Beef bullocks selling to £1955 at Ballymena Mart

Thursday, March 18, 2021: A tremendous entry of just under 600 beef cattle in Ballymena resulted in another terrific trade.
Ballymena Livestock MartBallymena Livestock Mart
Ballymena Livestock Mart

Beef cows sold to 207p for 690kg at £1428, Friesian cows to 152p 650kg at £988, beef heifers to 240p for 620kg at £1488, beef bullocks to 245p 3 times for 700kg at £1715, 790kg at £1935, 670kg at £1641 and to a top of £1955 for 850kg.

Friesian bullocks to 184p for 690lg at £1269.

Beef cows sold to: Robert Workman, Kilwaughter Limousin 690kg £1428 (207), B Bailey, Ballycastle Simmental 660kg £1346 (204), R Miller, Moneymore Belgian Blue 710kg £1412 (199), J McKeever, Ahoghill Parthenais 590kg £1162 (197), Parthenais 690kg £1352 (196), S and M Black, Carnlough Simmental 650kg £1209 (186), J McPeake, Bellaghy Simmental 890kg £1655 (186), J McKeever Parthenais 700kg £1295 (185), Parthenais 660kg £1207 (183), Kyle Molyneaux, Dundrod Charolais 680kg £1237 (182), J McPeake, Bellaghy Aberdeen Angus 700kg £1232 (176) and Patrick McSparron, Cushendun Limousin 520kg £910 (175), Limousin 630kg £1102 (175).

Friesian cows sold to: S Booth, Ballymoney 650kg £988 (152), A and W McMaster, Broughshane 900kg £1323 (147), D McNeill, Rathkenny 730kg £1022 (140), RJ White, Liscolman 780kg £1076 (138), James Campbell, Bushmills 740kg £1013 (137), R McConnaghie, Mosside 560kg £767 (137), Sam Kennedy, Doagh 920kg £1251 (136), J Mackey, Ballynure 610kg £817 (134), B Gribben, Dunloy 650kg £871 (134), James Chestnutt, Portrush 750kg £1005 (134), WR Hamilton, Broughshane 710kg £951 (134), Denis Boyd, Straid 770kg £1024 (133) and R McConaghie, Mosside 630kg £837 (133).

Beef heifers sold to: R Kelly, Gortin Charolais 620kg £1488 (240), Francis Cassidy, Kilrea Charolais 700kg £1673 (239), Charolais 730kg £1744 (239), D Thompson, Dromore Limousin 500kg £1190 (238), D Patterson, Crumlin Charolais 600kg £1428 (238), Francis Cassidy Charolais 730kg £1737 (238), R Kelly Charolais 620kg £1463 (236), TJ Fegan, Ballynahinch Charolais 750kg £1762 (235), C and S Surphlis, Lisnaskea Charolais 830kg £1942 (234), Francis Cassidy Charolais 670kg £1567 (234), WJ Wilson, Rasharkin Aberdeen Angus 750kg £1747 (233) and Alastair Dale, Ballymena Charolais 600kg £1386 (231).

Beef bullocks sold to: J Thompson, Dromore Limousin 700kg £1715 (245), S Kelly, Kells Belgian Blue 790kg £1935 (245), local farmer Blonde d’Aquitaine 670kg £1641 (245), J McKeever, Ahoghill Hereford 630kg £1530 (243), JF Savage, Ballywalter Limousin 580kg £1403 (242), J McKeever Parthenais 610kg £1476 (242), Parthenais 690kg £1662 (241), local farmer Blonde d’Aquitaine 680kg £1632 (240), Graham Kissock, Broughshane Belgian Blue 760kg £1816 (239), SD and KC Hamilton, Greyabbey Limousin 650kg £1553 (239), R Kelly, Omagh Charolais 680kg £1625 (239), local farmer Limousin 650kg £1547 (238), R Kelly Charolais 700kg £1666 (238) and H McCullough, Randalstown Charolais 590kg £1404 (238).

Beef bullocks (top per head): Malcolm Surphlis, Lisnaskea Limousin 850kg £1955, S Kelly, Kells Belgian Blue 790kg £1935, W Donaldson, Holywood Charolais 840kg £1898, Thomas Cairns, Claudy Charolais 830kg £1859, Graham Kissock, Broughshane Belgian Blue 760kg £1816, J Mills, Ballynure Limousin 790kg £1809, Andrew Houston, Lisburn Charolais 800kg £1792, W Donaldson, Charolais 770kg £1771, R Kelly, Gortin Charolais 780kg £1770, J Mills Limousin 770kg £1763, Thomas Cairns, Claudy Charolais 790kg £1761 and J Thompson, Dromore Charolais 760kg £1748.

Friesian bullocks sold to: I Dale, Ballymena 690kg £1269 (184), James Wallace, Dunloy 600kg £1098 (183), RJ McDowell, Gleno 660kg £1188 (180), Neil Higgins, Toomebridge 670kg £1165 (174), H Simms, Carrickfergus 660kg £1135 (172), JA Boyd, Kircubbin 550kg £918 (167), W Kerr, Glarryford 700kg £1162 (166), David McKeeman, Ballymoney 550kg £902 (164), M Wilson, Ballinderry 570kg £917 (161) and R and M and J Duffin, Cargan (2) 560kg £890 (159), 540kg £858 (159).

Friday, March 19, 2021: A good entry of 25 dairy cows sold to £2320.

Ruling prices: Joseph Adams, Ballymena £2320, £2160, W Black, Aghadowey £1830, £1810, Buchanans of Cavandarragh (2) £1700, RA Hill, Islandmagee £1670, A Hoey, Glenwherry £1660, Buchanans of Cavandarragh £1660, Brian Paisley, Ballynure £1620, A Hoey, Glenwherry £1610, Buchanans of Cavandarragh Hereford £1610, A Hoey, Glenwherry £1520, W Weatherup, Carrickfergus £1470 and P McKavanagh, Crumlin £1410.

Suckler cows sold to: RN Weatherup, Larne Simmental in calf heifer £1750, Simmental in calf heifer £1590, Joseph Steede, Ballymena Simmental heifer and heifer calf £1570, A Bell, Nutts Corner Aberdeen Angus heifer and bull calf £1540, D Barclay, Desertmartin Belgian Blue heifer and bull calf £1540, WJ Patton, Cloughmills Simmental heifer and bull calf £1520, H Simms, Carrickfergus Stabiliser heifer and bull calf £1490, J Percy, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus in calf heifer £1420, D Barclay, Desertmartin Belgian Blue heifer and bull calf £1420, P Donnelly, Rathkenny Limousin in calf heifer £1400 and J Percy, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus in calf heifer £1340.

220 dropped calves penned in Ballymena on Friday resulted in a steady trade.

Heifer calves sold to £490, bull calves to £600 and Friesian bulls to £295.

Beef bred bull calves: D Lynn, Portglenone Limousin £490, Lyle Morrison, Dervock Belgian Blue £470, T Herbinson, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £395, Greenmount College Belgian Blue £390, D Montgomery, Glenwherry Belgian Blue £390, H Millar, Antrim Belgian Blue £380, DS Wharry, Glenarm Simmental £380, John Gault, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus £370, WJ Bond, Eglinton (3) Aberdeen Angus £365, WA McCullough, Holywood Belgian Blue £360, DS Wharry, Glenarm Simmental £350, RH and HA Shanks, Dunadry Belgian Blue £350, ES Hall, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus £340 and WH Magee, Kilwaughter Aberdeen Angus £330.

Bull calves sold to: Robin Bingham, Nutts Corner Charolais £600, J McKinty, Larne Aberdeen Angus £575, (2) Belgian Blue £565, Limousin £550, Robin Bingham Charolais £520, Charolais £490, H Millar, Antrim (2) Aberdeen Angus £485, T Herbison, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £485, David Wilson, Ballycraigy Aberdeen Angus £470, WA McCullough Belgian Blue £470, D McKay, Broughshane Fleckvieh £470, Lyle Morrison Belgian Blue £440, ES Hall, Ballyclare Limousin £425 and WJ Bond, Eglinton Aberdeen Angus £410.

Friesian bull calves sold to: G Devlin, Randalstown (4) £295, Harold Johnston, Ahoghill (2) £285, G Devlin (4) £250, Harold Johnston, Ahoghill (2) £245, D Lynn, Portglenone (2 £245 and WJ Bond, Eglinton (2) £205.

An entry of 350 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a terrific trade.

Bullocks sold to £700 over for a Blonde d’Aquitaine 380kg at £1080 presented by SW Kirkpatrick, Glenavy.

Heifers sold to £610 over for a Charolais 370kg at £980 offered by J Wilson, Kilrea.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

S Taylor, Ligoniel Charolais 290kg £935 (322), Henry McLaughlin, Aughafatten Limousin 300kg £960 (320), local farmer Limousin 260kg £820 (315), Limousin 280kg £860 ((307), David Adams, Portglenone Charolais 290kg £875 (301), James Rainey, Crumlin (3) Charolais 270kg £800 (296) and SH Bellingham, Ballymoney Limousin 250kg £735 (294).

301-350kgs

SW Kirkpatrick, Glenavy Blonde d’Aquitaine 320kg £980 (306), local farmer Limousin 340kg £1010 (297), SB and D Weatherup, Ballyearl Limousin 350kg £1030 (294), Niall McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 330kg £965 (292), S Taylor, Ligoniel Limousin 330kg £950 (287), Charolais 340kg £965 (283), local farmer Limousin 320kg £900 (281) and E Donnelly, Ballycastle Saler 330kg £900 (272).

351kg and over

E Donnelly, Ballycastle Charolais 370kg £1060 (286), SW Kirkpatrick, Glenavy Blonde d’Aquitaine 380kg £1080 (284), SH Bellingham, Ballymoney Limousin 370kg £1010 (273), E Donnelly, Charolais 360kg £975 (270), Cleggan Estate, Ballymnena Charolais 370kg £990 (267), SW Kirkpatrick Blonde d’Aquitaine 390kg £1040 (266), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Charolais 390kg £1030 (264) and Henry McLaughlin, Aughafatten Limousin 360kg £950 (263).

Heifers 0-300kgs

SW Kirkpatrick, Glenavy Blonde d’Aquitaine 210kg £640 (304), D O’Loan, Aughafatten (2) Limousin 270kg £785 (290), W Millar, Antrim Limousin 240kg £675 (281), D Convery, Kilrea Charolais 200kg £560 (280), Martin McCann, Randalstown Limousin 270kg £755 (279), S Hill, Carrickfergus Limousin 290kg £810 (279), D Convery, Kilrea Limousin 270kg £750 (277) and Lyle McAuley, Ballyclare Limousin 300kg £820 (277).

301-350kgs

J Wilson, Kilrea (2) Limousin 310kg £900 (290), S Taylor, Ligoniel Charolais 320kg £860 (268), John E O’Kane, Cushendall Charolais 350kg £935 (267), D Convery, Kilrea Limousin 330kg £880 (266), SB and D Weatherup, Ballyearl Simmental 340kg £900 (264), J Mills, Kilwaughter Charolais 310kg £820 (264) and Niall McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 330kg £860 (260).

351kg and over

J Wilson, Kilrea Charolais 370kg £980 (264), Niall McLaughlin, Cushendun Charolais 380kg £975 (256), John O’Kane, Cushendall Charolais 400kg £1005 (251), WR Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 360kg £870 (241), AJ Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 360kg £865 (240), K Kidd, Broughshane Charolais 360kg £860 (238), Stabiliser 360kg £840 (233) and WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry (2) Limousin 360kg £835 (231).

Monday, March 22, 2021: Another good sale of sheep on Monday evening resulted in a super trade.

Ewes and lambs sold to £280, foster ewes to £180 and pet lambs to £51.

Breeders sold to: J Martin, Broughshane 1 Suffolk ewe 7 3 lambs £280, WR Semple, Magheramourne 6 Suffolk ewes and 10 lambs £270, Ian McCluggage, Glarryford 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £270, S Thompson, Glenarm 3 Suffolk ewes and 5 lambs £260, J Martin, Broughshane 1 Texel ewe 7 3 lambs £260, S Thompson, Glenarm 5 Suffolk ewes and 8 lambs £250, 5 Suffolk ewes 7 8 lambs £250, Ian McCluggage, 2 Texel ewes and 4 lambs £250, S Thompson 5 Suffolk ewes and 8 lambs £245, 5 Suffolk ewes and 8 lambs £245, H Park, Ballymena 1 Zwartble ewe and 2 lambs £240, John Buick, Kells 4 Charollais ewes and 8 lambs £240, 4 Charollais ewes and 8 lambs £235, J Stephens, Portadown 1 Crossbred ewe and 2 lambs £235, John Buick 4 Charollais ewes and 7 lambs £232, D Devlin, Randalstown 2 Crossbred ewes and 4 lambs £230, Amanda Bonnar, Glenwherry 3 Mule ewes and6 lambs £230, John Buick 4 Charollais ewes and 7 lambs £230, D Devlin 4 Crossbred ewes and 8 lambs £225, John Buick 4 Charollais ewes and 8 lambs £225, D Devlin 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £220, 2 Crossbred ewes and 4 lambs £215, 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £215, J Martin, Broughshane 2 Texel ewes and 4 lambs £215 and D Devlin 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £210.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021: An entry of 150 store cattle in Ballymena resulted in a very steady trade.

Bullocks sold to £800 over for a Limousin 480kg at £1280 presented by a local farmer.

Heifers sold to £790 over for a Charolais 570kg at £1360 offered by F Duffin, Toomebridge.

Bulls/bullocks 0-500kgs

Local farmer Limousin 480kg £1280 (266), WH Knox, Ballynure Limousin 460kg £1170 (254), G Hayes, Ballymena Limousin 370kg £925 (250), WH Knox Limousin 440kg £1080 (245), Limousin 440kg £1065 (242), McMullan Brothers, Downpatrick Limousin 480kg £140 (237), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 440kg £1030 (234), D McNeill, Rathkenny Aberdeen Angus 500kg £1160 (232) and J Hutchinson, Charolais 470kg £1080 (229).

501kg and over

Local farmer Limousin 510kg £1250 (245), McMullan Brothers, Downpatrick Limousin 510kg £1250 (245), Charolais 540kg £1300 (240), John McIlrath, Ballymena Charolais 570kg £1360 (238), Charolais 570kg £1355 (237), RJ Linton, Broughshane Limousin 510kg £1200 (235), J Smyth, Randalstown Limousin 550kg £1290 (234) and John McIlrath, Ballymena Charolais 610kg £1400 (229).

Heifers 0-500kgs

J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 440kg £970 (220), Robert Shaw, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus 470kg £1025 (218), A Devlin, Ballycastle Limousin 390kg £840 (215), (2) Limousin 400kg £850 (212), Robert Shaw, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus 450kg £950 (211), Aberdeen Angus 480kg £1010 (210), Aberdeen Angus 470kg £980 (208) and A Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 370kg £770 (208).

501kg and over

McMullan Brothers, Downpatrick Limousin 510kg £1260 (247), F Duffin, Toomebridge Charolais 570kg £1360 (238), McMullan Brow Limousin 520kg £1180 (226), Limousin 570kg £1260 (221), A Smyth, Randalstown Simmental 530kg £1115 (210), R Neeson, Toomebridge Aberdeen Angus 560kg £1140 (203), DW Graham, Clough A 540kg £1090 (201), David Clark, Antrim Limousin 580kg £1165 (200), A Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 550kg £1100 (200) and McMullan Brothers Limousin 570kg £1140 (200).

Wednesday, March 24, 2021: An entry of 886 sheep in Ballymena resulted in a steady trade.

Fat hoggets sold to 637 for 3 Dorsets 21.5kg at £137 and to a top per head of £148.50 for 6 Charollais 26kg.

Spring lambs sold to 661p for a pen of 8 Hampshires 21kg to £139 and to a top of £152 for 25kg.

Fat ewes sold to £194.

Fat hoggets (463)

Top per kg: Laura Weir, Gracehill 3 Dorset 21.5kg £137 (637), A Coulter, Doagh 7 Texel 22kg £139 (631), J McKenna, Maghera 8 Charollais 24kg £143.50 (597), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 10 Blackface 23kg £137 (595), R and M Kidd, Aughafatten 9 Texel 21.5kg £126 (586), AS Pearson, Newtownards 24 Texel 22kg £128 (581), WA Hagan, Ballyclare 3 Texel 22.5kg £130 (577), Andrew Bell, Crumlin 12 Texel 22.5kg £130 (577), E and M O’Neill, Martinstown 12 Texel 25kg £144 (576), William Bonnar, Broughshane 4 Mule 24kg £138 (575), B McCroary, Broughshane 17 Texel 23.5kg £135 (574), T McCroary, Ballyclare 7 Texel 23.5kg £135 (574), L Weatherup, Ballyclare 24 Texel 23.5kg £135 (574), J McKenna, Maghera 6 Charollais 26kg £148.50 (571), J Jamison, Armoy 8 Texel 21kg £119 (566) and Marion McNeill, Islandmagee 1 Texel 20kg £113 (565).

Top prices per head: J McKenna, Maghera 6 Charollais 26kg £148.50, W and G Hanna, Ballymoney 3 Texel 32.5kg £146, William Young, Desertmartin 2 Hampshire 27.5kg £145, 1 Hampshire 27.5kg £145, E and M O’Neill, Martinstown 12 Texel 25kg £144, I J and A Wilson, Islandmagee 2 Texel 27.5kg £144, J McKenna, Maghera 8 Charollais 24kg £143.50, Donal McKay, Martinstown 1 Texel 27.5kg £143, S Beattie, Ballyclare 2 Dorset 30kg £142, TJ Simpson, Ballymena 1 Texel 32.5kg £142, Robert Dundee, Kells 1 Texel 27.5kg £140, J McCarroll, Ballymena 1 Mule 30kg £140, AJ Wilson, Ballymena 5 Texel 26.5kg £140, Marion McNeill, Islandmagee 2 Suffolk 27.5kg £140, Liam Campbell, Carnlough 1 Texel 25kg £140 and Antrim Estates, Glenarm 7 Ec 28.5kg £140.

Spring lambs sold to: J McKenna, Castledawson 8 Hampshire 21kg £139 (661), Graham Cubitt, Glarryford 5 Dorset 21.5kg £138.50 (644), local farmer 2 Zwartble 22.5kg £144.50 (642), William McCroary, Broughshane 6 Dorset 22kg £141 (640), William Young, Desertmartin 4 Zwartble 21.5kg £137 (637), 3 Zwartble 21.5kg £137 (637), P McKeever, Martinstown 1 Dorset 22.5kg £143 (635), W Mills, Glenarm 3 Dorset 20.5kg £130 (634), Brian Kennedy, Moira 6 Hampshire 20.5kg £127 (619), B and W McAllister, Kells 2 Charollais 23.5kg £145 (617), 1 Charollais 25kg £152 (608), James McDonnell, Glenarm 3 Dorset 24kg £145 (604), J Boville, Toomebridge 3 Charollais 24kg £144 (600), J Thompson, Kells 12 Texel 23.5kg 3140 (595), Donal McKay, Martinstown 5 Dorset 20.5kg £122 (595), 5 Dorset 23.5kg £1439 (591).

Fat ewes (309)

First quality

Suffolk- £120-£159

Texel - £120-£194

Crossbred - £80-£111

Blackface - £50-£178.