Holstein bulls to 2,260gns at Kilrea

Auctioneer Mark Stewart confirmed a complete clearance with eight lots changing hands to average £1,913gns per head.

Sale leader was Keely Elton Rambo, a November 2019 Annandale Elton son bred by William Black from Aghadowey. He is out of the home-bred Deangate Quentin daughter, Keely Quentin Emblem VG85 who averaged 9,337kgs at 4.29% butterfat and 3.43% protein in two lactations. Buyers were Messrs TT and IG Kyle, Portglenone.

Following close behind at 2,200gns was William Black’s Keely Haysmuir Jester sold to Carnkirk Farms based in Bushmills. Born in October 2019 he was sired by Annandale Haysmuir, and is bred from Keely Laird Julia who averaged 8,985kgs at 4.46% butterfat and 3.33% protein over five lactations.

The March 2020 Relough Dannman PLI £574 from Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, came under the hammer at 2,020gns. Sired by Sandy Valley I Batman ET, he was bred from the Delaberge Pepper ET daughter, Relough Pepper Danna 2 ET SP EX92 who yielded 14,119kgs at 4.41% butterfat and 3.40% protein in her fourth lactation. Backed by multiple generations of VG and EX dams, he was snapped up by Alan Gordon from Portglenone.

Stephen Taylor, Coleraine, paid out 2,000gns to secure the youngest bull in the catalogue, Relough Rubels PLI £476 from Messrs McLean. This yearling entry was sired by Hoogerhorst DG OH Rubels Red, and was bred from Relough Epic Raven ET EX94(3) who gave 15,522kgs at 3.79% butterfat and 3.32% protein in her fifth 305-day lactation.