Ballyrobin Volvo tops Limousin bulls in Ballymena at 15,000gns

Sale leader was the intermediate and overall champion Ballyrobin Volvo, a 21-month-old from Joan Gilliand and her niece Kim Montgomery from The Grove, Antrim. Volvo is a son of the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin and bred from the Lowerffrydd Empire daughter, Ballyrobin Obsession which is a full sister to the 20,000gns Ballyrobin Joop.

Eddie and Ben Lynch of the Ernevalley herd, Loughduff, Co Cavan, were the final bidders of Volvo which sold with F94L and Q204X myostatin genes.

Mossbrook Vector from Derek and David Campbell, made 12,000gns (Image: Agri-Images)

Judge Derek Frew of the Frewstown herd from Kells found his reserve in the reserve overall champion, Mossbrook Vector, from Derek and David Campbell, Magherafelt, which sold for 12,000gns. Reserve intermediate champion, this similarly aged entry is sired by Carrowreagh Navigator and bred from the Sympa daughter, Mossbrook Rosie. Vector sold with F94L and Q204X myostatins to Cameron Williamson from Kilrea.

At 10,000gns, the second prize Envier Vance from Michael McKeefry, Garvagh, changed hands with two copies of the F94L profit gene, to B Blaney, Cushendall. A son of the 35,000gns Ampertaine Majestic, his dam is the Ampertaine Bermuda-sired Envier Orla.

Four bulls made 7500gns each. First to sell at this price was the reserve senior champion Clydevalley Victory from Robert Clyde’s herd at Templepatrick. This 22-month-old son of Claddagh McCabe was purchased by Eugene McEntee from Crossmaglen.

Brian Hunter, and son Neil of the Hunterburn herd, Ballyclare, paid the same money for Frances McAuley’s Carmorn Vegas from Toomebridge. June 2024-born, Vegas is by the Westpit Omaha son, Carmorn Tigerroll that sold for 12,000gns at Carlisle.

Messrs McKenna, Bellaghy, also received 7500gns for the third placed Archies Valhalla. A son of the 12,000gns Goldies Statesman, this similarly aged bull was knocked down to Patrick McAnulty from Ballyward.

Also making 7500gns was Newhillfarm Vidal from M and J McPolin, Newry. This 18-month-old by Lynderg Rembrant headed home with Glenn Whyte, Glenanne.

A select entry of heifers sold to 3250gns for the second prize Bobbys Vixie, an August 2024-born entry from Kieran Magee, Hilltown.

Limousin genetics were also to the fore at the Springtime Spectacular show and sale, which attracted more than 45 commercial beef calves judged by John Killen from Crossgar.

The event, which ran alongside the Limousin sale, was topped at 9000gns by the reserve Limousin and reserve supreme, a 405kg black heifer from Fergal Gormley but bred by the Magee family. She is sired by 6500gns Ballyrobin Rockstar. The Magees also produced the overall champion, a 402kg Trueman Idol-sired heifer that went on to sell for 8500gns.

Averages: 30 bulls, £6503 (+£1690)

Auctioneers: Ballymena Livestock Market