Cows peaked at 5,200gns, fresh calved heifers sold to 4,200gns, bulling heifers topped at 2,000gns, and youngstock reached a ceiling of 2,650gns.
Leading the monthly sale at 5,200gns was Wiltor Lautrust Shakira 3 ET VG-2yr PLI £72, consigned by Jonny Kelso and Stephen Shanks. A potential eleventh generation EX, her grandam is the 2021 and 2023 World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair champion, Erbacres Snapple Shakira *RC EX97-4E. Sired by Comestar Lautrust, this young cow calved her third in mid-March and is producing 53kgs daily.
Next best at 4,200gns was Geoffrey Patton’s fourth prize cow, Carrowcroft Lambda K Cinderella GP83-2yr. A Farnear Delta Lambda daughter, her dam is Carrowcroft Kenobi Cinderella 2 EX. A potential fifteenth generation VG or EX, she gave 8,297kgs at 4.43% butterfat and 3.69% protein in her first lactation.
Heifers peaked at 4,200gns, paid to Sam and John McCormick for the EDG Rubicon daughter, Hilltara Rubicon Charlotte 10 PLI £230. Her dam is the Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul daughter, Hilltara Chief Charlotte 3 GP who gave 9,381kgs at 4.47% butterfat and 3.39% protein in her second lactation.
The pre-sale show, generously sponsored by Moore Concrete, was judged by Ben Mallon from Toomebridge.
He awarded the supreme championship to Wilson and Andrew Patton’s Ards Harmony Marq I PLI £434. Sired by AOT Parfect Harmony, and bred from Ards Crosby Marq I EX, this fresh calved heifer is backed by four successive generations of EX dams. She sold for 4,000gns.
Ben Mallon said: “There was a great show of milky heifers and cows. The overall champion is a fine example of the Holstein breed. She has a great top and lots of style. A real cow maker.”
Wilson and Andrew Patton’s heifer Ards Ryder J Lou Ella Red PLI £106 sold for 3,900gns. A Koepon Oh Ryder Red daughter, she was bred from Ards Jordy Lou Ella GP84-2yr who gave 7,535kgs at 4.44% butterfat and 3.38% protein.
Also selling at 3,900gns was Derrymore Delta Lambda Jetje PLI £91, bred by Noel and Pauline McCorry and Sons. Sired by Farnear Delta Lambda, this one was bred from Derrymore Leno Jetje Red GP84.
Jim and Nicholas McCann realised 3,650gns for Simlahill Rager Amanda Red £93. A Ri-Val-Re Rager Red heifer, she was bred from Whinchat W Galactico EX92. Commanding the same price tag was Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara Rager Jen £227.
The Patton family secured a bid of 3,600gns for the potential fourteenth generation VG or EX Ards Harmony Ruth PLI £358. Another by Parfect, this third prize winner is out of the home-bred Ards Crosby Ruth EX.
Following close behind at 3,500gns was Ards Has It All Danna PLI £317, a Duckett Pfct Has It Hall daughter, bred from Ards Fynn Danna GP84-2yr.
Jim Morrison and James Cleland sold the honourable mention award winner, Inch Alcove Jessie VG PLI £188, for 3,500gns. Sired by Westcoast Alcove, she calved her second in early April and is giving 46kgs of milk daily.
Judge Ben Mallon added: “This a well-balanced young cow with a lovely udder.”
George and Jason Booth’s second calver, Beechview Medalist Laurie GP84, sold for 3,300gns; while George Mitchell realised 3,200gns for the second calver, Edenordinary Pepper Lulu 6.
A batch of heifer calves, born from July to October 2025, peaked at 2,650gns for George and Jason Booth. Leading their entry was the eight-month-old Beechview Dealmaker Bridget PLI £97, a potential eleventh generation VG or EX by Claynook Dealmaker.
The seven-month-old Beechview Dealmaker Gemma 2 PLI £67, bred from twelve generations of VG and EX dams, sold for 2,200gns. Also selling at 2,200gns was the nine-month-old Beechview Adorable Daphne PLI £205. She is a potential fourth generation EX.
An entry of bulling heifers from Seamus Gunn’s herd peaked at 2,000gns twice. Ernevale Animation Lulu PLI £136 is a potential eleventh generation VG or EX; while Ernevale Ward Inspired Holiday is bred from nine generations of VG and EX dams.
The youngstock dispersal sale on behalf of Bavanmore Farm, Newry, peaked at 1,700gns, realised by the four-month-old Bavanmore Animate Pietje PLI £295. She is a potential eighth generation VG or EX. The eleven-month-old Bavanmore Mecca Odile PLI £396 sold for 1,500gns.
An entry of heifer calves from David and Matthew Carrick’s Kilmagamish Herd reached a ceiling of 1,550gns. Leading their entry was the seven-month-old Kilmagamish Miller Gail 2 PLI £383. Next best at 1,450gns was eight-month-old Kilmagamish Estate Judy P PLI £198.
George Mitchell offered a selection of heifer calves from his Edenordinary Herd. They sold to a top of 1,350gns, realised by the August-born Edenordinary Rubels Boots Red 4 PLI £258.
1. Moore Concrete’s Maeve Birt making friends with Bavanmore Persuit Fedora at the April Dungannon Dairy Sale. Picture: Julie Hazelton
Moore Concrete’s Maeve Birt making friends with Bavanmore Persuit Fedora at the April Dungannon Dairy Sale. Picture: Julie Hazelton Photo: Julie Hazelton
2. Sponsors David Henderson and Maeve Birt, Moore Concrete, with Dungannon Dairy Sale judge Ben Mallon. Picture: Julie Hazelton
Sponsors David Henderson and Maeve Birt, Moore Concrete, with Dungannon Dairy Sale judge Ben Mallon. Picture: Julie Hazelton Photo: Julie Hazelton
3. James Cleland exhibited the honourable mention award winner Inch Alcove Jessie PLI £188. Included are judge Ben Mallon; and sponsor David Henderson, Moore Concrete. Julie Hazelton
James Cleland exhibited the honourable mention award winner Inch Alcove Jessie PLI £188. Included are judge Ben Mallon; and sponsor David Henderson, Moore Concrete. Julie Hazelton Photo: Julie Hazelton
4. Banbridge dairy farmer George Mitchell pictured at the Dunganon Dairy Sale with sponsors Maeve Birt and David Henderson, Moore Concrete. Picture: Julie Hazelton
Banbridge dairy farmer George Mitchell pictured at the Dunganon Dairy Sale with sponsors Maeve Birt and David Henderson, Moore Concrete. Picture: Julie Hazelton Photo: Julie Hazelton