Dairy cattle selling to a top of £2120 at Ballymena Mart

Beef cows sold to 198p for 600kg at £1188, Friesian cows to 132p for 550kg at £726, beef heifers to 254p for 730kg at £1854, beef bullocks to 248p for 700kg at £1736 and topped per head of £1922 for 870kg.

Friesian bullocks to 195p for 560kg at £1092.

Beef cows sold to: David Andrew, Templepatrick Limousin 600kg £1188 (198), J Thompson, Kells Simmental 750kg £1462 (195), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Limousin 610kg £1171 (192), Hugo Lennox, Coagh Charolais 880kg £1672 (190), AV Magill, Carnlough Limousin 660kg £1214 (184), Philip Kerr, Cloughmills Limousin 750kg £1380 (184), Mrs Moore, Crumlin Limousin 680kg £1244 (183), Stephen Boyle, Carrickfergus Charolais 650kg £1183 (182), TJ McLornan, Nutts Corner Limousin 730kg £1314 (180), local farmer Blonde d’Aquitaine 750kg £1350 (180), Limousin 730kg £1306 (179) and PL McKeag, Millisle Limousin 920kg £1619 (176).

Friesian cows sold to: Mrs Janet Duncan, Crumlin 550kg £726 (132), C Casey, Cloughmills 600kg £756 (126), P and G O’Rawe, Clough 730kg £912 (125), James Chestnutt, Portrush 550kg £687 (125), Desmond McKee, Randalstown 600kg £744 (124), F Allen, Randalstown 650kg £793 (122), N Trimble and Ptnrs 760kg £904 (119), J and C Kane, Ballycastle 670kg £797 (119), George Booth, Stewartstown 730kg £868 (119), James Chestnutt, Portrush 720kg £849 (118), local farmer 690kg £807 (117), D Maybin, Broughshane 660kg £772 (117) and J and C Kane, 550kg £643 (117).

Beef heifers sold to: Gerard McMullan, Knockloughrim Charolais 730kg £1854 (254), S Kelly, Kells Limousin 660kg £1544 (234), Brendan McCann, Portglenone Limousin 680kg £1577 (232), Gerard McMullan, Knockloughrim Charolais 680kg £1550 (228), C Ferris, Millisle Limousin 760kg £1725 (227), PL McKeag, Millisle Charolais 760kg £1710 (225), Hugo Lennox, Coagh Charolais 520kg £1154 (222), Chris McMullan, Rasharkin Charolais 560kg £1237 (221), WP Keenan, Crossgar Limousin 600kg £1314 (219), S Kelly, Kells Belgian Blue 670kg £1460 (218), Hugo Lennox Charolais 640kg £1395 (218), Patrick Logan, Ahoghill Limousin 590kg £1280 (217) and T McCullough, Broughshane Limousin 550kg £1193 (217).

Beef bulllocks sold to: C McDevitt, Limavady Charolais 700kg £1736 (248), WP Keenan, Crossgar Charolais 680kg £1679 (247), Limousin 640kg £1561 (244), A McDevitt, Limavady Charolais 760kg £1846 (243), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Charolais 690kg £1676 (243), Norman McBurney, Moorfields Limousin 660kg £1577 (239), Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Belgian Blue 750kg £1792 (239), A McDevitt, Limavady Limousin 740kg £1761 (238), Ivan Brown, Greyabbey Limousin 730kg £1730 (237), B and L Higgins, Moneymore Limousin 670kg £1587 (237), G McMullan, Knockloughrim Charolais 660kg £1557 (236) and W Irwin, Limavady Limousin 730kg £1715 (235).

Beef bullocks (top per head)

Local farmer Charolais 870kg £1922, Fergus Ferguson, Stewartstown Limousin 840kg £1890, Robin Nicholson, Monkstown Limousin 810kg £1887, Charolais 830kg £1884, local farmer Charolais 860kg £1874, Robin Nicholson Charolais 880kg £1874, A McDevitt, Limavady Charolais 760kg £1846, local farmer Charolais 820kg £1845 and Robin Nicholson Belgian Blue 820kg £1836, Limousin 860kg £1831, G Bodkin, Magherafelt Belgian Blue 900kg £1818, local farmer Charolais 810kg £1814.

Friesian bullocks sold to: James Wallace, Dunloy 560kg £1092 (195), 630kg £1222 (194), John O’Donnell, Toomebridge 650kg £1215 (187), J Gamble, Ballymoney 580kg £974 (168), John O’Donnell, Toomebridge 580kg £968 (167), J Gamble 560kg £929 (166), Mrs Janet Duncan, Crumlin 660kg £1095 (166), J Gamble 600kg £978 (163), 590kg £949 (161), 590kg £920 (156), 540kg £842 (156) and Mrs Janet Duncan 700kg £1085 (155).

Friday, November 13, 2020: Strong demand for 41 dairy cattle to a top of £2120 paid twice for calved heifers from Barry McStravick, Aghalee and David S Dickey, Randalstown.

Ruling prices: Barry McStravick, Aghalee £2120, DS Dickey, Randalstown £2120, Blair Jamison, Broughshane £2100, D Foreman, Belfast £2100, Barry McStravick £2100, DS Dickey £2080, Thomas Carlisle, Dundrod £2080, John Hunter, Crumlin £2060, DS Dickey £2040, D Maybin, Broughshane £2040, Maurice Hughes, Kircubbin £2000 and DS Dickey £2000.

A smaller entry of suckler stock. Breeding bulls to £1900 for an Aberdeen Angus.

Cow with calves to £1640 for a Saler with bull calf, springers to £1510.

Ruling prices: A Connor, Ballynure Saler £1640, H Chambers, Bushmills Limousin £1510, Keith Gunning, Newtownards Hereford £1460, James Nelson, Kilwaughter Belgian Blue £1400, William Gardiner, Ballyclare Hereford £1380, H Chambers Limousin £1320, Keith Gunning Hereford £1300, Brooke Huey, Ballymoney Aberdeen Angus £1260, Stabiliser £1140 and William Gardiner, Ballyclare Hereford £1120.

194 lots in the calf ring sold readily to £600 for a 4 month old Limousin heifer, younger lots to £500 for a 2 month old Belgian Blue bull.

Ruling prices: Beef bred calves - Alastair McBurney, Cloughmills Belgian Blue £500, J and J Huey, Armoy Aberdeen Angus £490, Sam Brennan, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus £470, J and J Huey Belgian Blue £465, Sam Brennan Aberdeen Angus £465, David Watton, Coleraine Belgian Blue £460, local farmer Charolais £440, A McMinn, Larne Charolais £440, Sam Brennan Aberdeen Angus £435, James Adair Hereford £430, J and J Huey Belgian Blue £425 and Sam Brennan Charolais £420.

Heifer calves sold to: Local farmer, Limousin £600, Alex Magee, Larne Charolais £470, WS Kennedy, Ballyclare Aberdeen Angus £465, Aberdeen Angus £430, J and J Huey, Armoy Belgian Blue £410, Belgian Blue £400, William Pearson, Newtownards Belgian Blue £400, S Warwick, Ballyclare Blonde d’Aquitaine £380, FC Patterson, Broughshane Aberdeen Angus £375, Aberdeen Angus £375, J and J Huey Belgian Blue £360, ES Hall, Ballyclare Limousin £360, Sam Brennan, Larne Simmental £360 and H Alcorn, Limavady Belgian Blue £360.

Friesian bull calves sold to: David Watton, Coleraine (2) £360, ES Hall, Ballyclare £225, Alastair McBurney, Cloughmills £225, ES Hall, £220, H and A Speedy, Randalstown £220, Alex Magee, Larne (2) £205, Joe Maybin £205, A Johnston, Clough £190, Alex Magee (2) £190, W and F Hill, Randalstown £190 and James Adair, Kells £190.

An entry of 250 weanlings in Ballymena resulted in a terrific trade.

Bullocks sold to £680 over for a Charolais 370kg at £1050 presented by RG Mulholland, Hannahstown.

Heifers sold to £630 over for a Limousin 430kg at £1060 offered by JA McKillop, Cushendall.

Bulls/bullocks 0-300kgs

Local farmer (2) Limousin 180kg £705 (391), Mrs H Minford, Nutts Corner Limousin 180kg £680 (377), SH Bellingham, Ballymoney Charolais 190kg £690 (363), local farmer Limousin 180kg £650 (361), Mark McAuley, Charolais 200kg £650 (325), local farmer Limousin 220kg £700 (318) and DJ McFerran, Dunloy Charolais 200kg £630 (315).

301-350kgs

HV McCambridge, Carnlough Charolais 310kg £925 (298), Charolais 320kg £905 (282), M and R Simpson, Broughshane Limousin 320kg £900 (281), HV McCambridge (2) Charolais 310kg £860 (277), Mark Thornton, Enniskillen Limousin 340kg £920 (270), Limousin 340kg £900 (264) and local farmer Limousin 320kg £840 (262).

351kg and over

RG Mulholland, Hannahstown Charolais 370kg £1050 (283), Parkmore Farms, Ballymena Limousin 380kg £970 (255), Mark Thornton, Enniskillen Charolais 370kg £940 (254), local farmer Limousin 370kg £920 (248), David Mairs, Magheragall Limousin 380kg £940 (247), Mark Thornton Limousin 360kg £880 (244), Brian Ervine, Straid Belgian Blue 360kg £870 (241) and Robert Evans, Randalstown LI 370kg £890 (240).

Heifers 0-300kgs

Parkmore Farms Limousin 230kg £880 (382), Ed Stirling, Kilwaughter (3) Blonde d’Aquitaine 170kg £560 (329), H Irvine, Kells (2) Speckled Park 170kg £550 (323), RJ McCullough, Glenwherry Simmental 180kg £545 (302) and local farmer (2) Limousin 270kg £810 (300).

301-350kgs

Parkmore Farms, Glenariffe Limousin 310kg £910 (293), HV McCambridge, Carnlough Charolais 310kg £905 (291), T McKillop, Glenarm Charolais 330kg £920 (278), Colin Woodside, Carrickfergus Blonde d’Aquitaine 310kg £820 (264), D Glass, Ballymena (4) Charolais 310kg £820 (264) and SH Bellingham, Ballymoney Limousin 310kg £820 (264).

351kg and over

JA McKillop, Cushendall Limousin 430kg £1060 (246), G McCaughey, Antrim (2) Limousin 360kg £855 (237), D Glass, Ballymena Charolais 390kg £905 (232), HV McCambridge, Carnlough Charolais 390kg £895 (229), JW Ferris, Ballynure Charolais 410kg £935 (228), SW Kirkpatrick, Glenavy Blonde d’Aquitaine 400kg £905 (226) and Daniel F McAlonan, Dunloy Simmental 510kg £1080 (211).

Monday, November 16, 2020: A smaller entry of sheep in Ballymena on Monday evening resulted in a good trade.

Store lambs sold to £88, ewe lambs to £121.

Leading prices:

Store lambs: John McClung, Kells 1 Kerry Hill £88, WE Adamsom, Carrickfergus 28 Lleyn £87, Robert Dundee, Kells 7 Texel £86.50, WE Adamson, Carrickfergus 19 Texel £86, Lloyd George, Nutts Corner 1 Texel £86, Mrs S White, Cloughmills 16 Texel £85, E Ferguson, Magherafelt 13 Texel £84.50, RM Carson, Islandmagee 4 Charollais £84, Alex Thompson, Islandmagee 4 Texel £81, D Bell, Antrim 55 Texel £79.50, HF McKay, Carnlough 5 Blackface £79, John McClung 1 Kerry Hill £76, D Carey, Newtowncromelin 18 Crossbred £73 and T and B Gibson, Broughshane 10 FB £71.

Ewe lambs sold to: Trevor Smyth, Kilrea 2 Jacob £121, Lloyd George, Nutts Corner 2 Texel £114, Trevor Smyth 1 Jacob £103, Patrick Kelly, Ballycastle 12 Crossbred £94, Robert Dundee, Kells 1 Texel £92, A Sampson, Castledawson 7 Texel £90, J McKillop, Cushendall 15 Mule £88, 7 Mule £87, PR Sleeman, Limavady 10 Mule £87, Lloyd George 1 Texel £86, J McKillop, Cushendall 15 Mule £85 and PR Sleeman, Limavady 5 Mule £85, 5 Mule £85, 10 Mule £85.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020: An entry of 160 store heifers in Ballymena resulted in a super trade.

Bullocks sold to £700 over for a Limousin 560kg at £1260 presented by M Thompson, Comber.

Heifers sold to £730 over for a Charolais 640kg at £1370 offered by C Christie, Cloughmills.

Bulls 0-500kgs

J Mawhinney, Kells Limousin 330kg £815 (247), Graham Brothers, Aughafatten Limousin 430kg £1030 (239), Limousin 450kg £1050 (233), T Catherwood, Portglenone Belgian Blue 270kg £610 (225), H Milliken, Newtownards Belgian Blue 490kg £1100 (224), A Devlin, Ballycastle Charolais 460kg £1030 (223), Mrs A Currie, Larne Limousin 380kg £850 (223), Limousin 400kg £890 (222) and A Devlin Limousin 440kg 3970 (220).

501kg and over

Mark Thompson, Comber Limousin 560kg £1260 (225), A and B Hunter, Antrim Charolais 570kg £1250 (219), Mark Thompson Limousin 590kg £1280 (217), H Milliken, Newtownards Belgian Blue 600kg £1285 (214), Belgian Blue 540kg £1150 (213), B Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 540kg £1150 (213), Mrs M Rea, Raloo Limousin 550kg £1170 (212), H Milliken Belgian Blue 570kg £1210 (212) and A and B Hunter, Charolais 530kg £1125 (212).

Heifers 0-500kgs

Thomas Catherwood, Portglenone Charolais 230kg £540 (234), A Devlin, Ballycastle Limousin 440kg £985 (223), Limousin 460kg £1020 (221), Limousin 470kg £1000 (212), Mark Thompson, Comber Limousin 420kg £890 (211), Limousin 500kg £1050 (210), A Devlin Charolais 440kg £910 (206) and H Milliken Belgian Blue 480kg £975 (203), Belgian Blue 460kg £925 (201).

501kg and over

Mark Thompson, Comber Limousin 560kg £1270 (226), J McCamley, Carrickfergus Charolais 520kg £1125 (216), C Christie, Cloughmills Charolais 640kg £1370 (214), B Smyth, Randalstown Charolais 560kg £1195 (213), Charolais 510kg £1085 (212), Mark Thompson Limousin 510kg £1080 (211), A Devlin, Ballycastle Charolais 520kg £1100 (211), Mark Thompson Limousin 600kg £1255 (209) and IB and HJ Marsden, Islandmagee Aberdeen Angus 590kg £1230 (208).

Wednesday, November 18, 2020: An entry of 3254 sheep in Ballymena resulted in another very steady trade.

Fat lambs sold to 515p for a pen of 5 Beltex 19kg at £98 presented by JW Harbinson, Limavady and to a top per head of £110 for 7 Beltex from the same seller.

Fat ewes sold to £139.

Fat lambs (3102)

Top prices per kg: JW Harbinson, Limavady 5 Beltex 19kg £98 (515), local farmer 12 Texel 19kg £95 (500), J Beggs, Carrickfergus 6 Dorset 16kg £80 (500), J Kane, Glenarm 4 Texel 19kg £93 (489), Tom McBride, Toomebridge 2 Texel 19kg £92.50 (486), R Wylie, Bushmills 2 Texel 18.5kg £89 (481), JW Harbinson 7 Beltex 23kg £110 (478), 11 Beltex 21kg £100 (476), WJ Boyd, Larne 16 Texel 20kg £93.50 (467), local farmer 1 Texel 14kg £65 (464), Chris McAllister, Moorfields 14 Texel 19kg £88 (463), John McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 23kg £106 (460), J McCollum, Carnlough 11 Texel 20kg £92 (460), John McFall 7 Texel 23kg £105.50 (458), 6 Texel 21kg £96 (457), Tom McBride, Toomebridge 13 Texel 21kg £95.50 (454), Graeme Martin, Broughshane 13 Texel 24kg £109 (454), Chris McAllister, Moorfields 10 Texel 21.5kg £97.50 (453), L Ballantine, Moorfields 13 Charollais 19.5kg £88 (451), K and P Buchanan, Larne 11 Texel 22.5kg £101 (448), Dr J Moss, Antrim 17 Texel 22kg £98.50 (447), R Davison, Broughshane 10 Texel 21.5kg £96 (446), Teresa Connon, Broughshane 4 Texel 21.5kg £96 (446) and C and I Dunlop, Cairncastle 7 Suffolk 20kg £89 (445).

Fat lambs (top per head)

JW Harbinson, Limavady 7 Beltex 23kg £110, Graeme Martin, Broughshane 13 Texel 24kg £109, John McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 34kg £108, J Newell, Ballymoney 22 Texel 29kg £108, WJ Steele, Coleraine 2 Texel 29kg £108, WJ Boyd, Larne 6 Texel 28.5kg £107, Noel Collins, Aghadowey 31 Texel 25kg £107, G Scullin, Toomebridge 3 Texel 25.5kg £106.50, John McFall, Broughshane 1 Texel 23kg £106, S McGowan, Ballymoney 10 Texel 26kg £106, S and T Clyde, Straid 2 Texel 29kg £106, S McCracken, Randalstown 19 Texel 27.5kg £106, Robert Collins 15 Mule 30.5kg £106, L McAuley, Glenarm 24 Texel 25kg £105.80, M Moffett, Broughshane 20 Texel 26.5kg £105.50, John McFall 7 Texel 23kg £105.50, A and J Currie, Ballyclare 23 Texel 26kg £105.50, J McConaghie, Stranocum 18 Suffolk 27.5kg £105, D Gaston, Carnlough 14 Texel 25.5kg £105, E Duncan, Ballycastle 9 Suffolk 26.5kg £105, Brian Lyttle, Moorfields 33 Texel 25kg £105, Norman McBurney, Moorfields 52 Charollais 25kg £105 and Ian Dodds, Glenwherry 26 Texel 25.5kg £105.

Fat ewes (152)

First quality

Suffolk - £100-£135

Texel - £100-£139

Crossbred - £75-£95

Blackface - £50-£65