BYGONE DAYS: Co Down producer pays top price for Simmental

Top prices of 1,600 guineas and 1,460 guineas were paid for Simmental bulls by Co Down beef producer, David Heron from Killinchy, at the Northern Ireland Simmental Breeders Club show and sale which was held at Balmoral at the end of March 1982.
A lovely old photograph of Moira McAfee, aged 9, from Aghadowey, Co Londonderry, feeding calves in the Stack Garden in Drumale. Picture taken on July 13th 1926. Picture sent in by Farming Life reader Marcella McAuleyA lovely old photograph of Moira McAfee, aged 9, from Aghadowey, Co Londonderry, feeding calves in the Stack Garden in Drumale. Picture taken on July 13th 1926. Picture sent in by Farming Life reader Marcella McAuley
A lovely old photograph of Moira McAfee, aged 9, from Aghadowey, Co Londonderry, feeding calves in the Stack Garden in Drumale. Picture taken on July 13th 1926. Picture sent in by Farming Life reader Marcella McAuley

The top price of 1,600 guineas went to James Brown of Elagh House, Co Londonderry for a 16-month-old embryo transplant bull, which was first in his class in the show.

Mr Heron also paid the second highest price of 1,460 guineas for the supreme champion which was exhibited by John Gabbie of Ballynahinch, Co Down. This 15-month-old bull, had been the breed winner at the performance test at Loughgall which had been held earlier that month, and the bull had a 400-day weight of 617 kilos.

JUDGE PRAISES QUALITY

Mr William Robson, chairman of the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Club, with the judge Mr Hugo Maguire from Co Cavan at at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archivesMr William Robson, chairman of the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Club, with the judge Mr Hugo Maguire from Co Cavan at at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives
Mr William Robson, chairman of the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Club, with the judge Mr Hugo Maguire from Co Cavan at at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives

The judge, Mr Hugo Maguire from Co Cavan, was very impressed by the high quality of the top bulls and young heifers, the animals were superbly turned out and Mr Maguire praised the expert stockmanship of the Ulster breeders.

The 19 bulls sold averaged £1,120, about £100 up on 1981.

Only four heifers were sold to level at £926, against 10 sold in 1981 at an average of £714.

Details of the prices paid for bulls at Balmoral in March 1982 were as follows:

John Gabbie from Ballynahinch, Co Down, with the supreme champion Simmental bull which sold for 1,460 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archivesJohn Gabbie from Ballynahinch, Co Down, with the supreme champion Simmental bull which sold for 1,460 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives
John Gabbie from Ballynahinch, Co Down, with the supreme champion Simmental bull which sold for 1,460 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives

1,600 guinea – James Brown, Elagh House, Co Londonderry (bought by David Heron, Killinchy, Co Down).

1,460 guineas – John Gabbie, Ballynahinch, Co Down (sold to David Heron).

1,260 guineas – Victor Irwin, Drumquin, Co Tyrone (sold to Wesley Ferguson, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Co Tyrone).

1,230 guineas – Herbert Gilpin, Killybrack, Omagh, Co Tyrone (sold to McCready Brothers, Kilcoo, Newry, Co Down).

James Brown, Elaghmore, Co Londonderry, with his first prize Simmental bull, which made the top price of 1,600 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archivesJames Brown, Elaghmore, Co Londonderry, with his first prize Simmental bull, which made the top price of 1,600 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives
James Brown, Elaghmore, Co Londonderry, with his first prize Simmental bull, which made the top price of 1,600 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982, Picture: Farming Life archives

1,200 guineas – Robert Gamble, Ballyminetra, Bangor, Co Down (sold to George Bryson, Scarva, Co Down).

1,200 guineas – Eric Love, Heaglas Road, Ballymoney, Co Antrim (sold to Jack Mitchell, Castlederg, Co Tyrone).

1,120 guineas – John Gilmour, Kircubbin, Co Down (sold to Edward Carson, Tyrella, Downpatrick, Co Down).

1,050 guineas – Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart (sold to Henderson Brothers, Limavady, Co Londonderry).

1,050 guineas – A T Robinson, Bailliesmills, Lisburn, Co Antrim (sold to W D Millar, Eglington, Co Londonderry).

1,010 guineas – John Gabbie, Ballynahinch (sold to J N D Fawcett, Belcoo, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh).

1,000 guineas – James Brown, Elaghmore, Co Londonderry (sold to B S Johnson, Hillsborough, Co Down).

980 guineas – John Gabbie (sold to Dermot McCarthy, Kircubbin, Newtownards).

970 guineas – F W McMordie, Ballygowan (sold to H H and F H Gilchrist, Ardglass, Downpatrick, Co Down).

940 guineas – Robert Allen, Randalstown, Co Antrim (sold to John McKinley, Ardmore, Co Londonderry).

940 guineas – Jack Minnis, Killinchy (sold to L A Mourbray, Newtownstewart).

910 guineas – Robert S Robinson, Dungannon, Co Tyrone (sold to Thomas Quinn, Coagh, Cookstown, Co Tyrone).

900 guineas – Norman Truesdale, Ballyward, Co Down (sold to John McAvoy, Rathfriland, Co Down).

750 guineas – John Best, Poyntzpass, Co Down (sold to Robert Sloan, Stewartstown).

700 guineas – R A McBride, Derryboye, Crossgar, Co Down (sold to Thomas Boyd, Portglenone, Co Antrim).

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