Beef cows selling to £2674 for Charolais at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows to 382p for a Charolais 700kg at £2674, Friesian cows to 260p for 510kg at £1326 and beef heifers to 368p for a Limousin 590kg at £2171.

Beef bullocks to a top per head of 371p for a Belgian Blue 770kg at £2856 and to a top per head of £3256 for a Charolais 880kg and Friesian bullocks 270p for 620kg at £1674.

Beef cows

A Mawhinney, Bellaghy Charolais 700kg £2674 (382), G Fleming, Ballymoney Limousin 770kg £2879 (374), Co Down farmer Maine Anjou 840kg £3091 (368), R J Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 700kg £2492 (356), B Mullan, Ringsend Limousin 630kg £2217 (352), S McGookin, Carrickfergus Limousin 680kg £2352 (346), P and K Tumelty, Katesbridge Limousin 770kg £2602 (338), N McGarry, Crumlin Limousin 660kg £2230 (338), R Reid, Aughafatten Limousin 830kg £2705 (326), B Mullan, Limousin 610kg £1964 (322), A Mawhinney, Charolais 660kg £2098 (318), J McCloskey, Dungiven Belgian Blue 650kg £2067 (318), B Devlin, Toomebridge Limousin 530kg £1664 (314), Limousin 450kg £1386 (308), J McMaster, Ballycarry Limousin 580kg £1757 (303) and W J Porter, Dromore Abondance 990kg £2970 (300).

Friesian cows

L Robinson, Ballygowan 510kg £1326 (260), W H Boyd, Keady 840kg £2133 (254), D Rowe, Armoy 540kg £1360 (252), I Stewart, Bushmills 820kg £2050 (250), 700kg £1736 (248), J McCloskey, Dungiven 570kg £1379 (242), I Stewart 670kg £1567 (234), C A Orr, Cloughmills 760kg £1770 (233), I Stewart, 690kg £1573 (228), 590kg £1321 (224), P McGowan, Toomebridge 630kg £1398 (222), D Rowe, 350kg £777 (222), O Magill, Crumlin 580kg £1276 (220), R Lyttle, Larne 710kg £1562 (220), I Stewart, 560kg £1232 (220) and G Rowney, Ballyclare 550kg £1199 (218).

Beef heifers

R J Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 590kg £2171 (368), D Andrew, Templepatrick Limousin 560kg £2049 (366), Limousin 520kg £1820 (350), Limousin 500kg £1700 (340), J Scott, Toomebridge Limousin 560kg £1904 (340), S Kelly, Ballymena Limousin 610kg £2043 (335), A Mawhinney, Bellaghy Charolais 620kg £2058 (332), J McCloskey, Dungiven Charolais 580kg £1925 (332), J Scott, Limousin 650kg £2158 (332), T Wray, Carnlough Limousin 610kg £2025 (332), J Scott, Limousin 600kg £1980 (330), S Knox, Broughshane Abondance 580kg £1896 (327), J McCloskey, Charolais 660kg £2151 (326), B Taggart, Bushmills Limousin 570kg £1846 (324), J Scott, Limousin 710kg £2300 (324) and J McKinty, Larne Belgian Blue 500kg £1610 (322).

Beef bullocks

Top per head

R J Arrell, Randalstown Charolais 880kg £3256, W J Porter, Dromore Aberdeen Angus 980kg £3038, A Mawhinney, Bellaghy Limousin 950kg £3021, R J Arrell Limousin 820kg £3001, J Scott, Toomebridge Charolais 860kg £2992, R J Arrell Limousin 790kg £2907, K Coyle, Ballykelly Belgian Blue 770kg £2856, Charolais 790kg £2828, J Scott Limousin 770kg £2818, A Mawhinney, Bellaghy Charolais 870kg £2784, J Scott Limousin 780kg £2761 and A Mawhinney Charolais 860kg £2752.

Top per kilo

K Coyle, Ballykelly Belgian Blue 770kg £2856 (371), R J Arrell, Randalstown Charolais 880kg £3256 (370), Limousin 790kg £2907 (368), J Scott, Toomebridge Limousin 770kg £2818 (366), R J Arrell Limousin 820kg £3001 (366), J Scott, Toomebridge Limousin 710kg £2598 (366), 750kg £2730 (364), K Coyle Charolais 760kg £2736 (360), 790kg £2828 (358), P McErlain, Armoy Charolais 740kg £2634 (356), J Scott Charolais 760kg £2690 (354), C Heron, Ballymena Charolais 700kg £2478 (354) and J Scott Limousin 780kg £2761 (354).

Friesian bullocks

A Speers, Cullybackey 620kg £1674 (270), 720kg £1944 (270), 600kg £1608 (268), M Jamison, Larne 770kg £2048 (266), D R Gage, Cloughmills 640kg £1689 (264), 570kg £1493 (262) and A Speers 630kg £1638 (260), 590kg £1534 (260), 620kg £1550 (250).

Friday 22nd May 2026: Dairy cows - R Park, Moneymore Friesian £2650, Friesian £2500, D McKillop, Loughgiel Holstein £2300, D Foreman, Belfast Holstein £2150, R McCluggage, Larne Holstein £2050, Friesian £1900, D McKillop, £1900, T J Gordon, Ballyclare Ayrshire £1850, S Clarke, Maghera Friesian £1800, D Foreman, Holstein £1800, S Clarke, Holstein £1750, J Purvis, Magherafelt Holstein £1650 and R McCluggage, Holstein £1650.

Bulls

W Campbell, Carnlough Limousin £5000, M Rea, Crumlin Abondance £3700, D Walker Armagh Abondance £3050, J McCormick, Upper Springfield Limousin £2950 and D Walker, Abondance £2450, Abondance £2450.

Suckler cows

R Armstrong, Lisburn Limousin with bull calf £4150, T A and D A Aiken, Coleraine Limousin with heifer calf £4050, R Armstrong, Belgian Blue with bull calf £4000, Limousin with heifer calf £3950, Belgian Blue with heifer calf £3950, T A and D A Aiken, Limousin with heifer calf £3700, R Armstrong, Belgian Blue with heifer calf £3650, Limousin with bull calf £3400, Limousin with bull calf £3350, R Watson, Fivemiletown Charolais heifer calf £3000, A and R Watson, Fivemiletown Limousin with heifer calf £2950, W McBride, The Beeches Simmental with bull calf £2950, J Mackey, Ballynure Shorthorn beef with bull calf £2800, A H Park, Ballymena Speckle Park with heifer calf £2750, A and W McKee, Ballyboley Shorthorn beef with bull calf £2750 and R Watson, Belgian Blue with heifer calf £2750.

Calves

A good entry of 430 calves sold to an average of £595.

Bulls to £1270 for a Limousin.

Heifers to £1010 for a Belgian Blue and Friesian bulls to £710.

Bulls

R Thompson, Glenarm Limousin £1270 x2, A McBurney, Cloughmills Belgian Blue £1220 x2, S Woods, Crossgar Limousin £1200, W D McCarthy, Kircubbin Belgian Blue £1130, S Simpson, Lisburn Charolais £1110 x2, A McBurney Belgian Blue £1090 x2, M McCord, Antrim Aberdeen Angus £1060, A McBurney Belgian Blue £1030, R Thompson Limousin £1030 x2 and S Simpson Belgian Blue £1000 x2.

Heifers

Ballyfrench Farm, Portavogie Belgian Blue £1010, R Thompson, Glenarm Limousin 940 x3, A McBurney, Cloughmills Belgian Blue £930 x2, Ganaway Farms, Millisle Charolais £930, C Warwick, Moorfields Belgian Blue £920, J R McNeilly, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £910 x5, A McBurney Belgian Blue £900 and S Woods, Crossgar Belgian Blue £900 x2.

Friesian/Holstein bulls

S Woods, Crossgar £710, A Hoey, Glenwherry £600 x10, S Clyde, Straid £580, £510 x3, J W J Orr, Greyabbey £490, D Thompson, Ahoghill £450, W Hamilton, Broughshane £435 and M Speedy, Randalstown £400.

Weanlings

A good entry of 361 weanling in Ballymena on Friday sold with an improved trade.

Bullocks sold to £1840 over for a Charolais 480kg £2320 from S Douglas, Limavady and heifers to £1410 over for a Limousin 550kg at £1960 presented by D Carson, Nutt's Corner.

Bullocks

Up to 300kg

I Mawhinney, Antrim Charolais 170kg £1050 (617), R Shaw, Rasharkin, Limousin 260kg £1570 (603), Limousin 240kg £1430 (595), Limousin 240kg £1430 (595), Magherafelt farmer Charolais 270kg £1600 (592), Charolais 270kg £1600 (592), local farmer Charolais 240kg £1390 (579), R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 260kg £1500 (576), Limousin 260kg £1490 (573), Limousin 230kg £1290 (560), Limousin 270kg £1500 (555), Magherafelt farmer Limousin 260kg £1420 (546), Limousin 280kg £1500 (535), R Shaw, Limousin 280kg £1500 (535), Magherafelt farmer, Charolais 240kg £1280 (533) and S Clyde, Randalstown Limousin 280kg £1480 (528).

301-350kg

S Clyde, Randalstown Limousin 350kg £1850 (528), Co Antrim farmer, Charolais 350kg £1730 (524), R McNabney, Broughshane Limousin 340kg £1780 (523), N Adams, Limousin 350kg £1730 (494), B Mathews, Clough Limousin 350kg £1660 (474), Maghera Charolais 310kg £1450 (467), A Gault, Newtownabbey Limousin 320kg £1490 (465), C Fleming, Nutt's Corner Limousin 340kg £1580 (464), M McKeever, Ballymoney Limousin 350kg £1590 (454), M B Semple, Carnlough Limousin 310kg £1400 (451), D Glass, Ballymena Limousin 350kg £1580 (451), S Stewart, Cairncastle Limousin 350kg £1570 (448), A Gault, Newtownabbey Limousin 330kg £1480 (448), M Young, Magherafelt Simmental 350kg £1550 (442), D Glass, Limousin n330kg £1460 (442) and J Percy, Randalstown Limousin 320kg £1400 (437).

351kg plus:

R McNabney, Broughshane Limousin 390kg £2080 (533), S Douglas, Limavady Charolais 420 kg £2150 (511), T Knox, Ballynure Charolais 380kg £1900 (500), Charolais 380kg £1890 (497), Charolais 370kg £1830 (494), S Douglas, Charolais 420kg £2070 (492), R McNabney, Charolais 360kg £1770 (491), S Douglas, Charolais 420kg £2050 (488), R McNabney, Limousin 410kg £1990 (485), S Douglas, Charolais 480kg £2320 (483), R McNabney, Charolais 380kg £1830 (488), D Glass, Ballymena Limousin £2070 (481), T Knox, Charolais 430kg £2060 (479), S Douglas, Charolais 450kg £2150 (477), Charolais 400kg £1910 (477). R McNabney Charolais 370kg £1760 (475).

Heifers

Up to 300kg

A Burleigh, Glenarm Charolais 280kg £1620 (578), B McCoy, Toomebridge Limousin 300kg £1720 (573), Limousin 250kg £1390 (556), S Warwick, Ballyclare Limousin 190kg £1050 (552), Limousin 190kg £1050 (552), Limousin 190kg £1050 (552), B McCoy, Toomebridge Limousin 250kg £1360 (544), M B Semple, Carnlough Limousin 230kg £1240 (539), Limousin 250kg £1340 (536), Limousin 250kg £1340 (536), Co Antrim farmer Limousin 280kg £1470 (525), J Beggs, Carrickfergus Limousin 240kg £1240 (516), Limousin 240kg £1240 (516), Magherafelt farmer Charolais 240kg £1230 (512) and Co Antrim farmer Limousin 290kg £1470 (506), Limousin 300kg £1500 (500).

301 to 350kg

R McNabney, Broughshane Limousin 320kg £1670 (521), M Young, Magherafelt Simmental 310kg £1610 (519), B McKeown, Randalstown Charolais 330kg £1710 (518), B McCoy, Toomebridge Limousin 320kg £1650 (515), local farmer Charolais 320kg £1610 (503), 330kg £1630 (493), D McBride, Ballymena Blonde d'Aquitaine 330kg £1550 (469), B McCoy Limousin 340kg £1590 (467), 330kg £1420 (430), D McBride, Ballymena Blonde d'Aquitaine 340kg £1460 (429) and M McKeever, Ballymoney Charolais 310kg £1320 (425).

Over 351kg

G Glass, Ballymena Limousin 360kg £1820 (505), S Douglas, Limavady Charolais 380kg £1920 (505), Charolais 390kg £1920 (492), 380kg £1870 (492), 380kg £1850 (486), B McCoy, Toomebride Limousin 390kg £1860 (476), local farmer Belgian Blue 390kg £1860 (476), S Douglas Charolais 400kg £1900 (475), 390kg £1850 (474), 360kg £1700 (472), B McCoy Limousin 410kg £1920 (468) and R McNabney, Broughshane Limousin 400kg £1860 (465).

Monday 25th May 2026: An entry of 682 sheep in Ballymena on Monday night resulted in a sharp trade.

Ewes with lambs at foot topped at £395 for a Suffolk ewe with 2 lambs from J Mills, Kilwaughter and dry hoggets sold to £240 for a Suffolk from the same producer.

Ewes with lambs at foot

J Mills, Kilwaughter 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £395, Co Antrim farmer, 1 Cheviot and 2 lambs £390, 4 Cheviot and 4 lambs £385, 7 Cheviot and 7 lambs £375, R J Lyle, Larne 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £365, S and M Black, Carnlough 1 Suffolk and 1 lamb £360, P Campbell, Draperstown 1 Cheviot and 2 lambs £360, 1 Cheviot and 2 lambs £360, A McKillop, Loughgiel 1 Suffolk and 1 lamb £360, P McGuigan, Swatragh 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £355, 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £355, J Mills, 1 Suffolk and 1 lamb £355, R J Lyle, Larne 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £350, A Smyth, Moorfields 2 Charollais and 2 lambs £350, T A Smyth, Randalstown 1 Texel and 2 lambs £350 and K Travers, Castlederg 1 Texel and 2 lambs £350.

Dry hoggets

J Mills, Larne x1 Suffolk £240, A McKillop, Loughgiel x2 Mule £220, I Duncan, Ballycastle x11 Mule £190, x11 Mule £185, x11 Mule £185 and A McKillop, x1 Suffolk £180.

Tuesday 26th May 2026: A smaller entry of 100 store cattle in Ballymena on Tuesday met another steady trade.

Bullocks sold to £1790 over for a Limousin 600kg at £2390 and heifers to £1590 over for a Belgian Blue 590kg at £2180.

Bullocks

Up to 500kg

D Nelson, Dungannon Charolais 500kg £2290 (458), Charolais 480kg £2150 (447), D J and R White, Broughshane Limousin 460kg £1930 (419), D Nelson, Limousin 480kg £2000 (416), D J and R White, Limousin 450kg £1790 (397), I G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 450kg £1780 (395), D J and R White, Limousin 400kg £1490 (372) , D Nelson, Charolais 460kg £1710 (371), B Steele, Glarryford Charolais 310kg £1000 (322), Charolais 440kg £1380 (313) and R Baird, Carrickfergus Fleckvieh 480kg £1500 (312).

Over 501kg

G Martin. Randalstown Limousin 600kg £2390 (398), S Rafferty, Ahoghill Stabiliser 510kg £1990 (390), S O’Neill, Martinstown Charolais 580kg £2170 (374), Charolais 560kg £2070 (369), S Taylor, Belfast Abondance 580kg £2130 (367), G McPeake, Portglenone Charolais 550kg £2010 (365), S O’Neill, Charolais 630kg £2300 (365), G McIlroy, Ballycastle Charolais 600kg £2190 (365), S Taylor, Abondance 630kg £2280 (361), S O’Neill, Charolais 560kg £1980 (353), Charolais 550kg £1940 (352), S Taylor, Abondance 650kg £2170 (333), G McPeake, Charolais 550kg £1820 (330), S Taylor, Her 590kg £1950 (330), R Baird, Carrickfergus Fleckvieh 570kg £1865 (327) and S O’Neill, Abondance 550kg £1790 (325).

Heifers

Up to 500kg

I G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 290kg £1290 (444), Limousin 350kg £1430 (408), Limousin 380kg £1550 (407), Limousin 420kg £1600 (381), D J and R White, Broughshane Limousin 430kg £1630 (379), D Millar, Aughafatten Abondance 480kg £1715 (357), I G Hyndman, Limousin 470kg £1670 (355), Limousin 450kg £1580 (351), G McPeake, Portglenone Charolais 500kg £1730 (346), S Rafferty, Ahoghill Stabiliser 470kg £1625 (345), B Steele, Glarryford Charolais 420kg £1450 (345), D J and R White, Limousin 400kg £1370 (342), W Rea, Crumlin Abondance 440kg £1500 (340), I G Hyndman, Limousin 500kg £1670 (334) and J Anderson, Broughshane Abondance 440kg £1450 (329), Abondance 440kg £1450 (329).

Over 501kg

R Graham, Ballyclare Belgian Blue 590kg £2180 (369), G McPeake, Portglenone Charolais 510kg £1820 (356), J Doole, Toomebridge Limousin 600kg £2110 (351), Limousin 610kg £2100 (344), G McPeake, Charolais 580kg £1990 (343), D Millar, Aughafatten Limousin 530kg £1810 (341), J C McMillan, Portglenone Belgian Blue 560kg £1910 (341), G McPeake, Charolais 530kg £1790 (337), Charolais 590kg £1990 (337), S Rafferty, Ahoghill Abondance 520kg £1740 (334), Limousin 510kg £1700 (333), G McPeake, Charolais 540kg £1800 (333), Charolais 600kg £1990 (331), W Rea, Crumlin Abondance 510kg £1670 (327), J C McMillan, Shorthorn beef 520kg £1690 (325) and J Anderson, Broughshane Abondance 520kg £1665 (320).

Wednesday 27th May 2026: Dutch Spotted show and sale - A show and sale of Dutch Spotted sheep took place in Ballymena. David Millar, choice cut judged and awarded champion to Gareth McCabe, Ballyward 27kg at £230 and reserve champion to T Jackson, Saintfield 26kg £210.

Top per head

G McCabe, Ballyward 2 27kg £230 (Champion), T Jackson, Saintfield 2 26kg £210 (Reserve Champion), J Reilly, Ballycastle 3 Dutch Spotted 30.5kg £200, L Campbell, Carnlough 2 24.5kg £194, M Steenson, Killylea 2 24kg £188, R Nelson, Ballymena 24kg £287, J Reilly, 6 24.5kg £186, M Park, Ballymena 21.5kg £184, Belson Ltd, Lurgan 3 Dutch Spotted 22.5kg £184 and R Nelson, 23kg £182, S McGill, Ballycastle 22kg £181.

2223 sheep in Ballymena on Wednesday resulted in an easier trade.

Fat lambs sold to 871p for a 19.5kg Texel at £170 from A Gault, Newtownabbey at a top per head of £192.50 for 25 Texels 24kg presented by E Stevenson, Crumlin.

Fat ewes sold to £264.

Fat lambs (1637)

Top per kg

A Gault, Newtownabbey 1 Texel 19.5kg £170 (871), M J King, Ballymena 5 Charollais 21kg £175 (833), J Hutchinson, Randalstown 3 Charollais 21.5kg £179 (832), A and D McAfee, Bushmills 16 Texel 22kg £180 (818), A Ferguson, Kilsally 6 Texel 22kg £180 (818), I Morrison 33 Texel 20kg £161 (805), A Smyth, Moorefields 5 Texel 21kg £169 (804), H McIvor, Dungannon 15 Texel 21kg £169 (804), T Bamford, Rasharkin 28 Texel 21kg £169 (804), S Patterson, Carrickfergus 5 Texel 21kg £169 (804), J McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 23.5kg £189 (8040), E McNeilly, Ballymena 19 Texel 20.5kg £164.50 (802), E Stevenson, Crumlin 25 Texel 24kg £192.50 (802), D Steele, Glarryford 11 Texel 20.5kg £164 (800), F McNeilly, Glarryford 22 Texel 20kg £160 (800) and J McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 22.5kg £180 (800).

Top per head

E Stevenson, Crumlin 25 Texel 24kg £192.50, A Steele, Donaghadee 4 Texel 33kg £190, J McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 23.5kg £189, W Graham, Waringstown 3 Charollais 27.5kg £188,m J W Bingham 2 Texel 25.5kg £188, M Magill, Glenarm 2 Texel 23.5kg £187, F Tweed, Glenarm 9 Texel 23.5kg £184, D Steele, Glarryford 4 Texel 25.5kg £183, M Denvir, Randalstown 1 Texel 26.5kg £183, A M O’Neill, Newtowncrommelin 1 Texel 29.5kg £182, A Gault, 7 Texel 31.5kg £182, D and H Gregg, Clough 19 Texel 23.5kg £180.50, D Ward, Glenarm 5 Texel 25.5kg £180 and A and D McAfee, Bushmills 16 Texel 22kg £180.

Fat ewes (586)

First quality

Suffolk - £196-£230

Texel - £182-£264

Crossbred - £162-£208

Blackface - £116-£140