William McAllister’s Artnagullion flock topped the Charollais Northern Ireland Premier Sale held at Dungannon Market (Monday 27th July). His ram lamb sold for 6200gns to Southern breeder, Eddie Buckley, Co Cork. This late January-born lamb is by Greenvale Destroyer out of a prolific show-winning ewe by Ballyhibben Kickstart.
Also from the same pen was the pick of the judge, Tom Wales from Cumbria who went to 4800gns for his pre-sale champion, a Ballyhibben Paddy Power December-born lamb which had earlier in the year stood second at Balmoral Show.
Paying 5200gns was Southern breeder, John McCafferty from Co Donegal. He put in the last bid for a ram lamb from David Anderson’s Ballyhunsley flock. This one is an ET lamb by Riverdale Preacher out of Boyo Bacardi. A further three lambs from this vendor also achieved four-figure prices.
The Iskeymeadow flock of Richard Powell also had a successful day’s trading and topping his consignment was a Iskeymeadow Del Boy son which sold for 4500gns to previous buyer, Mr Buckley.
His next best went over the border to Southern breeder, Michael Power, Co Limerick at 3400gns for one by Iskeymeadow Courthouse. Also from the same pen, another Courthouse lamb made 2000gns to Trevor Patterson, Co Londonderry.
William Sherrard had four high index performance lambs, all sired by Edstaston Catch Me If You Can and attracted strong interest from buyers. His pen leader sold for 4000gns to Patrick Rossiter from Co Wexford. His next best lamb was out of a Iskeymeadow ewe and sold to Simon Brown from Co Kilkenny for 2600gns.
Following his strong trade in 2025, Gareth Beacom again enjoyed success with three lambs sired by Thackwood Bangkok from his Gorteen flock. Two full ET brothers out of a Knockin Shockin ewe made 3200gns and 3000gns apiece. The first one went to David Cromie, Co Down for his Millhaven flock and the next over the border to G and P O’Leary, Co Clare. The final lamb made 1700gns going to Albert Fergurson, Co Cork.
The ram lamb average showed a significant increase on 2025, finishing at £1414.09 for the same number sold.
The shearling ram trade was led by Stephen Macauley’s Erenagh flock, selling at 1550gns. Going to this money for a son of Bawnard Allaho was A Murray from Co Down.
Norman McMordie was shortly behind selling at 1500gns a piece, for his April-born sons of Oakchurch Admiral. Two of the Riverdale tups sold for 1500gns apiece; both to commercial lamb producers in Northern Ireland. Again the average price for this section was up at £1222.50.
A small entry of ewe lambs was topped by Josh Hamilton of the Whitehouse flock with two daughters of Boyo Bravemansgame. The highest price was 1900gns and she goes over the water to Cumbrian breeder, J P Graham and Son for the Wreay flock. Kevin Quinn from Co Rosscommon purchased the further two lambs from this pen for 1200gns and 800gns. Ewe lambs finished on an improved average of £1365.00.
Higher clearance rates and improved average prices were clear evidence of the continued demand for Charollais genetics from both pedigree breeders and commercial lamb producers.
