LAST week saw the return of the annual Christmas Fatstock Sale in Swatragh Livestock Market. There was an overall entry of 40 cattle and 40 pairs of butchers’ lambs.
An exceptionally good trade on the night saw Michael and Eamon Healy’s overall champion heifer make £4,050, bought by local farmers Drew and Sean O’Kane.
The reserve champion heifer, also owned by the Healys, went to the same home, making a grand price of £3,050.
The Housewives choice went to Apperleys Butchers (Ballymoney, Ballymena and Antrim).
Other high prices on the night were as follows: Toomebridge producer, £2,600, Belgian blue heifer; Lisahally producer, £2,250, Charolais maiden heifer, £2,220, Belgian Blue heifer; Strabane producer, £2,200 Limousin heifer.
Special thanks to Alan Farlow and John Apperley for judging the cattle.
Overall champion butchers’ lambs went to Garvagh producer James Gould, making £175 for 27kgs. Reserve champion butchers’ lambs went to Bellaghy producer James Kearney, making £182 for 25.5kgs.
Special thanks to Ross McCormick from Dunbia for judging the sheep. Also thanks to TH Duffin Butchers, Randalstown, for buying a significant number of butchers’ lambs on the night.
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