A small but selective sale of pedigree Charolais for the Northern Ireland club sale at Swatragh Mart, met a relatively buoyant demand with a top price of 5400gns and a 79% clearance.

Leading the trade was the reserve overall champion, Killadeas Neil, from Stuart and David Bothwell, Ballina Mallard, Co Fermanagh. Their 20 month-old bull is by Gwenog Braveheart and out of Killadeas Francis which goes back to Southern Irish Dunlon Ulick. He was purchased by Raymond Pedlow, Lurgan, Co Armagh.

Next at 4200gns was a blue ticket holder from Phillip McCrory, Garvaghey, Co Tyrone. Tandaragee Northstar, a November 2017-born son of Derryolam Impeccable, was purchased by James McLeister, Portglenone, Co Antrim, and is bred out of the Pirate-sired Tandaragee Ellie.

Just behind on 4000gns was the 18-month-old Ardmachree Noah, which caught the eye of Andrew Millar, Antrim, Co Antrim. Supreme champion at the pre-sale show, this entry from Aaron and Erin Quigley, Macken, Co Fermanagh, is by Blelack Digger while his dam is Mullinveigh Gaga, a daughter of Mowbraypark Orlando.

Also staged the same day was the Northern Ireland regional qualifier for the Charolais Youth national stock judging competition, which attracted a large turnout of youngsters hoping to secure a place on the Northern Ireland team at the finals, held at Clogher show at the end of July.

Previous Charolais National Youth Final winner, Kevin Reavey was the master judge.

Heading up the senior section with a score of 130 points was Alan Burleigh of Crummy, Co Fermanagh, with James Causey, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, coming a close second.

Erin Quigley, Macken, Co Fermanagh, won the intermediates with 146 points, followed by Mark Reid, Dungannon, Co Fermanagh on 142 points.

A score of 134 saw Clarke Balfour, Bellanaleck, Co Fermanagh, top the juniors, while runner up James Morrison, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on 130 points.

Joining the winners at the final will be next highest placed competitors Amy Wilson, Sam Matchett, Matthew Mitchell and Eimear McGovern.

Averages: 10 bulls £3286.50

Auctioneers Swatragh Livestock Market