The sale topper at the Belgian Beltex Breeders’ premier sale was Fire Cracker, a ram lamb, exhibited by Stephanie and Hugh O’Connor, Cloneycavan, Ballivor, Co Meath, Cloneycavan, which sold for €1,200.
The Belgian Beltex Society held its premier sale on Saturday, August 29th at GVM Mart, Tullamore under COVID-19 restrictions.
Buyers were also offered the option of online bidding, with a tightening in COVID restrictions meant there was no pre-sale show.
Other notable prices
The O’Connors also received the second and third top prices on the day selling at €1,080 & €1,000 for their other two ram lambs from their pen.
The fourth-highest price was €900, for the January-born Beechlane Fred from Sandra Kane’s Flock at Cuttragh, Carrickaboy, Co Cavan.
Fifth was John and Dudley Maher’s January-born, Ballinakill Flanagan, from their flock at Ballinakill, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, which changed hands for €820.
The Roscrea-based breeder recorded the biggest individual flock sales of the day, selling 11 rams to new homes at an average price just shy of €500.
Parting ways at €800 was the embryo-bred Sheephaven Edwin from the Co. Donegal flock of Declan Robinson at Larganreagh, Downings, Letterkenny, who also received €680 for his shearling ram, Sheephaven Eric.
Other top prices included:
- Brian Mathews, of Quarrymount House, Killeigh, Co Offaly, who received €760 and 700 respectively for shearling rams; Quarrymount Eire and Quarrymount Electra;
- Michael McGrath, of Edmondstown, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, who secured €720 for January-born, Edmondstown Felix;
- David Pearson, of Coolbally Clough, Ballacolla, Co Laois, who sold March-born, Benji Firmino, at €700;
- James and Cormac Killilea, of New Line, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, who found a new home for Knockawuddy Effie at €700.
70% clearance
“The overall trade maintained the recent strong demand for pedigree sheep, with a large attendance ringside supported by online bidding throughout the day with the strong demand reflected in the 70% clearance for the breed at an average of €562.”
Image source: Beltex Sheep Ireland Facebook [Photo not captured at this sale]
