Simmental entry lines up for Ballymena on May 25

Looking over the catalogue for the NI Simmental Club's evening show and sale at Ballymena Mart on 25th May are, sponsor Stephen Buick, Edenvale Simmental Herd; chairman Matthew Cunning; and Teresa and John Connon, Connon General Merchants. Picture: Julie Hazelton

The evening event on Wednesday 25th May is kindly sponsored by the Edenvale Simmental Herd and Connon General Merchants.

Judging gets underway at 4.45pm, and is in the capable hands of Paul McDonald from the noted Coolcran Herd based at Tempo, County Fermanagh. The sale will commence at 6.45pm, and a selection of commercial females will come under the hammer immediately after the pedigree auction.

Club chairman Matthew Cunning said: “Buyers will be spoilt for choice with a line-up of 45 bulls ranging in age from September 2014 to April 2015. Prospective bidders are assured of quality and consistency, and can buy with confidence knowing that all pedigree and commercial entries have been vaccinated for BVD. Many of the pedigree cattle featured in the catalogue come from high health accredited herds, and the commercial females have been on-farm inspected.”

He added: “Pedigree stock will be sold under the auspices of the National Beef Association, and will be veterinary inspected prior to the sale.”

New and long-established herds are featured in the catalogue, including: Ashdale, Breaghey, Bridgewater Farm, Calfpark, Carnarancy, Castlemount, Castlewood, Cladymore, Clanrolla, Cleenagh, Drumacritten, Drumbulcan, Edenbann, Edenvale, Glenock, Gortnamoyagh, Hiltonstown, Kilbride Farm, Kilmore, Lakeside, Lisglass, Mullanroe, Point Farms, Ranfurly, Rehall, Robgill, Slievenagh, Stewartstown, and Stralongford.

The catalogue can be viewed on the British Simmental Cattle Society website: www.britishsimmental.co.uk. Click on sales and select on-line catalogues.

Catalogues are also available on request from the auctioneers JA McClelland and Sons, tel: 028 2563 3470.