Holstein bulls to 4,050gns at Kilrea

Leading trade was the unshown Prehen Maserati ET, a yearling entry from the father and son team of Robbie and Stuart Smith, Londonderry.

Sired by Seagull Bay Silver, he boasts a genomic PLI +£526.

His dam Prehen Massey Massia 2 GP83 hails from the Dutch Massia family, and is projected to produce over 8,400kgs at 4.74% butterfat and 3.74% protein in her first lactation. Highest bidder was Leslie Glenn from Carryduff.

Next best at 2,350gns was Inch Tarquin, an eighteen-month-old bull consigned by Inch Genetics based at Downpatrick. Boasting modern Friesian breeding, he was sired by Deangate Tarquin, and is bred from Inch Blackisle Daphne 2 ET LP70 SP EX92 3E, who averaged 10,588kgs at 5.35% butterfat and 3.31% protein in six lactations. Buyers were J and F Kyle from Stranocum.

Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill, realised 2,170gns for the January 2015 born Killane Ebro. Sired by Borussia, he is bred from nine generations of VG and EX from the high component Edie family. His dam Killane Toystory Edie 16 EX91 produced over 10,300kgs at 4.30% butterfat and 3.21% protein in her third lactation. This one caught the eye of Messrs W and D Parke, Castlewellan.

Judge Roy Cromie, Donegal, awarded the supreme championship sponsored by Grassland Agro to Mullaugher Warren ET. Bred by David McNaugher, Aghadowey, he was sired by Gillette Windbrook, and is backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams. The champion secured a bid of 1,900gns from Wallace Moore, Ballymoney.

The same vendor sold the September 2014 born Mullaugher Oswald by O-Man End Story for 1,720gns to McAleese Farms, Garvagh.

Sponsors Chloe Kyle and David Anderson from Grassland Agro were on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards.

Bulls achieved a 70% clearance, with 21 lots selling to level at £1,477 per head – down £257 on this time last year, but with eight more bulls finding new homes.