Marts: Despite a small showing dairy and sucklers topped at £2250 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 270p for 700kg at £1890 and 590kg at £1593 with Friesian cows to 206p for 670kg at £1380.

Beef heifers to 305p for 550kg at £1677, and beef bullocks to 308p for 650kg at £2002 and a top per head of £2520 for 920kg.

Beef cows

M Lucas, Antrim Limousin 700kg £1890 (270) R and G Bell, Crumlin Limousin 590kg £1593 (270) A Martin, Kells Blonde d'Aquitaine 640kg £1664 (260) J McLenaghan, Garvagh Limousin 650kg £1690 (260) VN Fleck, Limousin 5440kg £1355 (251) Limousin 550kg £1353 (246) D Gilliland, Ballymena Limousin 810kg £1976 (244) J McLenaghan, Abondance 600kg £1452 (242) B McLoughlin, Limousin 580kg £1403 (242) WC McMaster, Gleno Limousin 520kg £1248 (240) S McDonnell, Magheramorne Limousin 580kg £1380 (238) A Smyth, Randalstown Limousin 600kg £1380 (230) J McLenaghan, Belgian Blue 580kg £1334 (230) WC McMaster, Limousin 570kg £1299 (228) 1185 (228) and M Lucas, Limousin 600kg £1368 (228).

Friesian cows

WC McMaster, Gleno 670kg £1380 (206) P and B McVey, 540kg £1058 (196) DS and D McKay, Rathkenny 710kg £1228 (173) J Stewart, Templepatrick 810kg £1377 (170) D and M McGregor, 780kg £1318 (169) D and D Robinson, 720kg £1173 (163) WJ and D Wallace, Ballymena 780kg £1271 (163) D S and D McKay, 680kg £1088 (160) WJ and D Wallace, 670kg £1072 (160) J Hunter, Crumlin 640kg £1011 (158) WJ and D Wallace, 780kg £1232 (158) RF Saunderson, Glenwherry 660kg £1029 (156) D and M McGregor, 670kg £1038 (155) N Jamison, Ballymena 670kg £1038 (155) DS and D McKay, 570kg £877 (154) and J Stewart, Templepatrick 660kg £1016 (154).

Beef bullocks

Top per head

I Campbell, Templepatrick Limousin 920kg £2520, D Hume, Randalstown Limousin 840kg £2377, I Campbell, Templepatrick Charolais 780kg £2215, J Kennedy, Rasharkin Limousin 760kg £2196, M Lucas, Antrim Limousin 740kg £2146, R Boyle, Larne Charolais 730kg £2117, N Jamison, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus 780kg £2106, A Smyth, Randalstown Limousin 820kg £2099, N Jamison, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus 770kg £2094, R Boyle, Larne Aberdeen Angus 770kg £2094, I McClelland, Coleraine Charolais 750kg £2092 and J Kennedy, Rasharkin Limousin 680kg £2080 x2.

Top per kg

N Brown, Ballycastle Charolais 650kg £2002 (308), J Kennedy, Rasharkin Limousin 680kg £2080 (306), D O’Hanlon, Newry Limousin 610kg £1830 (300), Aberdeen Angus 650kg £1937 (298), N Brown, Ballycastle Charolais 640kg £1888 (295), W Reid, Aughafatten Limousin 630kg £1852 (294), J Kennedy, Rasharkin Limousin 710kg £2080 (293), D O’Hanlon, Newry Parthenais 610kg £1781 (292), M Lucas, Antrim Limousin 740kg £2146 (290), R Boyle, Larne Charolais 730kg £2117 (290), J Kennedy, Rasharkin Limousin 760kg £2196 (289), 660kg £1881 (285), 650kg £1852 (285), I Campbell, Templepatrick Charolais 780kg £2115 (284), D Hume, Randalstown Limousin 840kg £2377 (9283) and Linton Brothers, Cloughmills Limousin 630kg £1764 (280).

Beef heifers

G Connon, Aldergrove Limousin 550kg £1677 (305), M McGarry, Broughshane Limousin 690kg £2063 (299), Linton Brothers., Cloughmills Charolais 620kg £1822 (294), A and D Glass, Ballycastle Limousin 610kg £1787 (293), 660kg £1933 (293), D McCusker, Castlewellan Limousin 750kg £2175 (290), J Rea, Larne Limousin 630kg £1820, Linton Brows, Cloughmills Charolais 580kg £1670 (288), A and D Glass, Ballycastle Limousin 550kg £1551 (282), Charolais 580kg £1624 (280), J Rea, Larne Charolais 530kg at £1468 (277), M McGarry, Broughshane Limousin 710kg £1966 (277)A and D Glass, Limousin 630kg £1738 (276), local farmer Simmental 730kg £2014 (276) and Linton Brothers, Cloughmills Limousin 660kg £1808 (274).

Friday 17th May 2024: A small show in the dairy and suckler ring topped at £2250 for an Aberdeen Angus bull and sucklers reached £1980 on two occasions for cows with calves at foot.

Calves

A smaller entry of 200 calves resulted in another super trade, the sun was shining and the heat was up around the ring.

Bulls topped at £660 for an Aberdeen Angus, heifers to £605 and Friesian bulls to £290.

Bulls

R Thompson, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus £660, £605, G Forsythe, Cloughmills Aberdeen Angus £605, J K Davidson, Broughshane Limousin £560, G Forsythe, Cloughmills Aberdeen Angus £550, R R Cupples, Broughshane Aberdeen Angus £520, N McRoberts, Lisburn Limousin £515, G Forsythe, Cloughmills Aberdeen Angus £510, W Warwick, Moorfields Belgian Blue £500, D Harkness, Ballymena Belgian Blue £485. D and S Sloan, Upperlands Belgian Blue £475, Ganaway Farms, Millisle Limousin £450, G Forsythe, Cloughmills Aberdeen Angus £450 and D Harkness, Ballymena Belgian Blue £450.

Heifers

Ganaway Farms, Millisle Charolais £605, £590, R Thompson, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus £590, £580 x2, D Monahan, Coleraine Belgian Blue £565, R Thompson, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus £550 x2, Ganaway Farms, Millisle Limousin £540, R Thompson, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus £500, R Crawford, Glarryford Friesian £490, £445, I Tanner, Castlerock British Blue £440 and D Harkness, Ballymena Charolais £440 x3.

Friesian/Holstein bulls

P and B McVey, Magherafelt £290, I Tanner, Castlerock £210, P and B McVey, Magherafelt £190, I Tanner, Castlerock £165, T Dunlop, Glenarm £150 and D Mawhinney, Castledawson £100 x2.

Weanlings

Bullocks

Up to 300kg

R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 220kg £1000 (454), 230kg £1020 (443), S Crothers, Doagh Limousin 200kg £850 (425), R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 270kg £1060 (392), D Wharry, Glenarm Limousin 220kg £840 (381), 220kg £840 (381), J Mulvenna, Aughafatten Limousin 230kg £810 (352) x2, K Kidd, Broughshane Charolais 300kg £1040 (346), McClurg and Mullen, Dundrod Limousin 280kg £950 (339), Hereford 230kg £740 (321) and S Tweed, Dunloy Shorthorn beef 250kg £800 (320), Charolais 250kg £800 (320).

301 to 350kg

Local farmer Limousin 330kg £1370 (415) x3, I Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 310kg £1190 (383), 330kg £1250 (378), R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 310kg £1160 (374), K Kidd, Broughshane Charolais 310kg £1100 (354), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 350kg £1240 (354), R Caldwell, Ballycarry Limousin 330kg £1120 (339), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 310kg £1050 (338), V Boyle, Ballymena Limousin 310kg £1050 (338), W Moore, Ballycarry Limousin 350kg £1130 (322), A Alexander, Glenarm Charolais 320kg £1020 (318) and R Caldwell, Ballycarry Limousin 330kg £1050 (318).

Over 351kg

T Rodgers, Broughshane Limousin 400kg £1490 (372), I and C Hunter, Straid Charolais 380kg £1380 (363), I Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 410kg £1460 (356), local farmer Belgian Blue 370kg £1300 (351), I Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 380kg £1330 (350), W McVey, Carnlough Charolais 440kg £1540 (350), T Rodgers, Broughshane Limousin 450kg £1520 (337), I and C Hunter, Straid Charolais 410kg £1380 (336), I Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 390kg £1290 (330), T Rodgers, Broughshane Limousin 460kg £1500 (326), I and C Hunter, Straid Charolais 400kg £1300 (325), N Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 390kg £1260 (323), T Rodgers, Broughshane Limousin 530kg £1680 (317) and I and C Hunter, Straid Charolais 460kg £1450 (315).

Heifers

Up to 300kg

K Magorrian, Downpatrick Charolais 300kg £1120 (373), S Crothers, Doagh Limousin 190kg £690 (363), I Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 300kg £1060 (353), H J Convery, Portglenone Limousin 290kg £1010 (348), 290kg £1000 (344), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 270kg £915 (338), S McDowell, Maghera Limousin 280kg £940 (335), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 280kg £930 (332) x2, S Tweed, Dunloy Limousin 210kg £695 (331) x2, R Calwell, Ballycarry Limousin 300kg £980 (326) and S McDowell, Maghera Limousin 270kg £880 (325).

301 to 350kg

K Magorrian, Downpatrick Charolais 310kg £1130 (364), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 350kg £1240 (354), S McDowell, Maghera Limousin 310kg £1030 (332), 320kg £1040 (325), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 310kg £1005 (324) x3, R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 330kg £1060 (321), T Jackson, Broughshane Limousin 350kg £1085 (310), S and O Quigg, Garvagh Charolais 310kg £960 (309), R Shaw, Rasharkin Limousin 340kg £1050 (308), 330kg £1010 (306) and R Calwell, Ballycarry Limousin 330kg £990 (300), 320kg £960 (300).

Over 351kg

R Calwell, Ballycarry Limousin 380kg £1180 (310), W Moore, Ballycarry Limousin 370kg £1120 (302), T Rodgers, Broughshane Limousin 380kg £1140 (300), N Smyth, Randalstown Limousin 370kg £1110 (300), HJ Convery, Portglenone Limousin 400kg £1200 (300), W McVey, Carnlough Charolais 370kg £1080 (291), R Calwell, Ballycarry Limousin 360kg £1050 (291), D McDonnell, Glenariffe Charolais 390kg £1130 (289), W McVey, Carnlough Charolais 400kg £1130 (282), M McDonnell, Larne Limousin 370kg £1010 (273) and Graham Brothers, Aughafatten Stabiliser 430kg £1165 (270), 560kg £1515 (270).

Monday evening 20th May 2024: A good show of breeding sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a steady trade.

Selling to £355 twice for ewes and twins.

Leading prices as follows: P and P Scott, Templepatrick 1 Mule and 2 lambs £355, I J and A Wilson, Islandmagee 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £355, CA Saunders, Glenavy 1 Dorset and 2 lambs £350, W Carson, Cloughmills 1 Crossbred and 2 lambs £330, I Clarke, 1 Texel and 2 lambs £320, W Carson, 2 Texel and 2 lambs £305, K Steele, Antrim 2 Suffolk and 4 lambs £300, K Travers, 2x 1 Suffolk and 2 lambs £300, K Steele-Nicholson, 3 Suffolk £295, I Clarke, Cullybackey 1 Texel and 2 lambs £295, 3 Texel and 6 lambs £295, CA Saunders, Glenavy 1 Dorset and 1 lamb £290, I Montgomery, Glenwherry 2 Mule and 4 lambs £288, K Steele-Nicholson 1 Mule and 2 lambs £280 and P and P Scott, 1 Mule and 2 lambs £280.

Tuesday 21st May 2024: 120 store cattle in Ballymena resulted in another terrific trade.

Bullocks sold to £1130 over for a Shorthorn 600kg at £1730 presented by J and S Bailey, Ballycastle.

Heifers sold to £1280 over for a Limousin 600kg at £1880 offered by M Moffet, Broughshane.

Heifers

0kg to 500kg

HA Wilson, Charolais 480kg £1580 (329) T Hamill, Broughshane Limousin 450kg £1470 (326) HA Wilson, Charolais 500kg £1590 (318) T Hamill, Limousin 480kg £1500 (312) JS Hamilton, Charolais 460kg £1400 (304) Charolais 420kg £1245 (296) H Forsythe, Ballynure Limousin 470kg £1390 (295) JS Hamilton, Charolais 450kg £1330 (295) Charolais 490kg £1430 (291) Charolais 480kg £1400 (291) Charolais 500kg £1440 (288) Charolais 480kg £1380 (287) Charolais 470kg £1350 (287) Charolais 460kg £1290 (280) Charolais 500kg £1400 (280) and R Patton, Cloughmills, Limousin 440kg £1220 (277).

501kg and over

M Moffett, Broughshane Limousin 530kg £1720 (324) Limousin 600kg £1880 (313) Limousin 510kg £1580 (309) Limousin 590kg £1800 (305) JS Hamilton, Charolais 520kg £1455 (279) Limousin 550kg £1520 (276) C McAllister, Moorfields Abondance 530kg £1420 (267) WE Adamson, Carrickfergus Aubrac 600kg £1520 (253) A and P Hamilton, Abondance 570kg £1400 (245) D Harbinson, Belgian Blue 530kg £1300 (245) Belgian Blue 580kg £1410 (243) and A and P Hamilton, Abondance 520kg £1260 (242) Abondance 530kg £1280 (241) Abondance 510kg £1225 (240).

Bullocks

0kg to 500kg

T Hamill, Broughshane Simmental 400kg £1290 (322) Limousin 400kg £1290 (322) Charolais 430kg £1370 (318) Limousin 460kg £1390 (302) Hay Brothers, Simmental 430kg £1260 (293) S McAllister, Glenarm Charolais 400kg £1160 (290) Hay Brothers, Ballycarry Simmental 420kg £1200 (285) Hay Brothers, Simmental 460kg £1300 (282) WE Adamson, Aubrac 500kg £1400 (280) M Paisley, Larne Fleckvieh 490kg £1370 (279) Hay Brothers, Simmental 450kg £1250 (277) Abondance 460kg £1265 (275) M Paisley, Fleckvieh 500kg £1370 (270) Fleckvieh 470kg £1220 (259) and W McIntyre, Abondance 470kg £1220 (259).

501kg and over

J and S Bailey, Ballycastle Shorthorn 600kg £1730 (788) Saler 510kg £1460 (286) M Paisley, Larne Fleckvieh 510kg £1360 (266) D Harbinson, Belgian Blue 510kg £1360 (266) S Darragh, Toomebridge Limousin 510kg £1350 (264) J and S Bailey, Ballycastle Charolais 620kg £1630 (262) S Darragh, Toomebridge Limousin 520kg £1360 (261) M Paisley, Fleckvieh 560kg £1450 (258) Fleckvieh 530kg £1360 (256) WE Adamson, Aubrac 520kg £1310 (251) and A and J Currie, Ballyclare Abondance 530kg £1310 (247) Abondance 560kg £1360 (242).

Wednesday 22nd May 2024: A super entry of 2440 Sheep in Ballymena resulted in a steady trade.

Spring lambs sold to 917p for a Beltex 20.5kg at £188 and top a top per head of £196 for two heavy lambs.

Fat hoggets sold to 724p for 7 22.5kg at £163 and to a per head at £197.

Fat ewes sold to £248.

Spring lambs (1621)

Top per kg

B McAllister, Kells 1 Texel 20.5kg £188 (917) T Robinson, Ballynure 7 Texel 21.5kg £185 (860) L and K Beacom, Kircubbin 17 Texel 21.5kg £183 (851) T Hanna, Loughgiel 25 Texel 21kg £177 (842) SG Hanna, Cullybackey 11 Texel 21£177 (842) J McIlrath, Glarryford 10 Texel 21kg £175.50 (835) P McIlrath, Ballymena 15 Texel 20.5kg £171 (834) PJ McKinley, Martinstown 12 Charollais 22kg £183 (831) I Magee, Larne 2 Charollais 20kg £166 (830) G Thompson, Bushmills 1 Texel 21kg £174 (828) A Smyth, Moorfields 2 Charollais 22kg £182 (827) R Nelson, Glenarm 3 Dutch Spotted 22kg £182 (827) H McIvor, Dungannon 11 Texel 22.5kg £186, (826) A and D McAfee, Bushmills 20 Texel 23kg £190, (826) A Gault, Newtownabbey 3 Texel 23kg £190 (826) A Smyth, 7 Charollais 21kg £173 (823) and K Lagan, Toomebridge 10 Texel 21.5kg £177 (823).

Top per head

K Lagan, Toomebridge 2 Texel 30.5kg £196, M Magill, Glenarm 1 Texel 26kg £195, T McConnell, Parkgate 3 Charollais 28.5kg £193, B McAllister, Kells 3 Texel 30kg £192, A and D McAfee, Bushmills 20 Texel 23kg £190, A Gault, Newtownabbey 3 Texel 23kg £190, P McAllister, 2 Texel 27kg £189, IN McClelland, Coleraine 6 Texel 23.5kg £189, D Duffin, Toomebridge 2 Crossbred 26.5kg £189, H Minford, 1 Texel 26.5kg £188, B McAllister, Kells 1 Texel 20.kg £188, H McIvor, 11 Texel 22.5kg £186, JW Bingham, Templepatrick 1 Texel 28.5kg £186, J Maybin, Larne 1 Dutch Spotted 27kg £185, T Robinson, Ballynure 7 Texel 21.5kg £185, K Lagan, Toomebridge 5 Texel 25.5kg £184, J Gibson, 3 Dutch Spotted 26.5kg £184, W Craig, Larne 2 Suffolk 23kg £184, H Hall, Newtownabbey 1 Texel 25.5kg £184, T McConnell, 3 Charollais 25kg £184, D and J Fulton, 16 Texel 22.5kg £183.50, PJ McKinley, 12 Charollais 22kg £183, F McNeilly, 24 Texel 23kg £183, L and K Beacom, 17 Texel 21.5kg £183.

Fat hoggets (401)

Top per kg

R Cowan, Larne 7 Easycare 22.5kg £163 (724) C Gardiner, Ballymoney 9 Texel 24kg £168 (700) D McClintock, Broughshane 1 Texel 22.5kg £156 (693) M Park, Ballymena 1 Mule 18.5kg £127 (686) GD Graham, Kells 16 Lelyn 23.5kg £160 (680) M Gardiner, Ballymena 18 Texel 22kg £148.50 (675) Rhonda Currie, Kilwaughter 7 Dorset 22kg £147 (668) B Arthurs, 21 Texel 22kg £147 (668) WE Adamson, Carrickfergus 31 Texel 23kg £153.50 (667) D McClintock, Broughshane 19 Cheviot 18.5kg £123 (664) I Montgomery, Glenwherry 19 Mule 20kg £132 (660) P Sharpe, Cushendall 8 Blackface 19kg £124 (652) WE Adamson, 26 Texel 19.5kg £126 (646) K Wilson, Doagh 39 Texel 20kg £128.50 (642) S McKendry, Kilrea 37 Suffolk 23.5kg £150.50 (640) and D Rowney, 18 Texel 20kg £128 (640)

Top per head

R Henry, Kilwaughter 2 Suffolk 35.5kg £197, B McAllister, 1 Texel 40.5kg £197, S McAllister, Glenarm 1 Texel 52kg £196, J Farquhar, Ballymena 1 Texel 34kg £193, M Park, Ballymena 1 Dutch Spotted 32.5kg £192, A Robinson, Moorfields 4 Texel 30kg £181, S Conner, Broughshane 1 Dorset 30kg £180, local farmer, 1 Suffolk 27.5kg £170, W McCurdy, Broughshane 1 Border Leicester 29.5kg £170, C Gardiner, Ballymoney 9 Texel 24kg £168, N Wilson, Ballymena 3 Texel 36kg £166, J Hamilton, Glarryford 2 Hampshire 36kg £165, R Workman, Kilwaughter 5 Mule 26kg £164 and R Cowan, 7 Easycare 22.5kg £163.

Fat ewes

First quality

Suffolk- £150 - £214

Texel - £170 - £248

Crossbred - £120 - £170

Blackface - £85 - £130