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Founded in 2014 by Kevin McOscar, Island Farm invested in some of the most expensive Angus genetics in the UK over the last decade, sourcing females from Rawburn, Cheeklaw and Blelack to name a few.
On Friday 13 June, the entire herd was dispersed at Beatties Pedigree Centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, under auctioneer Richard Beattie.
Angus breeders from Ireland and the UK flocked to the Red Hand County for the unreserved dispersal, which featured in-calf cows, cows with calves at foot, maiden and in-calf heifers, bulls, and embryos.
New and existing breeders purchased in what was a strong trade, with all lots finding new homes.
Sale leader
Topping the trade at 11,000gns (€13,561) was one of the cornerstone cows, Blelack Princess Chartreuse T848, which sold with her March 2025-born heifer calf at foot.
Born in March 2017, this broad cow is a daughter of Warrenho Emperor M425 and Blelack Princess Cinders M956, regarded as one of the best breeding cows in the herd.
Shown successfully as a heifer and coming from the famous Princess Caroline family at Blelack, it was no wonder she was choice lot of the Tonley herd in Scotland.
Northern Ireland breeder Samantha Allen made no mistake in securing the sale leader's daughter, Island Farm Princess X994 at 8,200gns (€10,109). Sired by Stouphill Marcus Prince U251, this May 2021-born cow sold with her two-month-old heifer calf at foot, Island Farm Prize Lady B022, a daughter of Blelack Dark Magic.
Matching her at the same money was Island Farm Monrose Z392, a 27-month-old son of Stouphill Marcus Prince.
He went to auction having won the male and reserve overall champion at the 2024 Northern Ireland National Angus Show.
Plus on calving at +0.5 and above average on most traits, he was snapped up by G McGreevy from Hilltown.
Evora family
Trading at 7,400gns (€9,123) was the in-calf heifer, Island Farm Evora Mist Z554. Born in June 2023, this Blelack Dark Magic daughter is out of Blelack Prince Consort daughter, Weeton Evora S489, who goes back to the great Evora family at Blelack.
Having the final call on her was Belston Ltd based in Aghalee, Co Antrim.
The former overall junior champion at Clogher Valley Show was next best through the ring at 7,100gns (€8,753).
Island Farm Pretty Y145 is a February 2022-born daughter of Stouphill Marcus Prince and Ribble Passionetta.
Securing this cow along with her spring 2025-born calf was Wesley Hamilton from Omagh in Co Tyrone.
The well-established Coltrim Angus herd owned by Ivan Forsythe added Island Farm Evora X075 to its fold at 7,000gns (€8,630).
She was sold alongside her March 2025-born bull calf sired by Blelack Dark Magic.
Leading the yearling heifer trade at 6,000gns (€7,397), was Island Farm Evora A646. A daughter of the matriarch cow, Weeton Evora S489, this Blelack Dark Magic daughter also went home with Belston Ltd based in Co Tyrone.
Pick up this week's Irish Farmers Journal to read all about it.
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