Beef cows selling to £1606 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 206p for a Limousin 780kg at £1606, Friesian cows to 145p for 800kg at £1160, beef heifers to 224p for 640kg at £1433.

Beef bullocks to 228p for 590kg at £1345, 680kg at £1550 for 690kg at £1573.

Bullocks to a top per head of £1820 for 820kg and Friesian bullocks to 179p for 580kg at £1038.

Beef cows sold to: D Hume, Randalstown Limousin 780kg £1606 (206), Neil Martin, Dromara Limousin 750kg £1395 (186), T Wray, Carnlough Limousin 780kg £1365 (175), Thomas Clyde, Antrim Limousin 690kg £1207 (175), Donal Kane, Cushendall Limousin 630kg £1077 (171), Victor Chestnutt, Bushmills Charolais 790kg £1350 (171), T Wray Limousin 780kg £1318 (169), Brendan McCann, Portglenone Limousin 750kg £1230 (164), D Hume Limousin 710kg £1164 (164), SJ Duncan, Crumlin Belgian Blue 530kg £869 (164), L McClinton, Glenarm Belgian Blue 660kg £1075 (163), O Wilson, Dungiven Belgian Blue 810kg £1296 (160, Victor Chestnutt Charolais 750kg £1200 (160 and T Wray Limousin 810kg £1296 (160).

Friesian cows sold to: Alan Wright, Magherafelt 800kg £1160 (145), Caughey farms, Kircubbin 640kg £870 (136), James Currie, Larne 670kg £891 (133), Belgian Blue, Kircubbiin 760kg £1003 (132), 810kg £1061 (131), 760kg £980 (129), 780kg £998 (128), E and J Arthur, Templepatrick 700kg £889 (127), Belgian Blue 740kg £932 (126), F C Patterson, Broughshane 670kg £837 (125), G and S Carey, Dunloy 660kg £825 (125), Alan Wright, Magherafelt 630kg £787 (125) and L Galloway 620kg £775 (125).

Beef heifers sold to: Gerard McMullan, Knockloughrim Limousin 640kg £1433 (224), Limousin 640kg £1427 (223), Limousin 650kg £1443 (222), Limousin 620kg £1364 (220), Limousin 690kg £1504 (218), local farmer Limousin 450kg £976 (217), Gerard McMullan, Charolais 690kg £1490 (216), J and B McPeake, Knockloughrim Limousin 680kg £1462 (215), Gerard McMullan Sim 660kg £1419 (215), C Christie, Cloughmills Sim 640kg £1376 (215), C Mullaghan, Rasharkin Limousin 530kg £1134 (214), Gerard McMullan Charolais 620kg £1320 (213) and M O’Kane, Dungiven Limousin 590kg £1256 (213).

Beef bullocks (top per kg) - W Donaldson, Holywood Blonde d’Aquitaine 590kg £1345 (228), James McDevitt, Limavady Limousin 680kg £1550 (228), Blonde d’Aquitaine 690kg £1573 (228), Joe Hardy, Coagh Limousin 660kg £1485 (225), W Donaldson Charolais 600kg £1344 (224), O’Neill Brothers, Rasharkin Limousin 710kg £1590 (224), Limousin 660kg £1471 (223), Alexander Ross, Newtownards Limousin 600kg £1332 (222), W Donaldson, Holywood Charolais 620kg £1376 (222), Rick O’Neill, Donemana Charolais 820kg £1820 (222), Alexander Ross Limousin 730kg £1613 (221) and James McDevitt, Limavady Limousin 690kg £1524 (221), Charolais 700kg £1547 (221).

Beef bullocks - Top per head: R O’Neill, Donemana Charolais 820kg £1820, Charolais 840kg £1797, Charolais 820kg £1771, Charolais 800kg £1744, Limousin 790kg £1730, Charolais 800kg £1696, O’Neill Brothers, Rasharkin Limousin 790kg £1643, Alexander Ross, Newtownards Limousin 750kg £1635, Limousin 730kg £1613, O’Neill Brothers Limousin 710kg £1590, W Donaldson, Holywood Charolais 760kg £1580 and James McDevitt, Limavady Blonde d’Aquitaine 690kg £1573.

Friesian bullocks sold to: Ian McConaghy, Bushmills 580kg £1038 (179), John O’Neill, Toomebridge 640kg £1120 (175), D Fleck, Shanksbridge 650kg £1124 (173), A Speers, Cullybackey 530kg £895 (169), D McCloskey, Loughgiel 680kg £1128 (166), 640kg £1062 (166), D Fleck 610kg £1012 (166), Ross Bloomfield, Kilrea 580kg £939 (162), Raymond Walsh, Toomebridge 650kg £1053 (162), Ross Bloomfield 600kg £960 (160), 610kg £969 (159) and Damien McCloskey 690kg £1090 (158).

Friday, September 18, 2020: Excellent demand for 36 dairy cows and heifers to £2320 for a calved heifer.

Ruling prices: Barry McStravick, Gawleys Gate £2320, John Stewart, Portaferry £2080, Maurice Hughes, Kircubbin £2050, £1980, Barry McStravick, £1900, D Livingstone, Randalstown £1880, W Black, Aghadowey £1820, Thomas Carlisle, Dundrod £1760, T and J Mackey, Ballynure £1710, Daniel Patton, Newtownards £1700, W Black, Aghadowey £1700, Thomas Carlisle, Dundrod £1640, John Stewart £1580, R Thompson, Ligoniel £1570, Thomas Hamilton, Carrickfergus £1560 and WJ Bryson, Crumlin £1520.

27 lots in the suckler ring sod to £1500 for a Stabiliser heifer with heifer calf at foot. Ruling prices: J Jamison, Ballymena Stabiliser heifer and heifer calf £1500, Patrick Logan, Ahoghill Simmental cow and bull calf £1380, Wilson Carson, Cloughmills Charolais heifer and bull calf £1200 and Mrs McKillop Hereford cow and heifer calf £1140.

164 lots in the calf ring sold to £710 for a three month old Belgian Blue bull, heifer calves to £500 for a five month old Charolais.

Beef bred bull calves sold to: B Millar, Randalstown Belgian Blue £710, GM Kernohan, Broughshane Charolais £645, WJ Bond, Eglinton Aberdeen Angus £580, Ian Montgomery, Mallusk Charolais £540, W Bond, Eglinton Hereford £540, B Alexander, Ahoghill Charolais £535, WJ Bond Aberdeen Angus £525, local farmer Belgian Blue £525, WJ Bond Aberdeen Angus £520, Aberdeen Angus £500, D McKay, Broughshane Limousin £490 and GM Kernohan Charolais £485.

Heifers sold to: GM Kernohan, Broughshane Charolais £500, local farmer Aberdeen Angus £500, Ian Montgomery, Mallusk Charolais £470, GM Kernohan Charolais £470, local farmer Aberdeen Angus £470, Ian Montgomery Charolais £465, Alastair McBurney, Cloughmills Belgian Blue £455, Arthur Gibson, Glenarm Sim £445, WJ Bond, Eglinton Aberdeen Angus £425, GM Kernohan Aberdeen Angus £400, Daniel Patton, Newtownards Belgian Blue £390, D Montgomery, Glenwherry (2) Aberdeen Angus £385 and GM Kernohan Aberdeen Angus £385.

Friesian bull calves sold to: J Corken, Raloo £250, Arthur Gibson, Glenarm £240, £235, J Mulholland, Toomebridge £230, J Corken £215, £205, (3) £200, GM Kernohan, Broughshane £200, Arthur Gibson £180 and D Parke, Magherafelt (3) £175.

An entry of 220 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a steady trade.

Heifers sold to £800 over for a Limousin 440kg at £1240 presented by C Monan, Portaferry.

Bullocks sold to £580 over for a Blue 380kg at £960 offered by J and R McKeown, Aughafatten.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

Dr L McClinton, Glenarm Charolais 190kg £680 (357), R and S McCahan, Aghadowey Simmental 280kg £835 (298), C Monan, Portaferry (2) Charolais 300kg £870 (290), R and S McCahon Sim 290kg £835 (287), (2) Simmental 290kg £810 (279) and Niall McKiver, Stewartstown (2) Belgian Blue 270kg £750 (277).

301-350kgs

F Hughes, Bellaghy Charolais 310kg £880 (283), C Monan, Portaferry (2) Charolais 320kg £880 (275), R and S McCahon, Aghadowey (2) Simmental 340kg £900 (264) and A McGuckian, Dunloy Limousin 330kg £830 (251), Limousin 350kg £870 (248).

351kg and over

F Hughes, Bellaghy Charolais 360kg £915 (254), J and R McKeown, Aughfatten Belgian Blue 380kg £960 (252), F Hughes, Bellaghy Charolais 360kg £880 (244), Charolais 380kg £915 (240), Simmental 370kg £890 (240), JS Johnston, Clough Limousin 370kg £870 (235), J Heffron and K Lavery, Drumkeerin Limousin 360kg £840 (233) and local farmer (2) Hereford 390kg £910 (233).

Heifers 0-300kgs

Dr L McClinton, Glenarm Charolais 220kg £605 (275), R and M Duff, Kells Belgian Blue 190kg £520 (273), Simmental 180kg £460 (255), Anthony McFadden, Garvagh Aberdeen Angus 240kg £605 (252), D O’Loan, Aughafatten Limousin 290kg £715 (246), J and D Colgan, Ballycastle Charolais 250kg £610 (244), William McBurney, Moorfields Charolais 250kg £590 (236) and Anthony McFadden, Garvagh Simmental 280kg £640 (228).

301-350kgs

J and D Colgan, Ballycastle Charolais 310kg £765 (246), A McGuckian, Dunloy Limousin 330kg £770 (233), Robert Armstrong, Lisburn Charolais 350kg £800 (228), J and D Colgan, Charolais 330kg £750 (227), J and R McKeown, Aughafatten Belgian Blue 340kg £770 (226), D O’Loan, Aughfatten Limousin 310kg £680 (219), A McGuckian Limousin 320kg £700 (218) and J and D Colgan Charolais 310kg £670 (216).

351kg and over

C Monan, Portaferry Limousin 440kg £1240 (281), Dale Robinson, Glenarm Limousin 450kg £1090 (242), Limousin 430kg £1040 (241), C Monan Charolais 360kg £870 (241), Brendan McCoy, Toomebridge Limousin 470kg £1120 (238), Dale Robinson Limousin 390kg £920 (235), Anthony McFadden, Garvagh Sim 460kg £1080 (234) and John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 430kg £1000 (232).

Monday, September 21, 2020: An entry of just under 300 sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a super trade.

Breeders sold to £200, ewe lambs to £138 and store lambs to £86.

Breeders sold to: Joe Adams, Glarryford 7 Crossbred £200, David McClintock, Broughshane 8 Blackface £192, Ian McCluggage, Glarryford 10 Suffolk £188, Joe Adams 6 Suffolk £180, M Morrow, Aughnacloy 5 Lleyn £180, 5 Lleyn £180, 5 Lleyn £175, local farmer 6 Crossbred £172, Mrs M Crawford, Carnalbana 4 Suffolk £172, Newpark Farms 4 Suffolk £170, N McClure, Ballymoney 3 Texel £170, WS McConnell, Ballyclare 9 Texel £165, Newpark Farms 4 Suffolk £165, local farmer 4 Crossbred £162, Newpark Farms 10 Texel £162 and W Blackburn, Clogher 9 Suffolk £162.

Ewe lambs sold to: C Tinsdale, Carnlough 3 Dorset £138, Thomas McLaughin, Claudy 13 Blackface £131, Norman McBurney, Moorfields 10 Texel £130, James Rea, Glenarm 10 Suffolk £130, Stephen Wallace, Kilbride 3 Suffolk £123, Paul Butler, Rathkenny 12 Suffolk £120, J McNeill, Moorfields 14 Mule £119, Norman McBurney 10 Texel £112, James Rea, Glenarm 10 Suffolk £112, Norman McBurney 11 Texel £106, William McAllister, Kells 10 Texel £106, Noel Henry, Larne 8 Crossbred £105, Paul Butler, Rathkenny 10 Suffolk £104, 4 Texel £104, James Rea 10 Suffolk £102 and Stephen Wallace 4 Suffolk £102.

Store lambs sold to: Dundarave Properties, Bushmills 30 Mule £86, Lynsey Topping, Islandmagee 32 Texel £84, W Wright, Carnlough 52 Texel £84, RJD Topping, Islandmagee 15 Texel £83.50, Dundarave Properties 30 Texel £83, Charlie Devlin, Loup 30 Texel £82.50, B and A McCammon, Magheramourne 30 Texel £82, Mrs M Cottrell, Glenarm 10 Texel £81, RJ McKay and Son, Carnlough 40 Texel £80, K Kidd, Broughshane 55 Texel £80, J Fleck, Doagh 22 C £80, Stephen Wallace, Kilbride 10 Charolais £80, B and A McCammon, Maghearmourne 14 Texel £79.50, A Alexander, Glenarm 11 Mule £79.50, J Fleck 15 Crossbred £79.50 and Brian Alexander, Glenarm 10 Suffolk £79.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020: An entry of 250 store cattle in Ballymena on Tuesday resulted in a steady trade.

Bullocks sold to £750 over for a Charolais 560kg at £1310 offered by J McMurran, Ballycarry.

Heifers sold to £710 over for a Charolais 560kg at £1270 presented by Sandra Hunter, Bushmills.

Heifers 0-500kgs

Simon Loughery, Limavady Charolais 390kg £910 (233), Sandra Hunter, Bushmills Charolais 480kg £1090 (227), Ian McCollum, Nutts Corner Limousin 440kg £990 (225), Limousin 460kg £1030 (223), Simon Loughery Charolais 420kg £940 (223), Ian McCollum, Limousin 440kg £980 (222), Limousin 460kg £1005 (218), Mrs M Simmons, Antrim Charolais 390kg £850 (218), Simon Loughery Charolais 470kg £1020 (217), Charolais 460kg £990 (215) and Ian McCollum Limousin 460kg £990 (215).

501kg and over

Sandra Hunter, Bushmills Charolais 560kg £1270 (226), Richard Chambers, Bushmills Blonde d’Aquitaine 610kg £1300 (213), Sandra Hunter Charolais 540kg £1130 (209), Charolais 520kg £1080 (207), Mrs Marion Simmons, Antrim Charolais 510kg £1030 (202) and Sandra Hunter Charolais 660kg £1260 (190).

Bullocks up to 500kgs

Robert Workman, Kilwaughter Charolais 480kg £1190 (247), John B McDevitt, Limavady Charolais 440kg £1090 (247), Robt Workman Charolais 490kg £1190 (242), G Clarke Portaferry Charolais 370kg £885 (239), A and J Jamison, Stranocum Charolais 460kg £1085 (235), S Patterson, Carrickfergus Limousin 470kg £1100 (234), A Henry, Finvoy Aberdeen Angus 500kg £1170 (234), Robert Workman Charolais 490kg £1145 (233), Charolais 460kg £1060 (230), S Patterson Charolais 470kg £1065 (226) and D and I Dunlop, Glarryford (2) Limousin 420kg £950 (226).

Bullocks over 500kgs

Colin Woodside, Carrickfergus Charolais 520kg £1250 (240), Robert Workman, Kilwaughter Charolais 510kg £1225 (240), J McMurran, Ballycarry Charolais 560kg £1310 (233), A and J Jamison, Stranocum Charolais 530kg £1230 (232), J McMorran, Ballycarry Charolais 550kg £1275 (231), S Patterson, Carrickfergus Limousin 510kg £1170 (229), J McMurran, Charolais 560kg £1280 (228), C Tinsdale, Carnlough Limousin 550kg £1255 (228), J McMurran Limousin 550kg £1250 (227), S Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 540kg £1215 (225) and Robert Workman Charolais 520kg £1170 (225).

Wednesday, September 23, 2020: An entry of 1988 sheep in Ballymena on Wednesday resulted in a steady trade.

Fat lambs sold to 415p for a pen of 19kg Charollais at £81 presented by L Ballantine, Moorfields and to a top per head of £98 for 23 Texels 27kg from WR Magee, Kilwaughter.

Fat ewes sold to £107.

Fat lambs (1609)

Top prices per kg: L Ballantine, Moorfields 18 Charollais 19.5kg £81 (415), WJ Cubitt, Rasharkin 8 Texel 23kg £94.80 (412), W and G Hanna, Ballymoney 12 Charollais 20.5kg £84 (409), WJ and D Wallace, Ballymena 6 Texel 21kg £85.50 (407), Houston Crooks, Kilwaughter 3 Charollais 20kg £81 (405), M Ellis, Ballymena 7 Texel 21kg £85 (404), Luke Finlay, Broughshane 4 Charollais 21.5kg £86.50 (402), Charlie Devlin, Magherafelt 12 Texel 21.5kg £86.50 (402), J Knox, Broughshane 14 Texel 23kg £92 (400), C McAllister, Moorfields 13 Texel 21kg £84 (400), Brian Stirling, Ballymena 5 Charollais 20kg £80 (400), J Boyd, Antrim 22 Suffolk 20kg £80 (400), P Gregg, Gracehill 18 Charollais 19kg £76 (400), G Irwin, Ballyclare 7 Texel 23.5kg £93.80 (399), A and W Gregg, Cloughmills 10 Texel 23kg £91.50 (397), Jordan Hunter, Cairncastle 26 Texel 23kg £91.20 (396), J Fenton, Glarryford 12 Texel 23kg £91 (395), T Hamill, Broughshane 6 Charollais 22.5kg £89 (395), Darren Hamill, Broughshane 11 Charollais 22.5kg £89 (395), R Hamill, Aughfatten 5 Charollais 22.5kg £89 (395), Leslie Turtle, Broughshane 22 Texel 22.5kg £89 (395), DS Beggs, Ballyclare 4 Texel 22kg £87 (395), T Stewart, Cairncastle 16 Texel 21.5kg £85 (395) and WJ Smyth, Moorfields 29 Crossbred 21.5kg £85 (395).

Top prices per head

WR Magee, Kilwaughter 23 Texel 27kg £98, WJ Hanna, Ballyclare 20 Rouge 25kg £95.50, N Delargy, Glenarm 2 Texel 25.5kg £95, Ivan Degnan, Raloo 11 Texel 25.5kg £95, M Moffett, Broughshane 24 Charollais 25.5kg £95, Matt Workman, Kilwaughter 21 Texel 25.5kg £95, Raymond Gingles, Kilwaughter 8 Chev 26.5kg £95, WJ Boyd, Larne 5 Texel 24.5kg £95, IJ and A Wilson, Islandmagee 28 Suffolk 26kg £95, D Mills, Ballymena 17 Texel 25.5kg £95, J Barkley, Kells 2 Texel 25kg £95, WJ Cubitt, Rasharkin 8 Texel 23kg £94.80, Alex Knox, Broughshane 27 Texel 25kg £94.50, L Weatherup, Ballyclare 17 Texel 24kg £94.50, J McCollum, Carnlough 14 Charollais 24.5kg £94, J Campbell, Carnlough 12 Suffolk 24kg £94, Norman McBurney, Moorfields 51 Texel 24kg £94, I McMullan, Carnlough 29 Suffolk 24.5kg £94, 9 Suffolk 24.5kg £94, K Dobbin, Ballycastle 9 Texel 24kg £94, Jonathan Stirling, Doagh 10 Suffolk 25.5kg £94, G Irwin, Ballyclare 7 Texel 23.5kg £93.80, Steven Kerr, Kilwaughter 32 Mule 24.5kg £93.50 and Wilbert Reid, Aughfatten 13 Texel 24kg £93.50.

Fat ewes (379)

First quality

Suffolk - £80-£106

Texel - £85-£107

Crossbred - £75-£90

Blackface - £45-£60