• 61% clearance rate (11/18)
  • Averages down on the year by £108 on overall sale (but no cow & calf units)
  • Gross down on the year to £15,645
  • Heifer average up on the year to £1,555 (+£4)

The first British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Sale of 2016 was held at Ballymena Mart on Saturday 16th January for haltered and unhaltered females with a top price of 2,000gns for a maiden heifer. Averages and clearance rates were down on the year with an overall average of £1,555 (-£108) but as the entry of females were all very young ages,  between 7months to 2 year old,  this compared to last year’s heifer average is very similar at £1551.

Rahoney Joyful bred by Messrs H & D McFarland, Trillick gained the highest price of 2,000gns. This March 2014 born heifer is sired by Ampertaine Elgin out of home bred dam Rahoney Gracious, a Wilodge Cerberus daughter who is full sister to Rahoney Geoffery, sold in Carlisle Feb 2013 for 23,000gns.  This heifer holds a Beef Value of LM21 and now heads to new owner A Murphy, Waringston, Armagh.

Rahoney Joyful 2000gns
Rahoney Joyful 2000gns

Second top price of the day at 1,850gns went to Heathmount Jasmine bred by Messrs McKinney Brothers, Maghera. This young October 2014 born heifer is sired by Bailea Andre, a Salomon son, and out of the homebred dam Heathmount Tango. She now heads to the pedigree breeder T Pollock, Kilrea.

Third best price for a maiden heifer came in the form of the 1,800gns for Castlerock Lilac bred by Miss L Savage, Drumnahoe. This January 2015 born heifer sired by Ampertaine Elgin and out of homebred dam Castlerock Glitzy, a Wilodge Cerberus daughter now heads to new owner A Murphy, Waringstown, Armagh.

Averages:

11 Heifers                           £1,555.90

Total sale                           16,300gns  £17,115 Stg

Auctioneers                       JA McClelland & Sons

Sponsors                             Ulster Bank Limited & Connon General Merchants, Ballymena