The fifth special sale of single suckled calves in McCIelland’s Livestock Mart in Ballyclare, which was held during this week in November 1977, had attracted an entry of over 900 calves, reported Farming Life.

Prices were generally similar to the previous week but the quality was somewhat scarcer.

In the bullock ring Simmentals ousted the Charolais for the first time in the heavyweight section where three tremendous Simmentals offered by J Manderson, Crumlin. sold to a top price of £82.67 per 100kg.

However, generally Charolais continued to dominate the leading prices throughout the sale.

Co Fermanagh progressive young farmers brothers, William and Herbie Crawford, of Brookeborough, crowned a great year of success with their Friesian cattle when they won both the Friesian supreme championship and reserve supreme award at the Royal Ulster Autumn Show and Sale at Balmoral in October 1980. The champion, which is seen in this picture with William at the halter, made 1,100 guineas. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

placeholder image — Co Fermanagh progressive young farmers brothers, William and Herbie Crawford, of Brookeborough, crowned a great year of success with their Friesian cattle when they won both the Friesian supreme championship and reserve supreme award at the Royal Ulster Autumn Show and Sale at Balmoral in October 1980. The champion, which is seen in this picture with William at the halter, made 1,100 guineas. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

The annual draft of South Devons from Robert Taggart, Martinstown, were also, keenly sought with the majority of the heifers being bought for stickler herd replacements.

Bullocks – there were 513 on offer - 300kg and over: J Manderson, Crumlin, Simental bullock, 300kg, £248 (£82.67), Simmental bullock, 310kg, £242 (£78.06). Simmental bullock, 310kg, £241 (£77.74); Robert Barron, Ballycraigy Road, Newtownabbey, Charolais 340kg. £226 (£75.33), Simmental bullock, 310kg, £233 (£75.16), Charolais. 340kg, £254 (£74.71), Charolais bullock, 310kg, £231 (£74.52) and Charolais, 300kg, £220 (£73.33).

250kg/300kg: Robert Barron, Newtownabbey, Charolais bullock, 280kg, £230 (£82.14); Jim Woodside, Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare, Charolais bullock, 250kg, £205 (£82); George Gault, Ballybracken Road, Doagh, Simmental bullock, 260kg, £207 (£79.62); Robert Barron, Newtownabbey, Charolais bullock, 260kg, £201 (£77.31); Gray Fleck, Lisnamurrican Road, Broughshane, Charolais bullock, 260kg, £200 (£76.92); David Surgenor, Moorfields, Charolais bullock, 280kg, £212 (£75.71) and Charolais bullock, 260kg. £196 (£75.38); James Rainey. Drumnadreagh Road, Ballygally, Charolais bullock, 250kg, £184 (£73.60); J. McAuley, Ballyeamqn Road, Ballygally, Charolais bullock, 290kg, £212 (£73.10); Mrs S Gawn, Parkgate Road, Kells, Charolais bullock, 250kg, £182 (£72.80); J Greer, Dunnygarron Road, Ballymena, Charolais bullock, 250kg, £181 (£72.40).

200/250kg: J Greer, Dunnygarron Road, Ballymena, Charolais bullock, 200kg, £160 (£80); Mrs P Bell, Raloo, Larne, Simmental bullock, 210kg, £161 (£76.67); J Bailie, Ballycastle, Charolais bullock, 210kg, £160 (£76.19); P McCurry, Turnamona, Cushendun, Charolais bullock, 240kg. £181 (£75.42) and Charolais, 200kg, £148 (£74), Robert Barron, Newtownabbey, Charolais bullock, 230kg, £168 (£73.04); George Gault, Doagh, Simmental bullock, 230kg. £168 (£73.04); P Wylie, Liminary Road, Kells, Friesian bullock, 200kg, £146 (£73); R Taggart, Martinstown, South Devon bullock, 240kg, £175 (£72.92).

The Friesian heifer of William Johnston, Ligoneil, Belfast, which made the top price of 1,500 guineas at the Royal Ulster Autumn Show and Sale at Balmoral in October 1980. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Up to 200kg: George Gault, Doagh, Simmental bullock, 180kg, £148 (£82.22) and Simmental bullock, 180kg, £147 (£81.67); S Nicholson, Ballyhone, Monkstown, Charolais bullock, 170kg, £135 (£79.41); James Rainey, Ballygally, three Charolais bullocks. 550kg, £142 (£77.45); Ivan McCammond, Carnanee, Templepatrick, Simmental bullock, 160kg, £123 (£76.88); Neil McQuaige, Ardicoan, Cushendun, Simmental bullock, 160kg, £120 (£75); J Greer, Ballymena, Charolais bullock, 170kg, £127 (£74.71); Ivan McCammond, Templepatrick, Charolais bullock, 160kg, £113 (£70.63); F Mulvenna, Munie South, Glenarm, Charolais bullock, 170kg, £120 (£70.59).