Champion tops Kilrea bull sale at 2,100gns

Buyers around the salering at Kilrea Mart's annual March show and sale of pedigree Holstein bulls. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Bulls sold to a top of 2,100gns at Holstein NI’s annual March show and sale, hosted by HA McIlrath and Sons Ltd at Kilrea Mart.

Hitting the headlines in the both the show and sale rings was the September 2018 Keely Sudan Siren PLI £103 bred by William and Christopher Black from Coleraine.

This bull caught the eye of judge Roy Cromie, Dalevalley Herd, Castlefin, County Donegal, to take the supreme championship ribbons sponsored by Genus ABS.

“This is a lovely square bull. He has great length and width, and walks well on sound legs and feet,” explained the judge.

Honourable Mention award went to Beechview Pacman bred by Jason Booth, Stewartstown. Also pictured are sponsor Gareth Bell, Genus ABS; and judge Roy Cromie from Castlefin, County Donegal. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Sired by the outcross bull Va-Early Dawn Sudan Cri ET, he is bred from Keely Tarquin Sara who averaged 9,226kgs at 4.10% butterfat and 3.65% protein in four lactations. The champion came under the hammer of auctioneer Mark Stewart at 2,100gns, selling to David Borland from Bushmills.

Second highest price of the day 1,900gns was paid to the Inch Genetics Partnership of Jim Morrison and James Cleland, Downpatrick, for the April 2018 Inch Sem. Sired by the Dutch-bred Sem 17, he hails from the outstanding Mist family at Blackisle. His dam Inch Randolf Mist SP produced 9,493kgs at 5.45% butterfat and 3.52% protein in her first lactation. Buyer was Stephen Sands from Ballycross, Banbridge.

Two lots sold for 1,700gns each.

First to sell was Prehen Macintosh PLI £576 from Robbie and Stuart Smith’s herd at Londonderry. Sired by the home-bred Prehen Lancaster, this October 2018 bull comes from the Massia family – one of the most successful cow families in the Netherlands.

James Cleland, Downpatrick, exhibited the reserve champion Inch Potter. Included are judge Roy Cromie, Castlefin, County Donegal; and sponsor Gareth Bell, Genus ABS. Picture: Julie Hazelton

His dam Prehen Penmanship Massia GP84 (2yr) produced 9,281kgs at 4.71% butterfat and 3.62% protein in her first lactation. Highest bidder was David Connell from Claudy.

Also selling at 1,700gns was the December 2018 Majestic Topshot Leave PLI £550 consigned by Ian and Kenny Watson from Macosquin. He was sired by Bomaz Altatopshot, and is bred from seven generations of VG and EX dams. His dam Majestic Guarini Licorice VG85 averaged 8,938kgs at 4.36% butterfat and 3.47% protein in three 305-day lactations. This one was snapped up by Alan McNair from Ballyclare.

Judge Roy Cromie awarded the reserve championship rosette to the April 2018 Inch Potter PLI £344. Sired by the home-bred Inch Persistent EX92, he is bred from Inch Defender Ivory VG, and is backed by 16 generations of VG and EX dams. This one sold for 1,400gns.

Claiming the honourable mention award was the thirteen-month-old Beechview Pacman PLI £82 exhibited by George and Jason Booth, Stewartstown. Sired by Our Favourite Undenied, his dam is the 6,000 Euro Laurelmore Ares Pia S EX93 (3). This one sold to the Caddy Herd for 1,280gns.

Supreme champion Keely Sudan Siren attracted a top bid of 2,100gns for William and Christopher Black, Coleraine, at Holstein NIâ€TMs Kilrea bull sale. Christopher Black was congratulated by Gareth Bell, Genus ABS, sponsor; and Roy Cromie, Castlefin, County Donegal, judge. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Average: 11 bulls £1,602.

Results from the showring:

Class 1, Bull born between April 2018 and October 2018 – 1, and supreme champion, William and Christopher Black, Keely Sudan Siren by Va Early Dawn Sudan Cri ET; 2, and reserve champion, Inch Genetics, Inch Potter by Inch Persistent EX92; 3, Norman and David McNaugher, Mullaugher Supersire by Seagull Bay Supersire.

Class 2, Bull born between November 2018 and January 2019 – 1, and honourable mention, George and Jason Booth, Beechview Pacman by Our Favourite Undenied; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Wesley by Claynook Capser; 3, Robbie and Stuart Smith, Prehen Fraley by Peak Alta Depot.