This year’s autumn sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls in Dungannon saw a strong increase in both numbers and average price. Average for bulls rose by £450 to settle at £2,841, with 18 bulls selling, representing an 82% clearance.

Leading trade with a call of £4,600 was the Lamb family’s Richhill Romeo S427. This 19-month-old bull was sired by Friarstown Prairie Chief, the herd’s current stock bull, and out of homebred Richhill Rosanna M075.

The Matchett family of Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam claimed the second-highest price of 4,000gns for their bull Birches Alan S135. Sired by southern-bred Carrigroe Fred, he is out of Scottish import Netherton Annie H474, who also bred AI bull Netherton Americano.

Denamona Petershore S833 traded at 3,200gns. Exhibited by Moses Irwin, this bull is named after its father, the famous Netherallan Peter Pershore E052 and had earlier claimed the reserve overall championship under judge Desmond Mackey.

A further three lots secured bids of 2,900gns each. The Henning duo of John and Ann were first in the money with Drumcorn Lord Irving S271. This son of New Zealand AI bull Te Mania Emperor E343 is out of homebred Blelack Prince J165 daughter Drumcorn Lady Ida M895.

Oakchurch Duster son Coltrim Elton S583 was second to achieve the 2,900gns price tag. Brought out by Neville and Ivan Forsythe, this second-prizewinner was out of a homebred dam by Wedderlie Ergo M574.

Well-known Angus breeders the Parkes were the last to claim fourth joint-top price. Their 16-month-old Coolermoney Ralf S611 was sired by Retties JFK M195 and out of homebred dam Coolermoney Raven L117.

Securing the overall male championship and making it a day to remember was Fiona Troughton with Tullybryan Black Brexit S906. This was Fiona’s first time exhibiting a champion at the society’s sale in Dungannon. Her June 2016-born bull was son of previous Dungannon female champion Corriewood Black Belle L144 and AI bull Bunlahy John G.

Females

A small number of females also went through the sales ring, with four trading to average at £2,323.

Freddie Davidson, Banbridge, secured the overall top spot in the pre-sale show with his heifer Ember Princess Lil S144. This young heifer is no stranger to winning ways, having claimed the junior championship and reserve female championship at this year’s Balmoral Show. Born March 2016, she sold for the second-top female price of 2,700gns.

Securing the top female price of 3,000gns was Ashvale Blackbelle S972 from Richard and Fiona McKeown. Sired by AI bull Woodvale Kool Jaguar P633, the 18-month-old heifer is out of homebred Ashvale Blackbelle K364.

Reserve female championship honours went the way of Richard and Fiona McKeown.

Their April 2016-born Ashvale Victoria S961 was sired by Cardona Jewel Eric and traded at 2,200gns.