The Northern Ireland Charolais club held a successful first outing at Clogher Valley Livestock Producers Mart on Friday night.

The venue has been attracting some very big sales of commercial cattle in recent times and its central location in suckler country means it’s the perfect fit for pedigree sales.

Topping the trade on the night were the Devine brothers from Strabane in Co Tyrone.

Their strong July 2019-born Brownhill Paddyrabbit is by Mullaghbane Topline, a son of Donnally New, and out of a Shaen Topper cow.

After a bidding frenzy from both online and ringside bidders, he was knocked down at £4,500.

Next highest price went to the Donnelly family from Dromore, Co Tyrone, for their September 2019-born Magheragart Pinnacle ET.

Pinnacle has stacks of breeding behind him, being by the famous Newhouse Big Al and out of a Balmyle Bollinger cow. He was knocked down at £4,200.

It was a good night for the McBride family, who sold their twin bulls for £3,800 and £2,600 each.

The twins were by Clyth Diplomat and out of a Thrunton Voldemort cow.

It was also a good night for Fermanagh breeder Trevor Phair, who sold his two bulls for £3,600 and £3,800.

Brogher President, by Woodpark Elgin and out of a Sang D’or cow, sold for £3,600, while Brogher Printer, by Blelack Fabulous and out of a Blelack Digger cow, sold for £3,800.

Average price

The average price at the sale was £2,806/head, with an 80% clearance rate achieved.

Clogher Mart’s Robert Simpson said: “We were delighted with the trade and the sale ended up with a great average.

“Weanlings and store cattle have been a great trade here all spring and I guess that’s filtering into the bull trade with confidence there for the future.

The next big date in the Clogher Mart calendar is Friday 7 May for the Breeding Beauties sale. The sale of 60 high-end cows with calves at foot and 22 maiden show-quality heifers will kick off at 7pm.