One of the biggest offerings of Continental bulls for some time had been offered at the 18th annual spring show and sale at Automart, Portadown, which was held during this week in 1986.

“It was the biggest entry for some years and, I think, possibly the biggest in Ireland,” Automart director Tom Clarke said.

“Buyers were interested in serviceable bulls for size, age and quality,” he added.

“Bulls with good performance figures were sought after. There was markedly less interest in plainer bulls and immature animals.”

Ploughing the traditional way, at the 10th annual Glascar Ploughing Society Ploughing Match which was held at the end of March 2010 is Pat Gorman with help from his Irish Draught horses Jaye and Dick. Photo: Gary Gardiner

placeholder image — Ploughing the traditional way, at the 10th annual Glascar Ploughing Society Ploughing Match which was held at the end of March 2010 is Pat Gorman with help from his Irish Draught horses Jaye and Dick. Photo: Gary Gardiner

Limousin bulls led the trade and topped the sale. Peter McKeefry, Swatragh, paid 2030 guineas for a yearling bull owned by John Allen, Castlederg.

The large show of Simmental found ready customers for top quality. The bull of the day – and the winner of the Northern Bank cash award – topped the breed at 1,650 guineas. It was owned by Cecil Mcllwaine, Newtownstewart, and it was sold to Raymond Smyth, Drumquin.

A feature of the sale was the popularity of the Charolaís bull section. The small offering was snapped up to a peak of 1,600 guineas, paid by Vincent Maguire, Enniskillen, for a Brampton Petition bull owned by John Causey and Sons.

Healthy averages were returned. Limousin bulls averaged £1785 each; Charolais bulls, £1155; Simmental, £1114; Hereford, £679; and Friesian, £770.

Eric Sherlock from Hillsborough Ploughing Society with his Ferguson Goldbelly at Rathfriland, Co Down, in 2010. Picture: Kevin McAuley

Buyers were present from all comers of Northern Ireland as well as Eire.

Leading prices, in guineas, for Cóntínental bulls were as follows:

2030 - John Allen (Limousin) to Peter McKeefry, Swatragh; 1840 - John Allen (Limousin) to S Richardson, Leitrim; 1820 - James Ward and Sons (Limousin) to E Ginn, Ederney; 1750 - Woodside Limousin to S Allen, Coleraine; 1650 - C Mcllwaine (Simmental) to R Smyth, Drumquin.

1600 - John Causey and Sons (Charolais) to Vincent Maguire; 1600 - Wesley Abraham (Simmental) ta Ken Veitch, Lisbellaw; 1540 - Woodside Limousin to A Rainey, Ballygawley; 1500 - A and E Pollock to S Richardson; 1470 - Jackson McGaw (Simmental) to R Allen, Randalstown; 1420 - James Ward and Sons (Simmental) to A Gallagher, Newtownstewart; 1400 - Mrs G. Auret (Limousin) to O'Brien Brothers, Poyntzpass.

David Boyd from Newtownards in action at the ploughing match in 2010. Picture: Kevin McAuley

1380 - G H Montgomery (Simmental) to W Millar, Coleraine; 1360 - W A Weatherup (Simmental) to McGinley Brothers, Ballygawley; 1330 - William Black (Simmental) to H Uprichard, Aghagallon; 1300 - C O McAskie (Charolais) to F Woods, Hilltown; 1280 - James Brown to C Turner, Drumquin; 1280 - David Lowry (Simmental) to W Scott, Ballygowan.

Friesian cows and heifers sold to 675 guineas, paid by Vincent Maguire for an animal offered by G Cunningham, Newtownards.

Another animal from the same herd sold at 620 guineas to R Smyth, Drumquin.

H Dunlop, Loughgall, paid 740 guineas for a Friesian bull offered by S and R Shanks, Tandragee.

Jordan Kelly from Banbridge, enjoys ploughing with a 1942 McCormick International Farmall Cub tractor in 2010. Picture: Gary Gardiner

Leading prices, in guineas, for Hereford bulls were as follows: 810 - W White to D Hadden, Mountnonris; 700 - J and I Haire to D Crawford, Portaferry; 660 – C D A Anderson to Thomas Wilson, Richhill and 610 - Peter McKernan to J Richardson, Cavan.

Farmers call for army aid a fodder crisis hits

Farmers were continuing the fight to eke out scarce fodder supplies in April 1986.

The problem was not confined farmers in the border counties straits, it was noted.

Indeed, farmers in Donegal assistance.

Mr Adrian Leddy, Irish Farmers' Association spokesman in Donegal, said 400 cattle had died in the county in the previous month.

Dessie Sherlock and Mercer Ward look over the ploughed plots at the match in 2010. Picture: Kevin McAuley

“We intend to ask the government to bring in the army to move supplies of fodder from the south of the country. We understand that there is any amount of hay and straw available in the south of the country,” he said.

In Northern Ireland, the USPCA had reported a record number of confiscations of starving animals. Since November, 1985, 450 cattle, 160 sheep and 35 horses had been seized.

Ulster Farmers' Union president Billy Martin said that while a lot of stock was down on flesh a bit “there is no question of cruelty”.

He insisted: “Animals are down to subsistence, they are prone to anything. A number of seizures by the USPCA are from people who are not farmers.”

Fermanagh District Council was called into special session to discuss the fodder problem. The council was told that the animal crematoria in the area had a three-week backlog on the collection of carcases because of the increase in deaths from starvation. One animal had even dropped dead in the sale-ring at the mart.

The UFU hit out over the collection of fallen animals.

Mr Martin said that the union had received reports that farmers in Londonderry and North Antrim had been asked by lorry drivers collecting fallen animals to pay for the service.

“This is not in the contract, the drivers are paid on a tonnage basis for the animals they collect,” he said.