Despite a low number of entries at the native breeds spring show and sale, which was held in Dungannon Farmers Market on Tuesday 14 February, quality was well sought after.

Reserve champion Drumhill Quidsinn, bred by Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Co Tyrone, that sold for 5,400gns (€5,774.87).

Top call went to the pre-sale show reserve champion Drumhill Quidsinn, which sold for 5,400gns (€5,774.87).

The July 2021-born bull, bred by Jonathan and Lisa Doyle from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was sired by the couple's homebred stock bull Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532 ET and is out of a daughter of the 2016 Stirling senior champion Drumhill Lord Hampton R414 ET.

Hot on his heels and selling for 5,200gns (€5,560.98) was the supreme champion from the pre-sale show Home Farm Lord Harry X647, bred by Fintan Keown, who runs a herd of 10 pedigree and 25 commercial cows at Belleek, Co Fermanagh.

The Haymount Was Smith R578 son was born in May 2021 and was bred from a Spangager Tommy Boy daughter.

'Very correct bull'

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, judge Maddie Clarke described the champion as “a very correct bull”.

She said: “It’s been a great show here in Dungannon, with quality to the fore rather than quantity.

"Today’s champion really stood out. He is a very correct bull, with tremendous power, good conformation and breed character.

"The reserve champion is another excellent bull. Slightly younger than the champion, but well put together, with good conformation and breed characteristics.”

Second-prizewinner Glen Cowie Royal Duke X951, bred by Iain Colville, Newtownards, Co Down, sold for the next highest price of 3,600gns (€3,849.91).

The March 2021-born bull was sired by the herd's stock bull Stouphill Eligh U217, which was the 2021 Balmoral champion, and is out of the 2015 Stirling female champion Ardoyne Royal Lavender N231.

Prizewinner

Selling for 3,200gns (€3,422.14) was the first-prizewinner Coltrim Empire X736, from the herd of Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, Co Derry.

The November 2021-born bull was a son of the herd’s former stock bull and popular AI sire Kiltariff Dynamic D711.

The duo of Jonathan and Lisa Doyle followed on from their initial success in the sales ring with their second-prizewinner Drumhill Edinson X597, when the July 2021-born bull sold for 3,100gns (€3,315.20).