Great show of beef cattle at Ballymena

Beef Cows to 398p for a Lim 860kg at £3422, Fr Cows to 290p for 630kg at £1827 and Beef Heifers to 392p for a Char 600kg at £2352.

Beef Cows:

McCabe Bros, Downpatrick Lim 860kg £3422 (398), Char 880kg £3414 (388), BB 850kg £3281 (386), 780kg £2948 (378), A Henry, Antrim Shb 860kg £3250 (378), A Dougherty, Kircubbin Lim 720kg £2678 (372), McCabe Bros BB 660kg £2442 (370), Lim 760kg £2812 (370), Lim 760kg £2796 (368), J & J McIlrath, Cullybackey Lim 570kg £2097 (368), Carrigeen Farms, Templepatrick Char 840kg £3074 (366), Local Farmer Lim 650kg £2366 (364), F McAuley, Toomebridge Lim 700kg £2506 (358).

Fr Cows

S Gage, Clough 630kg £1827 (290), 620kg £1773 (286), 580kg £1635 (282), J & D Glass, Ballymena 550kg £1518 (376), S Gage 620kg £1686 (272), M T Boyd, Kilwaughter 960kg £2361 (246), G Forsythe, Cloughmills 680kg £1645 (242), D Scott, Coleraine 740kg £1761 (238), G Rowney, Ballynure 630kg £1486 (236), McCabe Bros, Downpatrick 660kg £1544 (234), D R Gage, Cloughmills 610kg £1415 (232), M Wilkin, Islandmagee 840kg £1898 (226), G Forsythe 680kg £1536 (226), S A Milligan, Bellaghy 770kg £1709 (222), D Scott 1010kg £2222 (220).

Beef Heifers

S McNeill, Broughshane Char 600kg £2352 (392), R Workman, Kilwaughter Blo 630kg £2457 (390), Local Farmer BB 610kg £2366 (388), R Workman Blo 630kg £2431 (386), R Chambers, Bushmills Lim 560kg £2150 (384), J McLaughlin, Bushmills Lim 650kg £2470 (380), 700kg £2660 (380), 720kg £2692 (374), 640kg £2368 (370), J Tohill, Kilrea BB 660kg £2428 (368), Blo 550kg £2013 (366), J McLaughlin Lim 600kg £2184 (364), B Taggart, Bushmills Lim 490kg £1773 (362), Forsythe Bros, Loughgiel Lim 630kg £2268 (360), A Kelly, Coleraine Char 670kg £2412 (360), B Taggart Lim 560kg £2016 (360).

Beef Bullocks

Top Per Head

V McMullan, Killygalib Lim 890Kg £3382, B McLean, Armoy Cha 890Kg £3275, Cha 850Kg £3213, Cha 830Kg £3120, J Scott, Toomebridge Lim 850Kg £3043, Angus & Mitchell, Greyabbey Lim 870Kg £3027, F O’Connor, Castlewellan Cha 890Kg £3026, P O’Connor, Castlewellan Cha 920Kg £3017, J Scott, Toomebridge Cha 820Kg £2993, J McFadden, Kells Abe 890Kg £2990, F O’Connor, Castlewellan Cha 830Kg £2988, A Houston, Lisburn Lim 860Kg £2975, P O’Connor, Cha 880Kg £2956, B McLean, Cha 760Kg £2948, P O’Connor, Bel 820Kg £2935, J Scott, Toomebridge Lim 790Kg £2923.

Top Per Kg

J Scott, Armoy Cha 760Kg £2948 (388), J Scott, Toomebridge Cha 750Kg £2895 (386), V McMullan, Killygalib Lim 890Kg £3382 (380), B McLean Cha 850Kg £3213 (378), F O’Connor, Castlewellan Bel 570Kg £2154 (378), B McLean, Cha 830Kg £3120 (376), J Stewart, Portglenone Cha 740Kg £2767 (374), J Scott, Toomebridge Lim 710Kg £2655 (374), Lim 780Kg £2901 (372), Lim 750Kg £2790 (372), Lim 790Kg £2923 (370), Local producer Lim 750Kg £2775 (370), R McCulloigh, Ballymena Lim 730Kg £2701 (370), B McLean, Cha 890Kg £3275 (368), J Scott, Toomebridge Cha 730Kg £2686 (368), Lim 760Kg £2796 (368).

Fr Bullocks

J Gardiner, Ballymena 680Kg £2216 (326), 760Kg £2371 (312), D R Gage, Clough 600Kg £1860 (310), 580Kg £1763 (304), M Wallace, Cloughmills 570Kg £1710 (300), T J Hurtle, Broughshane 540Kg £1566 (290), J Nelson, Kilwaughter 680Kg £1972 (290), 710Kg £2059 (290), J McTague, Portglenone 600Kg £1632 (272), 480Kg £1209 (252), 460Kg £1122 (244), J Hunter, Crumlin 450Kg £1026 (228).

BALLYMENA, FRIDAY 31ST JULY 2026

Dairy Cows

A small show of dairy cows topped at £2550 for a Holstein 2nd calver from D & M McGregor, Muckamore.

Breeding Bulls

T & C Boyd, Newry Brb £3800, W R Semple, Larne Sim £3750, S Moore, Aldergrove Lim £2550, £2350.

Suckler Cows

J M Morrison, Armoy BB & hfr calf £4100, M Glass, Maghera Char & bull calf £3900, Char & bull calf £3800, S & M & C McDonnell, Glenariffe Sal & bull calf £3400, M Glass Char & hfr calf £3350, Char & hfr calf £3300, Char & bull calf £2900, J M Morrison BB & bull calf £2900, S & M & C McDonnell St & hfr calf £2600, M Glass Char & hfr calf £2600, Char & hfr calf £2600, P Robb, Ballynahinch Char in-calf £2400, Local Farmer Sim & bull calf £2350, Par & bull calf £2200.

Calves

An entry of 281 calves averaged £712. Bulls topped at £1300 for a Charolais, Heifers to £1230 for a smashing Limousin and Fr Bulls to £665 for 4.

Bulls

J Ferguson, Straid Char £1300, H Watters, Stewartstown Lim £1290 x6, L Marron, Portglenone Lim £1270, J Ferguson Char £1190, H Milliken, Newtownards Lim £1140, R Montgomery, Parkgate Char £1120, H Milliken Lim £1100, £1090, H Watters Lim £1090, A McBurney, Cloughmills BB £1090, R Montgomery Char £1090, A McBurney BB £1070, R Montgomery Char £1050, D & M McGregor, Muckamore BB £1040, H Watters Lim £1010.

Heifers

T Duncan, Crumlin Lim £1230, H Milliken, Newtownards Lim £1090, A McBurney, Cloughmills BB £1090, T Duncan, Crumlin Lim £1080, A Wishart, Ballywalter Char £1020, H Milliken BB £1000, T Duncan Lim £1000 x4, G Chestnutt, Dervock AA £1000, H Milliken Lim £980 x2, J Lynn, Cullybackey BB £950 x2, G Chestnutt AA £930, H Watters Lim £920, J Ferguson, Straid Char £910, S & W Robinson, Glenarm Lim £910, H Milliken AA £900.

Fr/Hol Bulls

A Wishart, Ballywalter £665 x4, D Parke, Magherafelt £550 x3, A McBurney, Cloughmills £545, I Tanner, Castlerock £540 x3, Trimble Farms, Kircubbin £495, D Parke £460, £450.

Weanlings

An entry of 190 weanlings on Friday resulted in a very good trade. Bullocks to £1670 over for a Charolais 450kg at £2120 from M Gingles, Kilwaughter and heifers to £4040 over for a Limousin 560kg at £4600 from J Quinn, Castlewellan, who showed an impressive run of quality heifers.

Heifers

Up to 300Kg

D Mills, Glenarm Lim 270Kg £1360 (503), S Scullion, Glenarm Cha 300Kg £1490 (496), A McKnight, Antrim Lim 250Kg £1240 (496), Lim 250Kg £1240 (496), Lim 250Kg £1220 (488), Lim 250Kg £1220 (488), H & E McDowell, Castlereagh Lim 290Kg £1390 (479), A McKnight, Sim 240Kg £1130 (470), A Boyd, Cloughmills Cha 290kg £1290 (444), S & O Quigg, Garvagh Bel 280Kg £1190 (425), A McKnight, Sim 260Kg £1100 (423), S Scullion, Glenarm Cha 300Kg £1240 (413), J Beggs, Carrickfergus Lim 210Kg £850 (404), G Mulvenna, Glenarm Lim 290Kg £1170 (403), J Beggs, Carrickfergus Lim 240Kg £910 (379), A Boyd, Cloughmills Shb 300Kg £1110 (370).

301 to 350kg

P Esler, Islandmagee Lim 340kg £1780 (523), M Gingles, Kilwaughter Lim 330kg £1610 (487), P Esler Lim 350kg £1700 (485), S Taylor, Ligoniel Char 350kg £1690 (482), S Scullion, Glenarm Char 350kg £1670 (477), M Gingles Sal 310kg £1470 (474), S Scullion Char 330kg £1550 (469), M Smith, Kells Lim 310kg £1420 (458), S Scullion Char 330kg £1510 (457), S & O Quigg, Garvagh BB 350kg £1590 (454) x3, D Mills, Glenarm Aub 310kg £1370 (441), S Scullion Lim 330kg £1430 (433), H McNeill, Rasharkin Lim 350kg £1490 (425).

Over 351kg

J Quinn, Castlewellan Lim 560kg £4600 (821), 520kg £3700 (711), BB 500kg £3500 (700), BB 580kg £4000 (689), Lim 580kg £3900 (672), Lim 510kg £3350 (656), Lim 540kg £3200 (592), BB 590kg £3400 (576), Lim 430kg £2400 (558), Lim 560kg £2850 (508), P Esler, Islandmagee Lim 360kg £1800 (500), A McCurdy, Broughshane Sal 470kg £2030 (431) x2, P Esler Lim 390kg £1670 (428).

Bullocks

Up to 300Kg

H & E McDowell, Castlereagh Lim 260Kg £1500 (576), Lim 280Kg £1540 (550), A Boyd, Cloughmills Cha 290Kg £1490 (513), A McKnight, Antrim Sim 290Kg £1480 (510), A Boyd, Cha 300Kg £1480 (493), J McErlean, Portglenone Sim 300Kg £1370 (456), J Beggs, Carrickfergus Lim 110Kg £490Kg £445), G Mulvenna, Glenarm Lim 290Kg £1200 (413), J Allen, Broughshane Bel 300Kg £1200 (400), C Bradley, Bangor Cha 290Kg £1140 (393), W Williamson, Newtownabbey FVK 250Kg £960Kg £384), G Mulvenna, Glenarm Lim 290Kg £1100 (379), Lim 290Kg £1100 (379), D & N Hamill, Crumlin Shb 300Kg £1120 (373), Wm Dennison, Antrim Lim 230Kg £740 (321).

301-350Kg

S Tyalor, Belfast Lim 340Kg £1830 (538), H & E McDowell, Castlereagh Lim 340Kg £1790 (526), S Dennison, Antrim Cha 330Kg £1690 (512), M Gingles, Kilwaughter Cha 310Kg £1560 (503), P Robb, Ballynahinch Abe 310Kg £1400 (451), A Boyd, Cloughmills Cha 310Kg £1400 (451), P Esler, Islandmagee Lim 350Kg £1580 (451), S Taylor, Belfast Sim 350Kg £1560 (445), G Mulvenna, Glenarm Lim 310Kg £1360 (438), Lim 310Kg £1360 (438), C Bradley, Bangor Cha 350Kg £1480 (422), Cha 350Kg £1480 (422)J McErlean, Portglenone Sim 340Kg £1430 (420), J Connolly, Larne Bel 350Kg £1400 (400), J McErlean, Sim 320Kg £1280 (400), T Livingstone, Ballymena Lim 340Kg £1340 (394).

351Kg Over

S Taylor, Belfast Cha 380Kg £1920 (505), S Graham, Portglenone Lim 380Kg £1880 (494), S Taylor, Cha 410Kg £2010 (490), M Gingles, Kilwaughter Cha 400Kg £1950 (487), S Taylor, Sim 390Kg £1850 (474), M Gingles, Cha 450Kg £2120 (471), P Esler, Islandmagee Lim 380Kg £1790 (471), S Graham, Portglenone Lim 390Kg £1800 (461), Cha 470Kg £2090 (444), H McNeill, Rasharkin Lim 410Kg £1810 (441), S Graham, Lim 430Kg £1890 (439), M Smith, Kells Lim 430Kg £1860 (432), H McNeill, Lim 370Kg £1600 (432), A Angus, Ballywalter Sbh 370Kg £1540 (416), Shb 370Kg £1500 (405), Shb 370Kg £1500 (405).

BALLYMENA MART, SATURDAY 1/8/26

The first of the season’s breeding sheep sales at Ballymena Mart attracted a massive entry of almost 5000 sheep with an excellent trade recorded in both the hogget and lamb rings especially for good quality Suffolk Cheviot sheep with poorer lots of Texel X sheep were slow to clear.

In the hogget ring the top price of £460 per head was paid on two occasions to local producers WJ Donaghy and W McCurdy and this price was closely followed at £440 per head paid to W Blackburn. The good trade in the hogget ring was reflected in the lamb ring where L Anderson topped the sale with pens of Suffolk Cheviot ewe lambs selling at £300, £295 and £285 per head and an average of £293.

Leading prices and averages in each section were as follows:- Hoggets (3857 sold averaged £295.52 up £8 per head with over 1000 hoggets more sold) – WJ Donaghy 12 S/C @ £460, W McCurdy 12 S/C @ £460, W Blackburn 12S/C @ £440, W McCurdy 12 S/C @ £410, M Breen 12 S/C @ £400, W Blackburn 14 S/C @ £390, J Currie 10 S/C @ £390, P Donnelly 10 S/C @ £380, B McKinley 12 S/C @ £380, 12 S/C @ £380, 11 S/C @ £370, 11 S/C @ £370, 12 S/C @ £370, D Knox 12 S/C @ £365, W Blackburn 15 S/C @ £360, J Currie 10 S/C @ £360, J Graham 14 S/C @ £360. Leading averages – WJ Donaghy 45 ave £375, W McCurdy 96 ave £366, B McKinley 92 ave £350, P Donnelly 195 ave £330, M Breen 57 ave £330, D Knox 201 ave £321. Lambs – (793 ave £205.89 up £26 and 60 more sold ) L Anderson 8 S/C @ £300, 8 S/C @ £295, 8 S/C @ £285, J Adams 10 Tex X @ £275, 7 Tex X @ £255, R Workman 12 Tex X @ £255, AM McFarlane 12 Tex X @ £235, 12 Tex X @£232, J Magee 10 Tex X @ £232, R Workman 11 Tex X @ £232, G King 9 S?C @ £230, IJ&A Wilson 12 Tex X @ £230, 14 Tex X @ £230, C&M Mullan 12 Suff X @ £230. Leading averages L Anderson 24 ave £293, AM McFarlane 144 ave £205, M McKillop 88 ave £199.50, G Black 105 ave £199.

BALLYMENA, MONDAY EVENING 3RD AUGUST 2026

The first of the Monday night Store Lamb and Breeding Sheep Sales has started with a promising trade. Store Lambs topped at £128 for 8 Suffolks and Ewe Lambs to £180 for 6 Texels, Breeding Hoggets reached £325 for a single Dutch Spotted.

Store Lambs

S McNaughton, Glenariffe 8 Suff £128, J O'Kane, Cushendall 50 Suff £126.50, M McKillop, Cushendall 35 Suff £126, 35 Suff £126, R W Robinson, Larne 21 Tex £125, S McNaughton 25 Suff £125, J O'Kane 50 Suff £125, W J & J Johnston, Templepatrick 11 Char £124.50, R B & J H Kennedy, Dundrod 45 Tex £124, J Adams, Ballymena 29 Tex £123, A Montgomery, Glenarm 57 Tex £122.50, S Topping, Kilwaughter 20 Eas £121, D & J O'Mullan, Rasharkin 24 Tex £120, P McAleese, Loughgiel 34 Tex £120, D & J O'Mullan 19 Suff £119, P McAleese 14 Suff £119, W McIlwaine, Ballyclare 18 Tex £118, S McNaughton 15 Llyn £118, J Alcorn, Glengormley 11 Spd £117, R McAuley, Cushendall 52 Cv £115.50, Newpark Farms, Dromore 71 Suff £115.

Ewe Lambs

P McAuley, Carnlough 6 Tex £180, A Clements, Muckamore 12 Tex £170, 17 Tex £166, P McAuley 12 Cb £160, S Brimstone, Broughshane 2 Suff £150, A McClernon, Carrickfergus 6 Tex £145, 7 Tex £140, S Brimstone 1 Char £140, W McIlwaine, Ballyclare 16 Tex £134, M McDonnell, Antrim 12 Tex £132, S Brimstone 1 Tex £130, V Hamilton, Cushendun 2 Tex £130, 2 Tex £127, W McIlwaine 15 Tex £124, A Beggs, Kilwaughter 14 Spd £124, W J & J Johnston, Templepatrick 13 Char £123, A Beggs, Larne 5 Spd £120.

Breeding Hoggets

V Anderson, Cloughmills 1 Spd £325, M Kane, Cushendall 10 Tex £320, Newpark Farms, Dromore 10 Cb £310 x2, M Kane 10 Tex £305, M McNeill, Cushendun 10 Suff £305, M Kane 10 Tex £300, M McNeill 10 Suff £300, V Anderson 4 Spd £300, 2 Spd £300, W Weatherup, Carrickfergus 7 Suff £295, M Kane 10 Tex £295, J Carson, Glarryford 2 Dor £295, Local Farmer 9 Tex £295, W Weatherup 7 Suff £285, D Magill, Ballymena 11 Tex £280, Local Farmer 10 Tex £280, Local Farmer 8 Suff £275 x2.

BALLYMENA, TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2026

A slightly smaller show of 120 Store Cattle on Tuesday sold with another steady trade.

Bullocks to £1750 over for a Charolais 610kg at £2360 from E Stinson, Craigavon and Heifers to £1730 over for a Limousin 620kg at £2350 from D Mulholland, Aghadowey.

Heifers

Up to 500kg

S McDowell, Magheramourne Lim 360kg £1610 (447), 330kg £1450 (439), 340kg £1470 (432), S J Duncan, Crumlin Lim 410kg £1710 (417), S McDowell Lim 360kg £1460 (405), 310kg £1250 (403), F McEldowney, Swatragh Char 490kg £1960 (400), S J Duncan Lim 420kg £1630 (388), J Duncan, Crumlin Lim 450kg £1710 (380), D J Caughey, Portavogie Lim 490kg £1830 (373), W E Adamson, Carrickfergus Sou 460kg £1615 (351), A McCullough, Broughshane AA 470kg £1640 (348).

Over 501kg

A Mayne, Greyabbey BB 510kg £1950 (382), D Mulholland, Aghadowey Lim 620kg £2350 (379), B Arthurs, Kircubbin Lim 560kg £2090 (373), Char 580kg £2150 (370), Lim 610kg £2250 (368), 610kg £2180 (357), 650kg £2320 (356) x2, D J Caughey, Portavogie Lim 580kg £2070 (356), A Scott, Templepatrick AA 620kg £2190 (353), D Mulholland Char 630kg £2190 (347), A Mayne AA 520kg £1800 (346), M Crawford, Randalstown AA 550kg £1900 (345).

Bullocks

0kg to 500kg

F McEldowney, Maghera Cha 440kg £2120 (481) Cha 420kg £1880 (447) Cha 480kg £2090 (435) E Stinson, Craigavon Cha 500kg £2150 (430) A McCullough, Broughshane Cha 410kg £1740 (424) E Stinson, Cha 500kg £2120 (424) F McEldowney, Lim 420kg £1720 (409) E Stinson, Lim 500kg £1980 (396) DJ Caughey, Portavogie Brb 490kg £1880 (383) A Oneill, Cushendall Abe 450kg £1695 (376) SJ Duncan, Crumlin Cha 460kg £1670 (363) P Irwin, Broughshane Abe 460kg £1660 (360) M Esler, Ballymena Abe 490kg £1755 (358) Bel 500kg £1770 (354) JP O’Neill, Ballymena Abe 480kg £1680 (350) M Esler, Bel 460kg £1590 (345)

501kg and over

E Stinson, Craigavon Cha 550kg £2290 (416) Cha 570kg £2300, Cha 580kg £2300 (396) Lim 580kg £2290 (394) Cha 580kg £2290 (394) Cha 560kg £2190 (391) Cha 590kg £2300 (389) Cha 610kg £2360 (386) Cha 550kg £2040 (370) DJ Caughey, Brb 580kg £2130 (367) E Stinson, Cha 580kg £2120 (365) DJ Caughey, Lim 590kg £2150 (364) N McMillan, Cullybackey St 520kg £1880 (361) D J Caughey, Brb 540kg £1950 (361) Brb 590kg £21020 (359) Brb 560kg £2010 (358).

BALLYMENA, WEDNESDAY 5TH AUGUST 2026

2422 sheep in Ballymena on Wednesday resulted in a slightly easier trade. Fat lambs sold to 740p for 4 Texels 22Kg at £163 form M Moffett, Broughshane and a top per head of £168 for 3 Texels 28.5kg presented by D Jones, Nutts Corner. Fat ewes sold to £296.

Fat Lambs (1511)

Top per Head

D J Jones, Nutts Corner 3 Tex 26.5Kg £168, M Moffett, Broughshane 4 Tex 22Kg £163, J Hutchinson, Ballyclare 2 Suf 35.5Kg £160, D Crawford, Stewartstown 11 Tex 22.5Kg £157.50, J Wilson, Banbridge 1 Tex 26.5Kg £157, County Antrim Farmer 1 Cro 28Kg £157, K Scullion, Portglenone 14 Cha 25Kg £156.50, M Murphy, Ballyclare 2 Spo 30Kg £156, Bushvalley Texels, Stranocum 4 Tex 23Kg £156, B Smyth, Broughshane 1 Tex 30Kg £154, J Wilson, 1 Tex 26Kg £150, M Finlay, 3 Tex 25Kg £150, J & A Wright, Carnlough 7 Tex 26.5Kg £148, E Moulds, Lisburn 2 Suf 27.5Kg £148, S Wilson, Randalstown 12 Suf 28Kg £148, M & R Simpson, Broughshane 14 Tex 24Kg £147.

Top Per Kg

M Moffett, Broughshane 4 Tex 22Kg £163 (740), D Crawford, Stewartstown 11 Tex 22.5Kg £157.50 (700), Bushvalley Texels, Ballymoney 4 Tex 23Kg £156 (678), M Finlay, Ballyeaston Tex 21Kg £21Kg £140 (666), D Donaghy, Cookstown 9 Tex 21Kg £136.50 (650), G McNeill, Cushendun 8 Tex 20Kg £129.50 (647), C Stirling, Newtownabbey 15 Tex 20.5Kg £131 (639), N Rea, Larne 7 Cro 20.5Kg £130 (634), D J Jones, Nutts Corner 3 Tex 26.5Kg £168 (634), K W & J T Dickey, Ballyclare 4 Tex 21Kg £133 (633), M Murphy, Ballyclare 1 Spo 15.5Kg £98 (632), E Moulds, Lisburn 5 Suf 20.5Kg £129 (629), S & A McLean, Maghera 17 Tex 21Kg £132 (628), 1 Tex 21Kg £132 (628), I Donaghy, Cookstown 4 Tex 21Kg £132 (628), K Scullion, Portglenone 14 Cha 25Kg £156.50 (626).

Fat Ewes (911)

1st Quality

Suf- £216-£264

Tex-£222-£296

CB-£128-£188

BF-£88-£124