42nd Annual Show and Sale
Premier Demand for Dorset Sheep at Ballymena Sale
Jacqueline Hamilton (representing Norbrook Pharmaceuticals
sponsors for the 42nd Annual Premier Dorset sheep show and sale) with Ben
Lamb, David Rosssiter (Judge) and the Supreme Champion (Ram Lamb)
Jacqueline Hamilton (representing Norbrook Pharmaceuticals |
Jacqueline Hamilton (representing Norbrook Pharmaceuticals |
Jacqueline Hamilton (representing Norbrook Pharmaceuticals |
 Adam Knox with Ewe |
One of the largest crowds of prospective purchasers, witnessed at a Northern Ireland Dorset Club Sale turned out for the new show and sale format for the 42nd Premier Show and Sale in McClellands' Ballymena mart last week, which was once again very kindly sponsored by Norbrook Pharmaceuticals and represented at the show by Jacqueline Hamilton.
The task of sorting through the thirteen show classes was in the very capable judging hands of Mr David Rossiter, Huish flock, Glampton, Kingsbridge, Devon, the Association's immediate past Chairman and former President, who chose as the 42nd Sale Supreme Champion, a powerful ram lamb who won the single Poll Class, from Ben Lamb's Richhill flock, Co Armagh.
The attention that the Dorset breed has received in recent times from commercial lamb producers led to a real robust ram trade from the out set and continued throughout the evening sale, resulting in 30% more rams being sold and recording a higher average than before, balancing at £425 (up £15) on the year.
Topping the ram section and lead price of the sale was a 900gns bid for a January born ram lamb from Gary and Gareth Henderson, Sandelford flock, Bushmills, Co Antrim. This Sandelford Shender son from the father and son team sold to Ben Lamb, Richhill, for his ever expanding Poll Dorset flock.
On the flip side, Ben Lamb received the next highest sale price of 820gns for his Supreme Champion, a Ballytaggart Puma son who sold to M. Grant, Kilcoo, Newry, Co Down.
Other leading prices in this section went to Richard Currie, Ballymena, 620gns to Richard & Rob Hole, Sherborne, Dorset. W. & K. Carson, Ballymena, 580gns to Karen Hodgson, Seascale, Cumbria and Alex Steff, Chorley, Lancashire. G. & G. Henderson, Bushmills, to H. & G. Lyons, Dunloy, Ballymena. B. Lamb, Richhill, 550gns, to P. Deeney, Limavady. James & Craig Robson, Doagh, 520gns to J. McFetridge, Glenarm, Ballymena. Amy McConnell, Templepatrick, 500gns to Paul Crawford, Islandmagee. T. & S. Knox, Armoy, 500gns to H. & G. Lyons, Dunloy, Ballymena.
The Reserve Overall Champion who was also the Best of Opposite Sex to the Champion was a striking Poll ewe lamb belonging to Trevor and Sharron Knox, Armoy, Ballymoney, and by their own homebred Riverview Legend sire. She later sold for 660gns to Gary and Gareth Henderson, Revellagh, Bushmills, who were reinvesting some of the income from the earlier sale of their Sandelford ram lambs.
Top price in the females was 680gns paid by Ken Thompson, Kirlish, Drumquin, Omagh, for the last ewe lamb in a run of ten from the Downkillybegs flock belonging to Ballymena's William and Karen Carson. This half New Zealand bred ewe lamb was placed fourth in the show class but attracted considerable attention and was picked out by Mr Thompson as an addition for his Kirlish flock.
The award for the best Horn Exhibit was awarded to a ewe lamb from Ben Lamb's Richhill flock who later sold for 250gns to Stanley Forbes, Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
Other leading prices in the female section were:- W. & K. Carson, Ballymena, 510gns to P. & M. Knowles, Ahoghill, W. & K. Carson, Ballymena, 380gns to Terry Treanor, Burren, Warrenpoint. T. & S. Knox, Armoy, 340gns to M. Grant, Kilcoo, Newry. W. & K. Carson, Ballymena, 320gns to M. Grant, Kilcoo, Newry. J. & C. Robson, Doagh, 300gns to David Hamilton, Enniskillen. Average price in the ewe lambs was £230.
A small entry of eleven shearling ewes sold to average £253 and five senior ewes averaged out at £247.50 The entire sale experienced an excellent clearance rate of 93%.
Prize Winners at the 42nd Annual Premier Show and Sale
Judge Mr David Rossiter
HORN RAM LAMB:- 1st G. M. & S. Wright, 2nd W. & C. Johnston
POLL RAM LAMB:- 1st Ben Lamb, 2nd G. & G. Henderson, 3rd R. Currie
PAIR OF RAM LAMBS:- 1st Cameron Carson
SHEARLING RAM:- 1st S.P. McCarry
SENIOR RAM:- 1st W. & C. Johnston
HORN EWE LAMB:- 1st Ben Lamb, 2nd Ben Lamb, 3rd W. & C. Johnston
POLL EWE LAMB:- 1st T. & S. Knox, 2nd W. & K. Carson, 3rd R. Currie.
PAIR OF EWE LAMBS:- 1st T. & S. Knox, 2nd W. & K. Carson, 3rd R. Currie
SHEARLING EWE:- 1st W. & C. Johnston, 2nd T. & S. Knox, 3rd Laura Weir.
PAIR OF SHEARLING EWES:- 1st W. & C. Johnston, 2nd T. &S. Knox
SENIOR EWE:- 1st T. & S. Knox, 2nd T. & S. Knox, 3rd S.P. McCarry
NOVICE BREEDER CLASS:- 1st Terry Treanor, 2nd J. Patterson
PROGENY GROUP:- 1st R. currie, 2nd C. Carson, 3rd W. & K. Carson
SUPREME CHAMPION:- Ben Lamb
RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION:- T. & S. Knox
BEST OPPOSITE SEX TO CHAMPION:- T. & S. Knox
BEST HORN EXHIBIT:- Ben Lamb
SHOW POINTS:- Ben Lamb, Richhill flock
Event organised by N.I. Dorset Club.
Sale conducted by J.A. McClelland & Sons
Sponsored by by Norbrook Pharmaceuticals.
The N.I. Dorset Club's 3rd Annual E.U. Export show and sale will take place on Friday 15th August 2014 at Hilltown Attested Salesyard, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down and is again generously sponsored by MSD Animal Health. Show 12noon, sale 2pm
Catalogues available from secretary on 07841 746 705
