Spring show and sale set for Farmers' Mart

Sponsored by Animax, the event has attracted an entry of 34 bulls and 20 pedigree females.

Judging commences at 10.30am, and is in the capable hands of Frank Kelly from Ashland Herd based at Tempo, County Fermanagh. The sale will get underway at 1.00pm.

Club chairman Matthew Cunning said: “This is the club’s official spring show and sale, with the bulls on offer ranging in age from June 2015 to March 2016.

“Prospective bidders are assured of quality and consistency, and can buy with confidence knowing that all pedigree and commercial cattle have been tested (negative PI) and vaccinated for BVD. Many of the pedigree bulls and females featured in the catalogue come from high health accredited herds.

He added: ”The pedigree stock will be veterinary inspected on the morning of the sale, and sold under the auspices of the National Beef Association.”

Herds represented in the catalogue include: Ashdale, Bridgewater Farm, Cladymore, Cleenagh, Coolcrannel, Derrycallaghan, Derrylea, Drumearn, Drumlone, Edenbann, Edenvale, Gortnamoyagh, Hiltonstown, Kilbride Farm, Knockreagh, Lakeside, Lisglass, Longbeach, Mullyknock, Ranfurly, Rehall, Stewartstown, Slievenagh and Stralongford.

The female portion of the catalogue has attracted entries from the following herds: Castlemount, Cleenagh, Derrycallaghan, Drumnagarner, Knockreagh and Rehall. Also on offer are draft entries from the Cladymore and Lummin Herds.

Archie Reaney’s County Armagh-based Cladymore Herd is offering four maiden heifers by the Cairnview Snazzy son Kilbride Farm Cavan.

David and Margaret Thompson, Ahoghill, have consigned six heifers from their long-established Lummin Herd. They include 2015 and 2016 born daughters of bulls such as the 20,000gns Auchorachan Wizard, the 20,000 Euro Curaheen Tyson, and the outcross sire Curaheen Apostle.

Matthew Cunning continued: “With rising overhead costs commercial suckler farmers and beef producers are keen to take advantage of the Simmental breed’s dual purpose characteristics. The Simmental boasts tremendous maternal and terminal traits, giving it a competitive edge when it comes to profitability.”

He concluded: ”Simmental females are fertile, docile, and have great mothering instincts, coupled with plenty of milk; while Simmental progeny have excellent growth rates and are economical to finish on low input systems.”

Catalogues are available free on request from the auctioneers, Dungannon Farmers’ Mart tel: 028 8772 2727.

Alternatively, contact club secretary Robin Boyd for further information, mobile: 07799 346784.