Calves to £5600 at Swatragh
Swatragh Mart has excelled in the demand for Charolais commercial suckled claves with Sean McCloskey from Claudy receving a record £5600 for his champion heifer weighing 355kg!
Mr McCloskey also brought out the second and third in the heifer class as well as first, second and third in the bullock section. A clean sweep - not just this year but for the past ten years, the McCloskey herd has taken the champion at Swatragh Mart a record achievement for any commercial breeder.
Sean said that he uses 5 different pedigree Charolais bulls with his Limousin/Aberdeen Angus cross suckler herd and this has been his winning combination. He purchases some of his bulls at Charolais Club sales and others from Southern Ireland. The champion was bred from Chieftain, himself a champion bull.
Judge, Brian McAlister said “ Sean McCloskey brought out a batch of Charolais calves which were outstanding. They have the growth potential and conformation that beef finishers are seeking.” In fact Brian was so impressed with these calves that all of the awards went to the McCloskey cattle, and the prices certainly confirmed his judgment to be correct.
The first prize steer weighed 320 kilos and sold for £1200, while the second prize steer which weighed 300 kilos made £900. The third prize steer weighed in at 426 kilos and was knocked down in the ring at £895.
Mr McCloskey’s second prize heifer which weighed 288 kilos and sold for an impressive £2900. Taking the third prize, also a McCloskey heifer, 350 kg and was knocked down for £1080.
The Charolais suckled calf competition is sponsored by Ulster Bank and Martin Convery from the bank’s Garvagh branch was on hand to congratulate Sean McCloskey on his record achievement!
Omagh Show and Sale started off the Ulster Bank Competition, with well known local pedigree breeder Caldwell McAskie judging the large number of Charolais calves. The Champion was Eugene Donnelly, Dromore with a 370kg Charolais steer which sold for £735, Mr Donnelly also had champion heifer which sold for £670. Second in the steer class went to Charlie Allen Strabane, 370kg charolais which was purchased for £710, in third place Jack Lynch Castlederg 390kg and sold for £700.
The Ulster Bank was represented by Fergus McCrossan.
Ballymena Show and Sale saw stiff competition between renowned breeders, O,kane Brothers Carnlough and McAfee Brothers,Bushmills. The champion went to O’Kane Bros with a Charolais heifer r490kg which proved every inch the champion selling for £2000. The reserve champion also went to O’Kane Bros for the winning steer 410kg and sold for £880. In second place in the steer section went again to O’Kane Bros for a 370kg steer selling for £830. In third place McAfee Bros Bushmills sold a 380kg steer for £770.
Following the heifer champion McAfee Bros produced the second place heifer 520kg which was knocked down for an impressive £1390. In third place was Mr R Workman Kilwaughter, 320kg selling for £760. The judge Robert McWilliams commented that he was impressed with the quality of Charolais cattle on show and the keen bidding proved the popularity kof Charolais cattle with finishers.
The Ulster Bank was represented by Stephen Kane.
Hilltown had a good show of calves at their first suckler sale and plenty of keen bidding. The champion steer and overall champion went to Rostrevor breeder, Leo Fearon for a 458kg animal fetching £920 with the first place heifer belonging to Kyle McCaul, Armagh going under the hammer for £900 and weighing 370kg. Mr McShane brought out the second place steer which he decided to return to the herd.
Leo Fearon proved he is a top quality producer earning third place for a 394kg steer earning £735, as well as second and third place in the heifer section.
On hand to present the rosettes on behalf of the Ulster Bank was David George.
Draperstown Mart under the leadership of Richard Beattie boasted of their first Charolais Championship and according to the judge Sean McGovern, who himself has bred many champion pedigree cattle, stated that the quality of Charolais cattle on show was very impressive and prime examples of the Charolais Breed. After much deliberation the championj of the show went to the steer chamopion, a 350kg steer owned by Martin Brogan Omagh, which sold for £1300. in second place and reserve champion of the show went to JA Semple, Dungiven for 310kg selling for £880. In third place in the steer section went to Barry McClean Carrickmore for a 360kg steer which was knocked down for £730.
Sandra Cochrane Chairperson of the NI Charolais Club said she was impressed with the Ulster Bank Charolais Championships so far and the quality of cattle on show proved the confidence suckler breeders had in Charolais cattle and was delighted to see their quality breeding and management being rewarded in the sale ring. She also thanked Ulster Bank for their sponsorship which encouraged farmers to bring out quality calves and allowed purchasers to see the value of the Charolais breed in today’s beef industry.
The Ulster Bank Charolais Championships continue in Armoy 11th October, Enniskillen, 12th October, Newtownhamilton 23rd October, and Camlough 22nd October.
The next NI Charolais Club Show and Sale of females and bulls takes place on Friday 5th November at Dungannon Farmers Mart. Show at 10am with Sale at 1pm.