New Calf record at £2250
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Demand for Charolais suckled calves had reached a peak of £1220 as the first round of sales progressed but this week saw a new high in Swatragh when Sean McCloskey of Claudy received £2250 for a 456 kilo heifer which took the supreme championship in the NI Charolais Club’s suckled calf competition
Judge, Andrew Patterson said “ Sean McCloskey brought out a batch of around 30 Charolais calves which were outstanding. They have the growth potential and conformation that beef finishers are seeking.” In fact Andrew was so impressed with these calves that almost all of the awards went to the McCloskey cattle, and the prices certainly confirmed his judgement.
The first prize steer weighed 390 kilos and sold for £1700, while the second prize steer which weighed 408 kilos made £1150. The third prize steer weighed in at 388 kilos and was knocked down in the ring at £1600.
Sean McCloskey also had the second prize heifer which weighed 380 kilos and sold for £1100. Taking the third prize award in the heifer ring was Martin Kelly from Limavady who sold his 384 kilo third prize winner for £800.
The Charolais suckled calf competition is sponsored by Ulster Bank and Stephen Watson from the bank’s Garvagh branch was on hand to congratulate both Sean McCloskey and Martin Kelly and present the awards.
The previous peak was realised at the Ballymena competition when a third prize heifer which weighed 284 kilos made £1220 and a first prize heifer at 352 kilos made £1160.
Both of these were exhibited by O’Kane Brothers, Carnlough who also had the first and second prize steers at the event. The first prize steer was also the champion calf and at 430 kilos made £900 while the second prize steer weighed 380 kilos and made £790. McAfee Brothers from Bushmills took third place in the steer section and sold their 380 kilo steer for £900. They also took second place in the heifer section with a 388 kilo animal which sold for £890.
At the competition in Omagh, Luke Breen from Lack, Kesh sold his supreme champion, a heifer weighing 395 kilos, for £840.