Rathkeeland Limousin herd to have major presence at May Day Ballymena Show and Sale

The event takes place in Ballymena mart on Monday, May 4th. Recent years have seen Rathkeeland bulls and breeding females command tremendous interest at a wide range of show and sale venues.

Meanwhile the quality of the cattle within the herd continues to increase. This reflects the commitment of the Crawford family, who have spent many years building up the status of this unique pedigree operation, continuing to invest in the best Limousin genetics available on an international basis.

Stephen Crawford commented: “We have a tremendous selection of bulls and breeding heifers entered for the May Day sale. They represent the best bloodlines available within the herd at the present time.

“Show success is one thing. But adding to this is the tremendous feedback we get from farmers who are using our bulls on a commercial basis.

“A case in point is Ruari McAuley from Cushendall in Co Antrim. He milks 80 Fleckvieh cows. Ruari bought his first Rathkeeland bull at a sale held in Ballymena in 2024. The sire was easy calved and tightened up the calving pattern recorded on the farm immensely.

“But more than this, the calves had tremendous shape and grew well. They subsequently secured top prices in the mart.

“The purchase of a second Rathkeeland bull for use on heifers followed in 2025. Using a Limousin bull on Fleckvieh breeding stock produces calves that are exceptionally well marked."

Stephen has seven young bulls and two elite heifers entered for the May Day sale. All have exceptional pedigrees.

Rathkeeland Vanmorrison is fully vaccinated for bluetounge (VIBT3) and semen tested. He has already been used cows, who have settled in calf.

Vanmorrison is a long bull with good depth of muscle and excellent locomotion. He carries one copy of the f94l profit gene for easy calving and one copy of the ‘nt’ gene.

Vanmorrison is from from a proven pedigree line. His maternal maternal brother was sold to Robert and Leanne Workman, from Larne in Co Antrim who have been exceptionally pleased with that animal’s breeding performance.

The sire of Vanmorrison is Rathkeeland Toplimmymaverick: the overall male champion at Balmoral 2024.

Rathkeeland Vincentvaughn is fully vaccinated for Bluetongue (VIBT3) and semen tested.

He carries two copies f94l profit gene and is very suitable dairy and beef heifers for easy calving. He is cubicle trained and very quiet in nature

His sire is Rathkeeland Toplimmymaverick: the overall male champion at Balmoral 2024.

Rathkeeland Alto is a tremendous bull with new breeding lines. There are great figures in his pedigree. He excels in terms of growth, length, width, good bone and depth of muscle.

The bull has great legs and feet and carries two copies f94l profit gene ideal for easy calving.

Alto is semen tested and fully vaccinated for Bluetounge (VIBT3).

His sire is Rathkeeland Toplimmymaverick: the overall male champion at Balmoral 2024. The dam Scorboro Goya, was a great show cow with a tremendous Balmoral Show record.

Rathkeeland Aftermidnight is semen tested and vaccinated for Bluetongue (VIBT3). This embryo calf carries one copy f94l profit gene easy calving. He won 1st prize in his bull class at a Limousin calf show at just 8 weeks of age. He has great length and muscle and growth potential.

The sire is Lowerffryd Empire, who sold for sold 30,000gns in Carlisle.

Rathkeeland Arastocrate is semen tested and vaccinated or Bluetongue (VIBT3). This embryo calf is long ,clean shouldered with great depth of muscle. He carries one copy f94l gene for easy calving. Arastocrate comes from one best dam lines in the herd through Ampertaine Elgin. The sire is Lowerffryd Empire.

Rathkeeland Alaistair is semen tested and Bluetongue vaccinated (VIBT3). He is an exceptionally stylish and well proportioned bull with a great great head, good depth of muscle and great locomotion. He is very easy to work.

Alastair has an excellent pedigree, featuring Ampertaine and a number of other top pedigree bloodlines His sire is Rathkeeland Toplimmymaverick.

Three elite Rathkeeland heifers are included in the line up for the May Day Show and Sale.

Rathkeeland Veronica has been flushed very successfully. She was served to Gklenrock Redemption on February 19 last. Her sire is Sire Gunnerfleet Lion, who sold for 22,000gns in Carlisle.

Rathkeeland Virille is a clean, stylish heifer with great depth of muscle. She will make a tremendous breeding cow. Her sire is Sire Rathkeeland Toplimmymaverick.