel McIlwaine, Plumbridge.

John McMordie continued his success when Aled’s twin, Solitude Alec commanded a bid of 3,800gns from J Muldoon, Kesh; while Solitude Adonis, another Doonally New son and out of a Derrygiff bred dam made 3,5000gns to Barney McKeown, Newry.

Doonally New sons were in demand throughout, with the day’s second highest call at 6,400gns going to Brogher Adam, a first prize winner and BQI qualifier from Trevor Phair, Florencecourt. Bred from a cow going back to Oldstone Egbert, Adam was knocked down sold to Damien McGarrell, Glenarm.

Father and son team, Stuart and David Bothwell, Ballinamallard offered another Doonally New son, this time with a 5,600gns price tag to Dominic McParland, Camlough. A second class prize winner and BQI qualifier, Killadeas Andy was out of a cow by Harestone Nighthawk.

W H Robson and Sons, Ballyclare sold the next three highest lots. Kilbridefarm Allstar, an Allanfauld Superscot son made 5,000gns to A Magill, Carnlough. Noel McCrea, Coagh paid 4,500gns for Kilbridefarm Alladin, another Superscot son who earlier on had secured the junior male and overall supreme championship. Finally, Kilbridefarm Antrim, a Doonally New son carried off the reserve senior male championship and sold for 3,800gns to Messrs Harron, Glenavy.

Other breeders in the money included George Henderson, Bushmills who sold Sandelford Alonso, a first class prize winner by Goldies Usher for 3,600gns to James O’Rawe, Ballymena.

Topping the female prices was Trevor Phair’s Brogher Beverley, a maiden heifer by Moorlough Palo making 4,200gns to Ian Newell, Portadown. Earlier on she had been awarded the female and overall reserve champion.

A second 4,200gs bid was made for Tullygarley Ricicle, a Bassett Judge daughter offered with her heifer calf at foot by the 25,000gns Goldies Unbeatable. Bred by John Currie, Ballymena, the pair sold to E. McKee, Tandragee.

The reserve female champion Drumlone August was exhibited by Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw and made 3,100gns to Philip White, Garvagh who also paid 3,900gns for Hillviewfarm Apricot, a Brampton Embark daughter out of an Oldstone Egbert sired cow from Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge.

Averages: 46 bulls £2,553; five heifers £3,024; one cow and calf £4,000.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart

Charolais Bulls establish new UK record sale average
Chelford's Multi-National Sale of Belgian Blues
British Charolais exported to France