Top price of €2,500 recorded at Belgian Beltex Breeders’ Society sale

A top price of €2,500 was recorded for an in-lamb ewe at the Belgian Beltex Breeders’ Society sale held on Wednesday (December 2).

Speaking to AgriLand about the sale, Mick Brady, a member of the society, said: “2020 will be remembered for years to come for obvious reasons, but last Wednesday’s Belgian Beltex Breeders in-lamb and ewe lamb sale held in Tullamore will also go down in history as one of the best Beltex sales ever witnessed in Ireland, if not the best.

“Under Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions, it was only possible to facilitate a limited number of prospective purchasers around the ring but the addition of online bidding greatly added to the ferocity of the sale with online bidders active on the majority of forwarded lots.

Although prospective purchasers who attended the sale had the advantage of viewing stock live, it was clear prospective online bidders had their research put in prior to the sale with vendors reporting significant on-farm viewings prior to sale day.

“The sale that followed saw a phenomenal 93% of the females sold, with a top price and new Irish record of €2,500 and a staggering average of €675 being achieved at the sale, which is also believed to be a record average at an official Irish Belgian Beltex Society sale in Ireland.

“The sale topper was put forward by Declan Robinson from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Sheephaven Danoli, an in-lamb ewe, scanned carrying twins to Netherholm Elton [purchased at Carlisle in 2020 for €1,700] and described as ‘one of the best sheep ever bred’ by Declan, sold online after a flurry of ringside and online bidding for a new Irish record of €2,500.

“Not finished there, Robinson also secured the fourth-highest price of €1,000 for Sheephaven Enya ET, a Kingledores Wolfman daughter. She sold scanned carrying a single lamb to Netherholm Elton to Aeron James from Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

“Robinson also received €860 for Sheephaven Dare Deril from Michael and Jack Brady from Kilflynn, Co. Kerry.

“Next up was Quarrymount Candy Girl which sold for the second-highest price of the day at €1,620 for Brian Mathews from Killeigh, Co. Offaly. This much-admired ewe scanned carrying twins to Boherawillin Bascule was eventually knocked down to ringside bidder Michael McGrath.

“McGrath was also the top bidder for the third-highest lot of the day, exhibited by John Maher, Ballinakill Cyou, that sold for €1,560. This ewe from a great breeding line sold in-lamb to Carrigans Lower Denzel.

In-lamb ewes were met with an exceptional trade, with the remining lots selling from €260 up to €640.

“In the small ewe lamb section, Brian Mathews sold his top entry, Quarrymount Fabienne, a Royalflush Caesar daughter for the top ewe lamb price of the day of €600. This stylish powerful lamb joins Michael and Jack Bradys Royal flock in Kerry.

“Buyers came from all over the country to source females this year with many ringside and online bidders disappointingly failing to secure stock. The sale was undoubtedly the highlight of the Belgian Beltex Breeders’ Society’s year and it was a fantastic indication of the continued growing interest and awareness of the Beltex breed and bodes well for 2021 and the future.”