Suckler stock sell well to £2300 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 197p for a Limousin 770kg at £1516, Friesian cows sold to 125p for 650kg at £812, beef heifers to 210p for 560kg at £1071, 560kg at £1176, 700kg at £1470, beef bullocks to 214p for 640kg at £1369 and Friesian bullocks to 180p for 680kg at £1224.

Beef cows sold to: Al Gault, Newtownabbey Limousin 770kg £1516 (197), R Savage, Drumahoe Limousin 740kg £1435 (194), Ivor G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 720kg £1281 (178), M McKinstry, Nutts Corner Limousin 630kg £1102 (175), R O’Neill, Dunloy Limousin 610kg £1024 (168), Desmond Fulton, Ballymoney Belgian Blue 710kg £1192 (168), Ivor G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 740kg £1213 (164), Stephen Hall, Monkstown Limousin 610kg £994 (163), C Magill, Larne Limousin 650kg £1046 (161), D Patterson, Crumlin Charolais 950kg £1501 (158), D McGarel, Glenarm Charolais 820kg £1295 (158), Daniel F McAlonan, Dunloy Limousin 620kg £973 (157), A McNeilly, Muckamore Aberdeen Angus 730kg £1146 (157), RJ Baird, Islandmagee Simmental 660kg £1029 (156), B McQuillan, Antrim Limousin 700kg £1092 (156), A McNeilly, Muckamore Limousin 760kg £1178 (155), B McQuillan Limousin 590kg £896 (152), Stephen Hall, Monkstown Shorthorn beef 590kg £885 (150), B McQuillan Aberdeen Angus 700kg £1050 (150), Aberdeen Angus 640kg £953 (149) and Desmond Fulton, Ballymoney Limousin 600kg £888 (148), Belgian Blue 770kg £1139 (148).

Friesian cows sold to: DW Graham, Clough 650kg £812 (125), Brian Lyttle, Moorfields 670kg £830 (124), James Stirling, Ballymena 680kg £829 (122), Sam Kennedy, Doagh 770kg £931 (121), TR Lilburn, Dromore 810kg £980 (121), R Dunlop, Broughshane 630kg £749 (119), D Morrison, Armoy 680kg £802 (118), Dermot Johnston, Magherafelt 670kg £790 (118), FC Patterson, Broughshane 660kg £772 (117), AM Crawford, Ballynure 650kg £754 (116), P Brown, Clough 730kg £839 (115), Brian Lyttle 680kg £775 (114), 740kg £843 (114), H Millar, Antrim 640kg £729 (114), B Gribben, Dunloy 690kg £786 (114), Dermot Johnston, Magherafelt 740kg £843 (114), H Millar, Antrim 530kg £598 (113), B Gribben, Dunloy 710kg £802 (113), Thomas Hamilton, Carrickfergus 600kg £672 (112), AM Crawford, Ballynure 700kg £784 (112), R Collier, Dundrod 660kg £739 (112), R Dunlop 710kg £795 (112), Brian McConnell, Doagh 670kg £743 (111) and J Hutchinson, Ballyclare 640kg £704 (110).

Beef heifers sold to: Kevin McErlain, Armoy Blonde d'Aquitaine 510kg £1071 (210), Thomas Galloway, Randalstown Limousin 560kg £1176 (210), Alastair Ferguson, Cookstown Charolais 700kg £1470 (210), Charolais 690kg £1442 (209), local farmer Charolais 590kg £1233 (209), Thomas Galloway, Randalstown Limousin 500kg £1045 (209), Al Gault, Newtownabbey Limousin 640kg £1324 (207), Limousin 610kg £1250 (205), Alastair Dale, Ballymena Limousin 650kg £1326 (204), I Wallace, Rasharkin Limousin 550kg £1116 (203), E and P McCormick, Cushendun Limousin 620kg £1227 (198), Linton Brothers, Cloughmills Limousin 630kg £1241 (197), local farmer Charolais 640kg £1254 (196), Nevin Brown, Ballycastle Limousin 660kg £1287 (195), J McWoodburn, Kells Belgian Blue 620kg £1209 (195), Steven McCann, Randalstown Limousin 630kg £1222 (194), Linton Brothers Charolais 680kg £1319 (194), Thomas Galloway, Randalstown Blonde d'Aquitaine 550kg £1067 (194), S Wilson, Ballymena Aberdeen Angus 540kg £1047 (194), R Wells, Moira Charolais 620kg £1196 (193), I Wallace, Rasharkin Limousin 580kg £1119 (193), Linton Brothers, Cloughmills Charolais 660kg £1267 (192), I Wallace Limousin 550kg £1056 (192), R Wells Charolais 600kg £1140 (190).

Beef bullocks sold to: George Kernohan, Randalstown Limousin 640kg £1369 (214), Alastair Ferguson, Cookstown Charolais 680kg £1441 (212), local farmer Charolais 650kg £1358 (209), Charolais 670kg £1393 (208), John McKeague, Dunloy Charolais 580kg £1200 (207), Charolais 640kg £1324 (207), C Reid, Aghalee Limousin 710kg £1469 (207), Blonde d'Aquitaine 680kg £1407 (207), WA Bamford, Carrickfergus Limousin 540kg £1107 (205), HP Nugent, Toomebridge Charolais 630kg £1285 (204), George Kernohan Limousin 740kg £1509 (204), J Scott, Toomebridge Limousin 700kg £1428 (204), Alastair Ferguson Charolais 710kg £1441 (203), C Reid, Aghalee Limousin 680kg £1380 (203), Nevin Brown, Ballycastle Aberdeen Angus 710kg £1441 (203), HP Nugent, Charolais 640kg £1286 (201), A Christie, Ballymoney Limousin 540kg £1085 (201), A McNeilly, Muckamore Limousin 660kg £1313 (199), A Lagan, Portglenone Charolais 630kg £1253 (199), C Reid, Aghalee Limousin 700kg £1386 (198), Alastair Ferguson Charolais 860kg £1702 (198), R O’Neill, Dunloy Limousin 650kg £1274 (196), George Kernohan Charolais 670kg £1313 (196) and HP Nugent, Toomebridge Charolais 630kg £1228 (195).

Friday, February 7, 2020: Dairy stock sold well to £2100 for a calved heifer from WG Johnston, Ligoniel. R and S Simpson, Ballymena sold second and third calvers at £1920.

Ruling prices: WG Johnston, Ligoniel £2100, R and S Simpson, Ballymena £1920, £1920, SG Wallace, Broughshane £1860, TJ Gordon, Ballyclare £1720, £1680, John Hunter, Crumlin £1620, David Donnan, Donaghadee £1540, Seamus Richmond, Cloughmills £1510, David Wallace, Antrim £1480, G and I Currie, Randalstown £1470, David Wallace £1450 and David Donnan £1200.

45 lots in the suckler ring sold well to £2300 for a Limousin heifer with heifer calf at foot. In calf cows sold to £1580 for a Stabiliser.

Ruling prices: B Bailey, Ballycastle Limousin heifer and heifer calf £2300, WJ Patton, Cloughmills Simmental heifer and bull calf £2120, G Devlin, Randalstown Limousin cow and heifer calf £2050, B Bailey Belgian Blue heifer and bull calf £2000, Limousin heifer and heifer calf £1950, Limousin heifer and bull calf £1950, Limousin heifer and bull calf £1850, Limousin heifer and bull calf £1850, Limousin heifer and bull calf £1750, D Allen, Moneymore Fleckvieh heifer and bull calf £1700, B Bailey Limousin heifer and heifer calf £1650, Limousin heifer and heifer calf £1650, Limousin heifer and heifer calf £1600, David Arrell, Bellaghy St cow in calf £1580, B Bailey Belgian Blue heifer and heifer calf £1580, WJ Patton, Limousin heifer and bull calf £1520, David Arrell, Bellaghy Belgian Blue cow in calf £1400 and Brian Rice, Newry Simmental cow in calf £1400.

120 lots in ring three sold to £480 for a partly reared Belgian Blue bull, heifer calves to £405 for a month old Aberdeen Angus.

Ruling prices for a beef bred bull calf: G Connon, Aldergrove Belgian Blue £480, (2) Limousin £480, T Herbinson, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £435, RJT Fleming, Templepatrick Simmental £400, A McMinn, Larne Charolais £395, James Adair, Kells Belgian Blue £390, local farmer Limousin £390, JC Barkley, Ballymena Belgian Blue £390, local farmer Limousin £385, James Adair Belgian Blue £380, S Warwick, Ballyclare Blonde d'Aquitaine £370, RJ Hill, Randalstown Belgian Blue £365, Belgian Blue £360, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £355, RJ White, Liscolman Aberdeen Angus £340, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £340, Limousin £330, Trevor Brown, Crumlin Fleckvieh £325, RJ White, Liscolman Aberdeen Angus £320, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £320, H Mulvenna, Glenarm Aberdeen Angus £315, Trevor Brown, Fleckvieh £310 and RR Cupples, Broughshane Aberdeen Angus £300.

Heifer calves sold to: T Herbinson, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £405, James Adair, Kells £370, T Herbison, Randalstown Aberdeen Angus £340, Trevor Brown, Crumlin Shorthorn £340, I Montgomery, Glenwherry Aberdeen Angus £300, D Montgomery, Glenwherry Belgian Blue £300, Belgian Blue £295, Belgian Blue £285, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £275, local farmer Limousin £265, Smiddie Hill farms, Ballywalter Belgian Blue £260, RH Hill, Randalstown Belgian Blue £255, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £250, local farmer (2) Limousin £240, J and J Huey Belgian Blue £240, Ian Fleming, Newtownabbey Limousin £235, local farmer Limousin £230, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £230, Robert Adams, Ballymena Belgian Blue £220 and local farmer Limousin £220.

Friesian bull calves: James Adair, Kells £170, G Rea, Rasharkin £170, A and J Currie, Ballyclare (3) £140, James Adair £135, A and J Currie, Ballyclare £130, A McMinn, Larne £130, William Hamill, Aughfatten £120, G Rea, £120, William Hamil, Aughafatten £100 and Howard McFerran, Ballywalter (3) £100.

An entry of 480 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a super trade.

Bullocks sold to £600 over for a Limousin 380kg at £980 presented by John Beggs, Whitehead.

Heifers sold to £575 over for a Limousin 340kg at £915 offered by Shaw's Hill Farm, Kells.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

Reps Robert McDowell, Gleno Charolais 270kg £860 (318), David Robinson, Crumlin Charolais 260kg £790 (303), G McClintock, Glenwherry Limousin 280kg £850 (303), Samuel Minn, Moorfields Charolais 220kg £650 (295), Ivor G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 240kg £700 (291), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 300kg £870 (290), P McConnell, Ligoniel Limousin 300kg £870 (290), Limousin 290kg £840 (289), local farmer Limousin 290kg £830 (286), Limousin 280kg £800 (285), S Quigg, Garvagh Charolais 230kg £655 (284), Mrs Diana Kennedy, Larne Limousin 280kg £790 (282), S Quigg Charolais 290kg £815 (281), Edward Sherrard, Ballyutoag Limousin 230kg £645 (280), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 300kg £840 (280) and AJ Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 270kg £755 (279).

301-350kgs

G McClintock, Glenwherry Charolais 310kg £870 (280), local farmer Limousin 320kg £885 (276), H Crawford, Carnalbana Charolais 340kg £925 (272), G McClintock Charolais 320kg £870 (271), WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry Blonde d'Aquitaine 330kg £885 (268), local farmer Limousin 310kg £830 (267), David Robinson, Crumlin (2) Limousin 310kg £830 (267), Mrs Diana Kennedy, Larne Limousin 340kg £890 (261), V and C Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 340kg £890 (261), David Robinson Charolais 320kg £830 (259), Mrs Diana Kennedy Limousin 330kg £855 (259), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 340kg £880 (258), AJ Wilson, Ballymena Limousin 320kg £825 (257), local farmer Limousin 340kg £870 (255) and A Hillan, Broughshane Charolais 340kg £870 (255).

351kg and over

H Crawford, Carnalbana Charolais 370kg £955 (258), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 380kg £980 (257), A Thompson, Straid Charolais 380kg £975 (256), WJ and RJ Cuthbert Limousin 360kg £920 (255), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 380kg £965 (254), Mrs Diana Kennedy, Larne Limousin 360kg £910 (252), V and C Butler, Ballycastle Charolais 360kg £910 (252), Stewart McMaw, Carrickfergus (2) Charolais 360kg £900 (250), John Beggs, Whitehead Limousin 380kg £945 (248), A Thompson, Straid (2) Limousin 370kg £910 (246), Mrs Diana Kennedy Limousin 360kg £880 (244), Ranaghan Poultry Limousin 390kg £945 (242) and WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry (2) Blonde d'Aquitaine 390kg £945 (242).

Heifers sold to 0-300kgs

Stewart McMaw, Carrickfergus Charolais 270kg £790 (292), Edward Sherrard, Ballyutoag Charolais 200kg £560 (280), F Connon, Ballymena Limousin 180kg £490 (272), Robert Gingles, Larne Limousin 280kg £760 (271), Ivor G Hyndman, Maghera Limousin 240kg £645 (268), Mrs D Kennedy, Larne Limousin 270kg £725 (268), Limousin 260kg £695 (267), H Crawford, Carnalbana Charolais 300kg £800 (266), Shaw's Hill Farm, Kells Limousin 290kg £770 (265), Colin Crooks, Kilwaughter (3) Simmental 200kg £530 (265), Edward Sherrard, Ballyutoag Charolais 270kg £715 (264), S Dawson, Lisburn Limousin 210kg £550 (261), W Dawson, Stoneyford Limousin 230kg £600 (260) and local farmer Blonde d'Aquitaine 230kg £600 (260).

301-350kgs

Shaw's Hill Farm, Kells Limousin 340kg £915 (269), D Thompson, Bushmills Limousin 330kg £870 (263), H Crawford, Carnalbana Charolais 320kg £840 (262), WR Wilson, Ballymena Charolais 350kg £915 (261), Ivor G Hyndman Limousin 310kg £810 (261), Limousin 310kg £805 (259), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 310kg £800 (258), Brian Ervine Charolais 300kg £850 (257), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 330kg £850 (257), Charolais 330kg £840 (254), local farmer Limousin 350kg £890 (254), H Crawford, Carnalbana Charolais 330kg £830 (251), Timothy Wray, Carnlough Charolais 310kg £770 (248), A Thompson, Straid Limousin 320kg £790 (246), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 310kg £765 (246) and R Millar, Gleno Charolais 340kg £835 (245).

351kg and over

WA Hagan, Ballyclare Charolais 360kg £885 (245), Mrs Diana Kennedy, Larne Limousin 360kg £850 (236), Eileen Hamilton, Moorfields Limousin 360kg £850 (236), S McCormick, Martinstown Charolais 360kg £830 (230), Ranaghan Poultry Limousin 360kg £825 (229), S Quigg, Garvagh Charolais 360kg £825 (229), R Millar, Gleno Charolais 390kg £880 (225), Stewart McMaw, Carrickfergus (2) Charolais 380kg £855 (225), AS Millar, Antrim Charolais 380kg £855 (225), A Thompson, Straid Limousin 370kg £830 (224), N Bell, Bellaghy Aberdeen Angus 380kg £835 (219), AS Millar, Charolais 360kg £790 (219), N Bell Aberdeen Angus 360kg £785 (218), Brian Wharry, Glenarm Limousin 390kg £850 (218) and WJ and RJ Cuthbert, Ballycarry Blonde d'Aquitaine 390kg £850 (218).

Monday, February 10, 2020: Another good sale of sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a steady sale.

Ewes and lambs sold to £212, in lamb ewes to £165 and pets to £37.

Breeding ewes (in lamb) sold to: A Christie, Ballymoney 10 Mule £165, 10 Mule £155, D Torrens, Coleraine 11 Beltex £142, 11 crossbred £141, 12 Beltex £140, A Christie 10 Mule £140, D Torrens 4 Beltex £138, 12 Beltex £138, A Christie 8 Mule £138, Daniel Patton, Newtownards 10 Tex £136, 5 Tex £136, 5 Suffolk £135 and D Torrens, 13 Beltex £135, 12 Beltex £134, 10 Beltex £132, D Tex £130.

Ewes and lambs: Aiden McCarry, Armoy 1 Swaledale ewe and 2 lambs £212, 1 Texel ewe and 2 lambs £208, Daniel Patton, Newtownards 9 Texel ewes and 14 lambs £190, Aiden McCarry 1 Texelel ewe and 2 lambs £188.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020: An entry of 100 store cattle in Ballymena resulted in a great trade.

Bullocks sold to £620 over for a Charolais 560kg at £1180 presented by RJ Anderson, Cullybackey.

Heifers sold to £510 over for a Limousin 490kg at £1000 offered by James Duff, Kells.

Heifers 0-500kgs

James Duff, Kells Limousin 490kg £1000 (204), DJ Moore, Ballyclare Charolais 390kg £780 (200), WA Bamford, Carrickfergus Aubrac 460kg £880 (191), T and S Butler, Aughfatten Charolais 500kg £955 (191), RJM and ME Dunlop, Gleno Limousin 360kg £680 (188), G Connon, Aldergrove Limousin 380kg £705 (185), R Wells, Moira Charolais 480kg £875 (182) and RJ and G McCullough, Ballyclare Simmental 500kg £910 (182).

501kg and over

R Wells, Moira Charolais 530kg £1025 (193), DJ Moore, Ballyclare Charolais 530kg £1000 (188), K Steele, Islandmagee Simmental 520kg £980 (188), R and S McMullan, Broughshane Belgian Blue 560kg £1055 (188), K Steele, Simmental 530kg £995 (187), J Smyth, Randalstown Belgian Blue 530kg £975 (184), R Wells Belgian Blue 590kg £1080 (183), K Steele, Islandmagee Simmental 580kg £1045 (180), R Wells Charolais 530kg £950 (179), RJ and J and G McCullough, Ballyclare Simmental 540kg £955 (176), K Steele, Simmental 560kg £985 (175).

Bulls/bullocks 0-500kgs

RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop, Gleno Limousin 340kg £820 (241), (2) Limousin 340kg £815 (239), Limousin 350kg £825 (235), Limousin 330kg £770 (233), Spk 310kg £720 (232), Here 380kg £870 (229), Limousin 340kg £765 (225), Limousin 370kg £820 (221), DA McDonald, Cullybackey Limousin 490kg £1080 (220), RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Limousin 380kg £820 (215), DJ Moore, Ballyclare Charolais 470kg £1010 (214), Paul McErlain, Armoy Brb 430kg £920 (214) and RJM and Mrs ME Dunlop Limousin 390kg £830 (212), Limousin 360kg £760 (211), Limousin 350kg £700 (200).

501kg and over

A McDonald, Portglenone Charolais 520kg £1115 (214), Belgian Blue 540kg £1150 (213), RJ Anderson, Cullybackey Charolais 560kg £1180 (210), A McDonald Charolais 560kg £1160 (207), RJ Anderson Charolais 560kg £1150 (205), DJ Moore, Ballyclare Charolais 510kg £1045 (204), RJ Anderson Charolais 540kg £1105 (204), A McDonald Charolais 510kg £1030 (202), JS Hamilton, Ballymena Limousin 590kg £1180 (200), DA McDonald, Cullybackey Belgian Blue 580kg £1160 (200), R Hartin, Ballycastle Simmental 600kg £1190 (198), Limousin 600kg £1190 (198), RJ Anderson Charolais 540kg £1070 (198), DA McDonald Limousin 630kg £1240 (196), Aberdeen Angus 580kg £1135 (195) and T Aiken, Coleraine Simmental 590kg £1140 (193).

Wednesday, February 12, 2020: Despite wintry conditions a good entry of 1044 sheep in Ballymena resulted in another improved trade.

Fat lambs sold to 457p for a pen of 18 Texels 22.5kg at £103 offered by Brian Lyttle, Ballymena and to a top per head of £115 for a pen of 27kg Beltex presented by JW Harbinson, Limavady.

Fat ewes sold to £111.

Fat hoggets (902)

(Top prices per kg)

D and D Holland, Articlave 20 Dorset 18.5kg £86.50 (467), Mervyn McConkey, Larne 4 Suffolk 19.5kg £90 (461), Brian Lyttle, Moorfields 18 Texel 22.5kg £103 (457), Frank Higgins, Toomebridge 16 Texel 19kg £86 (452), C Millar, Kilrea 16 Texel 21.5kg £97 (451), I Montgomery, Glenwherry 20 crossbred 23kg £103 (447), S Adams, Broughshane 29 Blackface 22.5kg £100 (444), E and P McCormick, Cushendun 6 Blackface 22.5kg £100 (444), WJ Smyth, Moorfields 23 Texel 21kg £93 (442), L Knox 2 Texel 24kg £106 (441), MA Turtle, Broughshane 7 Suffolk 22kg £97 (440), FJ McDonnell, Martinstown 17 Blackface 20.5kg £90 (439), R and M Kidd, Aughfatten 13 Lleyn 21kg £92 (438), S Craig, Ballycastle 5 Texel 21kg £92 (438), local farmer 24 Texel 24kg £105 (437), Hugh Marcus, Carnlough 20 Texel 19kg £83 (436), J Bonnar, Broughshane 3 Charolais 23kg £100 (434), S Craig, Ballycastle 15 Texel 23kg £100 (434), Steven Kerr, Kilwaughter 11 Blackface 23.5kg £102 (434), Mervyn McConkey, Larne 11 Texel 22.5kg £97.50 (433), John Allen, Broughshane 11 Texel 21kg £91 (433), Andrew Kennedy, Ballymena 2 Dorset 25.5kg £110 (431) and D Boreland, Bushmills 20 Suffolk 22.5kg £97 (431).

Top prices per head: JW Harbinson, Limavady 11 Beltex 27kg £115, 2 Rouge 31.5kg £113, I Wallace, Rasharkin 5 Texel 40.5kg £111, 2 Texel 35.5kg £110, Hill Brothers, Randalstown 15 Texel 26.5kg £110, Andrew Kennedy, Ballymena 2 Dorset 25.5kg £110, J Murray, Aghalee, 8 Texel 26kg £109, Hugh V McCambridge, Carnlough 40 Texel 25.5kg £107.50, PM Allen, Randalstown 1 Texel 37kg £107, Antrim Estates, Glenarm 15 Texel 27kg £107, W Marshall, Portglenone 3 Texel 25.5kg £107, L Knox 2 Texel 24kg £106, Dale Wylie, Ballymena 30 KH 25.5kg £106, Hugh McCambridge 40 Suffolk 25.5kg £106, local farmer 24 Texel 24kg £105, Robert Loughery, Limavady 12 Blackface 27kg £105, John Reid, Carnlough 4 Texel 25.5kg £104.50, R Simpson, Broughshane 8 Texel 24.5kg £104.50, Kerri Simpson, Broughshane 1 Texel 24.5kg £104.50, Julie Simpson, Ballymena 1 Texel 24.5kg £104.50, Kenneth Bell, Broughshane 8 Cheviot 25.5kg £104, Mrs Margaret Crawford, Carnalbana 21 Blackface 24.5kg £104, S Craig, Ballycastle 11 Texel 25kg £104.

Fat ewes (142)

First quality

Suffolk - £85-£110

Texel - £85- £111

Crossbred - £75-£90

Blackface - £40-£60