Dairy cattle meet strong demand with prices to £2000 at Ballymena Mart

Thursday, March 12, 2020: An entry of 480 beef cattle in Ballymena on Thursday resulted in a terrific trade.
Ballymena MartBallymena Mart
Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 185p for a Limousin 640kg at £1184, Frieisan cows to 126p for 840kg at £1058, beef heifers to 216p for 500kg at £1080, beef bullocks to 218p for 830kg at £1809 and Friesian bullocks to 165p for 650kg at £1072.

Beef cows sold to: Matthew Brothers, Glenarm Limousin 640kg £1184 (185), D McCullagh, Swatragh Limousin 740kg £1361 (184), Robert Clyde, Templepatrick Limousin 670kg £1206 (180), F McAuley, Toomebridge Limousin 590kg £1062 (180), G Henderson, Bushmills Charolais 930kg £1655 (178), VN Fleck, Broughshane Belgian Blue 720kg £1267 (176), local farmer Limousin 740kg £1302 (176), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Limousin 620kg £1078 (174), David Clark, Antrim Limousin 720kg £1252 (174), D McCullagh Limousin 740kg £1280 (173), Crawford Wilson, Islandmagee Limousin 800kg £1360 (170), T Paul, Dunloy Shorthorn 680kg £1149 (169), local farmer Limousin 710kg £1199 (169), F McAuley, Toomebridge Limousin 710kg £1192 (168), Stephen Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 680kg £1142 (168), D McCullagh Limousin 740kg £1235 (167), Stephen Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 700kg £1169 (167), WJ Ervine, Newtownabbey Blonde 620kg £1016 (164), M McCullagh, Swatragh Charolais 730kg £1197 (164), M McDonald, Randalstown Limousin 760kg £1246 (164), local farmer Limousin 790kg £1295 (164), R McIlroy, Aghadowey Limousin 770kg £1239 (161), T Boyd, Larne Limousin 510kg £816 (160) and WJ Wilson, Rasharkin Belgian Blue 690kg £1090 (158).

Friesian cows sold to: MT Boyd, Kilwaughter 840kg £1058 (126), James Campbell, Bushmills 660kg £831 (126), W Hamilton, Broughshane 720kg £900 (125), Joe Maybin, Kells 580kg £719 (124), Mrs M Wilkin, Islandmagee 710kg £873 (123), J and C Kane, Ballycastle 780kg £959 (123), Brian Lyttle, Moorfields 700kg £854 (122), David McKeeman, Ballymoney 780kg £928 (119), 810kg £963 (119), I Stewart, Bushmills 530kg £630 (119), W Hamilton, Broughshane 680kg £809 (119), Brian Lyttle 630kg £749 (119), Mrs M Wilkin 780kg £928 (119), C A Orr, Cloughmills 600kg £714 (119), F Allen, Randalstown 610kg £719 (118), RA Gordon, Cloughmills 740kg £865 (117), local farmer 590kg £684 (116), I Stewart 570kg £661 (116), B Alexander, Ahoghill 670kg £777 (116), CA Orr, Cloughmills 650kg £754 (116), RA Gordon, Cloughmills 670kg £777 (116), Mrs A Harbinson, Rathkenny 640kg £742 (116), James Gaston, Ballinaloob 680kg £788 (116) and S Herbison, Ballymena 640kg £742 (116).

Beef heifers sold to: S Dobbin, Ballycastle Limousin 500kg £1080 (216), Francis Cassidy, Kilrea Charolais 650kg £1358 (209), Alastair Ferguson, Coagh Charolais 620kg £1295 (209), Francis Cassidy Charolais 650kg £1352 (208), VN Fleck, Broughshane Limousin 630kg £1310 (208), O Shiels, Kilrea St 620kg £1277 (206), B McQuillan, Antrim Aberdeen Angus 520kg £1066 (205), Francis Cassidy, Kilrea Charolais 670kg £1360 (203), Charolais 740kg £1502 (203), SF McKenna, Maghera Charolais 700kg £1407 (201), A Christie, Ballymoney Limousin 490kg £980 (200), P Henry, Glarryford Limousin 640kg £1267 (198), Francis Cassidy Charolais 730kg £1438 (197), Stephen Marshall, Ballymena Charolais 640kg £1254 (196), P Henry, Glarryford Limousin 570kg £1117 (196), SF McKenna Charolais 690kg £1352 (196), A Christie, Ballymoney Limousin 470kg £921 (196), John McKeague, Dunloy Charolais 550kg £1067 (194), A Christie Limousin 510kg £989 (194), John McKeague Charolais 550kg £1061 (193), D McKillop, Glenariffe Limousin 560kg £1080 (193), Robert Boville, Toomebridge Limousin 660kg £1273 (193), M McCullough, Ballymena Limousin 550kg £1061 (193) and John McKeague Charolais 540kg £1036 (192).

Beef bullocks sold to: H Crawford, Moneyrea Belgian Blue 830kg £1809 (218), Ivan Brown, Greyabbey Limousin 720kg £1540 (214), Alastair Ferguson, Coagh Charolais 700kg £1498 (214), John Blair, Cullybackey Charolais 570kg £1214 (213), Charolais 620kg £1308 (211), Charolais 600kg £1266 (211), Samuel Oliver, Limavady Charolais 670kg £1407 (210), local farmer Blonde 630kg £1323 (210), I Conn, Limavady Charolais 790kg £1659 (210), Alastair Ferguson, Coagh Charolais 730kg £1525 (209), John Blair Charolais 660kg £1379 (209), A Smyth, Ballymoney Limousin 730kg £1525 (209), Ivan Brown, Greyabbey Limousin 740kg £1539 (208), local farmer Limousin 740kg £1539 (208), H Crawford, Moneyrea Limousin 770kg £1601 (208), Limousin 800kg £1664 (208), local farmer Charolais 590kg £1227 (208), Ivan Brown Limousin 740kg £1531 (207), local farmer Charolais 690kg £1428 (207), G and A McMaster, Broughshane Limousin 590kg £1221 (207), Charolais 630kg £1304 (207), A Smyth, Ballymoney Limousin 670kg £1386 (207), Samuel Oliver, Limavady Charolais 690kg £1421 (206) and local farmer Charolais 680kg £1400 (206).

Friesian bullocks sold to: J Irwin, Ballymoney 650kg £1072 (165), C Gribben, Dunloy 610kg £1006 (165), 640kg £1036 (162), H Carson, Dundrod 560kg £896 (160), H Simms, Carrickfergus 620kg £985 (159), RJ Gage, Clough 560kg £884 (158), C Gribben 580kg £910 (157), Henry Little, Moneymore 690kg £1076 (156), C Gribben 650kg £1007 (155), RJ Gage, Clough 550kg £852 (155), H Simms, 740kg £1147 (155), 630kg £945 (150), RJ Gage 590kg £885 (150), Henry Little 670kg £978 (146), 600kg £870 (145), 640kg £921 (144) and J McWoodburn, Kells 620kg £892 (144).

Friday, March 13, 2020: 37 dairy cattle met strong demand to £2000 for a calved heifer from William Black, Aghadowey.

Calved cows to £1840 for a second calver.

Ruling prices: W Black, Aghadowey £2000, David S Dickey, Randalstown £1980, D McNeilly, Randalstown £1900, R and S Simpson, Ballymena £1840, David Dickey, £1740, Brendan Conlon £1700, SG Wallace, Broughshane £1670, R and W Burns, Dungannon £1540, SG Wallace £1480, Thomas Carlisle £1480, R and W Burns £1410, £1400, Sam Allen, Aghadowey (2) £1380, £1320, (3) £1280, £1260, RH and HA Shanks, Dunadry £1250, JS and CS Hamilton, Greyabbey £1230, T and J Mackey, Ballyclare £1230, E and J Arthur, Templepatrick £1220, W Black £1200 and TJ Gordon, Ballyclare £1200.

36 lots in the suckler ring sold readily to £1550 for a Limousin cow with bull calf.

David Arrell, Bellaghy Limousin cow and bull calf £1550, Blonde cow and bull calf £1540, Blonde cow and bull calf £1500, Sam Agnew, Ballyclare Belgian Blue cow and bull calf £1480, David Arrell Blonde cow and heifer calf £1400, Blonde cow and bull calf £1380, Blonde cow and bull calf £1380, Limousin cow and bull calf £1350, Blonde cow and bull calf £1350, Blonde cow and bull calf £1300, Stabiliser cow and bull calf £1250, Richard McKewon, Templepatrick Simmental in calf heifer £1250, Sam Agnew, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus cow and heifer calf £1250 and T and ME Taylor, Doagh Aberdeen Angus cow and bull calf £1120, Sam Marks Aberdeen Angus in calf heifer £1120.

Over 200 calves sold to £490 for a 2 month old Belgian Blue bull, heifer calves to £350 for a Limousin.

Ruling prices for a beef bred bull calf: Aidan Campbell, Lisburn Belgian Blue £490, R Hayes, Moorfields (2) Belgian Blue £475, Aiden Campbell (2) Belgian Blue £450, J King, Ballymena Charolais £400, Charolais £435, Aiden Campbell Charolais £400, R Hayes Belgian Blue £400, JC Barkley, Ballymena Belgian Blue £400, B Alexander, Ahoghill Belgian Blue £395, Hamilton Alexander Limousin £395, T and ME Taylor, Doagh Aberdeen Angus £380, J King, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus £370, J Drummod, Bangor Aberdeen Angus £365 and T and ME Taylor Aberdeen Angus £365.

Heifer calves sold to: Hamilton Alexander, Glenarm Limousin £350, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £350, J Drummond, Bangor Aberdeen Angus £325, J King, Bangor Charolais £310, JC Barkley, Ballymena Belgian Blue £310, ES Hall, Ballyclare Limousin £300, B Alexander, Ahoghill Belgian Blue £285, S Stewart, Newtownabbey Belgian Blue £285, J King, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus £260, S Stewart Belgian Blue £250, D Montgomery, Glenwherry Belgian Blue £245 and RLA and D Irvine, Dundrod Aberdeen Angus £245.

Friesian bull calves sold to: B Paisley, Ballynure £250, T and ME Taylor, Doagh £240, ES Hall, Ballynure £225, McGookin Farming, Ballynure £155, Brian Paisley £145, D Marcus, Glenarm £120 and A McBurney, Cloughmills £105.

An entry of 300 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a terrific trade. Bullocks sold to £655 over for a Charolais 390kg at £1045 offered by J Moore, Glenwherry.

Heifers sold to £515 over for a Charolais 390kg at £905 presented by John Moore, Glenwherry.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

Gary Davidson, Ligoniel (2) Charolais 240kg £770 (320), (2) Charolais 240kg £760 (316), Charolais 240kg £750 (312), S Scullion, Glenarm Charolais 280kg £875 (312), Gary Davidson Charolais 260kg £770 (296) and David Robinson, Crumlin Charolais 250kg £730 (292).

301-350kgs

AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 320kg £970 (303), James McLoughlin, Carnlough (2) Charolais 320kg £880 (275), S Scullion, Glenarm Charolais 310kg £850 (274), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 310kg £840 (271), Ian Gibson, Broughshane Charolais 330kg £885 (268), HV McCambridge, Carnlough Charolais 360kg £905 (266) and Raymond Jordan, Glenavy Limousin 320kg £840 (262).

351kg and over

John Moore, Glenwherry Charolais 390kg £1045 (268), Charolais 390kg £1040 (266), WJ Shaw, Cloughmills Limousin 360kg £920 (255), P Martin, Dunloy Charolais 370kg £940 (254), Ian Gibson, Broughshane Charolais 400kg £1000 (250), WJ Shaw, Cloughmills Limousin 380kg £940 (247) and HV McCambridge Charolais 370kg £910 (246), Charolais 390kg £955 (244).

Heifers 0-300kgs

N McGrattan Kircubbin Charolais 180kg £520 (288), Gary Davidson, Ligoniel (2) Charolais 240kg £675 (281), Charolais 220kg £610 (277), David Robinson, Crumlin Limousin 240kg £660 (275), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 290kg £790 (272), Charolais 290kg £780 (269) and David Robinson, Crumlin Charolais 290kg £780 (269).

301-350kgs

M McDonald, Randalstown (2) Limousin 320kg £820 (256), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 340kg £870 (255), I Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 340kg £860 (252), Robert Evans, Randalstown Limousin 310kg £780 (251), Ian Hunter, Straid Charolais 350kg £880 (251), John Beggs Limousin 340kg £850 (250) and Ian Gibson, Broughshane Charolais 350kg £865 (247).

351kg and over

Ian Gibson, Broughshane Charolais 370kg £865 (233), John Moore, Glenwherry Charolais 390kg £905 (232), P Martin, Dunloy Charolais 380kg £865 (227), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 400kg £900 (225), P Martin Charolais 390kg £875 (224), Aidan Hunter, Carnlough Charolais 370kg £825 (223) and Ian Hunter, Straid Charolais 360kg £800 (222), Charolais 380kg £835 (219).

Monday, March 16, 2020: Another good entry of sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a steady trade.

Ewes with lambs sold to £262, springing ewes to £162, store lambs to £82 and pets to £47.

Ewes and lambs sold to: D Ward, Glenarm 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £262, local farmer, 2 Texel ewes and 4 lambs £188, Ian Millar, Ballyclare 1 crossbred ewe and 2 lambs £182, WJ McCullough, Broughshane 5 Suff ewes and 8 lambs £182, J Strange, Ballyclare 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £182, WJ McCullough 5 Texel ewes and 8 lambs £180, Robert Davidson, Gleno 3 Suffolk ewes and 5 lambs £178, Nigel McClure, Ballymoney 1 Charollais ewe and 2 lambs £175, D Hunter, Larne 1 Charollais ewe and 2 lambs £175, A McConnell, Ligoniel 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £175, J Strange 1 Charollais ewe and 2 lambs £172, 2 Charollais ewes and 4 lambs £172, D Hunter, 1 Charollais ewe and 2 lambs £170, Chris Caldwell, Portglenone 2 crossbred ewes and 4 lambs £170, WJ McCullough 1 crossbred ewe and 2 lambs £168 and P McKeown, Martinstown 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £168.

In lamb ewes sold to: Peter Boyd, Ballyclare 4 crossbred in lamb ewes £162, Robert Armstrong, Lisburn 9 Mule ewes £142, 6 Suffolk £140, Robert Armstrong 9 Mule £138, Peter Boyd 7 crossbred £127, JAB Alexander, Glarryford 6 Texel £118, Sam Stuart, Magheramourne 10 Mule £115, H McGill, Aghadowey 4 Suffolk £114 and JAB Alexander 7 Texel £112.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020: An entry of 220 store cattle in Ballymena resulted n a steady trade.

Bullocks sold to £585 over for a Limousin 550kg at £1135 presented by Paul Whyte, Maghera.

Heifers sold to £535 over for a Limousin 510kg at £1045 offered by JW Harbinson, Limavady.

Heifers 0-500kgs

Thompson White, Maghera Limousin 370kg £865 (233), Limousin 390kg £890 (228), Paul Whyte, Maghera Limousin 410kg £930 (226), Thompson White Limousin 400kg £890 (222), JW Harbinson, Limavady Limousin 440kg £955 (217), J Gault, Ballyclare Limousin 420kg £910 (216), S Taylor, Ligoniel Simmental 460kg £990 (215), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 440kg £945 (214), Robert McNinch, Larne Limousin 390kg £835 (214), L Park, Ballynure Limousin 430kg £885 (205), J Alcorn, Glengormley Limousin 380kg £780 (205), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 460kg £940 (204), S Taylor Simmental 490kg £1000 (204), David Thompson, Ahoghill Simmental 440kg £890 (202), JW Harbinson, Limavady Limousin 470kg £945 (201) and S Taylor Charolais 490kg £980 (200).

501kg and over

JW Harbinson, Limavady Limousin 510kg £1045 (204), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 520kg £960 (184), David Thompson, Ahoghill Simmental 520kg £960 (184), J Gault, Ballyclare Limousin 540kg £995 (184), TA Fenton, Rasharkin Charolais 520kg £950 (182), R and S McMullan, Broughshane Belgian Blue 540kg £965 (178), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 540kg £950 (177), S Taylor, Ligoniel Charolais 540kg £945 (175), R and S McMullan, Aberdeen Angus 540kg £935 (173), JW Harbinson Limousin 520kg £900 (173), A Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 560kg £960 (171) and R and S McMullan Limousin 510kg £870 (170).

Bulls/bullocks 0-500kgs

Andrew Russell, Templepatrick Charolais 360kg £825 (229), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 440kg £965 (219), Francis Keating, Portaferry Charolais 480kg £1050 (218), L Park, Ballynure Limousin 380kg £830 (218), RE Tomkins, Toomebridge Aberdeen Angus 390kg £850 (218), David Thompson, Ahoghill Simmental 310kg £675 (217), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 460kg £995 (216), J Wilson, Ballynure Charolais 310kg £670 (216), Andrew Russell, Templepatrick Limousin 380kg £820 (215), C Tinsdale, Carnlough Charolais 440kg £940 (213), Robert McNinch, Larne Limousin 360kg £765 (212), L Park, Ballynure Hereford 490kg £1035 (211), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 450kg £950 (211), Robert McNinch, Larne Limousin 490kg £1030 (210), Andrew Russell Limousin 400kg £840 (210) and Robert McNinch Limousin 460kg £965 (209).

501kg and over

Paul Whyte, Maghera Limousin 550kg £1135 (206), Martin McGarry, Broughshane Limousin 530kg £1090 (205), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 510kg £1040 (203), Martin McGarry Limousin 520kg £1060 (203), Limousin 510kg £1030 (202), Leo McFall, Ahoghill Limousin 510kg £1020 (200), Charolais 580kg £1155 (199), Robert McNinch, Larne Limousin 540kg £1070 (198), Limousin 530kg £1050 (198), Limousin 550kg £1080 (196), Francis Keating, Portaferry Charolais 520kg £1020 (196), H G Kennedy, Cullybackey Limousin 540kg £1050 (194), C Tinsdale, Carnlough Limousin 540kg £1050 (194), Limousin 520kg £1010 (1940 and Andrew McConnell, Ballyclare Hereford 540kg £1025 (189), Hereford 530kg £1005 (189).

Wednesday, March 18, 2020: An entry of 2509 sheep in Ballymena resulted in an improved trade.

Fat hoggets sold to 485p for a pen of 6 21kg at £102 presented by John Clarke, Ballymena and to a top per head of £128.50 for a pen of heavy hoggets from William Young, Desertmartin.

Fat ewes sold to £193.

Fat hoggets (2007)

(Top prices per kg)

John Clarke, Gracehill 6 Dorset 21kg £102 (485), JR Loughery, Limavady 11 Blackface 23kg £110 (478), I Frew, Cullybackey 10 Dorset 21kg £100 (476), John Clarke, 3 Texel 19kg £90 (473), WJ Hanna, Ballyclare 12 Rouge 24kg £111 (462), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 10 Suffolk 23kg £106 (460), local farmer 12 Texel 23kg £106 (460), 6 Texel 23kg £106 (460), Ivan Degnan, Raloo 3 Texel 24kg £110.50 (460), K Lavery, Randalstown 2 Dorset 22kg £100 (454), Brian Lyttle, Moorfields 15 Texel 21kg £95 (452), Donal McKay, Martinstown 6 Dorset 21.5kg £97 (451), James Scroggie, Armagh 13 Texel 21.5kg £97 (451), Trevor Davidson, Glenwherry 10 Texel 26kg £117 (450), RE McDowell, Bangor 23 Texel 22.5kg £101 (448), HV McCambridge, Carnlough 7 Suffolk 25kg £112 (448), JJ McAlister, Cushnendun 16 Blackface 23kg £103 (447), A Graham, Carnlough 2 Dorset 25.5kg £113.50 (445), J McFetridge, Glenarm 7 Dorset 23.5kg £104 (442), S Moore, Ballyclare 29 Texel 22kg £97 (440), F Connon, Ballymena 24 Texel 20kg £88 (440), AJ Graham, Glenwherry 2 Dorset 25kg £110 (440) and B Gribben, Dunloy 20 Texel 25kg £110 (440).

Top prices per head: William Young, Desertmartin 2 Rouge 32kg £128.50, R Thompson, Glenarm 1 Suffolk 39kg £124, M Warnock, Limavady 2 Texel 34kg £124, J Barkley, Kells 1 Texel 34kg £124, G Simms, Gleno 12 Texel 31.5kg £120.50, Millar McClelland, Doagh 2 Texel 31kg £120, PJ Kane, Ballycastle 4 Texel 30kg £120, WJ and A McCullough, Broughshane 1 Texel 35kg £119.50, J McCalmont, Glenarm 1 Blackface 38kg £119, Trevor Davidson, Glenwherry 10 Texel 26kg £117, Norman McAuley, Tildarg 1 Suffolk 27kg £117, A Smyth, Ballymoney 9 Charollais 27.5kg £116.50, A and M and V Armstrong, Straid 20 Texel 27.5kg £115.50, Trevor Wray, Ballymena 1 Blackface 29kg £115, JM Hanna, Ballymoney 4 Texel 29.5kg £115, Derek Taggart, Randalstown 24 Suffolk 33kg £114.50, R and J Wylie, Clough 11 Charollais 30.5kg £114, Mrs S White, Cloughmills 25 Suffolk 27kg £114, A Graham, Carnlough 2 Dorset 25.5kg £113.50, A Coulter, Doagh 10 crossbred 29.5kg £113, Robert Orr, Cloughmills 1 Texel 31kg £113, William Smyth, Limavady 4 Texel 28.5kg £113, Norman McBurney, Moorfields 23 Charollais 26.5kg £112.50 and HV McCambridge, Carnlough 7 Suffolk 25kg £112.

Fat ewes (502)

First quality

Texel - £130-£188

Suffolk - £130-£193

Crossbred - £80-£130

Blackface - £50-£80