Charollais sheep pull in buyers

It was standing room only at the Charollais sheep Premier Sale in Dungannon with buyers from across the UK and southern Ireland represented, which resulted in good demand from both pedigree and commercial breeders.
Supreme Champion at the Charollais Sheep Premier in Dungannon selling for 2300gns,shown by Stephen McConnell with Judge Arwyn Thomas and Ann Anderson representing Danske Bank,SponsorSupreme Champion at the Charollais Sheep Premier in Dungannon selling for 2300gns,shown by Stephen McConnell with Judge Arwyn Thomas and Ann Anderson representing Danske Bank,Sponsor
Supreme Champion at the Charollais Sheep Premier in Dungannon selling for 2300gns,shown by Stephen McConnell with Judge Arwyn Thomas and Ann Anderson representing Danske Bank,Sponsor

Several sheep went South despite the high differential between currencies with some also heading across to Scotland and England.

Trade was a lot better than anticipated with the depressed lamb trade although falling away towards the end of the sale as buyers filled up. The Tullyear Flock of Drew and Stephen Cowan had a memorable day winning the Overall Championship in the pre-sale show and also taking top price with their 1st Prize Shearling Ram Lot 13 - lucky for some!

Judge Mr Edward Buckley from County Cork chose his Champion from the first prize Early December born Ram Lamb Class, sired by last year’s top priced ram, Tullyear Oman.

The judge commented that this was “a very correct Ram with great length and stature, superb skin and great muscle”. The Judge later backed up his judgement in the sale ring purchasing Tullyear Perfection for 1,200gns.

Reserve Champion went to the winner of the late December Ram lamb Class, John Graham’s Riverview Flock, this lot selling for 520gns. First in the January Class was a smart Rhaeadr Norman son presented by the Carnew Flock of Jonathan Aiken. This lot sold for 660gns.

Taking first in the Shearling Ram Class and also the top price of the day was a tremendous shearling ram from the Tullyear pen, sired by a home-bred ram. This lot sold to a Rathfriland buyer for 2,400gns.

Female Champion was won by Ronnie Scott and sons with a smart Ashtonelle Kamalot sired ewe lamb out of a Doughery Dam. This lot sold for 550gns.

The J Thompson and Sons Animal Feeds sponsored Group of Three was won by the Tullyear pen of Drew and Stephen Cowan.

Top lamb price of 1,400gns went to Ian Craig and his Ballynoe House Flock. This Lisfuncheon sired ram stood second in the late December line up and was sold to David Roberts, Shrewsbury.

The Ballynoe House Pen also sold their second prize Early December ram for 1,200gns, a Gogwell King of Trumphs son, purchased by Graham Foster.

McConnell Brothers sold to a top of 1000gns for a Lornbrook Nutcracker son this one selling to Dympna and Gerry Grogan, County Kildare. Also selling to 1,000gns was Lot 19 a Shearling Ram from the Lornbrook Flock of Diane Christie and Trevor Bell.

County Donegal Breeder Jim Devenney purchasing this Hollylodge Made To Measure Son who stood third in the Shearling Class. Chairman William McAllister sold his second placed Shearling for 950gns, this great carcase Leelaw Hardnut selling to County Down.

Top priced female was sold by Stephen McCauley achieving 560gns for his second placed Rhaeadr Oak sired Ewe lamb.

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