This is a subscriber-only article
James Wilkinson was tasked with the job of judging this year’s NI Commercial Stars of the Future calf show and sale at Dungannon Farmers’ Market. A total of 57 entries were catalogued and consisted of five different breed classes and a breeding heifer class.
Following the judging of the breed champions in the show ring, the proceedings moved to the sales ring, where Wilkinson had the tough job of selecting his overall champion and reserve.
Lot No 26, bred by Jack Smyth, caught the judge’s eye early on. This very stylish September 2018-born Blue heifer was tapped out the Blue champion and went on to take the overall championship.
The heifer is a full sister to the 2016 Highland Show reserve overall commercial champion.
Weighing in at 265kg, the champion went on to make £7,600, selling to Blair Duffton, Rebecca Stewart and William Moir from Aberdeen in Scotland. She will be destined for the Royal Highland Show in June.
Wilkinson deliberated between Josh Armstrong’s Limousin champion and Alan Veitch’s Charolais champion before tapping out the Charolais champion as overall reserve.
After strong bidding, this heifer found a new home with the Woodside family for £4,500.
The record top price of the day went to the fourth-placed heifer for Alan Veitch. This March 2018-born heifer, named Moana, was the overall calf champion at the NICCEC Show 2018 and overall champion at Enniskillen Show 2018.
Sired by the renowned Charolais bull Fury Action, the heifer went through the sale ring weighing 580kg and after strong bidding from buyers from southern Ireland, the hammer fell at a new NI record of £9,300.
Succesful bidders were Blair Dufton, Scotland, and Dermot Small, who secured her for showing and future breeding.
A packed sales ring saw a lively trade, with 97% of stock finding new homes
Alan also had the third-best price of the day for his Charolais champion. This May 2018-born heifer off a Limousin-cross Blue cow sold for £4,500 to Colin Woodside, Antrim, for future showing.
A packed sales ring saw a lively trade, with 97% of stock finding new homes. Heifers averaged just under £2,100, with steers averaging £1,180.
It proved a steady trade from start to finish, with a total of seven cattle exported from this sale – six going to Britain and one going to the Republic of Ireland.
Other top prices
The Limousin champion was from Josh Armstong and went on to sell for £1,700 to Blair Duffton.
The native breed champion was an Aberdeen Angus heifer from Fintan Keown, which went on to sell for £1,320 to A&A Callaghan
The any other breed champion was Ian Elliot, with his Simmental-cross heifer which caught the eye of WM Weatherup for £1,280.
The breeding heifer champion came from the herd of D&C McKee, which unfortunately failed to make her reserve.
Jack Smyth sold a Charolais-cross heifer £2,300 to David Spiers.
Brian Quinn sold a Limousin-cross heifer for £1,900 to M McKinstry.
Gordan Culter sold a Shorthorn-cross heifer for £1,700 to M McKinstry.
B O’Hare sold a Limousin-cross steer for £1,640 to Phil Sellers (England).
A Veitch sold a British Blue heifer for £1,600 to Richard Naylor (England).
Emmett Kelly sold a Limousin-cross heifer for £1,500 to Blair Duffton (Scotland).
Emmett Kelly sold a Limousin-cross heifer for £1,400 to Shane McCarvill (Ireland).
SHARING OPTIONS: