140 dairy cattle catalogued for Dungannon sale on March 19

David Dunlop, Chestnutt Animal Feeds, has confirmed the companyâ€TMs continued sponsorship of the March Dungannon Dairy Sale. David is pictutred with Holstein NI vice chairman Iain McLean, secretary John Martin, and auctioneer Michael Taaffe. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

The catalogue for the forthcoming Dungannon Dairy Sale on Thursday 19th March has attracted a bumper entry of 140 cattle.

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe has confirmed that the entry for the monthly sale comprises of 100 fresh calved heifers and cows, and 40 springing, bulling and maiden heifers.

Sponsored by Chestnutt Animal Feeds, the pre-sale show will be judged by Matthew Breen from the Cherryblossom Herd based in Tempo, County Fermanagh.

The catalogue includes 35 fresh calved pedigree and commercial heifers from top herds including Aghyaran, Bloomhill, Carrowcroft, Glenbrae, and Stephen Greenaway.

This collective entry incorporates a special entry of 20 head from the noted Relough prefix owned by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, Dungannon.

AI sires represented in the catalogue include Jouster, Hang-Time, DG Charley, Supershot, Spectre, Curry and Mayday.

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart is also the venue for the major reduction sale of the Derrydorragh Herd owned by Willard and Adam Watson, Macosquin; and the final dispersal of the Rockmount Herd property of Messrs RJ and S McIlroy, Dromara.

The Derrydorragh offering comprises of 32 fresh calved heifers and cows, and includes 18 first calvers and seven second calvers producing up to 50 litres. They are daughters of top AI bulls Westcoast Perseus, EDG Bob Cyprus, DB Brody, Mr Moviestar Mardi Gras, Endco Supreme and Penmanship.

Willard and Adam Watson’s offering boasts top Holstein cow families such as Altitude, Blackrose, Roxy, Chanel, Pandora, Pansy and Barbie.

The Rockmount dispersal includes the entire milking portion of the herd (33 head) and a group of 40 youngstock. The herd is all year-round calving, with an average yield of 8,000kgs and a SCC 87 recorded on the latest test. Individual cows are producing up to 40 litres per day.

The herd has been Genus RMS bred for years, and all cows and heifers on offer are bred from top AI bulls. The youngstock includes 26 bulling and maiden heifers, as well as 13 springing heifers due in June, August and October.

View the catalogue on-line at www.taaffeauctions.com, or contact Taaffe Auctions tel: 00353 41 9881288 for further details.