The 8th annual sale of in-lamb Suffolk females from the Annakisha, Blackwater, Clyda, Barrowlands, Shannagh and Castleisle flocks was held at Blessington Mart earlier this month. A good turnout of buyers combined with quality on show meant trade was lively throughout.

Top price of the sale at €3,000 was an outstanding gimmer from Susan O’Keeffe. She was sired by Rookery Classic and a daughter of BYD 13:30 who was supreme champion at the national Suffolk championships and female of the year in 2014.

This ewe was purchased by Philip Byrne of the Limepark Flock. With a ewe purchased previously from the Clyda flock, Philip bred a ram lamb which this year topped the premier sale at €11,000.

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Second-highest price at €2,600 was a powerful gimmer from the Blackwater flock of Patrick O’Keeffe. This one has had a successful year in the show ring and was also sired by Rookery Classic. This ewe went to a new breeder Sean McCloskey in Northern Ireland. The O’Keeffes averaged €876 for their consignment.

Richard Wilson received €2,500 from the same Northern Ireland purchaser for a Birness Murray daughter. She is an embryo transfer sister to the 14,000gns Castleisle Knockout. Andrew Wilson received €1,200 for another Birness Murray daughter out of a ewe that bred this year’s reserve champion at the national Suffolk championships. Purchaser was Ronan McLaughlin, Co Donegal. The Wilsons recorded €830 of an average for their pen.

SS Gahan received €1,050 from Philip Brennan for a Shannagh Resolve daughter, with the Barrowlands consignment averaging at €681.

Over 470 cattle catalogued for Carrick-on-Shannon

On Sunday 26 November, all roads lead to the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society’s showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon where the society will host its 13th annual commercial winter fair. This year sees 470 animals catalogued for the event, with exhibitors travelling from 23 of the 26 counties.

Judging of the 33 exhibit classes commences at 11.30am, with the young stockperson class leading off. The society is indebted to the loyal and generous sponsors who make it possible to host such a great range of exhibit classes.

On Monday morning, starting at 11am, over 420 of the animals exhibited on Sunday will be for sale. This comprises of 20 bullocks, 63 heifers, 50 breeding heifers, 56 bulls and 235 weanling heifers.

If you are in the market for top-quality commercial stock, head for Carrick on Monday.