39th Annual Show and Sale
39th Annual Show & Sale
in Ballymena Livestock Market
Judge Mr. Tom Clarke
Sponsored by
Norbrook Pharmaceuticals Worldwide
Cameron Carson with his Horned Ram Lamb
1, 2, 3, in the Ewe class
Gwynneth Lyons & Sean Paul McCarry with Champion Shearling Ewes
RECORDS TUMBLE AT DORSET PREMIERE SALE
This week's scorching weather did not deter buyers from flocking to the ringside at McClelland's Livestock Mart on Monday past, for the 39th Annual Premiere Show & Sale for the N.I. Dorset Club. Bidding inside was as hot as the temperatures outside as commercial buyers were keen to take on the pedigree breeders for the excellent quality sheep on offer.
This upsurge in popularity from the commercial sector for Dorset rams demonstrates the sheep industries acknowledgement of the many benefits that the Dorset breed have to offer the sheep producer. Another factor which may have helped propel the hottest trade for ram lambs in the 52 year history of the club, is the lamb marketing scheme in conjunction with Crossgar Meats which is available for the club members producing pure-bred lambs.
The quality and breeding reputation of Dorset sheep bred in Northern Ireland is so high that breeders had travelled from England and Wales in the hope of taking back fresh bloodlines to their flocks on the mainland. They watched engrossed, as judge Mr Tom Clarke from Crediton, Devon placed the animals in the show ring. Tom is the owner of the highly respected Manor Croft Flock and breeder of the highest priced ram lamb this year, which he bred from the NI record priced ram purchased in Ballymena in 2009.
The club are indebted to Norbrook Pharmaceuticals for their generous sponsorship of the show classes and were delighted that Mrs. Jackie Hamilton was able to represent Norbrook at the prize presentation.
In the sale ring top price of the day, 1750gns went to W& K Carson, Downkillybegs, Ballymena for a smart ram lamb, purchased by Mr. T.Madden Ballyvaddy,Carnlough, and Mr D.D.McDowell Castlemount,Newtownards combining the oldest flock in Northern Ireland in partnership with the newest formed flock. The 40 ram lambs on offer sold to an average of £517, an increase of £104 from last year.
William Carson with Duncan McDowell in Partnership with T & K Madden (Buyer of top sale exhibit)
Thomas Wrights' Ballytaggart flock produced the Supreme Champion ram lamb which sold to Joe Larder, Winscombe, Somerset for 700gns. The reserve Champion in the show ring was an attractive ewe lamb from the Granagh Flock of Samuel Caldwell. Samuel has had a very successful season on the show circuit and has recently won the large flock section of the N.I. Flock competition. This reserve champion lamb was also awarded Opposite Sex to the Champion and was purchased by young enthusiastic breeders James and Craig Robson, Doagh, Ballyclare for 650gns.
Thomas Wright with Jacqueline Hamilton (Norbrook) & Judge with Supreme Champion
Samuel Caldwell with Jacqueline Hamilton (Norbrook) & Judge with Reserve & Opposite Sex Champion
The Best Horned Exhibit was a powerful ram lamb produced by Ben Lamb Richhill, Armagh which later sold in the sale for 380gns to C.Dunn, Strabane.
Ben Lamb with Jacqueline Hamilton (Norbrook) & Judge & Champion Horn
Other top prices in the ram lamb section went to Raymond Hill's Olivertree Flock. They presented four ram lambs for sale and received 1100gns (D.Rossiter,Devon), 1000gns(T&SKnox,Armoy),680gns(D.Hamilton,CoLondonderry)and 620gns(J.Johnston,Omagh) producing the top pen average of £892.5 each for 4. Thomas Wright who produced the Champion also sold two other top priced lambs. One of these was the progeny of Ai imported from Australian ram Malkay 107,89 and was bought by W&K Carson, Ballymena for 700gns, the other was bought by F.Kelly, Draperstown for 600gns.
Richard Currie with Record priced ewe lamb
Interest in the ewe lamb section was no less fired up with 82 lots selling to an average of £313. Richard Currie Hilltop, Ballymena, achieved a N.I.record price for a ewe lamb which, after frantic celtic bidding between Wales and Northern Ireland, was eventually knocked down to Thomas Wright, Kilraughts, Ballymoney for 780gns. Next best price here was Samuel Caldwell's reserve champion at 650gns and another from the same Granagh pen fetched 560gns to Joe Larder, Somerset. Amy McConnell, Templepatrick also sold a ewe lamb for 560gns to William Lennox, Cookstown. Two breeders G&H Lyons, Cloughmills, Co.Antrim and S&S Lyons, Beragh, Co.Tyrone fetched 440gns for ewe lambs, the first purchased by J&C Robson, Doagh, the second by Glenn Williamson, Portadown. Again Raymond Hills' pen of females which had won the much coveted Progeny group award attracted much attention with notable prices 410gns(D.Hamilton,Co.Londonderry)400gns(Rod Dallyn,Dorset)400gns(J&M McCullagh,Plumbridge)creating the top pen average of £413.7 each for five. Also equaling this superb average was Samuel Caldwell’s Granagh pen of nine ewe lambs which included the Reserve Champion
Trade was also brisk for shearlings and older ewes although there weren't so many forward for sale in these sections. Averages here were again up on previous years, £291 for Shearlings and £280 for senior ewes.
Top prices here went to G&H Lyons (380gns to D.Dodds, Saintfield), Laura Weir, Ballymena (380gns to J. Patterson,Ballyclare, D.Jackson, Crossgar (380gns to A&M McKeegan, Glenarm), T.Madden, Ballyvaddy (370gns to D.Dodds, Saintfield) and (360gns to L.Fearon, Rostrevor)G&H Lyons,Dunloy(360gns to D.Hamilton,Co. Londonderry)Julie Rea, Crumlin (350gns to D.Hamilton, Co.Londonderry).
SUPREME CHAMPION - T.Wright
RESERVE CHAMPION - S. Caldwell
OPPOSITE SEX CHAMPION - S. Caldwell
BEST HORNED EXHIBIT - B. Lamb
Sale Averages: 40 Ram Lambs £517.
82 Ewe Lambs £313.
33 Shearling & Older ewes £291 & £280 respectivately.
The N.I. Dorset Club members are now looking forward to a night of family fun and relaxation at their Annual BBQ on Friday 12th August at Eaton Park Rugby Club, Ballymena.
The next club pedigree sale will be the 22nd Autumn Show & Sale which will take place on Wednesday 12th October 2011 at McClelland's Livestock Market.
