High cattle prices at Balmoral spring show and sale (1951)
Brisk trade had marked the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s spring show and sale which was held at Balmoral, Belfast, in 1951 with average prices higher than previous year.
The top price – 185 guineas was made by a British Friesian heifer, Ravenhill Princess Melba, breed champion, owned by S Wilson, Crumlin, and bought by J D McBride of Ligoniel, Belfast.
Dairy Shorthorn bulls of attractive breeding, with good milk records by their dams, were in keen demand at high prices.
Mr W R Egerton, of Rosslea, Co Fermanagh, paid 180 guineas – the second highest price of the day – for Dromore Lord Wildeyes, a class winner, owned by George and Samuel J Ward, Dromore, Co Down.
Champion not sold
Carrowbeg Royal Leader, which was Dairy Shorthorn champion for the second successive year, was withdrawn at 180 guineas, and the reserve champion, Ballymultrea President, went for 115 guineas.
Pomeroy Hamlet, owned by Major C A M Alexander, made 150 guineas.
Dairy Shorthorns sired by bulls at the Ministry of Agriculture's insemination centres attracted high average prices.
Ardmore Dairy Emperor, a third prize winner, owned by A McC Dickson, Ardmore, Ballygowan, made 160 guineas, while Cash Register, a first prize winner, shown by William Kyle, Cullybackey, claimed 130 guineas. A similar price was paid for Culkeeran Duke, belonging to Jervis Williamson, Dungannon.
Prices for some of the Beef Shorthorn bulls were disappointing, it was noted.
The highest price was 92 guineas for Anticur Amethyst, a second prize winner. The champion, Montalto Gold Dust, was withdrawn at 62 guineas, while the reserve, Clara's First Command, was sold for 50 guineas.
Aberdeen Angus bulls in demand
A feature of the sale was the brisk demand for Aberdeen Angus bulls, resulting in a big increase in average prices.
The highest price for the black bulls was 115 guineas, for Prince of Coa, owned by C E Veitch and Sons, Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh, who also sold two other bulls at 110 and 105 guineas respectively.
Like some of the other breed classes, the leading prizewinners did not always make the highest prices, it was reported.
The champion, Brigadier of Claremore, was sold for 102 guineas.
The prices were reported as following: