Dairy cows selling to £2450 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 214p for a Limousin 640kg at £1369, Friesian cows to 143p for 720kg at £1029, beef heifers to 245p for 680kg at £1666, beef bullocks to 239p for 650kg at £1553 and to a top per head of £1822 for 840kg.

Friesian bullocks to 187p for 640kg at £1196.

Beef cows sold to: Matthews Brothers, Glenarm Limousin 640kg £1369 (214), RJ Arrell, Randalstown Belgian Blue 760kg £1520 (200), T Paul, Dunloy Belgian Blue 710kg £1398 (197), E and E Nelson, Ballycarry Limousin 660kg £1293 (196), local farmer Belgian Blue 690kg £1345 (195), Neil Martin, Dromara Limousin 610kg £1189 (195), local farmer Limousin 880kg £1689 (192), David Parsons, Enniskillen Limousin 630kg £1190 (189), E and E Nelson Limousin 730kg £1365 (187), David Andrew, Templepatrick Limousin 710kg £1292 (182) and Norman McBurney, Moorfields Limousin 640kg £1158 (181), Charolais 660kg £1188 (180).

Friesian cows sold to: G Rowney, Ballynure 470kg £705 (150), Rosedermott farm, Cloughmills 720kg £1029 (143), Howard McNabney, Clough 540kg £745 (138), Roger Lyttle, Larne 730kg £985 (135), 820kg £1090 (133), B Alexander, Ahoghill 770kg £1016 (132), H Carson, Dundrod 590kg £767 (130), RJ Gage, Clough 580kg £754 (130), G Rowney, Ballynure 640kg £825 (129), I Boyce, Garvagh 880kg £14135 (129), S Booth, Ballymoney 670kg £857 (128), R Baird, Carrickfergus 690kg £869 (126) and James Chestnutt, Portrush 750kg £945 (126).

Beef heifers sold to: Francis Cassidy, Kilrea Charolais 680kg £1666 (245), Charolais 650kg £1540 (237), Charolais 690kg £1621 (235), RB and JH Kennedy, Dundrod Charolais 640kg £1497 (234), Francis Cassidy Charolais 690kg £1614 (234), John McIlrath, Ballymena Charolais 670kg £1554 (232), N Hamill, Aughafatten Limousin 500kg £1150 (230), John McIlrath Charolais 650kg £1475 (227), LM O’Neill, Ardboe Charolais 690kg £1566 (227), Charolais 710kg £1611 (227), John McIlrath Charolais 680kg £1536 (226), A Dale, Ballymena Charolais 600kg £1356 (226) and N Hamill, Aughafatten Limousin 510kg £1152 (226).

Beef bullocks sold to: R McClean, Swatragh Limousin 650kg £1553 (239), Blackburn Brothers, Fintona Charolais 630kg £1499 (238), W Irwin, Limavady Limousin 680kg £1604 (236), I McMullan, Carnlough Limousin 730kg £1722 (236), W Irwin Limousin 700kg £1645 (235), JC Prentice, Comber Limousin 710kg £1668 (235), Derek Campton, Cookstown Limousin 700kg £1645 (235), R Canning, Limavady Limousin 640kg £1504 (235), I McMullan Blonde 660kg £1544 (234), A Dobbs, Carrickfergus Aberdeen Angus 640kg £1484 (232), Derek Campton Limousin 660kg £1524 (231) and EJ McErlean, Portglenone Limousin 510kg £1173 (230).

Beef bullocks (top per head): S Kelly, Kells Limousin 840kg £1822, William Kee, Strabane Charolais 830kg £1817, RB and JH Kennedy, Dundrod Charolais 780kg £1786, I McMullan, Carnlough Limousin 730kg £1722, W Morton, Armagh Simmental 760kg £1717, William Kee Charolais 780kg £1716, Charolais 780kg £1700, Robert Linton, Ahoghill Charolais 810kg £1668, JC Prentice, Comber Limousin 710kg £1668, W Morton, Armagh Charolais 740kg £1657, Charolais 750kg £1650, G and A McMaster, Broughshane Charolais 730kg £1649 and W Irwin, Limavady Limousin 700kg £1645.

Friesian bullocks sold to: Local farmer 640kg £1196 (187), A Speers, Cullybackey 690kg £1283 (186), I Dale, Ballymena 680kg £1258 (185), R and M and J Duffin, Cargan 650kg £1189 (183), Rosedermott farm, Cloughmills 630kg £1152 (183), Robert Hood, Broughshane 670kg £1226 (183), local farmer 700kg £1267 (181), M Jamison, Larne 660kg £1194 (181), J Hutchinson, Ballyclare 570kg £1026 (180), 590kg £1050 (178), local farmer 730kg £1292 (177), Robert Hood 620kg £1078 (174), A Speers, Cullybackey 640kg £1113 (174), S Wilson, Ballymena 590kg £1026 (174) and M Jamison, 630kg £1096 (174).

Friday, February 19, 2021: A good entry of 40 dairy cows sold to £2450, leading prices as follows: WG Johnston, Ligoniel £2450, N McCorry, Aghalee £2360, WG Johnston £2320, John Beckett, Donacloney £2120, NG Chambers, Moneyrea £2110, John Beckett, Donacloney £2000, Robert McCluggage, Larne £1870, D Maybin, Broughshane £1860, RH and HA Shanks, Dunadry £1860, D Maybin, Broughshane £1850, NG Chambers, Moneyrea £1800, David Wallace, Antrim £1720, John Beckett £1720, RH and HA Shanks, Dunadry £1690, NG Chambers £1660 and P Tinsley, Dromore £1650.

A small sale of sucklers sold to £1660, leading prices as follows: D McNeill, Loughgiel Simmental in calf heifer £1660, J Steele Jnr in calf heifer £1520, in calf heifer £1480, Simmental in calf heifer £1390, A Stewart, Limavady Speckled Park in calf heifer £1340, D McNeill, Loughgiel Limousin in calf heifer £1240, J McCarroll, Ballymena in calf heifer £1210, A Stewart, Loughgiel SHB in calf heifer £1180, S McAleese, Cullybackey Limousin in calf heifer £1180, D McNeill, Loughgiel Limousin in calf heifer £1160, Limousin in calf heifer £1120 and Warren Moffett, Broughshane Simmental cow and bull calf £1110.

An entry of 274 dropped calves in Ballymena resulted in a super trade.

Bull calves sold to £590, heifer calves to £510, Friesian bulls to £340.

Beed bred bull calves sold to: Leslie Wilson, Doagh (2) Belgian Blue £590, £570, Trevor Andrews, Larne Here £540, B Alexander, Ahoghill Belgian Blue £500, Leslie Wilson Belgian Blue £500, W Witherow, Coleraine Belgian Blue £490, David McClurkin, Ligoniel Limousin £455, J Ferguson, Straid Aberdeen Angus £450, RJT Fleming, Templepatrick Simmental £445, David McClurkin Aberdeen Angus £425, J Ferguson (2) Here £425, David McClurkin Belgian Blue £420, J Ferguson Here £420 and I Montgomery, Glenwherry Belgian Blue £420.

Heifer calves sold to: Leslie Wilson, Doagh Belgian Blue £510, B Alexander, Ahoghill Belgian Blue £470, James Adair, Kells Belgian Blue £460, B Alexander (2) Belgian Blue £450, James Adair Here £435, Irwin Gamble, Articlave Charolais £430, James Adair Belgian Blue £415, Belgian Blue £410, B Alexander Charolais £400, J Ferguson, Straid Aberdeen Angus £400, (3) Here £390, AR McFarlane, Holywood Belgian Blue £390 and Alan McNair, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus £390.

Friesian bull calves sold to: Robin Bingham, Nutts Corner (4) £340, (4) £320, Alan McNair, Ballyclare £280, William Hoey, Ballymena £270, W and Mrs HJ Nicholl, Ahoghill £250, William Hoey £240, A and W McIlwaine, Ballyclare (3) £240 and R Mulholland, Portglenone £230.

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

Bullocks sold to £710 over for a Limousin over for a Limousin 420kg at £1130 presented by Barry McLean, Armoy.

Heifers sold to £850 over for a Limousin 330kg at £1180 offered by Barry McLean.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

Alex Magee, Larne Charolais 230kg £795 (345), JR Beggs, Larne Charolais 290kg £965 (332), local farmer Limousin 280kg £910 (325), Charolais 280kg £890 (317), I Mawhinney, Antrim Charolais 260kg £820 (315), Alex Magee Limousin 240kg £735 (306), Eileen Magee, Kilwaughter Charolais 240kg £735 (306), I Mawhinney Charolais 260kg £780 (300), A Magee Snr, Kilwaughter (3) Limousin 210kg £625 (297), Kenneth Bell, Broughshane Charolais 300kg £880 (293), local farmer Limousin 290kg £850 (293), D Knox, Coleraine Saler 260kg £755 (290), Saler 280kg £800 (285) and S Quigg, Garvagh Charolais 250kg £700 (280).

301-350kgs

JR Beggs, Larne Charolais 310kg £940 (303), Charolais 320kg £940 (293), Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 310kg £900 (290), local farmer Blonde 330kg £950 (287), Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Charolais 310kg £890 (287), Neil McLoughlin Charolais 310kg £890 (287), Stephen Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 340kg £935 (275), Neil McLoughlin, Cushedun Charolais 340kg £925 (272), Stephen Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 350kg £940 (268), J Knox, Broughshane Limousin 350kg £935 (267), Mrs D Kennedy, Larne Limousin 330kg £880 (266), G Wells, Moira Charolais 310kg £820 (264), Kenneth Bell, Broughshane Limousin 320kg £845 (264), S Quigg, Garvagh Charolais 310kg £815 (262), S Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 350kg £920 (262) and G Wells, Moira Charolais 350kg £910 (260).

351kg and over

Kenneth Bell, Broughshane Charolais 360kg £1000 (277), M McDonald, Randalstown Limousin 380kg £1055 (277), Neil McLoughlin Charolais 380kg £1040 (273), John O’Kane, Cushendall Charolais 370kg £1010 (273), J Knox, Charolais 370kg £1010 (273), A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 370kg £1000 (270), Charolais 390kg £1050 (269), Burns McLean Limousin 420kg £1130 (269), Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 400kg £1075 (268), G Wells, Moira Charolais 370kg £990 (267), A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 390kg £1040 (266), J Knox, Broughshane Charolais 380kg £1010 (265), JR Beggs, Larne Charolais 410kg £1085 (264), Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Charolais 360kg £950 (263) and Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 400kg £1055 (263), Charolais 360kg £945 (262).

Heifers 0-300kgs

Local farmer Charolais 240kg £770 (320), Charolais 300kg £895 (298), T Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 290kg £865 (298), Charolais 300kg £890 (296), Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 280kg £830 (296), local farmer Limousin 280kg £820 (292), A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 270kg £790 (292), Neil McLoughlin Limousin 300kg £870 (290), A Stewart, Limavady SH 200kg £580 (290), local farmer Limousin 300kg £860 (286), Limousin 280kg £800 (285), B Hunter, Doagh Limousin 280kg £780 (278), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 300kg £820 (273), A Magee, Kilwaughter (2) Limousin 180kg £490 (272) and AS Millar Charolais 300kg £810 (270).

301-350kgs

Burns McLean, Armoy Limousin 330kg £1180 (357), Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 310kg £955 (308), A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 310kg £880 (283), T Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 320kg £895 (279), A Canning Dungiven Charolais 320kg £890 (278), JR Beggs, Larne Charolais 330kg £905 (274), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 330kg £895 (271), T Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 340kg £920 (270), Neil McLoughlin, Cushendun Charolais 310kg £835 (269), Burns McLean, Armoy Limousin 350kg £940 (268), T Butler, Limousin 340kg £900 (264), Neil McLoughlin Charolais 350kg £910 (260), Kenneth Bell, Broughshane Charolais 310kg £805 (259), T Butler Charolais 340kg £880 (258), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 310kg £800 (258) and Neil McLoughlin Charolais 350kg £895 (255).

351kg and over

A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 370kg £1000 (270), E Donnelly, Ballycastle Charolais 360kg £940 (261), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 370kg £960 (259), Burns McLean, Armoy Charolais 380kg £980 (257), Charolais 390kg £990 (253), Colm McErlain, Armoy Charolais 420kg £1060 (252), T Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 420kg £1055 (251), E Donnelly, Ballycastle Charolais 400kg £1000 (250), AS Millar Charolais 360kg £900 (250), A Canning, Dungiven Charolais 370kg £925 (250), J McKillop, Cushendall Charolais 390kg £965 (247), Burns McLean, Armoy Charolais 390kg £960 (246), Colm McErlain, Armoy Charolais 440kg £1080 (245), T Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 410kg £1000 (243), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 400kg £975 (243) and Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Aberdeen Angus 390kg £950 (243).

Monday, February 22, 2021: A bigger entry of sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a sharper trade.

Ewes and lambs sold to £285, springers to £225, foster ewes to £145 and pet lambs to £80.

Ewes and lambs sold to: A Montgomery, Glenarm 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £285, 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £255, E Clyde, Muckamore 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £255, 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £250, A Montgomery 1 Suffolk ewe and 2 lambs £245, W Robinson, Glenarm 4 Suffolk ewes and 8 lambs £245, local farmer 2 Texel ewes and 4 lambs £240, Charlotte Calvert, Crumlin 4 Charollais ewes and 7 lambs £220, A Montgomery 1 Dorset ewe and 1 lamb £205 and W Robinson, 3 Suffolk ewes and 5 lambs £198.

In lamb ewes sold to: WH Lowry, Comber 9 Charolais £225, 9 Mule £215, 10 Mule £190, J Connon, Limavady 10 Suffolk £190, 10 Mule £185, WH Lowry 9 Mule £182, 9 Mule £1850, J Connon, Limavady 10 Suffolk £180, F Connon, Limavady 11 Mule £174, RJ Bell, Kells 7 Charolais £170 and WH Lowry 9 Suffolk £165.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021: An entry of 200 store cattle in Ballymena resulted in a super trade. Bullocks sold to £770 over for a Simmental 610kg at £1380 presented by W Ferguson, Newtownabbey.

Heifers sold to £920 over for a Simmental 450kg at £1370 offered by Carrigeen Farms, Templepatrick.

Heifers 0-500kgs

Carrigeen Farms, Templepatrick Simmental 450kg £1370 (304), J Gault, Ballyclare Limousin 480kg £1160 (241), Carrigeen Farms Charolais 460kg £1095 (238), Mrs J Hutchinson, Ballyclare Charolais 400kg £950 (237), Carrigeen Farms Limousin 410kg £940 (229), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 410kg £940 (229), T Hamill, Broughshane Limousin 480kg £1100 (229), Limousin 450kg £1020 (226), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 400kg £900 (225), William Warwick, Templepatrick Limousin 440kg £985 (223), Carrigeen Farms Simmental 430kg £960 (223), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 460kg £1020 (221), D Hutchinson, Ballymena Limousin 460kg £1020 (221), J Hutchinson Charolais 430kg £950 (220), T Hamill, Broughshane Limousin 430kg £950 (229) and Carrigeen Farms Charolais 480kg £1055 (219).

501kg and over

J Gault, Ballyclare Limousin 510kg £1175 (230), Limousin 530kg £1220 (230), E Thompson, Portavogie Limousin 560kg £1235 (220), Jean Craig, Larne Aberdeen Angus 600kg £1280 (213), W Knowles, Cloughmills Limousin 530kg £1105 (208), E Thompson, Limousin 590kg £1225 (207), J Gault, Ballyclare Charolais 510kg £1055 (206), H Milliken, Newtownards Belgian Blue 510kg £1050 (205), W Knowles, Charolais 520kg £1060 (203), Carrigeen Farms, Templepatrick Simmental 560kg £1140 (203), E Thompson Aberdeen Angus 600kg £1200 (200), Mrs J Hutchinson Charolais 510kg £1000 (196), H Milliken, Newtownards Belgian Blue 540kg £1055 (195), E Thompson, Aberdeen Angus 640kg £1240 (193) and H Milliken, Belgian Blue 520kg £1000 (192), Belgian Blue 550kg £1045 (190).

Bullocks 0-500kgs

Local farmer Charolais 480kg £1190 (247), Limousin 500kg £1220 (244), Craig Donaldson, Portaferry (2) Belgian Blue 310kg £720 (232), W Ferguson, N’abbey Simmental 500kg £1140 (228), Craig Donaldson Belgian Blue 390kg £880 (225), S Rea, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus 480kg £1060 (220), William Warwick, Templepatrick Limousin 390kg £855 (219), Mrs S Russell, Templepatrick Limousin 500kg £1095 (219), N Hamill, Aughafatten (2) Aberdeen Angus 350kg £760 (217), Martin McGarry, Broughshane Simmental 470kg £1000 (212), H Milliken, Newtownards Belgian Blue 490kg £1035 (211) and Mark Millar, Randalstown (3) Aberdeen Angus 380kg £800 (210).

501kg and over

Matt Gingles, Kilwaughter Limousin 540kg £1270 (235), local farmer Belgian Blue 540kg £1250 (231), W Ferguson, Newtownabbey Charolais 510kg £1180 (231), Charolais 520kg £1190 (228), local farmer Charolais 570kg £1300 (228), Leo McFall, Broughshane Charolais 530kg £1205 (227), Martin McGarry, Broughshane Simmental 590kg £1340 (227), W Ferguson, Newtownabbey Simmental 610kg £1380 (226), Charolais 550kg £1230 (223), S Rea, Glenarm Limousin 550kg £1210 (220), Martin McGarry, Broughshane Simmental 630kg £1385 (219), local farmer Limousin 570kg £1250 (219), Carrigeen Farms Simmental 570kg £1250 (219), Leo McFall, Ahoghill Simmental 520kg £1130 (217), B Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 570kg £1235 (216) and Martin McGarry, Broughshane Simmental 610kg £1320 (216).

Wednesday, February 24, 2020: Another good entry of 1631 sheep in Ballymena resulted in a much improved trade.

Fat hoggets sold to 590p for a pen of 5 Texels 22kg at £130 offered by J McAuley, Ballyclare and to a top per head of £137 for 5 Texels 34kg presented by Jim McAteer, Randalstown.

Fat ewes sold to £131.

Fat hoggets (1330)

(Top prices per kg)

J McAuley, Ballyclare 5 Texel 22kg £130 (590), David Boyd, Knockagh 28 Texel 19.5kg £115 (589), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 14 Crossbred 22.5kg £132 (586), S Adams, Broughshane 14 Blackface 21.5kg £125 (581), Amy McConnell, Templepatrick 2 Dorset 22.5kg £130 (577), N McAuley, Ballyclare 7 Texel 23kg £132.50 (576), H Carson, Dundrod 24 Texel 23kg £132 (573), local farmer 10 Crossbred 23kg £131 (569), Earls Abbey, Ballyearl 15 Texel 22.5kg £128 (568), W Holland, Doagh 4 Charolais 23kg £130 (565), Craig Monteith, Omagh 2 Texel 22.5kg £127 (564), M Esler, Ballymena 2 Texel 18.5kg £104 (562), WL Wilson, Ballyclare 2 Texel 18.5kg £104 (562), Norman McBurney, Moorfields 24 Crossbred 22kg £123 (559), WL Wilson, Ballyclare 14 Texel 24kg £134 (558), Joel Lamont, Kells 8 Texel 24kg £134 (558), J McFetridge, Glenarm 8 Dorset 24kg £134 (558), David Boyd, Knockagh 30 Blackface 23.5kg £131 (557), J Armstrong, Cloughmills 10 Texel 23.5kg £131 (557), R and M Kidd, Aughafatten 8 Texel 21kg £117 (557), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 14 Crossbred 23kg £128 (556), A Hall, Antrim 2 Texel 18.5kg £102 (551) and Stuart Adams, Broughshane 31 Blackface 22.5kg £124 (551).

Top prices per head: Jim McAteer, Randalstown 5 Texel 34.5kg £137, W and WR Mills, Broughshane 4 Dorset 30kg £136, H Blaney, Ahoghill 2 Texel 25kg £136, N Boyd, Broughshane 29 Crossbred 28kg £136, Robert Orr, Cloughmills 1 Texel 35kg £136, Al Gault, Newtownabbey 2 Texel 33.5kg £136, HV McCambridge, Carnlough 11 Suffolk 31.5kg £135.50, M Esler, Ballymena 5 Texel 29kg £135, L and J Armstrong, Broughshane 10 Suffolk 30kg £135, William Rea, Ballyclare 3 Texel 27.5kg £135, A and J Currie, Ballyclare 7 Crossbred 25kg £135, William Smyth, Limavady 3 Blackfaced Leicester 30kg £135, 1 Suffolk 37.5kg £135, J McFetridge, Glenarm 8 Dorset 24kg £134, H Carson, Dundrod 28 Texel 25kg £134, Joel Lamont, Kells 8 Texel 24kg £134, D Knox, Coleraine 2 Blackface 28.5kg £134, 1 Suffolk 25kg £134, local farmer 19 Texel 25kg £134, WJ McClintock, Broughshane 2 Crossbred 26kg £134, A and M and V Armstrong, Straid 12 Texel 26kg £134, WL Wilson, Ballyclare 14 Texel 24kg £134, J Barkley, Kells 6 Texel 25kg £134 and G Simms, Gleno 15 Texel 24.5kg £133.

Fat ewes (302)

First quality

Suffolk - £100-£129

Texel - £100-£131

Crossbred - £75-£100

Blackface - £55-£70