Best of breeds on show at seventh annual pedigree working bull sale

This year’s sale of bulls includes ten fantastic Charolais bulls by ‘Ellerton Independent’ purchased in Stirling for 10,000gns.

Victor selected this bull for his extreme length and carcass and having the shortest gestation length of all the Charolais bulls in Stirling, he ticked all the boxes. His pedigree sires include, ‘Simpsons Gregg’, ‘Doonally New’, ‘Olstone Egbert’ and ‘Moyness Lincoln’.

He has grown into the most impressive stock bull ever in the Bushmills herd and his four crops of calves have been easy calving.

Shown straight from the field in 2017 he took overall pedigree beef animal of Ballymoney Show and Charolais Champion in 2018.

After calving from this sire for four years with no caesareans Victor now has the confidence to recommend these Charolais bulls for use in both the suckler and dairy herds or indeed stock sires in a pedigree herd. Remember Charolais animals top the sales be it suckler calves, stores, beef or drop calves.

It’s pleasing to hear positive feedback on calving 
ease from customers who 
have used Bushmills bulls in both the dairy and suckler herds.

Special attention is drawn to the quality of this year’s entries with any pedigree breeders looking for a new stock sire encouraged to come and have a look.

The sale also includes four superb Aberdeen Angus bulls sired by the herd’s new stock sire ‘Liss Dano’ selected by David, along with Sam Milliken, at Leo McEnroe’s sale in Thurles, Co Tipperary.

Although the price tag shocked Victor, he has proven his worth. Victor believes this year’s entry of Angus bulls include some of the top Angus he has ever bred.

These traditional bulls carry tremendous carcase and fleshing ability, and would be worthy of becoming a stock sire in a pedigree or suckler herd or even the astute buyer for a dairy herd who wants to breed quality.

All bulls presented for sale are in store condition and ready for work.

They have not been pushed for show, and are commercially reared.

They were not crept fed as calves, were grass fed during summer 2020 followed by a silage, store based winter diet.

This is going down a treat with buyers, who are catching on that the over feeding of bulls to compete in club sales inhibits their ability to work and shortens their life span.

It is always pleasing to hear encouraging reports from past customers of how their bulls have performed.

Norman McBurney and Sons have been repeat customers and commented that: “After changing to buying my Charolais bulls from Victor and David, calving issues have eased dramatically in our suckler herd.”

Stephen McAuley said: “Having replaced my old Charolais bull with one purchased at the Chestnutts’ sale, the first 24 cows calved with no assistance and when I came to sell my calves they were up £270 on the previous year, this extra paid for the bull in one season.”

Neal and Richard McGinley have also been very pleased with the quality of calves sired by their Charolais bull purchased from the Chestnutts.

Dairy farmer Drew Forsythe said: “I was fed up with having Holstein bull’s calves so made the decision to buy my replacements from a neighbour and use a Charolais bull from the Bushmills herd on my dairy herd. I have been pleased with the ease of calving and good quality calves.

Pedigree Charolais breeder Harry Marques said: “Having purchased my pick of the Chestnutt’s bulls at the 2020 sale, I am pleased that he has done his job and is looking impressive. I eagerly await the arrival of the pedigree calves for my Oldstone herd.”

Aberdeen Angus purchaser Russell Boyce commented: “The Angus bull has worked well in my dairy herd and heifers are calving successfully.”

Purchasers can buy with complete confidence knowing that bulls have been vaccinated for BVD, Lepto and IBR and the herd has no Johnes problem.

All bulls are sold guaranteed to work. Facilitation will be made for anyone wishing to export.

Due to Covid regulations it is agreeable to view the bulls on the home farm prior to the sale contact David on 07843152743

Images of the bulls can be viewed on the Agri Images website (www.agriimages.co.uk) and the ‘Clougher Farm’ Facebook page.

On sale day bids can be accepted online via Ballymena Mart.

Victor and David would like to wish all previous, and this year’s customers, all the very best with their purchases, and thank them for their custom.