Calf success continues at Enniskillen
After record sales in Swatragh and other marts, the Charolais suckled calf was in firm demand at the suckled calf championship sale in Enniskillen. The champion calf and first prize heifer went to Tom Parke, Springfield, with an April born Charolais calf weighing 308kg and topped the market at £1600. Second place heifer went to David Boles Lisbellaw for a 420kg, Jan born calf which sold for £1020, while 3rd place was awarded to Liam Leonard, Irvinestown who showed a 298kg heifer which peaked at £640.
The male calves also showed popularity with the buyers, when first prize male owned by Eugene McManus, Derrylin, was keenly bid to £1000, with second prize going to popular breeder Gerard Law, who has received numerous prizes in the past for premium commercial cattle. Third place went again to Tom Parke, Springfield for his ten month old male Charolais calf which fetched £900. The Ulster Bank representative at the sale, Anne-Marie McCusker stated that she was impressed with the fine Charolais line up and that the prices received reflected the strong confidence finisher has in the Charolais breed and she felt proud that the Ulster Bank again had sponsored such a top quality competition.
The Judge Alan Burleigh, despite his young age, is no stranger to the Charolais breed, with both his dad Andrew and grandfather, Harold Stubbs regularly breeding champion pedigree Charolais stock for the commercial market as well as judging alongside them at shows both here and in southern Ireland. This show was Alan’s debut judging alone and the prices showed a true reflection of this young man’s judging skills and ability.
Sandra Cochrane, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Charolais Club stated that she was delighted with the excellent turn out of Charolais calves throughout the Province this year and the dynamic trade reflected the interest finishers have in a breed which is renowned for its growth potential and excellent conformation.
She continued to thank the Ulster Bank in which the Charolais Club is indebted for their continuing support year on year, and conveyed a special word of thanks to the commercial breeders for choosing the Charolais breed which is indeed proving to be a profitable choice in a climate of cutting costs and rising prices.
Sandra encourages Commercial Breeders to continue their choice of almost 80 fine Charolais bulls which will be on show and for sale at the Northern Ireland Charolais Clubs Autumn sale in Dungannon Farmers Mart on 5th November, show commencing at 9.00am and sale at 1.00pm.There will also be an opportunity to view and speculate on over 50 high quality heifers, all coming from pristine pedigree herds and will prove to be a valuable investment to any suckler herd.
This has been well proven with the excellent prices received this year at the Ulster Bank Charolais Suckled Calf championships which will be completed with Camlough on 22nd October and Newtownhamilton 23rd October. The season will end with the NI Charolais Club Autumn Show and Sale, Dungannon Farmers Mart Friday 5th November, Show 9.00 and Sale at 1.00pm