Premier Suffolk line up for Ballymena

The Northern Ireland Branch of the Suffolk Sheep Society will hold their Premier Export Sale of 135 suffolk lambs and 10 shearlings on Tuesday, 2nd August at Ballymena Livestock Market.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Jul 2016, 08:50 BST
Danske Bank are sponsoring Tuesdays NI Branch Premier Export Show & Sale at Ballymena. Pictured is representative Rodney Brown, with NI Branch Chairman Lesley Liggett and Vice Chairman Geoffrey DouglasDanske Bank are sponsoring Tuesdays NI Branch Premier Export Show & Sale at Ballymena. Pictured is representative Rodney Brown, with NI Branch Chairman Lesley Liggett and Vice Chairman Geoffrey Douglas
Danske Bank are sponsoring Tuesdays NI Branch Premier Export Show & Sale at Ballymena. Pictured is representative Rodney Brown, with NI Branch Chairman Lesley Liggett and Vice Chairman Geoffrey Douglas

This sale is generously sponsored by Danske Bank and boasts an impressive line up of ram lambs and shearlings bred by many of the top flocks regarded among the elite in the UK and Ireland, all lambs and shearlings will be eligible for immediate export.

The 2016 offering at Ballymena is sure to suit all tastes with rams bred by some of the most renowned sires and from many outstanding and well established blood lines.

Rams bred by the 36,000gns Solwaybank Major, the 25,000gns Rhaeadr Rolex, the 20,000gns Strathbogie Jackpot, the 18,000gns Ballynacanon Attitude, the 14,000gns Castleisle Knockout, the 10,000gns duo of Rhaeadr Rhonn and Mountford Mustang, the 5,500gns Birness Murray, the 3,800gns Birness Bravado, Burnview Vardy, Safaddan Sapphire, Rhaeadr Readymix, Birness Banker, Stockton Dynamite, Cairness Great Expectations, Shannagh Resolve, Castlewood Highlander, Lakeview Hit the Diff, Cairness Ignition and many more will be presented for inspection and judging before entering the sale ring.

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Superior growth rate, early maturity combined with excellent confirmation has kept the Suffolk breed to the forefront of commercial lamb breeding and production. The numerous traits synonymous with the breed has offered pedigree and commercial flocks owners the confidence to stay ahead in the market place.

Leading flocks represented at Tuesdays show and sale include:- Blackbrae, Lakeview, Botera, Islandmoyle, Donrho, Benview, Forkins, Craigdoo, Oakbridge, Cavanagrove, Triplek, Carony, Banagher, Knockadoo, Threeways, Kerrib, Claragh, Kirkview, Leitrim, Tullywinney, Smiddiehill, Carrowmoney, Benrafton, Teeshan, Theviews, Gransha, Scarvaghern, Crewelands, Burnview, Ballynacanon, Straidrock, Beechcrest, Ballycoose and Bannview.

Seamus McCormick representing lead sponsors Danske Bank said: “The Premier Sale is a showcase event for Suffolk breeders in NI. The Suffolk breed is very important within the sheep industry, both for pedigree and commercial producers, and given this is the first pedigree Suffolk sale in 2016 it should set the scene for the year ahead for all breeders.

“Danske is delighted to be sponsoring the Suffolk Society’s premier show and sale in Ballymena” he said. “We take this opportunity to wish all exhibitors the best of luck in the show and good fortune in the sale ring, which is an important factor for the continuation of superb Suffolk breeding and in the success of their businesses going forward.”

Judging which will be carried out by Aberdeenshire breeder John Gibb of the renowned Cairnton flock, gets under way at 9.30am with the first of the ram lambs scheduled to enter the sales ring at 1pm.

All sheep must be presented for inspection and penning on Monday 8-10pm or Tuesday 6-8am.

Catalogues can be viewed online at www.suffolksheep.org or further details can be obtained by contacting Secretary Orla Butler on 07841117252.

Related topics:SuffolkBallymena Livestock MarketDanske BankIreland