Champion Tops Moira Holstein Bull Sale at 5,400gns
2011-11-04

There was a strong demand for bulls with good conformation and high components at Holstein NI’s 24th annual autumn show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Supreme champion Relough Rumba ET
sold for a top price of 5,400gns.

Prices peaked at 5,400gns, and following a 93% clearance Taaffe Auctions confirmed that 28 lots changed hands to average £2,948 per head.

Securing the day’s top price was the supreme champion Relough Rumba ET (PLI£126), a September 2010 born Picston Shottle son, consigned by the Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, who run a 280-cow herd based at Donaghmore near Dungannon in County Tyrone. Backed by eight generations of EX dams, he is bred from Relough Gibson Roxie 2 ET – which gave almost 10,500kgs at 4.65%BF and 3.50%P in her third 305-day lactation. Buyer was Arthur Gibson from Glenarm, County Antrim.

“This is another great bull from the Roxy family. We have sold several relations to herds in the UK and Europe,” added Malcolm McLean, who traded four bulls to average £3,334 per head.

Scottish judge, Craig Davidson from the noted Errolston herd in Gretna, described the overall champion as an eye-catching bull. “The champion is a stylish bull with a hard top, wide rump and flat bone in the rear leg. He moves well and has depth and capacity of rib.”

Second highest price of the day 4,700gns, was paid to Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, from Newtownards, County Down. The May 2010 born Ards Dempsey ET (PLI£104) secured the reserve championship ribbons at the pre-sale show which was generously sponsored by Gortavoy Feeds from Pomeroy in County Tyrone.

Sired by the Comestar Outside son, England Ammon Million ET, he is bred from six generations of VG and EX dams. His dam Keopon Sam Denise 1 (VG2yr) produced over 11,600kgs at 4.05%BF and 3.81%P in her first 305-day lactation. This bull caught the eye of William Parke from Ballyward, Castlewellan, County Down.

“The reserve has a similar stamp to the champion,” added the judge. “He is stylish, has a long neck and body, and moves well on his rear legs.”

Following close behind at 4,650gns was the runner-up to the Milk Quality Award, Glasson Momo ET (PLI£258), a July 2010 born entry exhibited by the father and son team of Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, County Armagh. Sired by Long Langs Oman Oman ET, his dam is the much-admired and multi-award winning Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET – breed champion at Balmoral and winner of the 2011 McLarnons Dairy Cow of the Year championship. She scored VG89-2yr and was classified EX as a second calver, producing almost 16,500kgs at 4.50%BF and 3.39%P in her second 305-day lactation. Successful bidder was JJ McDowell from Castlereagh in Belfast.

The Haffey duo dominated the top three spots in the Milk Quality class and sold four bulls at Moira to average £2,966 per head. Winner of the Milk Quality Award was Glasson Bulwark ET (PLI£144), a May 2010 born Den-K Marshall LL Laurin son backed by five generations of VG and EX Dams. His dam is the noted Weeton Freeman EL Balise (EX93) (EX96-MS) – interbreed champion at Lurgan Show in 2010, and winner of the best cow family award in Holstein NI’s 2011 herds inspection competition. Glasson Bulwark ET came under the hammer at 3,050gns, selling to Messrs AM and J Crawford from Ballynure, County Antrim.

The second prize winning Ards Rolex ET (PLI£133) realised 4,500gns for Messrs Patton, who sold four bulls to level at £3,819 per head. Born in August 2010 he is by Golden Oaks Alexander ET, while his dam is Ards Goldwyn J Ruth ET (VG88). This one caught the eye of Robert Rainey from Beragh in County Tyrone.

Next best at 4,000gns was the June 2010 born Inch Rodney Red (PLI£81) brought out by Jim Morrison and Sons, Downpatrick, County Down. Sired by the home-bred Inch Rocket, he is bred from eight generations of VG and EX dams from the Roxy family. Buyer was Mr W J Presho from Comber, County Down.

“It has been a good steady sale. The buoyant trade reflected the overall quality of the bulls on offer,” stated Holstein NI chairman, Alan Cleland. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all buyers success with their purchases, and thank our sponsors, Gortavoy Feeds, for their continued support of our premier autumn show and sale.”

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe added: ”It was an attractive catalogue from start to finish, and buyers were eager to secure bulls with high components and good conformation. “

Other leading prices include:

T J Morrison and Sons, 3,600gns for Inch Glenavy ET (PLI£103) to J Alexander Martin, Banbridge, County Down.
Harry Patton and Sons, 3,400gns for Ards Solution ET (PLI£92) to William Johnston, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh.

William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, 3,200gns for Ballycairn Garrett Brutus (PLI£161) (GTPI+1914) to John Hamilton, Bangor, County Down.

Willard and Adam Watson, Macosquin, 3,000gns for Derrydorragh Trevor Steven (PLI£127) to William Armstrong, Crossgar, County Down.

William and Andrew McCollum, 3,000gns for Ballycairn Planet Ivor (PLI£187) to a County Donegal bidder.

Results from the judging ring:

Class 1 – Bull, born between 02/04/11 and 09/05/10 – 1, Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Dempsey ET by England Ammon Million ET; 2, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, Glasson Bulwark ET by Den K Marshall LL Laurin; 3, Sam McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Elevation by Jenny-Lou Mrshl Toystory.

Class 2 – Bull, born between 17/05/10 and 08/08/10 – 1, and honourable mention Sam McCormick, Hilltara Wellington by Sicy Knowledge; 2, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Dreamer ET by England Ammon Million; 3, T J Morrison and Sons, Inch Rodney Red by Inch Rocket.

Class 3 – Bull, born between 12/08/10 and 09/09/10 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Relough Rumba ET by Picston Shottle ET; 2, and reserve champion, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Rolex ET by Golden Oaks Alexander ET; 3, Mark Truesdale, Newcastle, Castletru Donard ET by Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez.
Class 4 – Bull, born between 10/09/10 and 29/10/10 – 1, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Chomsky ET by England Ammon Million ET; 2, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Chaucer by Kerndt Stallion; 3, Relough Cando by Relough Dollarman ET.

Milk Quality Award – 1, Philip and Simon Haffey, Glasson Bulwark ET by Den K Marshall LL Laurin; 2, Philip and Simon Haffey, Glasson Momo ET by Long Langs Oman Oman ET; 3, Philip and Simon Haffey, Glasson Grand ETM by Braedale Goldwyn.

Holstein NI’s next autumn bull show and sale takes place at Kilrea Mart on Tuesday, November 22. Catalogues are available on request from H A McIlrath and Sons Ltd on tel: 028 2954 0269.

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