Beef bullocks selling to top per head of £3357 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows to 368p for a Limousin 810kg at £2980, Friesian cows to 244p for 850kg at £2074 and beef heifers to 398p for a Charolais 760kg at £3024.

Beef bullocks to 402p for a Limousin 810kg at £3256 and to a top per head of £3357 for a Charolais 930kg, and Friesian bullocks to 326p for 720kg at £2347.

Beef cows

R McCloskey, Dungiven Limousin 810kg £2980 (368), local farmer Limousin 620kg £2256 (364), J McCloskey, Dungiven Limousin 710kg £2527 (356), R Quinn, Swatragh Limousin 870kg £3062 (352), R Currie, Ballymena Charolais 950kg £3230 (340), S B and D Weatherup, Ballyearl Aberdeen Angus 540kg £1782 (330), D McGarel, Glenarm Limousin 580kg £1890 (326), M McCabe, Ballyward Limousin 720kg £2332 (324), R Brown, Ballymena Shorthorn beef 680kg £2176 (320), I Siberry, Crumlin Limousin 790kg £2496 (316), M McCabe Limousin 680kg £2121 (312), S B and D Weatherup Limousin 680kg £2080 (306) and I Siberry Shorthorn 680kg £2053 (302).

Friesian cows

D Scott, Coleraine 850kg £2074 (244), A Carson, Clough 670kg £1594 (238), D Wallace, Antrim 690kg £1490 (216), D Borland, Bushmills 670kg £1407 (210), Grouse Lodge Farm, Coagh 790kg £1627 (206), J Gault, Ballyclare 680kg £1400 (206), Crawford N Millar, Randalstown 660kg £1359 (206) and T and J Mackey, Ballynure 540kg £1080 (200).

Beef heifers

B Arthurs, Kircubbin Charolais 760kg £3024 (398), 780kg £3018 (387), 720kg £2721 (378), 710kg £2612 (368), 720kg £2512 (349), 680kg £2373 (349), 670kg £2304 (344), M Pentland, Lisburn Limousin 500kg £1720 (344), B Arthurs Charolais 780kg £2667 (342), P and S Gibson, Aughafatten Charolais 640kg £2176 (340), 580kg £1960 (338), local farmer Charolais 740kg £2501 (338), Limousin 680kg £2291 (337) and M McCullough, Ballymena Limousin 640kg £2150 (336).

Beef bullocks

Top per head

J Brennan, Knockloughrim Charolais 930kg £3357, R J Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 840kg £3259, K Brown, Ballinderry Limousin 810kg £3256, R J Arrell Charolais 850kg £3213, K Brown Limousin 820kg £3181, P Byrne, Downpatrick Charolais 890kg £3168, 860kg £3078, 850kg £3077 x2, 800kg £3024, B Harkness, Coagh Charolais 830kg £3021, J Morrison, Limavady Limousin 800kg £3016, Charolais 800kg £2992 and P Byrne Charolais 830kg £2988, 810kg £2980 x2.

Top per kilo

K Brown, Ballinderry Limousin 810kg £3256 (402), R J Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 840kg £3259 (388), K Brown Limousin 820kg £3181 (388), P Byrne, Downpatrick Charolais 640kg £2444 (382), local farmer Limousin 590kg £2242 (380), 520kg £1976 (380), 600kg £2280 (380), K Brown Limousin 690kg £2622 (380), R J Arrell Charolais 850kg £3213 (378), P Byrne Charolais 740kg £2797 (378), 800kg £3024 (378), J Morrison, Limavady Limousin 770kg £2902 (377), 800kg £3016 (377), 770kg £2895 (376) and P Byrne Charolais 760kg £2857 (376), 760kg £2857 (376).

Friesian bullocks

J Kennedy, Rasharkin 720kg £2347 (326), H and H Torney, Newtownards 590kg £1840 (312) and A Speers, Cullybackey 690kg £2125 (308).

Friday 11th September 2026: Dairy cows - D McNeilly, Randalstown Friesian £2950, D and M McGregor, Holstein £2800, Holstein £2800, R J and H Shanks, Dunadry Holstein £2700, W G Johnston, Belfast Holstein £2650, D Wallace, Antrim Holstein £2550, R J and H Shanks, Holstein £2550, D McNeilly, Friesian £2500, R J and H Shanks, Holstein £2500, M Magowan, Bangor Friesian £2450, W G Johnston Holstein £2400, R J and H Shanks, Holstein £2400, D McNeilly, Friesian £2350, M Magowan, Friesian £2300, G M Kernohan, Broughshane Holstein £2300 and W G Johnston, Holstein £2300.

Sucklers

A Armour, Dromara Shorthorn beef with heifer calf £3100, N Jordan, Limousin with bull calf £3000, Limousin with bull calf £2850, P McVey, Magherafelt Charolais with bull calf £2700, B Waugh, Dromore Hereford with bull calf £2400, Abondance with bull calf £2300, D Hutchinson, Cookstown Belgian Blue £2250, Belgian Blue £2150, Belgian Blue £2100, Bill Waugh, Abondance with bull calf £2050 and P McVey, Moneymore Belgian Blue with bull calf £1950.

Calves

A good show of 395 calves averaged at £756.

Bulls to £1260 for a Charolais.

Heifers to £1180 for a Charolais.

Reared Friesian bulls to £830 for four.

Bulls

W J Harkness, Cookstown Charolais £1260, £1250, I McFarlane, Holywood Belgian Blue £1240, £1220 x2, W J Harkness Charolais £1210, A C Hunter, Raloo Limousin £1170 x4, D Maybin, Broughshane Aberdeen Angus £1130 x3, A Reid, Glenarm Charolais £1120 and D Maybin Aberdeen Angus £1100 x2.

Heifers

W J Harkness, Cookstown Charolais £1180, £1150, £1130, £1110, A McBurney, Cloughmills Belgian Blue £1070 x3, M and S Calwell, Ballycarry St £1065 x3, I McFarlane, Holywood Belgian Blue £1060 x2, W J Harkness Charolais £1050 and A Porter, Lisburn Belgian Blue £1020.

Holstein/Friesian bulls

S Cassidy, Magherafelt £830 x4, J Graham, Glenwherry £790, £750, S Cassidy £730 x3, J Arthur, Templepatrick £690, A Porter, Lisburn £670 x2 and T I Herbison, Randalstown £580 x2.

235 weanlings on Friday sold with a good trade, topping at £3270 over for a Limousin bull 430kg at £3700 from Emma Campbell, Maghera and heifers to £1610 over for a Charolais 570kg at £2180 from C Gregg, Glarryford.

Weanlings

Bullocks

Up to 300kg

J A McMullan, Glenarm Limousin 190kg £1290 (679), 190kg £1240 (652), 200kg £1240 (620), D J McFerran, Dunloy Charolais 240kg £1410 (587), Limousin 260kg £1490 (573), Charolais 290kg £1650 (569), 270kg £1530 (566), J A McMullan Limousin 200kg £1130 (565), 210kg £1180 (561), D J McFerran Charolais 280kg £1550 (553), 270kg £1490 (551), 270kg £1440 (533), 260kg £1370 (526), J A McMullan Limousin 240kg £1250 (520) and J Burton, Dungannon Limousin 300kg £1530 (510).

301 to 350kg

M Murphy, Ballyclare Charolais 340kg £1700 (500), Limousin 350kg £1720 (491), B Moorhead, Liscolman Belgian Blue 310kg £1470 (474), J A Boyd, Kircubbin Shorthorn beef 340kg £1610 (473), V Erskine, Ballyclare Limousin 340kg £1560 (458), local farmer Limousin 330kg £1490 (451), M Murphy Charolais 350kg £1550 (442), M and A Morgan, Lisburn Charolais 340kg £1460 (429), D J McFerran, Dunloy Charolais 310kg £1300 (419) and H McNeill, Ballygally Simmental 310kg £1240 (400).

Over 351kg

E Campbell, Maghera Limousin 430kg £3700 (860), A Henry, Antrim Limousin 360kg £1820 (505), 380kg £1870 (492), K and M Gawn, Kells Charolais 380kg £1830 (481), A Millar, Antrim Charolais 420kg £1980 (471), R Gault, Ballyclare Limousin 390kg £1830 (469), local farmer Limousin 380kg £1780 (468), Charolais 440kg £2060 (468), D McAlonan, Dunloy Charolais 370kg £1710 (462), S B and D Weatherup, Ballyearl Limousin 410kg £1890 (461), M Murphy, Ballyclare Charolais 410kg £1890 (461), A Henry Limousin 390kg £1790 (459), S B and D Weatherup Limousin 410kg £1870 (456) and R Gault Limousin 430kg £1960 (455).

Heifers

0- 300kg

D J McFerran, Ballymena Charolais 300kg £1560 (520), Limousin 260kg £1280(493), Charolais 250kg £1210 (484), Charolais 240kg £1140 (475), Charolais 270kg £1230 (455), Charolais 290kg £1270 (437), Limousin 270kg £1180 (437), G Quinn, Ballinderry Limousin 280kg £1220 (435), Limousin 280kg £1220 (435), M Murphy, Ballyclare Charolais 300kg £1270 (423), G Quinn, Limousin 290kg £1180 (406), D J McFerran, Charolais 270kg £1090 (403), J Connolly, Larne Abondance 300kg £1190 (396), Limousin 300kg £1190 (396), Abondance 270kg £1070 (396) and B Moorhead, Liscolman Simmental 280kg £1100 (392).

301-350kg

M Murphy, Charolais 310kg £1660 (353), S Dennison, Charolais 320kg £1580 (535), M Hyndman, Upperlands Limousin 330kg £1600 (484), M Murphy, Charolais 320kg £1550 (484), Charolais 330kg £1590 (481), S Dennison, Charolais 340kg £1620 (476), Charolais 330kg £1540 (466), Charolais 350kg £1620 (462), Charolais 340kg £1540 (452), J Burton, Dungannon Charolais 350kg £1570 (448), S Dennison, Charolais 330kg £1400 (424), G Quinn, Limousin 310kg £1300 (419), M Murphy, Charolais 350kg £1440 (411), W Moore, Templepatrick Simmental 320kg £1310 (409) and G Quinn, Limousin 350kg £1380 (394), Limousin 350kg £1370 (391).

350kg plus:

A Millar, Antrim Charolais 380kg £1800 (473), S Dennison, Charolais 350kg £1620 (462), D J McFerran, Charolais 360kg £1660 (461), M Murphy, Charolais 360kg £1650 (458), J Burton, Charolais 350kg £1570 (448), I Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 380kg £1700 (447), A Millar, Charolais 400kg £1780 (445), Carrigeen Farms Ltd, Templepatrick Charolais 400kg £1760 (440), Charolais 410kg £1780 (434), A Millar, Charolais 430kg £1820 (423), S Dennison. Charolais 360kg £1520 (422), I Beggs, Limousin 420kg £1760 (419), A Millar, Charolais 440kg £1840 (418), M Murpgy, Charolais 350kg £1440 (411) and I Beggs, Limousin 440kg £1810 (411), Limousin 410kg £1680 (409).

Blackface breeding ewe sale 2026: The annual sale of Blackface breeding ewes at Ballymena mart saw a large entry of 3500 sheep sell in an excellent trade with averages up in all sections.

Leading the prices in the hogget and ewe section was James McCurdy who sold three hoggets at £2,050 per head and a pen of seven aged ewes at £375 per head.

The strong hogget trade was reflected in the prices paid for ewe lambs which sold to £750 paid to B Douglas Castlederg for a pen of three.

Leading prices and averages in each section were as follows

Hoggets – 1460 averaged £335 up £24 on 2025 – J McCurdy 3 at £2050, A Davidson Larne 5 at £900, I Lynn Armoy 1 at £720, P McGuigan Swatragh 6 at £520, 10 at £500, I Lynn 1 at £490, G Crawford Glenariffe 8 at £480, D McMullan Maghera 10 at £470, N McQuaige Glendun 12 at £470, AM McFarlane 11 at £440, V Rodgers Cushendun 15 at £430, I Lynn 1 at £430, AM McFarlane 10 at £430, 3 at £430, V Rodgers 14 at £420 and M Armstrong Fintona 12 at £420, D O’Mullan 6 at £420.

Cast ewes - 639 averaged £159 up £21 on 2025 – J McCurdy 7 at £375, 7 at £305, SG Wallace Broughshane 12 at £285, H McCloskey Draperstown 8 at £270, W Moore Macosquin 12 at £265, H McCloskey 12 at £260, J McCurdy 8 at £255, G and I Davidson Larne 7 at £245, L and J Armstrong 12 at £240, P McGuigan 5 at £225 and H McCloskey 11 at £215.

Ewe lambs – 1299 averaged £200 up £5 on 2025 – B Douglas 3 at £750, 2 at £500, 1 at £500, 3 at £480, L and J Armstrong 15 at £465, D McCollum Loughgiel 2 at £460, I Lynn 1 at £450, J Murphy Antrim 5 at £335, T McLaughlin Claudy 15 at £325, T Rooney Mayobridge 3 at £315, S Adams Broughshane 10 at £305, J McCalmont 10 at £300, I Lynn 2 at £300, D McCollum 9 at £290 and J McCalmont 14 at £290.

Monday 14th September 2026: An entry of 4050 sheep on Monday night sold with a slightly improved trade.

Store lambs topped at £140 for 25 Texels from Dundarave, Bushmills and ewe lambs to £212 for 12 Cheviots from N and J Murray, Cushendall and breeding sheep reached £310 for 6 Milfords presented by A and I Wilson, Glenarm.

The Beltex sale topped at 1150gns for a ram from Sean Daly, Gortin, with any other ram topping at 1150gns for a Suffolk shearling ram from Grove Cottage Farm, Crumlin.

Store lambs

Dundarave Properties, Bushmills 25 Texel £140, 25 Texel £139, 25 Texel £134, A V Magill, Carnlough 6 Suffolk £134, T Jackson, Broughshane 44 Texel £134, M Kelly, Newtowncrommelin 13 Texel £133, H and M Gingles, Larne 1 Cheviot £132, M Kelly 12 Cheviot £132, D Rea, Portglenone 42 Texel £131.50, K Kidd, Broughshane 45 Texel £129, B Jamison, Armoy 50 Texel £129, 50 Texel £129, 50 Texel £129, H McNeill, Carnlough 15 Texel £128, D Hamilton, Glenarm 40 Texel £127.50, R M Carson, Islandmagee 11 Charollais £127, T Jackson 53 Texel £127, 25 Texel £127, Greenmount Hill Farm, Glenwherry 43 Texel £126.50, J Kane, Cushendall 42 Texel £125 and Greenmount Hill Farm 40 Texel £125.

Ewe lambs

N and J Murray, Cushendall 12 Cheviot £212, P Devine, Donemana 9 Suffolk £200, 6 Cheviot £200, 6 Cheviot £200, O Duffin, Cargan 15 Mule £198, M O'Kane, Dungiven 10 Cheviot £190, B McMillan, Cullybackey 6 Texel £190, C Kennedy, Ballyclare 2 Mule £190, I Rea, Mallusk 10 Easycare £185, 10 Easycare £185, H and M Gingles, Larne 14 Cheviot £182, M O'Kane, Dungiven 10 Cheviot £178, 6 Suffolk £178, C Alexander, Glenarm 12 Texel £175, N and J Murray 11 Cheviot £175, local farmer 11 Suffolk £175, C Alexander 12 Texel £172, B McMillan 5 Texel £170 and P Devine 12 Suffolk £170.

Breeding sheep

A and I Wilson, Glenarm x6 Milford £310, x6 Milford £305, x6 Milford £300, J Malone, Coleraine x8 Cheviot £300, J Hunter, Broughshane x10 Mule £300, local farmer x10 Mule £295, J Malone, x8 Cheviot £295, J Hunter, x8 Mule £295, J Malone, x8 Cheviot £290, W and A Purcell, Castlerock x12 Mule £285, x6 Mule £275, local farmer, x12 Crossbred £270, B McCloskey, Ballymoney x12 Mule £270, S Wright, Ballymena x10 Mule £270, J Hunter, x10 Mule £270 and P R Sleeman, Limavady x12 Mule £270.

Tuesday 15th September 2026: 340 Store cattle presented in Ballymena on Tuesday met a demanding trade.

Bullocks sold to £1960 over for a Charolais 650kg at £2710 offered by Thomas Moorhead, Aughafatten.

Heifers sold to £1860 over for a Charolais 560kg at £2700 presented by John Saunderson, Glenwherry.

Bullocks

0kg to 500kg

S and M and C McDonnell, Ballymena Charolais 450kg £2100 (466) N Hamilton, Ballymena Abondance 360kg £1660 (461) S Hunter, Bushmills Charolais 360kg £1650 (458) Charolais 460kg £2100 (456) M McConkey, Larne Limousin 500kg £2270 (454) S and M and C McDonnell, Charolais 480kg £2160 (450) S Hunter, Charolais 430kg £1930 (448) E Stinson, Craigavon Charolais 460kg £2060 (447) A Clements, Muckamore Simmental 440kg £1960 (445) D Gilmore, Limousin 440kg £1950 (443) H Magill, Ballygally Charolais 420kg £1850 (440) F Gourley, Templepatrick Simmental 400kg £1740 (435) D Gilmore, Limousin 490kg £2130 (434) H Magill, Charolais 330kg £1430 (433) S and M and C McDonnell, Charolais 450kg £1940 (431) Charolais 390kg £1680 (430).

501kg and over

M and A Guy, Limavady Charolais 520kg £2440 (469) Charolais 530kg £2400 (452) S Patterson, Carrickfergus Limousin 510kg £2220 (435) D Saunderson, Limousin 550kg £2380 (432) M and A Guy, Charolais 520kg £2240 (430) S Patterson, Limousin 560kg £2390 (426) T Moorhead, Aughafatten Blonde d'Aquitaine 550kg £2340 (425) S Hunter, Bushmills Charolais 530kg £2230 (420) M McConkey, Larne Limousin 570kg £5390 (419) T Moorhead, Charolais 650kg £2710 (416) Charolais 650kg £2700 (415) J Blair, Cullybackey Charolais 590kg £2450 (415) M McConkey, Limousin 510kg £2100 (411) H G Kennedy, Cullybackey Charolais 580kg £2380 (410) M McConkey, Charolais 510kg £2090 (409) and S Hunter, Bushmills Charolais 520kg £2130 (409).

Heifers

Up to 500kg

A Clements, Muckamore Charolais 390kg £1630 (418), S and M and C McDonell, Glenarriffe Saler 460kg £1900 (413), J O’Rawe, Gracehill Charolais 400kg £1630 (407), Charolais 400kg £1590 (397), A Clements, Charolais 470kg £1860 (395), Charolais 430kg £1700 (395), H Magill, Ballygally Charolais 400kg £1580 (395), A Clements, Charolais 450kg £1760 (391), J O’Rawe, Charolais 500kg £1950 (390), A Clements, Charolais 500kg £1920 (384), Limousin 420kg £1600 (381), Limousin 410kg £1560 (380), Charolais 480kg £1820 (379), J O’Rawe, Limousin 500kg £1880 (376), H Magill, Charolais 370kg £1380 (373) and J O’Rawe, Limousin 500kg £1860 (372).

Over 501kg

J Saunderson, Glenwherry Limousin 560kg £2700 (482), S Patterson, Carrickfergus Limousin 540kg £2240 (414), D McMullan, Dunloy Charolais 600kg £2460 (410), A Saunderson, Glenwherry Limousin 510kg £2080 (407), D McMullan, Charolais 630kg £2560 (406), Charolais 610kg £2400 (393), Charolais 570kg £2240 (393), Charolais 640kg £2510 (392), Limousin 610kg £2340 (383), A and A Guy, Limavady Charolais 540kg £2070 (383), D McMullan, Charolais 590kg £2240 (379), Charolais 640kg £2390 (373), J Ferguson, Comber Charolais 570kg £2100 (368), E Drummond, Ballynure Limousin 510kg £1860 (364) and D McMullan, Charolais 650kg £2350 (361), Charolais 680kg £2410 (354).

2384 sheep resented in Ballymena on Wednesday resulted in an improved trade.

Fat lambs sold to 705p for 6 Texel 19kg at £134 offered by W and S Hanna, Ballymoney and to a top per head of £185 for 2 Suffolks 32kg presented by A Kennedy, Bangor.

Fat ewes sold to £296

Fat lambs (1811)

Top per kg

W and G Hanna, Ballymoney 6 Texel 19kg £134 (705), D McIlwaine, Glenwherry 6 Charollais 19kg £130 (684), B Gardiner, Ballymena 8 Texel 20.5kg £140 (682), W and G Hanna, 11 Texel 21.5kg £145 (674), M Reid, Glenarm 3 Charollais 17.5kg £117 (668), J Moss, Antrim 8 Texel 19.5kg £130 (666), G Arthur, Broughshane 14 Texel 23.5kg £156 (666), G Hamilton, Ballyrawer 13 Texel 23kg £152 (660), P Black, Glenarm 28 Texel 20kg £131.50 (657), S Black, Glenarm 1 Texel 20kg £131.50 (657), J H Craig, Carnlough 14 Texel 24kg £157.50 (656), T Clyde, Antrim 18 Charollais 22.5kg £147.50 (655), S Beattie, Ballyclare 22 Texel 20.5kg £133 (648), A and W Gregg, Cloughmills 11 Texel 23.5kg £151.50 (644), J Robinson, Donaghadee 12 Texel 16kg £103 (643), M Moffett, Broughshane 4 Beltex 24kg £154 (641), C McKee, Broughshane 13 Texel 24.5kg £157 (640), J Buick, Kells 7 Texel 27kg £172 (637), D McIlwaine, 10 Texel 22kg £140 (636), T Gilbert, Ballyclare 9 Texel 22kg £140 (636), D Magill, Ballymena 2 Texel 159 (636), R J McKay, Carnlough 48 Crossbred 23kg £146 (634), I W and A T McCaughey, Broughshane 16 Charollais 20.5kg £130 (634) and I Magee, Larne 4 Texel 20.5kg £130 (634).

Top per head

A Kennedy, Bangor, 2 Suffolk 32.5kg £185, Jalex Livestock, Randalstown 5 Suffolk 33kg £182, D Mills, Ballymena 1 Texel 34.5kg £177, C McDonnell, Ballycastle 5 Texel 28kg £177, T McMaster 4 Suffolk 30kg £175, J Buick, Kells 7 Texel 27kg £172, H McCracken, Ballywalter 25 Texel 27.5kg £166, F and G McKendry, Broughshane 3 Zwartble 28kg £165, B Watt, Corkey 1 Dutch Spotted 30kg £164, S Dobbin, Ballycastle 19 Texel 26kg £164, L and J Armstrong 21 Texel 26.5kg £164, S Beattie, Ballyclare 1 Texel 28kg £163, W S McConnell, Ballyclare 14 Texel 27kg £163, R Boyle, Larne 6 Texel 27.5kg £163, J McIlrath, Ballymena 2 Kerry Hill 31.5kg £162, H A Wilson, Newtowncrommelin 30 Texel 26.5kg £161, S Dobbin, Ballycastle 18 Texel 26kg £161, J McCollum, Carnlough 14 Texel 26.5kg £161, D Mills, Glenarm 27 Texel 26.5kg £160, K Irvine, Carrickfergus 8 Texel 22.5kg £159.50, D Magill, Ballymena 2 Texel 25kg £159 and A Millar, Antrim 3 Texel 27.5kg £158.

Fat ewes (573)

First quality

Suffolk - £178-£222

Texel - £190-£296

Crossbred - £170-£218

Blackface - £62-£138