14 Holstein bulls catalogued for Kilrea

Auctioneer Mark Stewart has confirmed an entry of 14 pedigree bulls.

Entries have been received from leading herds: Ballylagan, Bellemont, Derrydorragh, Keely, Mullaugher, Prehen and Relough.

The bulls on offer range in age from December 2018 to December 2019, and are sons of top AI sires such as Catlane Chad, Westcoast Perseus, VH Balisto Brook, Bomez Skywalker, Co-op Bosside Massey, Sandy Valley I Penmanship, Annandale Elton, Vortex Lexxi Foxx, ABS Crimson, Ladys Manor RD Grafeeti, Denovo 7921 Atrium, Denovo 14566 Crosby by DG Charley.

Mark Stewart said: “This is a sale not to be missed! The catalogue features something for everyone, from outcross and British Friesian bloodlines, and bulls boasting genomic PLI values to £634. The bulls selling are bred from high component and proven cow families, and backed by generation after generation of VG and EX classified dams.”

One of the most exciting entries in the catalogue is (lot 7) Prehen Fergus GPLI £634 bred by Robbie and Stuart Smith, Londonderry. Born in September 2019 he is by Sandy Valley I Penmanship, and bred from Prehen Justice Froukje VG89 LP60 SP 10*– the former number two GPLI cow in the UK. His dam is a half-sister to two former number one GPLI UK cows, and the former number one PLI UK-bred proven bull Prehen Omen. His Gdam was nominated 2018 Global Cow of the Year; while his third dam has 15 sons in AI. Prehen Fergus boasts a fertility index of +18.3, and has seven VG or EX sisters and two brothers at Genus.

The November 2019 Prehen Fleetwood GPLI £536 (lot 13) is one of the first sons of Denovo 7921 Atrium to sell at auction. His dam is Prehen Madron Froukje 2 VG86 SP who gave 9,037kgs at 4.43% butterfat and 3.38% protein in her first 305 day lactation.

Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, are offering the September 2019 Relough Crisp PLI £544. Sired by Bomaz Skywalker, his dam Relough Supershot Crimson 2 ET EX92 SP produced 12,744kgs at 4.54% butterfat and 3.64% protein in her second 305 days.

Offering an outcross pedigree is the September 2019 (lot 6) Ballylagan Boris PLI £348 bred by David Campbell, Coleraine. From the renown Ashlyn cow family, his dam Ballylagan Super Angel VG88 LP60 SP averaged 10,335kgs at 4.39% butterfat and 3.46% protein in five 305 day lactations; and has five VG daughters in the herd.

Patrons attending Kilrea Mart must wear face coverings and adhere to the strict Covid-19 guidelines. Prospective buyers must contact the mart to pre-register.

Catalogues are available on request from HA McIlrath and Sons Ltd tel: 028 29540269.