From that day, Patrick took the decision to move to the Lanark breed, as they suited his hill farm very well. Sitting above the townland of Slaughtneil, the Corlacky farm starts at 600 ft, rising to 1,500 ft.
Buying Blackface females and tups from well-established flocks over the years, including Midlock, Allanfauld, Glenrath, Nunnerie, Connachan, Blackhouse, Craigdarroch, Auldhouseburn, Dalchirla, Elmscleugh, High Staward and Loughash, to name a few, they helped to establish the Corlacky flock and introduce diversity of bloodlines and breeding into the flock over the past 35 years.
The flock consists of 300 blackface ewes that are never crossed.
The Blackface tups are sold every year at Ballymena Livestock Market’s U.R.B.A. sale.
Last year was a personal best for the Corlacky flock, with lambs selling for a top price of 7,500 gns and 5,500 gns for two sons of the 60K Midlock.
Shearlings have also sold for a top price of 4,800 gns.
This year, Patrick and sons Pierce and Paudie have 11 shearlings and six lambs for the U.R.B.A. sale.
The shearlings are by the 60K Midlock and 12K Loughash. The lambs are by the 60K Midlock and Orchilmore tups.
Females are sold every year at the Ballymena Livestock Market annual Blackface Sale.
Between 40 to 60 homebred gimmers and 30 cast ewes are sold at the sale every year.
They also sell three ewes at the annual in-lamb Blackface ewe sale.
Between 50 to 60 mule ewe lambs are bought in from local Slaughtneil Hill farmers at the annual Swatragh Livestock Market mule ewe lambs sale.They are lambed in mid April along with the Blackies, then sold as sucked hoggs in September.
They also have a suckler herd of Charolais, Limousin and Belgian Blue cross cattle.
The McGuigan’s also have a family-run contracting business that sees us carrying out utility, civils & construction work throughout the North and South of Ireland.
The U.R.B.A. Blackface Shearling and Ram Lamb Show & Sale takes place at Ballymena Livestock Market.
Show: October 4th at 3 pm, Sale: October 5th at 10am.
Once again, the association would like to thank their sponsors: Danske Bank, Fane Valley Stores, Thompson Feeding Innovation, ASC Farm Services and United Feeds.
5. _c8e0MYA Mc Guigan.jpeg
Patrick Mc Guigan and sons Pierce and Paudie, Lanark Shearlings for URBA Blackface show and sale in Ballymena Livestock Market Photo: freelance