Tullamore was again the host mart for the Belgian Beltex Breeder Society’s premier sale. While sale averages may have been back across most sectors, it proved a day to remember for Donegal breeder Declan Robinson of the Sheephaven flock, who claimed both the overall championship and reserve.
Leading the way under judge Wade McCrabbe of the Ardstewart flock was the ram lamb first-prizewinner Sheephaven Destination Donegal. Born February 2018, this stylish young ram is sired by Octermuthill Abba and later sold to Michael Brady, Co Kerry, at a price of €700.
The reserve champion came in the form of Sheephaven Come Dine With Me, a shearling ewe that was also awarded the female championship.
This ewe was sired by Ardstewart Angus and also heads down to Kerry with Michael Brady, with the hammer falling at €750.
Both the reserve male and reserve female champions failed to meet their reserves on the day. Sean McCartney secured the reserve male championship with his Leymaeten Franky-sired shearling ram Beetles Ciaran.
Claiming the reserve female championship was Moyvoon Devoria, an Aviemore-sired ewe lamb from the flock of Niall Kyne.
The ram lamb average was slightly up on the year, settling at €456. However, the other categories witnessed a drop.
Shearling rams dropped from €678 to average at €549. Shearling ewes also witnessed a substantial drop, settling at €455 from €632 in 2017. Finally, ewe lambs dropped from €402 to settle at €283.
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