36th Annual Show and Sale
36th Annual Show & Sale
in Ballymena Livestock Market
Sponsored by McAfee Properties
( Agriculture land & Sites )
Seamus Mullan with judge Andrew Palk and Nigel Taggart from McAfee Properties
with Supreme Champion ram lamb
Thomas and George Wright with Andrew Robinson ( President ), judge Andrew Palk
and Nigel Taggart from McAfee Properties, with reserve champion pair of ewe lambs
N.I. Dorset Sheep Breeders Club Sale Report
The N.I. Dorset Sheep Breeders Club held its 36th Annual Premier Show and Sale this week in McClellands, Ballymena. The show classes were generously sponsored by McAfee Properties, and thanks to Nigel Taggart, manager of the Agricultural Land & Sites Department for coming along to present the prizes. There was brisk trade from the beginning of the sale and even, the warm sunny weather did not deter the buyers from turning out in force. Judging of the sheep was in the capable hands of Mr Andrews Palk, Paignton, Devon who picked as Champion a ram lamb from the Islaharnan Flock of Mr Seamus Mullan, Armoy, County Antrim. This smart lamb had earlier been Armagh Show Champion, and is an excellent advertisement for N.I. breeding as the Sire is Downkillybegs Jethro and the Dam is a Ballytaggart ewe. This champion lamb later sold for joint top price of 650 gns to Andrew Palk, who backed his judgement by buying him for his Staintor Flock.
Reserve Champions were a winning pair of ewe lambs, who also scooped Opposite Sex Champion. They were exhibited by Thomas Wright, Ballytaggart, Ballymoney, who was continuing an excellent run of success having also produced the Supreme Champion at May Fair 2008. These ewe lambs sired by Huish Fred, went on to top the female section of the sale selling for 500 gns each, to Tom Clarke, Crediton, Devon.
Tom Symington, auctioneer at McClellands, who commented on the brisk trade and the consistant quality of the lots brought forward, was delighted to see the English breeders returning. He said they had been delighted with how well their previous Northern Ireland bred sheep had done for them and were keen to purchase again.
Amy Mc Connell, a junior member of the club from Templepatrick exhibited the other joint top priced lamb of the day. Her powerful ram lamb, which made 650 gns to Richard Currie, Ballymena and Gary Henderson, Bushmills was sired by Downkillybags Hercules, on loan from Raymond Hill. This sire also produced Raymond’s 1st prize winning ewe lamb.
Other top prices in the ram lamb section went to Angus Fleming, Ballymoney 600 gns to J. Smyth, Ballynahinch; Cameron Carson, Ballymena 550 gns to B. Moss, Castlederg; Raymond & Julie Hill, Ballyclare 400gns to J McFetridge, Carnalbana; Raymond & Julie Hill, 400 gns to Robert Shaw, Randalstown; Gary Henderson, Bushmills 400 gns to J. Baird, Claudy and Catherine Maybin, Ballymena 400 gns to Ross Sizmur, Devon. Average ram lamb price £305 for 34 sold.
In the ewe lamb section, Thomas Wright had the three top prices. The champion pair of ewe lambs made 500 gns each, he also got 460 gns to Andrew Morton, Larne. Next best was Richard Currie 450 gns to Thomas Wright; Raymond & Julie Hill’s first prize ewe lamb Ballyclare 350 gns to Catherine McAuley, Larne and Seamus Mullan, Armoy, second prize ewe lamb 330 gns to Samuel Caldwell, Rasharkin. Average ewe lamb price £194 for 108 sold.
Shearling ewes were also a good trade throughout, although there were fewer entries in this section. Again Thomas Wright’s Ballytaggart Flock were the tops. One of his winning pair of shearling ewes was sold for 400 gns to J. Smyth, Ballynahinch, while the winner of the shearling ewe class made 380 gns to A. Palk, Devon. The other one of the winning pair also went to A. Palk for 330 gns. Raymond & Julie Hill sold two for 280 gns each, one to Richard Black, Strabane and one to George Robson, Doagh. The average price for shearling ewes was £233 for 17 sold.
In all sections of the sale the local bidders had to compete against strong interest from the breeders who had travelled from S.W. England. Between them they will be taking home 40 lots from the catalogue of 190 exhibits. The Northern Ireland Dorset Club are well pleased with the fact that in all sections average prices are significantly increased for a similar number of sheep sold and are looking forward to the Autumn Sale on Wednesday 8th October 2008.
For further breed information the N.I. Club secretary can be contacted on 07841746705
