Dairy cows selling to £2400 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 192p for a Limousin 790kg at £1516, Friesian cows to 149p for 800kg at £1192, beef heifers to 244p for 750kg at £1830, beef bullocks to 242p for 690kg at £1669, top per head of £1856 and Friesian bullocks to 178p for 560kg at £996.

Beef cows sold to: Mrs D Kennedy, Larne Limousin 790kg £1516 (192), JE and HJG Kelly, Templepatrick Limousin 730kg £1299 (178), I Wallace, Rasharkin Simmental 810kg £1425 (176), I McIlveen, Kells Limousin 740kg £1295 (175), Hugh Stewart, Ballyclare Limousin 520kg £910 (175), JE and HJG Kelly Simmental 570kg £991 (174), WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry Limousin 770kg £1324 (172), Jeffrey Alexander, Brougshane Simmental 700kg £1197 (171), S and J Moore, Ballymoney Stabiliser 770kg £1301 (169), JR and JT Sheridan, Enniskillen BB 560kg £940 (168), G and A O’Loan, Martinstown Limousin 630kg £1033 (164) and D and F Kinney, Cushendall Limousin 880kg £1434 (163).

Friesian cows sold to: B Alexander, Ahoghill 800kg £1192 (149), Mrs M Wilkin, Islandmagee 690kg £986 (143), J and J Huey, Armoy 590kg £826 (140), local farmer 760kg £1048 (138), Ian Millar, Ballymena 820kg £1131 (138), B Alexander 720kg £986 (137), Ian Millar, Ballymena 650kg £890 (137), Alastair McBurney, Cloughmills 650kg £884 (136), J and J Huey, Armoy 770kg £1047 (136), Alastair McBurney 670kg £897 (134) and Mrs M Wilkin, Islandmagee 690kg £924 (134), 650kg £871 (134).

Beef heifers sold to: Alastair Ferguson, Cookstown Charolais 750kg £1830 (244), 710kg £1682 (237), WJ Wray, Dungiven Charolais 520kg £1216 (234), Limousin 580kg £1345 (232), R Cochrane, Ballymoney Blonde d’Aquitaine 680kg £1570 (231), C Windrum, Ballygowan Limousin 750kg £1725 (230), WJ Wray Charolais 560kg £1282 (229), Charolais 660kg £1511 (229), Charolais 620kg £1419 (229), Charolais 660kg £1504 (228), C Windrum Limousin 810kg £1846 (228) and WJ Wray Charolais 680kg £1543 (227).

Beef bullocks sold to: Alastair Ferguson, Cookstown Charolais 690kg £1669 (242), RJ Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 700kg £1673 (239), John McCabe, Nutts Corner Charolais 600kg £1428 (238), Charolais 650kg £1547 (238), L McIvor, Cookstown Limousin 670kg £1587 (237), N Kelly, Portglenone Aberdeen Angus 660kg £1557 (236), RJ Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 770kg £1809 (235), I Wallace, Rasharkin Limousin 620kg £1457 (235), I McMullan, Carnlough Limousin 620kg £1450 (234), McAuley Brothers, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus 640kg £1472 (230), I Gilliland, Ballymena Limousin 680kg £1557 (229), D Gilliland, Ballymena Limousin 610kg £1396 (229), Norman McBurney, Moorfields Charolais 740kg £1694 (229) and C Windrum, Comber Charolais 800kg £1832 (229).

Beef bullocks (top per head): C Windrum, Comber Charolais 840kg £1856, Charolais 860kg £1849, Tom McKinstry, Ballyclare Charolais 830kg £1834, C Windrum Charolais 800kg £1832, Nigel McCue, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus 910kg £1829, C Windrum Charolais 850kg £1819, RJ Arrell, Randalstown Limousin 770kg £1809, C Windrum Limousin 790kg £1801, J Mills, Ballynure Charolais 810kg £1782, C Windrum Charolais 800kg £1776, Charolais 790kg £1769 and J Mills Saler 850kg £1768.

Friesian bullocks sold to: E Kelly, Randalstown 560kg £996 (178), Terence Duffin, Toomebridge 740kg £1309 (177), G McMillan, Castledawson 560kg £980 (175), David Strahan, Brougshane 770kg £1347 (175), Sam McNabney, Clough 640kg £1094 (171), D and S Kennedy, Brougshane 680kg £1162 (171), RJ Gage, Clough 540kg £907 (168), George McMillan, 540kg £907 (168), 610kg £1024 (168), D and S Kennedy, Brougshane 690kg £1152 (167), 770kg £1270 (165) and local farmer 530kg £848 (160).

Friday, March 5, 2021: Another good entry of 45 dairy cows sold to £2400, leading prices: WG Johnston, Ligoniel £2400, £2380, DS Dickey, Randalstown £2240, John Beckett, Donacloney £1970, NG Chambers, Moneyrea £1910, John Stewart, Portaferry £1900, £1890, NG Chambers, £1870, W Black, Aghadowey £1860, W Patterson, Ballyclare £1850, £1780, John Stewart £1770, DS Dickey, Randalstown £1770, James Maybin, Broughshane £1760, E Buchanan, Castlederg £1750, NG Chambers, Moneyrea £1700, W Black £1700, W Patterson (2) £1660, E Buchanan £1650, Barry McStravick, Gawleys Gate £1640, E Buchanan £1640 and JS and CS Hamilton, Greyabbey £1630, £1620.

An entry of 25 sucklers sold to £1410, leading prices as follows: R Pollock, Glenavy Limousin in calf heifer £1410, P McKavanagh, Crumlin Blonde d’Aquitaine in calf heifer £1370, Adrian Marks, Portglenone Limousin in calf heifer £1360, WJ McClintock, Broughshane (2) Belted Galloway in calf heifer £1250, R Pollock, Glenavy Limousin in calf heifer £1250, E Gillan, Deerfin Belted Galloway in calf heifer £1210, J Maxwell, Upperlands Sin heifer and bull calf £1100, E Gillan, Deerfin Belted Galloway in calf heifer £1060, Con Williamson, Glenavy Limousin in calf heifer £1060, Wm Rea, Crumlin Aberdeen Angus in calf heifer £1010 BS P McKavanagh Limousin in calf heifer £1000.

An entry of 350 calves in Ballymena resulted in a super trade.

Bull calves sold to £585, heifers to £500, Friesian heifers to £640 and Friesian bulls to £330.

Beef bred bull calves sold to: Robin Bingham, Nutts Corner (2) Aberdeen Angus £585, Aberdeen Angus £560, (3) Aberdeen Angus £540, Brian Paisley, Ballynure Belted Galloway £535, Alastair McBurney, Clough Belted Galloway £530, Joseph Adams, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus £525, Robin Bingham, Nutts Corner Aberdeen Angus £515, Alastair McBurney Belted Galloway £510, RJ White, Liscolman Aberdeen Angus £495, Brian Paisley Belted Galloway £490, George Hunter, Armoy Belted Galloway £485, H Millar, Antrim Belted Galloway £475, RA Hill, Islandmagee Belted Galloway £470, Alastair McBurney, Belted Galloway £470, Sean McAllister, Ballycastle Belted Galloway £455, Joseph Adams Aberdeen Angus £455, Ian Millar, Ballymena, (2) Aberdeen Angus £455, RJ White, Liscolan Aberdeen Angus £450, James Adair Belted Galloway £450 and MJ McRoberts, Ballinderry Hereford £445.

Heifers sold to: Joseph Adams, Ballymena Belted Galloway £500, H Millar, Antrim Belted Galloway £455, James Adair, Kells Belted Galloway £450, ES Hall, Ballyclare Belted Galloway £445, H Millar, Belted Galloway £440, James Adair Belted Galloway £440, George Hunter, Armoy Belted Galloway £415, Belted Galloway £410, H Millar Aberdeen Angus £395, Alan McNair, Ballyclare (3) Aberdeen Angus £395, Alastair McBurney, Clough Belted Galloway £385, D Montgomery, Glenwherry Belted Galloway £385, MT Boyd, Kilwaughter Belted Galloway £380, AC Hunter, Raloo (2) Limousin £375, George Hunter, Armoy Belted Galloway £375, D Montgomery, Glenwherry Limousin £375, Ian Millar, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus £375, AC Hunter (4) Limousin £365 and A Porter, Lisburn Belted Galloway £365.

Friesian heifer calves sold to: KM and TS and HP Heenan and Wallace, Seaforde £640, (2) £620, (3) £610, (2) £600, £590, £550, £540, £520.

Friesian bull calves sold to: G Devlin, Randalstown £330, £310, Joseph Adams, Ballymena £300, G Devlin £295, £285, Alan Presho, Comber £280, Ian Millar, Ballymena (2) £280, G Devlin £275, (2) £275, Joseph Adams, Ballymena (2) £275, Ian Millar £275, G Devlin £270, Alan McNair, Ballyclare £270, Roger Lyttle, Larne (2) £265, G Devliin £260, Frank McAuley, Toomebridge (4) £260 and Alex Magee, Larne £260.

An entry of 400 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a terrific trade.

Bull calves sold to £710 over for a Charolais 340kg at £1050 presented by A Millar, Antrim.

Heifers sold to £850 over for a Limousin 430kg at £1280 offered by G Monan, Portaferry.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

David Robinson, Crumlin Limousin 250kg £830 (332), Edward Sherrard, Ballyutoag Charolais 260kg £845 (325), Limousin 210kg £675 (321), A McGarry, Kells Limousin 230kg £725 (315), T and D McCallion, Portglenone Limousin 280kg £880 (314), local farmer (2) Limousin 270kg £840 (311), D Thompson, Bushmills Limousin 260kg £800 (307), Colin Harper, Crumlin Charolais 240kg £735 (306), James Rainey, Crumlin (3) Limousin 300kg £915 (305), F and R Auld, Newtownabbey Limousin 240kg £730 (304), T and D McCallion, Limousin 260kg £790 (303), Limousin 270kg £820 (303) and J Beggs, Carrickfergus Limousin 200kg £600 (300).

301-350kgs

AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 340kg £1050 (308), Charolais 330kg £985 (298), Charolais 320kg £950 (296), T and D McCallion, Portglenone Limousin 310kg £910 (293), D Thompson, Bushmills Limousin 340kg £990 (291), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Charolais 320kg £930 (290), James Rainey, Crumlin (2) Limousin 310kg £890 (287), RJ McNeill, Glenarm Charolais 310kg £890 (287), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Charolais 350kg £995 (284), N and S Wilson, Rathkenny (2) Charolais 310kg £880 (283), TJ McLornan, Charolais 330kg £930 (281), AS Millar Charolais 340kg £955 (280), RJ McNeill, Glenarm Charolais 310kg £870 (280) and S McAllister, Glenarm Charolais 310kg £870 (280).

351kg and over

AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 360kg £1050 (291), David Robinson, Crumlin Limousin 370kg £1050 (283), AS Millar Charolais 360kg £1010 (280), David Boyd, Knockagh Charolais 400kg £1120 (280), Charolais 390kg £1090 (279), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Charolais 360kg £1000 (277), AS Millar Charolais 400kg £1100 (275), TJ McLornan Charolais 360kg £990 (275), AS Millar Charolais 390kg £1070 (274), WJ Shaw, Cloughmills Limousin 360kg £980 (272), WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry (3) Limousin 360kg £980 (272), David Boyd, Knockagh Charolais 390kg £1060 (271), Charolais 380kg £1030 (271) and AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 380kg £1030 (271).

Heifers 0-300kgs

Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Limousin 270kg £955 (353), local farmer Limousin 220kg £750 (340), T and D McCallion, Portglenone Limousin 220kg £740 (336), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Belted Galloway 270kg £855 (316), (2) Limousin 240kg £745 (310), local farmer Limousin 280kg £860 (307), local farmer Limousin 300kg £920 (306), Robin Nicolson Limousin 250kg £760 (304), G and J Sharpe, Cushendall Blonde d’Aquitaine 210kg £625 (297), J McMordie, Moorfields Charolais 230kg £675 (293), D Smyth, Stranocum Limousin 290kg £850 (293), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Belted Galloway 300kg £870 (290), J McMordie, Moorfields Charolais 190kg £550 (289), Raymond Jordan Limousin 280kg £810 (289) and local farmer Limousin 270kg £780 (288).

301-350kg

T and D McCallion, Portglenone Limousin 320kg £940 (293), local farmer Limousin 350kg £990 (282), Thomas Finlay, Larne Charolais 320kg £900 (281), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 340kg £950 (279), David Boyd, Knockagh Charolais 330kg £910 (275), AJ Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 330kg £910 (275), John Beggs, Limousin 310kg £840 (271), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Charolais 340kg £900 (264), David Boyd Charolais 340kg £900 (264), S Scullion, Glenarm Charolais 340kg £890 (261), David Robinson, Crumlin Charolais 340kg £885 (260), AJ Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 320kg £830 (259), David Boyd, Knockagh Charolais 320kg £820 (256), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Belted Galloway 340kg £870 (255), I Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 350kg £885 (252) and R Millar, Gleno Charolais 350kg £880 (251).

351kg and over

G Monan, Portaferry Limousin 430kg £1280 (297), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 370kg £1070 (289), G Monan Limousin 380kg £1040 (273), David Boyd, Knockagh Charolais 360kg £970 (269), Charolais 360kg £955 (265), Charolais 400kg £1060 (265), Charolais 370kg £975 (263), local farmer Limousin 360kg £915 (254), David Boyd Charolais 390kg £985 (252), local farmer Limousin 360kg £900 (250), David Robinson Charolais 370kg £925 (250), RJ McNeill, Glenarm Charolais 360kg £890 (247), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Charolais 400kg £980 (245), John Beggs, Limousin 360kg £880 (244), Thomas Finlay, Larne Charolais 440kg £1050 (238) and S Scullion, Glenarm Charolais 380kg £905 (238).

Monday, March 8, 2021: A good show of sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a super trade.

Ewes and lambs sold to £295, in lamb ewes to £530 for a single ewe and £280 for a pen of ewes and pet lambs to £78.

Ewes and lambs sold to: Stewart McIlwaine, Glenwherry 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £295, S Wilson, Ballynure 1 Dorset ewe and 2 lambs £270, Stewart McIlwaine 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £260, John Magee, Kilwaughter 3 Mule ewes and 6 lambs £250, S Wilson, Ballynure 2 Suffolk ewes and 4 lambs £245, 3 Suffolk ewes and 4 lambs £244, Stewart McIlwaine 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £240, N McClure, Ballymoney 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £230, R Moore, Portstewart, 4 Texel ewes and 7 lambs £225, Wm Rea, Crumlin 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £215, S Wilson, 5 Suffolk ewes and 10 lambs £212, D Ward, Glenarm 1 Mil ewe and 2 lambs £210 and K McIlwaine, Glenwherry 5 Texel ewes and 8 lambs £192.

In lamb ewes sold to: Sean McCrystal, Maghera Blackface in lamb £530, 6 Blackface in lamb £280, 5 Blackface in lamb £270, 2 Blackface in lamb £230, local farmer 9 Suffolk in lamb £220, Sean McCrystal 14 Blackface in lamb £220, W Knowles, Cloughmills 6 Texel in lamb £192, Sean McCrystal 12 Blackface in lamb £192, N McClure, Ballymoney 2 Sx in lamb £185, Sean McCrystal 14 Blackface in lamb £185, N McClure 1 Texel in lamb £175, 10 Sx in lamb £170, Sean McCrystal 11 Blackface £170, G and I Davidson, Raloo 4 Crossbred in lamb £168, Sean McCrystal 14 Blackface £165 and N McClure, Ballymoney 10 Sx £160.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021: 140 store cattle presented on Tuesday in Ballymena resulted in a tremendous trade.

Bullocks sold to £750 over for a Limousin 610kg at £1360 offered by McMullan Brothers, Downpatrick.

Heifers sold to £780 over for a Limousin 510kg at £1290 presented by C Kerr, Newtownabbey.

Heifers 0-500kgs

C Kerr, Newtownabbey Limousin 490kg £1250 (255), local farmer Charolais 470kg £1190 (253), Charolais 500kg £1230 (246), S Rea, Glenarm Limousin 450kg £1100 (244), Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Limousin 490kg £1150 (234), Mrs M Marshall, Clough Charolais 470kg £1100 (234), Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Limousin 500kg £1170 (234), N Boyd, Brougshane Limousin 500kg £1120 (224), Mrs M Marshall, Charolais 460kg £995 (216), Charolais 410kg £885 (215), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 450kg £970 (215), Mrs M Marshall Charolais 390kg £835 (214), Limousin 400kg £850 (212), Charolais 440kg £930 (211), WT McGookin, Larne Charolais 450kg £950 (211) and J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 450kg £950 (211).

501kg and over

C Kerr, Newtownabbey Limousin 510kg £1290 (252), local farmer Charolais 510kg £1160 (227), S Rea, Ballymena Limousin 560kg £1185 (211), Limousin 540kg £1140 (211), N Boyd, Broughshane Limousin 590kg £1240 (210), RJ and G McCullough, Ballyclare BB 520kg £1085 (208), Mrs M Marshall, Clough Charolais 510kg £1035 (202), local farmer Simmental 540kg £1095 (202), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus 520kg £1050 (201), S Rea, Glenarm Limousin 530kg £1055 (199), S Knox, Broughshane Belted Galloway 530kg £1050 (198), RJ and J McCullough Saler 540kg £1050 (194), David McCabe, Muckamore Hereford 570kg £1105 (193), local farmer Simmental 590kg £1140 (193), David McCabe, Muckamore Hereford 530kg £1020 (192) and B and J McCoy, Toomebridge Simmental 530kg £1000 (188).

Bullocks 0-500kgs

WD Marshall, Clough Limousin 370kg £960 (259), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 390kg £1000 (256), D and S Fulton, Randalstown Hereford 380kg £950 (250), RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Charolais 460kg £1110 (241), Leo McFall, Ahoghill Limousin 500kg £1170 (234), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 420kg £975 (232), Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter (2) Limousin 470kg £1090 (231), D and S Fulton, Randalstown Hereford 450kg £1040 (231), RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Spk 470kg £1080 (229), Mrs J Hutchinson Hereford 420kg £960 (228), RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Charolais 450kg £1020 (226), RJ Graham, Glenariffe Limousin 490kg £1110 (226), RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Spk 420kg £950 (226), Charolais 470kg £1060 (225) and J and R McKeown, Aughfatten Simmental 490kg £1100 (224).

501kg and over

Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Limousin 510kg £1230 (241), Limousin 510kg £1210 (237), C Kerr, Newtownabbey Limousin 520kg £1220 (234), Leo McFall, Ahoghill Charolais 510kg £1190 (233), McMullan Brothers, Downpatrick Limousin 560kg £1265 (225), Limousin 550kg £1240 (225), Limousin 610kg £1360 (223), local farmer Aberdeen Angus 560kg £1245 (222), McMullan Brothers Limousin 540kg £1200 (222), Limousin 530kg £1170 (220), Leo McFall, Charolais 540kg £1190 (220), S Wilson, Ballynure Limousin 600kg £1320 (220), McMullan Brothers Limousin 560kg £1220 (217), Limousin 570kg £1240 (217), RJ McCullough Simmental 530kg £1140 (215) and McMullan Brothers Limousin 530kg £1140 (215).

Wednesday, March 10, 2021: An entry of 1699 sheep in Ballymena on Wednesday resulted in a sharper trade again.

Fat lambs sold to 645p for 5 Charollais 22kg at £142 presented by A Smyth, Moorfields and to a top per head of £151 for 4 Texels offered by ES Hall, Ballyclare.

Fat ewes sold to £182.

Fat hoggets (1451)

Top per kg: A Smyth, Moorfields 5 Charollais 22kg £142 (645), E Steele, Portglenone 18 Texel 21kg £135 (642), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 7 Texel 22.5kg £140 (622), Darren Johnston, Glenarm 2 Texel 23.5kg £146 (621), D Gregg, Clough 6 Dorset 22kg £136 (618), Brendan Ward, Glenarm 4 Dorset 23.5kg £145 (617), James A McQuiston, Ballymoney 6 Texel 23kg £141 (613), David Sleator, Dromore 20 Crossbred 22.5kg £137 (608), E Steele, Portglenone 21 Blackface 21.5kg £130 (604), J McFetridge, Glenarm 9 Dorset 21.5kg £130 (604), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown 10 Texel 24.5kg £146.50 (598), I Frew, Cullybackey 4 Dorset 23.5kg £140 (595), David Boyd, Knockagh 55 BF23kg £137 (595), local farmer 30 Texel 22.5kg £134 (595), L Weatherup, Ballyclare 24 Texel 23.5kg £139 (591), Hugh McMullan, Glenarm 1 Texel 22.5kg £133 (591), S Adams, Broughshane 9 Blackface 21kg £124 (590), Sharon White, Cloughmills 25 Texel 21kg £124 (590), Earls Abbey, Ballyearl 4 Texel 20kg £118 (590), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 19 Blackface 23kg £135 (587), Jonathan Fenton, Glarryford 15 Texel 18.5kg £108 (583), K McAuley, Brougshane 10 Cv 24kg £140 (583), A Bell, Nutts Corner 18 Texel 23.5kg £137 (583) and David Sleator, Dromore 21 Blackface 22kg £128 (581).

Top per head

ES Hall, Ballyclare 4 Texel 33kg £151, Al Gault, Newtownabbey 3 Texel 28kg £148, A and M and V Armstrong, Straid 19 Texel 27kg £147, Robin Nicholson, Monkstown 10 Texel 24.5kg £146.50, P and P Scott, Templepatrick 11 Texel 28kg £146, SJ Glenn, Ballycastle 18 Texel 30.5kg £146, Darren Johnston, Glenarm 2 Texel 23.5kg £146, RT Morrrow, Gleno 1 Suffolk 40kg £146, HV McCambridge, Carnlough 52 Suffolk 27kg £145.50, 27 Suffolk 30kg £145.50, G Warwick, Moorfields 1 Zwartble 25kg £145, Brendan Ward, Glenarm 4 Dorset 23.5kg £145, ES Hall, Ballyclare 10 Texel 27.5kg £145, AJ Wilson, Ballymena 11 Texel 27kg £145, James Steele, Ballyclare 1 Suffolk 27.5kg £145, Sam McNabney, Clough 2 Texel 28.5kg £145, RT Morrow, Gleno 5 Suffolk 29kg £145, Dr L McClinton, Glenarm 1 Texel 30kg £145, 3 Suffolk 29kg £145, Robin Nicholson, Monkstown 43 Texel 27kg £145, D Thompson, Randalstown 14 Crossbred 30kg £145, Rodney McCann, Ballynure 106 Texel 26kg £145, Glenview Farms, Cushendun 11 Suffolk 27kg £144.50 and Brendan Ward, Glenarm 4 Zwartble 25.5kg £144.

Fat ewes (248)

First quality

Suffolk - £100-£143

Texel - £100-£182

Crossbred - £80-£110

Blackface - £45-£70