moira autumn sale 2011

Blues top at 9,300gns with 99% clearance at Moira

The Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Clubs’ autumn show & sale, at Moira Sales Arena, met with an excellent trade, on Saturday 5th November, with a 99% clearance. Auctioneer, Michael Taaffe, commented “customers were looking for tall, longer, bigger bulls within easy calving bloodlines; Smaller, thicker bulls being in less demand.”

The sale topped at 9,300 for the last and youngest bull through the ring, Rathkeeland Freestyle ET from Crawford Brothers. This very stylish June 2010 born son of Dafydd D’Ochain was out of Wilodge Ofleur ET, stood first in his class and finds a new home with M. McGirr, Shillanmore, Co. Fermanagh.

Stephen Crawford with Rathkeeland Freestyle ET

Next in line was 3rd prize-winner, Chatham Fred from noted breeders, Jack, Anne & David Morrison. This black & white son of Mountjoy Utopia and out of their homebred cow, Chatham Sadie, was keenly bid for, but it was J Glenn, Leverogue, Lisburn who came out on top, to take him home at 4,000gns. Also from the same stable, was the third prize winner, Chatham Earl at 3,600gns. Earl was out of Chatham Torie but this time sired by their stock bull Paulern Verdi and went home with Mr. CD Morrison, 80 Carrowreagh Road, Co Antrim.

Next highest price was 3,400gns twice. First through the ring was the Reserve Male Champion, Deerpark Emmet ET from Kevin Kane. This, all white, well muscled son of the famous Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur was knocked down to David & Gail Ellis, St Ives, Cornwall.

Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel owned Springbank Eddie ET, the Reserve Supreme Champion, Ivan is pictured with Steve Pattinson, Carlisle, Judge of the event and John Henning, Head of Agri-Business, Northern Bank, Sponsors

Also at 3,400gns was the Male Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion, Springbank Eddie ET from Corrina & Ivan Gordon. This very strong, dark blue & white bull was sired by Ballygrange Alex and was out of the Totem De Chocquenee sired cow, Lukeroyal Tutu ET. Eddie finds a new home with Mr. B Hall, Monkstown, Co Antrim.

Leading the ladies at 3,100gns was the Female Champion and Supreme Show Champion, Knockagh Elegant Et, from Jim & Laura Ervine. The Judge, Steve Pattinson, from the Kelowna Herd based at Roadhead, Carlisle, chose this super, almost black heifer as his Supreme Champion, commenting that “this is a very special heifer.” Aptly named, Elegant was out of the homebred, Knockagh Velvet and sired by Springbank Blackstar and finds a new home with David & Gail Ellis, St Ives, Cornwall, to join their “Trencrom” herd.

Knockagh Elegant ET owned by W.J Ervine, Newtownabbey was the Supreme Champion, included in the photograph from left: Steve Pattison, Carlisle, Judge; Gwyn Williams, President, British Blue Cattle Society; Laura and Jim Ervine and John Henning, Head of Agri-Business, Northern Bank, Sponsors.

Knockagh Elegant ET owned by W.J Ervine, Newtownabbey was the Supreme Champion, included in the photograph from left: Steve Pattinson, Carlisle, Judge; Gwyn Williams, President, British Blue Cattle Society; Laura and Jim Ervine and John Henning, Head of Agri-Business, Northern Bank, Sponsors

Next in line was first prize winner and the Reserve Female Champion, Ernroyal Flo ET from Mr. L A Richardson. Flo, another eye-catching black heifer was sired by Empire D’Ochain and out of Knockagh Whisper ET. She finds a new home with Tom Gilligan, Manulla, Co Mayo at 2,300gns.

Woodview Cinderella owned by Andrew Craig, Coleraine and exhibited here by Lynsey Laurence took first place in the female class

Following closely behind at 2,200gns was Woodview Cinderella ET from Andrew Craig, who stood first in her class. This Dafydd D’Ochain sired, eye-catching young cow sold, Pd’d in calf to Black N Blue Diesel and finds a new home with Mr. Robb, Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

Averages
Bulls 2,994gns (£3,143.70)
Maiden Heifers 1,922gns (£ 2, 018)
Cows 1,900gns (£1,995)

Show Results
Class 1:
1st – Deerpark Emmet ET (Lot 4) – Kevin Kane
2nd – Droit Evolution ET (Lot 2) – Richard Mowbray
3rd – Deerpark Elite (Lot 1) – Kevin Kane

Class 2:
1st – Springbank Eddie ET (Lot 7) – Corrina & Ivan Gordon
2nd – Springhill Endless (Lot 8) – Martin Bros
3rd – Chatham Earl (Lot 11) – JM Morrison & Son

Class 3:
1st – Chatham Fergus (Lot 15) – JM Morrison & Son
2nd – Ballydougan Furlong ET (Lot 14) – B Chambers
3rd – Chatham Fred (Lot 13) – JM Morrison & Son

Class 4:
1st – Rathkeeland Freestyle ET (Lot 21) – Crawford Bros
2nd – Ballydougan Felix ET (Lot 20) – B Chambers
3rd – Corcreevy Firestone (Lot 19) – W Adams

Class 5:
1st – Woodview Cinderella ET (Lot 23) – Andrew Craig
2nd – Woodview Cinders (Lot 25) – Andrew Craig
3rd – Woodview Caprice ET (Lot 24) – Andrew Craig

Class 6:
1st – Knockagh Elegant ET (Lot 27) – WJ Ervine
2nd – Blossom Hill Emily ET (Lot 29) – J Strange
3rd – Ballyhossett Elsbeth ET (Lot 26) – Jason & Jennifer Edgar

Class 7:
1st Erneroyal Flo ET (Lot 38) – LA Richardson
2nd Meadowview Blues Fifi ET (Lot 35) – W Hetherington
3rd Lukeroyal Fairytale ET (Lot 39) – M & D Lucas

Class 8:
1st Droit Flossy ET (Lot 42) – Richard Mowbray
2nd Baronagh Blues Fizz (Lot 41) – Robert McCormick
3rd Droit Fern ET (Lot 43) – Richard Mowbray

Champion Male – Springbank Eddie
Reserve Champion Male – Deerpark Emmet
Champion Female – Knockagh Elegant
Reserve Champion Female – Ernroyal Flo
Supreme Champion – Knockagh Elegant
Reserve Supreme Champion – Springbank Eddie

Auctioneers:
Taaffe Auctions, Milltown, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth Tel: 00-353-(0)41-9881288

Photographs available from:
Columba O’Hare fotacol@newry.info m. 07754 171130