April 2009 Archives

THE champion at the South West England Charolais Association's spring show and sale at Holsworthy, Devon, sold for £5,250.

The prize winner, Balbitham Cosmo, a 16-month-old bull from Mr and Mrs White, Swanage, Dorset, sold to Messrs Brenton and Son, St Keyne, Cornwall.

The reserve champion also went to the Balbitham herd with Darcey a 15-month-old home-bred bull later selling at £3,727 to Messrs Howard and Son, Devizes, Wiltshire.

Lovistone Chancellor, a two-year-old bull consigned by Brian Nancekivell and Son, Merton, Devon, sold to suckler calf producer James Medland, Tavistock, Devon, for £3,675.
 
Averages: bulls £3,101.11.

Auctioneers: Kivells

OVER 150 head of pedigree Welsh Black store cattle went under the hammer at Dolgellau cattle market last week.

A pen of seven pedigree steers aged between 24-25 months of age weighing 595kg realised each. They were consigned by I. Hughes, Llanuwchllyn, Bala

A pair of steers, from J.E. Jones, Tywyn, Gwynedd, realised £900 a head. They were 21-months-old and weighed 585kg.

A single steer weighing 505kg from H.P. Roberts, Llanuwchllyn, Bala, sold at £845.

In the heifer section a 22-month-old consigned by W.H. and B. Evans, Talybont, Gwynedd, sold at £705.

The highest prices animal per kg went to a group of five pedigree steers from T.W. Williams and Co, Dolgellau, Gwynedd. They made 179p/kg.

Auctioneers: Farmers Marts (R.G. Jones)

This weekend sees 347 Limousins - bulls and females - go under the hammer at Carlisle. The show classes take place tomorrow and the sale kicks off on Saturday at 10am.

Unfortunately I won't be at Carlisle to take in the action as I'm off to Blackpool for the YFC AGM but details from the sale will appear on the web sometime over the weekend.

A full report will follow next week.

If you're heading to Carlisle (buying or selling) good luck!

SKIPTON auction mart's sale of British Blue cattle peaked at 2,400gns for a pure-bred white bull from David and Rachel Capstick, Hellifield.

The May 2007-born son of Serum was knocked down to Oldfield Bros, Gisburn.

The show championship went to a November 2007-born heifer from the High Moss herd of G.W. Wallbank, Keasden, Clapham.

Shown by Jack Wallbank, High Moss Chardonnay is a daughter of Fanion De Ronchy. The dam is the Wallbank's own Currarie U2.

The champion sold for 2,000gns to Stephen Swales, York.

The same dam was also responsible for the Wallbank's third prize heifer, High Moss Donna, a March 2008, daughter of Jaguar De Pierrecome, which sold for 1,900gns to Martin Sharp, Stainforth, Settle.

The reserve prize went to Keith and Gareth Hogg, Copgrove, Harrogate, with a three-year-old bull - Copgrove Blaze - by Visconti De St Fontaine. Blaze is the second calf out of Gregmaur Vivian. The buyer was 2,300gns was Tim Metcalfe, Clayton, Bradford.

Averages: bulls £2,240; females £2,047.50.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

PICSTON Shottle daughters topped the on-farm dispersal sale of the Shilvington herd of Holsteins sold on behalf of T.W.G. Bartlett and Sons, Weymouth, Dorset.

Two made 3,100gns each. The first was Shilvington Shottle Tina that calved her second in February and gave 10,310kgs as a heifer. She was knocked down to the Hartlandview herd, Devon. The other at top money was Yardgrove Shottle Ona, descended from the EX93 Starbuck Ona. She sold back to her breeders David and Oliver Coombes who also bought her heifer calf Shilvington Mr Sam Ona for 1,500gns.

A total of 62 cows and heifers realised over £2,000.

The sale catalogue covergirl, Shilvington Champion Dawn, sold for 2,600gns and the other photographed Shottle daughter from the Lady family realised 2,700gns.

Calved heifers sold to average £2,121 with Kamps-Hollow Convcd RSVP daughters in demand and selling to 2,550gns for the VG86 Dawn heifer and 2,500gns for the VG85 Melody, which crossed into Somerset to join Messrs Osborne's Torvalley herd.

Served heifers due from September to January sold to 1,750gns twice for two of the Heather family both descended from three generations of VG dams and both due to Den-K Marshall Laurin in October.

The strongest trade of the day was for the 34 heifer calves which topped at 1,650gns for another of the Heather family - Shilvington Shottle Heather 2 - out of Outside Heather 3 she was bought by Messrs Cobb, Dorset.

Averages: cows and heifers (including 'A' lots) £2,108.25; calved heifers £2,121; served heifers £1,613.80; heifer calves £837.84.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt

MOIRA sales arena, Northern Ireland was packed last Friday for the dispersal sale of the Bearbrook Limousin herd sold on behalf of Bernard Mairs, Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

Ronick Money bred by R. Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling, and originally purchased by Mr Mairs in 2004 for 18,000gns, topped the female trade at 5,400gns.

This 13-year-old successful show cow was sold in absentia as she was due to Newhouse Aristocrat. She was purchased by Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop for their Springsett herd, Manor Powis, Stirling. Mr McBeath was Money's handler at many of her show outings.

At the same money was Ronick Money's 2004-born calf, Ronick Valueless, a Ronick Riogrande daughter, which sold with her bull calf by Ronick Argos at foot. The hammer fell to Moses Irwin, Fintona.

A total of 146 straws of semen from 15 bulls also went under the hammer and topping this section was Greensons Gigolo at 550gns per straw. The 21 straws on offer were sold in 4 batches to gross £10,972 selling to an undisclosed buyer. Broadmeadows Cannon semen made 150gns per straw.

Next best through the live ring was Ronick Violist at 5,200gns selling to Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw. This four-year-old cow, by Ronick Riogrande, sold in-calf to Greensons Gigolo.

Pennys Ulay made 4,500gns. Bred by P. Walker, Driffield, Yorkshire, she sold with a heifer calf at foot by Ronick Iceman and was back in-calf to Ronick Argos. She is by Scorboro Olympian and sold to Sean McGeehan, Fivemiletown

Glarryford Bee, a daughter of Samy, bred by Sam Coleman, Glarryford, made 4,000gns. She sold in-calf and went to Steve McGookin, Carrickfergus.

Auctioneer: R.A. Noble and Co

A show and sale of British Blue primestock at Borderway mart, Carlisle, was won by a heifer from J.E. and G. Burrow, Skipton, which later sold for 237.5p/kg (£1,296.70) and was bought by Bowland Foods on behalf of Pattons Quality Butchers, Millom.

The reserve championship went to the first prize heavy heifer consigned by Messrs Watson, Cunningarth, and selling for 213.5p (£1,268.19) to M. Atkinson, Ripon.

The sale also saw a centre record price achieved for a cull cow. The cast cow, from Buckabank Farms, weighed 822kg and sold for 243.5p/kg to gross £2,147.67 to C.M. Kirkpatrick.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

THE champion pen at Skipton auction mart's show and sale of gimmer hoggs with lambs at foot was consigned by A.C. and C. Hutchinson, Kirkby Wiske, Northallerton.

His five-strong pen of Mules with single lambs sold for £170 per outfit, top price in class, to John Gate, Northwich, Cheshire, who also bought the second prize pen from Raymond and Robert Johnson, Felliscliffe, Harrogate, at £150 per output.

Mr Hutchinson also achieved the day's top price when his second prize pen of Beltex hoggs with lambs were bought by A. Lawson and Son, Tadcaster, for £192 per head.

The first and third prize pens of Continental hoggs and lambs were shown by John Stapleton, Skipton, and were knocked down for £172 and £152 per outfit respectively to D.J. Jackson, Northwich.

Judge Mike Allen, Staithes, Whitby, also adjudicated at the day's second prize show and sale of geld Mule gimmer hoggs.

First prize went to a pen of ten sheep from Donald Sunderland, Halton East, selling for £97 each to Messrs Newton, Bedale.

With 1,309 breeding sheep forward, Mule hoggs with single lambs averaged a healthy £135.24, and Mule shearlings with twin lambs averaging £161.26.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

A top of 2,700gns was realised when the Notwen herd of Holsteins was dispersed on behalf of Gordon Macarthur and Co, Forres, Moray, at Borderway mart, Carlisle

Trade was brisk for correct cattle with the top money being paid for Notwen Pea Hen14, a Weeton Orion daughter selling to Greentower Farms, Cartland, Lanark.

Four animals sold for 2,200gns; the first was Notwen Chantal 49 also sired by Weeton Orion she now joins the herd of W.C. and D.J. Copland, Ecclefechan, Lockerbie.

Second was Notwen Pansy 132 this heifer was fresh in February and giving over 30kg daily, she was purchased by Mark Farmers, Dunragit, Stranraer.

The last animal to sell for 2,200gns was another fresh heifer this time by Stardale Saha from the Mairi family. The hammer fell to Greentower Farms, Cartland, Lanark.

Averages: 152 cows and heifers in-milk, £1,108.86; 16 in-calf heifers, £1,794.84; 54 maiden heifers, £875.97; 64 heifer calves, £415.57; 287 head overall, £948.11.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

THE two-day dispersal of the entire Checkley herd of Holsteins sold on behalf of the Moore family, Crewe, Cheshire, saw prices reaching 5,200gns.

Top seller was the last lot on the first day; Checkley Talent Ghost, a four-month-old ET calf sired by Talent and bred from nine generations of dams classified in the top two grades from the Ghost family. Final bidders were Hertfordshire breeders Jim Arnott and Duncan Hunter who were buying for their Smartmove Holsteins syndicate.

The next best and leading the bidding on the second day was Checkley Shottle Molli, with four generations of VG/EX dams in direct line behind and whose granddam was the former National Holstein Show Reserve Grand Champion Jonelma Astre Molly (Ex96-3E); this July 2007 daughter of Picston Shottle had been recently bred to Talent. The hammer fell to at 4,700gns to Stephen Sherratt, Hartington, Ashbourne.

Clayden Astre Rhapsody 2, an eleventh generation EX cow, had three daughters selling and each one was very keenly sought after; on the first day Checkley Allen Rhapsody which had given over 9,300kgs as a heifer and due soon with her second calf, topped the milkers at 4,000gns selling to Dylan Jones, Pwllheli.

The first lot on the second day was the second sister, Checkley Outside Rhapsody, which realised 4,500gns to Richard and Trevor Lloyd, Anglesey.

The third sister, the 15-month-old Checkley Blitz Rhapsody sold for 4,000gns to Alan Reece for his Tedoak herd, Shrewsbury.

To complete the family the first calf born to Allen Rhapsody, the thirteen month old Checkley Mr Burns Rhapsody sold for 3,200gns to Michael and Caroline Wainwight for their Sternmoor herd, Buxton.

A further eight milkers sold for 3000 gns or more and these were led by two at 3,800 and 3,700gns which were both purchased by the same undisclosed West Wales milk producer.

Checkley Stormatic Pearlacme, due with her third calf in early July to Karona Bonanza was the higher priced of the two, the other being Checkley Outside Patsum which was giving 49kg with her third calf.

Robert Ward, buying for the Wayring herd, purchased the September Storm daughter, Checkley Storm Inkanan 2  for 3,600gns and local buyers E. Witter and Sons, Weston, Crewe purchased the red Kite daughter Checkley Kite Barbara RED for 3,500gns. The top fresh milking heifer was Checkley Goldwyn Pearlacme 3 which sold for 3,400gns to Joseph Heler Farms, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Volume buyers over the two days were Messrs Lewis Pearson, St. Brides, Pembroke who purchased 90 head, Harper Adams University College with 26 head and 25 head each for John Young, Abegavenny, Monmouth, and R.F. Forsyth, Whithorn, Wigtownshire.

The sale was further enhanced by a guest consignment from Robin Ward, Madeley, Crew,e who topped his portion of the sale with a calf; Netherset Affirmed Golden Rose - a five-month-old heifer calf sired by BKB Affirmed and out of Goldencalf Integrity Golden Rose. The hammer fell at 4,500gns to John Moore, County Offaly, Southern Ireland.

The next best was 2,700gns for the recently served heifer Netherset Llheros Pasha who has 10 generations of VG/EX members of the Papoose family in direct line behind her. She sold to John Young.

Averages: Checkley - 166 cows and milking heifers, £2,312.97 (including 64 heifer calves at £1,188.30); 1 bull £315.00; 65 in-calf and served heifers, £2,135.70; 127 maiden heifers, £1,414.85; 359 head overall, £1957.59.Netherset - 3 cows and milking heifers, £3,150.00 (including 2 heifer calves at £1,233,75); 3 served heifers, £2,380.00; 1 heifer calf, £4,775; 7 head overall, £3,045.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

TOP price at the Hereford Cattle Society's spring show and sale on Saturday was 5,000gns paid for an 18-month-old bull from Paul Dickin, Jacobean Herefords, Solihull, West Midlands.

Mr Dickin, exhibiting at Hereford for the first time, saw his first prize winning young bull, Jacobean 1 Maltster, weighing 852kg, sell to J.E. Jones and Son, Chirbury Hall Herefords, Chirbury, Montgomeryshire.

Second highest price of the day went to Scottish breeders J.R.B. Wilson and Sons, Kelso who sold their 19- month-old Romany 1 Enhance for 4,100gns.

Enhance weighed in at 890kg  and sold to H.A. Colburn and Son, Crickley Herefords, Northleach, Gloucestershire.

The show champion,  the rising two-year-old Alderville 1 Eldorado, bred and exhibited by D.J. Deaville, Belper, Derbyshire, sold for 3,100gns.

Eldorado, with performance figures in the top 15 per cent of the breed, weighed in at 944kgs and sold to J.H. Jones and Co, Cardiganshire

The reserve champion, Dendor 1 Ernie, a 19-month-old bull consigned by D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, Newtown, Powys, sold for 3,700gns. and was purchased by P. and A.M. Riley, Blakesley Herefords, Towcester, Northants.

Selling at 3,200gns was the 18-month-old Fisher 1 Envoy from W.J. Hutchings and Sons, Chichester, Sussex.

Envoy, with Terminal Sire and Self Replacing Indices in the top 1 per cent of the Breed, sold to M.L. Jenkins, Appleridge Herefords, Berkeley, Gloucestershire.

Other leading prices included the youngest bull in the Sale, 14-month-old Weybrook 1 Duke from H.A. Hatt, Basingstoke, Berkshire and selling for 3,000gns to T.G. and E.I. Thorne, Studdolph Herefords, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

Rob Shaw, Ledsham, Cheshire, sold a 17-month-old ET calf, Hallwood 1 Evolution for 3,000gns to E.C. and M.M. Everall, Ashley Moor Herefords, Ludlow, Shropshire.

Another 17 month old bull, Ford Abbey 1 Eli from Ford Abbey Farms, Leominster, Herefordshire also sold for 3,000gns and was purchased by D.J.J. Watkins and Co, Cwmcerrig Herefords, Llanelli, Dyfed.

The show heifer section saw the reserve heifer champion, two-year-old in-calf Romany 1 Ishbel, top the female sale at 2,900gns.

Ishbel, consigned by J.R.B. Wilson and Son, Kelso, was knocked down to G. Hall, Pinmoor Herefords, Radcliffe, Manchester.

The 'for sale only' section resulted in an almost total clearance and topping this section was a two-year-old in-calf heifer, Coverwood 1 Julia 156, from N. Metson, Cranleigh, Surrey, selling for 1,750gns to Mrs. Jackie Cooper, Preston, Lancashire.

At 1,650gns was a three-year-old in-calf cow Clinwil Carrie 4 consigned by Zintec (Agri), Shobdon, Herefordshire and purchased by J. and S. Williams, Honeyhill Herefords, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Earlier in the day Mr Williams had purchased a half brother to this cow, also bred by Zintec, Clinwil Classic 2 for 1,500gns.

An eight-year-old cow, Hermitage Prunella U35 from P.M. Leake, Withington, Hereford, sold with a heifer calf at foot, at 1,500gns to P. Ball, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

Averages: show section - 14 bulls, £2,970; 6 show heifers, £1,653.75. For sale only section - 7 cows, £1,400; 12 in-calf heifers, £1,225; 7 maiden heifers, £860; 26 head overall, £1,175.

THE spring show and sale of Highland cattle at Chelford produced a top bid of 1,650gns.

This was paid for a  May 2007-born heifer, Anna 5 of Glen Nevis, put forward by the Murray Cooper fold of Mr and Mrs C Watmore. This red heifer, placed first in her class, sold to D.M. Hodgkiss, Staffield, Cumbria.

The overall and female championship went to a March 2007 born heifer, from Richard Haldane, Auchterarder, Perthshire. Una Ruadh 1 of Cloan, a Henry of Hume Hall daughter, sold to D.M Hodgkiss at 1,300gns.

There was high demand for cows with calves at foot and the leading price in this section was 1,600gns for the March 2005-born cow, Una Mhor of L0ch Maree, with her heifer calf at foot. Consigned by Mr and Mrs B Fiddler, Chorley, Lancashire she was sold to D.M Hodgkiss who also paid 1,200gns for another from the same fold - the May 2005 born Sorcha Mhor of Loch Maree.

The first cow in the ring - the March 2001-born Ribhinn of Glengorm with her heifer calf at foot -from Jim Ayres, Norfolk, made 1,100gns to S.C. Cunnane, Altrincham, Cheshire.

There was strong trade too for the yearling heifers led by the February 2008-born silver dun Odhar Muirneag of Auchtenny from Virginia Stacy-Marks.  Placed first in her class, she made 780gns selling to P. Walker, Burntwood, Staffordshire.

Jim Ayres was also buying and bid 720gns for Eilidh Ben Coutts 5 of Ardbhan, an April 2008-born black heifer from Mr and Mrs Watmore's Murray Cooper fold.

Of the bulls on offer, the male Champion, the March 2008-born from Jim Ayres, sired by Lord Montagu of Old Greenlaw made 750gns to J. Dolby and Sons, Rugby, Warwickshire.

At 920gns was August 2000-born Wallace of Cim from Robert Philip selling to C.H. Hill and Sons, Shropshire.

Averages: cows and calves £1,208; bulls £876.75; heifers 2006-born £614.25; heifers 2007-born £580.65; heifers 2008-born £506.

Auctioneers: Marshalls.

TRADE for quality dairy cattle remained strong at Bentham auction's weekly sale of newly calved dairy cattle last Wednesday.

A top bid of £2,500 was paid by M.E. Wannop and Sons, Morecambe, for a Weeton Jackson pedigree cow from W.M. Heron and Sons, Warcop, Appleby. This second calver was bred out of Kirkwood Dante Diana giving 40 litres daily, having previously yielded 9,768 litre in her first lactation.

Auctioneers: Richard Turner.

AN entry of over 220 head were forward at the spring coloured dairy breeds sale at Beeston.

Ayrshire, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Red Holstein, Shorthorn and Meuse Rhine Issel (MRI) dairy cattle were on offer and the sale also included two  herd dispersals - the entire milking portion of the Woodpecker MRI herd, the property of M. and J. Siddorn, Tattenhall, Chester, and the entire Pukeko Jersey herd, the property of H.H. Knowles, Larbreck, Preston.

Woodpecker dispersal

The Siddorn family broke the MRII breed record when selling one from their Woodpecker herd at 3,000gns. Woodpecker Emma 115, a March 2003 daughter of Robel sold a month fresh with her fourth calf giving 43 kg. She was knocked down to Barlow Bros, Preston, Lancs.

Four other animals sold at 2,050gns or 2,000gns and all were purchased by Stuart Wood, Norbury, Whitchurch. They were all fresh calved second calvers or heifers sired by Pedro 2, Robel or DZ Alzonn Parom.

Volume buyer in this section was Peter Denton, Lostwithiel, Cornwall who purchased seven head up to a top of 1,750gns for a milking heifer by Pedro 2.

Pukeko Jerseys

The Pukeko Jersey herd peaked at 1,600gns twice for successive lots in the ring; the first was for Greyleys Carolyn, a November calved heifer by SHF Centurion Sultan purchased by P.L. Boam, Monyash, Bakewell. The second was for Ribblevalley Wait Milly, a July calved heifer, recently  bred, and by Rapid Bay Just Wait selling to C.M. Haigh, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.

The February calved second calver Pukeko Blackie sold giving 33kg daily and realised 1,520gns going to D.M. Riley, Minshull Vernon, Crewe.

Calves at foot were a fast trade topping at 800gns for the August born Pukeko Rocco Maria by Saxown Cash Rocco selling to E. Singleton, Inglewhite, Preston who also purchased the top served heifer, Pukeko Connection Tessa, by Giprat Belle's Connection, for 1,180gns.

Ayrshires

A small choice of fresh calved Ayrshire cattle were headed by a second calf cow from R.C. Adams, Rugeley, Staffordshire with a fresh home-bred second calver, Tessvale CherryFan by Green Lane Marshall selling to G.S. and A. Sheard, Scholar Green, Stoke-on-Trent.

There was also a consignment of maiden heifers and calves from D.O. and L. Blything, Kelsall, Chester, which sold to 780gns for a five-month-old stirk and 300gns for eight-week-old heifer calf all selling to J. Whiteford and Sons, Carlisle.

Shorthorns

Another small entry of Shorthorns peaked at 1,520gns for a cross-bred heifer from G. and B. Bell, Ridley, Tarporley, selling to G.A. Bartlam, Bramshall, Uttoxeter. At 1,430gns was a second calver from M.T. Jones, Oswestry, selling to J.G. Williams, Nantwich.

Brown Swiss

There were just two Brown Swiss entered both from R.D. and P.T. Stubbs, Whitgreave, Stafford. A fresh second cross daughter of Top Acres PR Polaris that had given 7,426kg as a heifer and was now giving 38kg daily a fortnight into her second lactation made 2,550gns selling to G.A. Bartlam, Bramshall, who also purchased the other Swiss, a purebred fresh heifer by Blessing Emerald Absolute for 1,700gns.

MRI

Two other MRI cows consigned by G. Williams and Son, Lampeter, Ceredigion,  topped at 1,020gns for a third calver.

Red and White Holsteins

Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, Shrewsbury, who are selling their herd as they calve sold a heifer Burnbrae Kian Marjan Red, by Kian, at 2,120gns to D.M. Riley, Minshull Vernon. Two  non-pedigree heifers from R.D. and I.E. Kite, Stafford, sold for 1,520gns and 1,500gns each. The Kite's also sold five bulling heifers, which sold to 820gns.

Jerseys

There was a very good show of fresh cows and heifers in the Jersey section which topped at 1,900gns twice.

The first at this price was a cross-bred Jersey/Holstein from M.T. Jones, Oswestry, which sold to G.A. Bartlam and the second was for a pedigree heifer from Richard Saxby, Skipton. This Wattlebank Whiskey daughter, Saxown Whisky Pansy 6, sold giving 20kg to S. and S. Murray Farms, Wolverhampton.

Ted Fearon, Cartmel, Cumbria, purchased the next two top sellers in this section; Ellerdine Connection Petunia by Giprat Belles Connection sold for 1,850gns and was just a week fresh.

Entries from Ravenfield Jerseys, Hull, topped at 1,700gns for Ravenfield Jess 13, a fresh heifer, by the home-bred Ravenfield Frankie and also joins Mr Fearon's herd. Richard Saxby was in the money again selling the second calf Saxown Connection Cash 47 for 1,550gns to Beechdean Farms, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who purchased a total of 20 head at the sale.

Averages: Woodpecker - 34 cows and milking heifers, £1,464.44. Pukeko - 66 cows and milking heifers, £1,234.86 (including 16 heifer calves at £558.47); 4 served heifers, £934.50; 3 maiden heifers, £619.50; 73 head overall, £1,193.11. Aryshires - 7 cows and milking heifers, £1,393.50; 12 stirk heifers, £598.50; 13 heifer calves, £282.69. Shorthorns - 7 cows and milking heifers, £1,407. Brown Swiss - 2 cows and milking heifers, £2,231.25. MRI - 2 cows £1060.50. Red and White Holsteins - 3 milking heifers, £1,799; 5 maiden heifers, £840. Jerseys - 17 cows and milking heifers, £1,402.06; 2 in-calf heifers, £960.75; 10 maiden heifers, £376.95.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley

TRADE at the spring show and sale for the Simmental Cattle Society at Borderway Mart was strong throughout with only one animal going home unsold.

Top price - 5,500gns

Topping the sale at 5,500gns was one of five bulls consigned by Hugo Arnold, Tarvin, Chester.

Sale topper, Hockenhull Wilfred, 15-months-old, is one of the first bulls bred from the 6,500gns Hockenhull Red Rum. He is bred from Hockenhull Deborah, a Blackford Harvester sired mother, and sold to Braesteads Farm, Patterdale, Penrith.

Two entries sold at 4,500gns. The first was the reserve male champion, Grangewood Valantino, from A.S. and Y.A. Leedham, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. This November 2007-born son of Starline Klassik and out of the home-bred cow Grangewood Porsche sold to Messrs Graham, Barnglies, Canonbie.

The second at 4,500gns was another from the Hockenhull Farms stable - Hockenhull Ventura, another son of Hockenhull Red Rum and out of a Blackford Harvester daughter. Ventura took the male and reserve supreme championship before selling to Elsington Farming, Alnwick.

Hockenhull Farms' next entry, Hockenhull Warner - a Soloman son, sold for 3,700gns to Courance Simmentals, Lockerbie.

Females peak at 3,800gns

In the female section, the leading price was 3,800gns for the female and supreme champion, an in-calf heifer from W.J. Hollingsworth, Sheffield. Midhope Temptation, an October 2006-born daughter of Dyfed Lord was knocked down to William Warren, Cleckheaton.

Mr Warren also secured the next leading female at 2,500gns - Grangewood Treasure, another in-calf heifer consigned by Messrs Leedham, Derbyshire. She is sired by Grangewood Knockout and goes back to the noted sire Brinkton Brilliant on her mother's pedigree.

A cow with twin calves from Roger Birch, Stafford, sold for 2,400gns. The cow, Tillylair Sacha, picked up the reserve female championship ticket in the pre-show and later sold to John Holliday, Penrith.

Averages: 8 bulls, £3,635.63; 5 cows served and/or suckling, £1,942.50, 11 served heifers, £1,942.50, 4 maiden heifers, £1,351.88.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

A newly calved heifer from Colin Singleton, Goosnargh, Preston, won the April show and sale of pedigree dairy cattle at Gisburn Auction Marts.

The Roylane Jordan daughter, out of an EX dam, giving 30 litres was sold for £2,060 to David Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Preston.

At the same price was Affetside Bobtail 60 a heifer, 14 days calved and giving 37 litres, from Simon Thompson, Longridge, Preston. The hammer fell to producer retailer Tom Pickup, Entwistle, Bolton. This Comestar Outside heifer is out of an EX dam.

A Ladino Park Talent sired heifer 10 days calved and giving 31 litres from Brian Whitfield, Wem, Shropshire sold to A.P. Townsend, Burnley, Lancashire for £1,920. 

Another Talent sired heifer, this time from G. and A.E. Smith, Garstang, Preston, sold for £1,900 to Geoff and Brian Blezard, Ribchester, Preston.

Averages: newly calved pedigree heifers, £1,753

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son

THE championship at the Devon Cattle Breeders Society's show for yearling bulls and heifers went to Wellshead Lace 3 exhibited by Mike and Sue Lanz.

This January 2008-born heifer was tapped out by the show judge, David Martin.  Reserve championship went to S.G. Phillips, with Colleton Halcyon a March-born bull.

The Society also held a novice showman competition with 20 novice handlers entering. 

The champion handler was Jack Gordon (aged 16) from Barnstaple.  Jack had no previous showing experience until this spring when he undertook some work experience at S. and G. Phillips' Colleton herd.

Reserve champion handler was Sophie Stephens (aged 19) from Wheddon Cross, a pupil at West Somerset Community College.  The College, which has its own farm, has recently started a herd of Pedigree Red Ruby Devons which Sophie is very much involved in.

CHAROLAIS bulls peaked at 3,900gns and achieved an 85 per cent clearance at the breed society's spring sale at Brecon.

Leading entry was the day's supreme champion, Maerdy Caddug, a 17-month-old by Maerdy Padirac and out of home-bred dam by Glencardon Piper. Bred and exhibited by Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold, he sold to C. Merrish, Barnstaple.

The same vendor offered four more lots including two sharing a 2,800gns price tag. First to go was Maerdy Benzene, a two-year-old Victorieux son and out of a home-bred cow by Maerdy Grimaldi. The buyer was D.T. Edwards, Brecon.

The second 2,800gns lot, Maerdy Crispian, was a 16-month-old by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort and out of a home-bred cow by Maerdy Nelson. Crispian was knocked down to W. Davies and Sons, Brecon.

At 2,300gns Esmor Evans sold Maerdy Corridale to R.S. Preece and Son, Hereford. This entry was a two-year-old by Victorieux and out of another Maerdy Nelson sired dam.

Breed newcomer, Dyfrig Jones, Llandeilo sold the two-year-old Stanboro Clayton for 3,300gns to A.R. Crane, Barnstaple. Clayton was by Whitecliffe Tyson and out of a Thrunton bred cow going back to Caylers Humble.   

A bid of 2,200gns secured Edenhurst Bermuda for M.J.N. Farms, Market Drayton. This three-year-old offered by Griff and Carolyn Morris, Llanstephan was by Mowbraypark Paramount and out of a cow going back to Rushmore Champagne.

At the same price was Moelfre Cavalier from Kevin Thomas, Newcastle Emlyn. Sired by Gretnahouse Vigorous, this 18-month-old was out of a homebred cow by Allanfauld Norseman and purchased by B.G. Morris, Builth Wells.

Averages: Bulls £2,467.50

Auctioneers: McCartneys

A total of 40 animals made 2,000gns or more when Paul and Jo Andrews, Plymouth, Devon, sold the milking portion of their Beneknowle herd of Holsteins at Bristol sales centre.

The Vaakje family, which was such a feature of their 2004 on-farm sale, once again provided several of the highlights. The nine family members averaged £2,487 and included the top price of 4,100gns for Beneknowle Goldwyn Vaakje 73. This 9,700kg heifer due again in October was potentially the eighth generation EX and attracted three telephone bidders, eventually selling to Robert Voyle, Pembrokeshire. Messrs Voyle also purchased Beneknowle Allen Roxy 5 at 3,100gns. Roxy is the ninth generation of EX/VG cows tracing to Glenridge. Another Goldwyn daughter, Amy 28, made 3,500gns to Messrs Davies, Tenby, Wales.

A Picston Shottle second calf daughter from the Vaakje family made 3,100gns to A.P. and J.H.G. Wyatt, Carmarthenshire.

A consignment from Terry and Shayne Cox's Holmead herd, Shaftesbury, Dorset, sold to average £3,220 and the second top price of the day with Holmead Geno Joy selling for 4,000gns to A.J Salter, Crediton, Devon.

John Drake, who is ceasing milk production on his farm near Shaftesbury, Dorset sold the final 52 of the milking portion of his Waldron herd. The average was £1,801 (with no calves at foot) and included 10 at or over 2,000gns. Top was 2,600gns for Waldron Outside Jackie, bred from the same family as the twice RASE champion - Highwells Broker Jackie 3. The buyer was Sue Osborne, Ilminster, Somerset. The same buyer also went home with another Jackie by Rudolph for 2,100gns and a Jordan Model, tracing back to Avondale, at the same price.

Averages: Beneknowle - 61 cows and calved heifers, £2,032.87. Waldron - 52 cows and calved heifers, £1,801.15. Holmead - 3 cows and calved heifers, £3,220.00; Milkali/Rosmond - 1 calved heifer, £2,310. Mikali/Excellence - 1 bull, £1,890. 118 head overall, £1,962.07

Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank.

THERE may have been only 15 bulls present at this week's sale of Aberdeen-Angus cattle at Dungannon Farmers Market, but that didn't prevent a top call of 7,600gns and an average of £2,406 for 12 bulls sold.

Leading trade was Clougher Enoch from Victor Chestnutt, Bushmills. This June 2007 son of Fordel Eisenhower is out of Dacre Elaine. He was tapped out as reserve male champion and sold to Mike Frazer, Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

At 2,300gns was Drumcorn Erg from John and Ann Henning, Moira, Co Armagh. By imported bull Ankonian Elixir, he is out of the herd's show cow Drumcorn Ergessa, a daughter of Ballamanaugh Estefan. The hammer fell to D. Hatrick, Londonderry.

At 2,200gns the Henning family also sold Drumcorn Ergal, again by Ankonian Elixir. The buyer was Preston Farms, Kirkcolm, Stranraer.

Females 

Female trade was led by Hillview Pretty Girl, an Anyho Rossiter Eric daughter, from Adrian Richardson, Maguirebridge, Co Fermanagh. Out of Idvies Proud Irene, this August 2007-born heifer sold for 3,600gns to Mike Frazer who was adding to his earlier top priced bull investment.

Leading trade for cows and calves at 2,000gns was Drumawhey Lady Tilda with her bull calf at foot. She is by Laymore Phantom and out of a home-bred daughter of Dodi of Kiltariff and sold to S. Hall, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.

Averages: 12 bulls, £2,406; 18 females, £1,615

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Market.

TRADE peaked at £2,390 at the April dairy sale at Skipton auction mart.

Top seller was a fresh cow from Malcolm and Robert Swires, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, selling to Geoff Blezzard, Ribchester, Preston.

The Swires also took the show championship for the fourth consecutive month with another fresh cow by Shoremar James. The cow, 14-days calved and giving 33 litres, sold at £2,150 to the judge - David Hancock, Sandbach, Cheshire,

First and second prizes in the fresh heifer class went to Brian Moorhouse, Bell Busk, Skipton.

The class winner, giving 24 litres, sold for £2,000 to Wick Williams, Nantwich, Cheshire. The same price was also achieved for the second prize heifer selling to Aubrey Greenhalgh, Preston.

An entry of 29 in-calf cattle sold to £1,780 - again to Aubrey Greenhalgh - for an entry from Richard Wood, Crossroads, Keighley, part of the first consignment of a herd dispersal sale.

Averages: fresh heifers £1,806; fresh cows £1,807; in-calf cows £1,085; in-calf heifers £949; maiden heifers £560.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts

Here's the Newark report....sorry it wasn't up sooner, I've been away from the office for a few days. Looks like it was a cracking sale.

BIDDING peaked at 6,500gns at the sale of 496 pedigree and commercial Limousin cattle at Newark held on behalf of the East Midland Limousin Cattle Breeders Club and the North West Midlands and North Wales Limousin Cattle Club.

Bulls

There was a 100 per cent clearance in the bull section and the top price was paid for Scarcliffe Cracker, a November 2007-born son of Objat and out a home-bred cow, Scarcliffe Victoria, by Jockey. The bull was consigned by Newark regulars - Ian Wildgoose and family, Scarcliffe, Chesterfield, and was knocked down to L. Bamforth and Sons, Halifax.

The reserve champion bull, Coachhouse Casper, from Barry, Gill and Matthew Heald, Retford, Nottinghamshire, realised 6,000gns. Born in February 2007 this bull is by the home-bred sire Coach House Virgil and out of a Haltcliffe Picasso sired dam. The hammer fell to Andrew and Tom Armett, West Leake, Loughborough.

A total of three bulls were forward from the Coachhouse herd and next best was 5,000gns for Coachhouse Constable, a May 2007-born son of Haltcliffe Picasso. The buyer was Tony Randall, Weedon, Northamptonshire.

Completing the Heald's three was Coachhouse Busby, a December 2006-born son of Sympa and out of a Picasso daughter. It made 4,700gns to E.A. Hull, Southminster, Essex. The Heald's three bulls averaged £5,495.

A January 2008-born son of Vagabond, Mereside Dallas, from the Limousin Society president Roger Hazard and Sons, Grantham, Lincolnshire, realised 4,500gns selling to Richard Ellis, Cubbington, Warwickshire.

Females

Trade for females peaked at 4,500gns three times. The first bid came in for a cow with calf at foot from Nigel Matthews, Ludlow, Shropshire.

The seven-year-old Jencralodge Topaz, bred by Malcolm Smith, Stoke on Trent is sired by Gaulois and out of Jencra Hope with a Tunnelby Scallywag bull calf at foot. She sold back in-calf to Haltcliffe Ben. The buyer was Meadowell Farm, Bakewell, Derbyshire. Five cow and calf outfits from Mr Matthews averaged £3,360.

At the same money was Cockleshell Vicky, a January 2004-born daughter of Jockey from Peter and Ian Pitcher, Boston, Lincolnshire. Vicky sold with a Winningston Trumps December 2008 bull calf at foot and in-calf again. The buyer was Judith Fountaine, Buckinghamshire.

The third at 4,500gns was an in-calf heifer, Roseycombe Betty from Stephen Timms, Brandon, Coventry.

This Lasso daughter is out of a Jockey sired dam sold to John Carroll, Somerset.

Millington Grange Estate, Millington, York, sold Towthorpe Ulara, a December 2003-born Rio daughter with a very smart January-born Soleil heifer calf at foot. The hammer fell at 3,800gns to Frank Page, Northamptonshire.

Commericals 

Leading the commercial section Messrs Smiths, Bloxham, Banbury sold a consignment of cross-bred cows with calves at foot to £2,200 with others at £2,100.

Messrs W.N. and R.R. Shirley, Rugby, Warwickshire sold three pure (non registered) two-yea- old heifers 12 weeks in calf at £1,600.

John and Denise Davies, Rugby sold 11-month-old Limousin heifers to £1,150 and 13-month-old steers to £1,000.

Messrs L. Bamforth, Halifax sold 76 pure Limousin bulls and heifers aged between eight and 12 months-old. Bulls peaked at £1,300 and heifers at £1,420 with the consignment averaging £746.32.

Averages: bulls £4,600; cows in calf/with calf at foot £2,988.70; served heifers £2,482.60; maiden heifers £1,909.88.

Auctioneers: Newark Livestock Market

A top of £1,100 was achieved for a British Blue cross heifer at the show and sale of show potential store cattle at Skipton Auction Mart.

The 14-month-old heifer was consigned by Ken Fawcett and Sons, Barden, Yorkshire and took the championship before selling to Graham Nutt, Thirtleby, Hull. The prize winner is a daughter of Brookfield Vaughan - the Fawcett's stock bull bought from breeder Stephen Potter, Thirsk.

The Fawcetts also had the second prize heifer, one of three British Blue heifers, which sold to average £1,013.

Other leading bids included £970 for a second prize British Blue heifer from David and Stephen Hollings, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

Another at the same price was another British Blue steer from Lisa Metcalfe, Clayton, Bradford, selling to John Mellin, Long Preston, Skipton.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

CHAROLAIS met a flying trade in Welshpool last week where bidding achieved two new centre all breeds records - a top of 6,600gns and £3,111 average for 40 lots traded at the breed society's official spring show and sale.

The event marked a fitting end to 35 years of pedigree Charolais sales at the mart prior to relocating to a new out of town auction centre before the end of the year.

Sale leader at 6,600gns was the reserve champion, Brynffanigl Cracker, an 18-month-old from Bob Roberts and his son, Rheon. Cracker was by Derryharney Outstanding and out of a Blelack Ladysman sired home-bred dam from their 35 cow herd at Brynffanigl Uchaf, Abergele. The buyers were Brian and Craig Davies who run an 80 cow suckler herd at Rhayader.

At 5,500gns was Bailea Cosmic a rising two-year-old by Burradon Talisman and out of a home-bred dam by Doonally New. Bred by Brian Jones, Hoel Senni, Brecon, he was knocked down to E.M. Gittins, Llansadwrn, Menai Bridge.

Maerdy consignment

Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans sold 13 to average £3,404. His highest at 5,400gns was the 17-month-old Maerdy Cambull. Sired by Maerdy Padirac and out of a home-bred dam by Maerdy Forum, he sold to D.L .Davies, Llanegryn, Towyn.

Next at 5,200gns was Maerdy Corridor, a two-year-old, one of twins by Victorieux and out of a home-bred cow by Maerdy Nelson. The buyer was H. Powell, Rhayader.

Two more Maerdy Padirac sons from Esmor Evans were among his top lots attracting a joint bid of 3,800gns. First to go was Maerdy Cambridge, an August 2007 born bull out of a home-bred cow going back to Maerdy Orateur. He sold to J.L.C. Williams, Penmorva, Port Madoc.

The second 3,800gns entry was Maerdy Cadlys, a 17-month-old selling to S.W. Hammond, Llanyre, Llandrindod Wells.

Champion

The day's champion, Midas Charlie from Roger Coppinger and his son Andrew, Edstaton, Wem, sold at 4,800gns to W.G. Davies, New Cross, Aberystwyth. Sired by Burradon Talisman, this 18-month-old was out of a Burnaston bred cow going back to Oldstone Egbert. According to judge, Steven Nesbitt, "Charlie along with the reserve champion, Brynffanigl Cracker were by far the pick of the top quality bulls suited to the commercial man. There was little between them, however Charlie just had the edge, with a better top and locomotion."

Female trade

Mr Coppinger went on to head the female trade at 2,150gns for Midas Bambi, a two-year-old maiden. Sired by Maerdy Polo, she was out of another Burnaston bred dam. She was knocked down sold to Wynne Rees, Llangurig, Llanidloes as a birthday present for his wife, Dianne.

At 4,300gns was Pennal Carlos, a 17-month-old from Alwyn Rees, Pennal, Machynlleth selling to J.C. Jones, Llanerfyl, Welshpool. Sired by Allanfauld Superscot, he was by a home-bred dam by Oldstone Egbert.

Selling at 4,200gns was Shraden Ceres from Roger Everall, Shrawardine, Shrewsbury, and selling to I.W.L. Evans, Llanwddyn, Oswestry. This October 2007-born bull was by Shraden Outstanding and out of a home-bred dam. Both sire and dam went back to the noted Mowbraypark Paramount.

Averages: 40 bulls, £3,111.56

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales

TRADE peaked at £930 at the annual sale of 400 store cattle from Maltas Farms held at Lund Warren House Farm, Driffield.

The averages in all sections showed a rise on last year with 198 heifers leveling out at £670 a rise of £139, and 171 steers at £765 an increase of £211. Seven bulls averaged £707.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

BIDDING rose to 3,900gns at the Western Holstein Club's first spring show and sale of Holstein bulls held at Beeston Castle Auction.

The auctioneers reported trade was difficult at times with buyers being 'cautious and selective' and only three bulls sold at over 3,000gns.

Top price was realised by the show champion - Woodmarsh Melburn - from M. and J.C Gould, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury.

This January 2008-born son of Dudoc Mr Burns is bred from eight successive generations of VG/EX dams from the noted Melody family. The hammer fell to T.G. Phillips and Co, Llanymynech, Powys.

Another son of Dudoc Mr Burns, Winton Paddy Burns, from Peter Waring, Beverley, Yorkshire sold for 3,600gns. This bull is bred from six generations of VG/EX dams from the Pamela family and sold to Evans Bros, Llanrhystud, Dyfed.

The last bull in the sale was Riverdane Sizzler from Riverdane Holsteins, Middlewich, Cheshire. Sizzler is a son of Braedale Goldwyn from six generations of VG/EX dams of the prizewinning Sara family and sold for 3,550gns to K.S. Jones and Sons, Llansantffraid, Powys.

The sale opened with an offering of over 80 embryos of which 67 sold. The top bid was 520gns each for three embryos sired by Sanchez and out of the EX93 Aintree Addison Nugget, which is a fifth generation of VG/EX cows.

 
Averages: 34 bulls, £1,552.76; 67 embryos, £270.14.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

Auctioneers: United Auctions and Newark Livestock Market

THE UK record price for Ayrshire cattle was broken earlier this week when a bid of 11,000gns topped the final sale to disperse the Attwell herd of pedigree Ayrshire and crossbred dairy cattle on behalf of Andrew Gough trading as W.H. Slater Farms, Shifnal, Shropshire.

The record breaker was Attwell Spottie 13, classified VG89, selling to Blaise Tomlinson for his Sandyford herd, Nanpantan, Leicester . This young cow sold dry and a month off calving her third calf to Yellow Briar Journalist.

The Spottie family were in great demand and an August 2007 daughter of Spottie 13, Spottie 20, sold for 4,200gns to Pam and Dawn Coryn, Cornwall. This maiden heifer is a daughter of Green Lane World First.

A fresh milking heifer, Spottie 17, by Brieryside High Profile made 3,800gns to Philip Williams, Haverfordwest. Spottie 17 is a maternal sister to the record breaker and two other sisters sold for 2,300gns and 2,100gns each. The higher of these two prices was the yearling heifer Spottie 21 by Twemlow Major Threat which sold to J. Whiteford and Sons, Middle, Carlisle. The other was Spottie 8, a Viapax Leader Red daughter due with her fifth in May. The hammer fell to Bostock Brothers Biddulph.

The daughter of Spottie 8, the third calver by Attwell Admiral sold for 3,500gns to D.B. and C.M. Walters, Carmarthen.

Nine members of the Spottie family sold to average £3,925.83.

Another record were broken later in the sale when the August calving heifer Attwell Amanda 7 sold for 6,200gns - the highest price paid for an Ayrshire in-calf heifer.

This daughter of McCornick Nelson with two EX dams sold to Philip Williams, Haverfordwest.

Other leading priced animals included Attwell Lady Marina 2, a daughter of McCornick Nelson, due with her third calf to Attwell Amadeus in April. The hammer fell to Stephen Oultram, Ewloe, Deeside, for 2,750gns.

The sale also included a large number of cross-bred cows and heifers in all age groups, mostly Jersey cross Ayrshires, but some Brown Swiss, Shorthorn, MRI and Swedish Red and White.

The top price crossbred milker was 2,050gns for a fresh Ayrshire cross Jersey second calver selling to Ben Elkin, Stone.

In-calf heifers sold to 1,850gns for a Brown Swiss cross selling to G.A. Bartlam, Uttoxeter.

Averages: 124 cows and milking heifers, £1,775.43 (including 31 heifer calves at £373.94); 22 in-calf heifers, £1,653.75; 2 served heifers, £840.00; 84 maiden heifers, £876.13; 2 bulls, £1,496.25; 1 bull calf, £420.00. 235 head overall, £1,426.48.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

THE Geldard family's Wraycastle flock of Charollais sheep based at Kendal took the Easter show championship awards at both the North West Auctions' Lancaster and Kendal marts.

On Monday at Lancaster the champion lamb weighing 45kg sold for 249p/kg (£112) to Whittakers Butchers, Walney Island.

Then on Tuesday the champion at Kendal weighed 46kg and sold for 235p/kg (£108) to Lancaster Meat Company.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.

Auction markets around the country are buy conducting their Easter sales at the moment so here's a round up of a few.

Bentham

The champion spring lamb at Bentham and District Farmers' auction mart's show and sale made 386p/kg (£170).

The rosette winner was a Suffolk cross Charollais weighing 44kg from Ruben Park, Aughton, and selling to Radfords butchers of Sleights, Whitby.

The champion hogg, a Beltex gimmer from S. Pepper, Oxenhope, Yorkshire, weighed in at 50kg and sold at 300p/kg (£150) to Stuart Price butchers, Crossflatts, Yorkshire.

Skipton

British Blue-sired youngsters made a clean sweep of the prizes at the annual spring show and sale of young feeding bulls at Skipton Auction Mart.

It was a British Blue cross Limousin bull from David and Stephen Hollings, Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, that earned the first place rosette and sold to Stephen Swales, Melbourne, York, for £1,040.

Melton Mowbray

An entry of 180 spring lambs were forward at the annual show and sale and the championship went to D. and W. Livestock, Waddingworth, Lincoln.

They went on to sell for 324p/kg to the show judge - A. Edwards, Leicester.

An overall average of 214.1p/kg was achieved.

St Asaph

A entry of 389 spring lambs were forward at St Asaph mart's Easter show and sale.

Taking top honours in the single lamb section was an entry from H. Jones. Weighing 38kg the lamb realised £165 and was bought by Glyn Morris for A. Burns Limited, Manchester.

The prize for best pair of spring lambs went to E. Davies for a 36kg pair later selling at £122 to Glyn Morris again.

THE championship at Wharfedale Farmers auction mart's spring show and sale of store cattle went to a British Blue bull from Willie and Mark Keighley, Castley, Otley.

The prize winner went on to sell for £810 to Stephen Eastwood, Emley.

A British Blue steer took the reserve championship before selling for £850. Consigned by C. Fawcett, Sand Hutton, York it was knocked down to Ian and Cliff Hammond, Glasshouses, Pateley Bridge.

Other leading prices included a second prize Limousin heifer from J. Kemp, Mount Tabor, Halifax, selling at £1,000 to Stephen Eastwood.

Auctioneers: Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart.

SPRING lambs were very much in demand at Gisburn auction mart's show and sale on Monday with an average of 260p/kg achieved in this section.

Taking the championship rosette was John Dewhurst, Preston, Lancashire with a January-born, outdoor reared Texel, which weighed 41kg and sold for 393p/kg (£161 per head) to Martin Carefoot on behalf of Carefoot's farm shop, Longridge, Preston.

Picking up the reserve champion rosette and winners of the best of pair of lambs were John and David Whalley, Darwen, Lancashire. The lambs weighed 33kg and realised 336p/kg (£111) selling again to Martin Carefoot who also paid 262p/kg (£118) for a Texel lamb weighing 45kg from Morris Airey, Longridge, Preston.

David Moorhouse, Gisburn, achieved 328p/kg (£128) for a Texel lamb going to livestock agent, David Pennington, Clitheroe, Lancashire.

In the cast ewe section R. and M. Towell, Glusburn, Keighley, achieved £125 a head for a pen of five Texel ewes, selling to Meadow Top Livestock, Accrington, Lancashire.

Averages: prime lambs - up to 32kg, 220p/kg; 33-39kg, 265p/kg; 40-45kg, 393p/kgs; 46-52kg, 240p/kg

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son

AROUND 165 new season lambs were forward at Chelford last week for the Easter lamb show and sale

The show champion was a 46kg Texel cross lamb from Paul Read, Knutsford, Cheshire, which went on to sell for 350p/kg (£161 per head). It was knocked down to Ashbourne butcher Richard Hobday, who also bought the reserve champion, a 37kg Texel cross, also from Mr Read for 370p/kg (£136.90).

Another lamb from Mr Read, this time a 36kg Texel cross, made 310p/kg to North Wales agent Emyr Williams, with the next top price of 285p/kg for a pair of 39.5kg Texels from the same home, being paid by David Kidd on behalf of Macclesfield butcher Nigel Wilcox.

The best pair of lambs were consigned by Tim Horton, Northwich, Cheshire. These 42.5kg Texel crosses made 280p/kg, to Emyr Williams, who also paid 270p/kilo for 40kg Texel crosses from the same home

Trade for around 900 old season lambs continued as strongly as in recent weeks, as more than 20 pens made over 200p/kg and 12 pens averaged more than £100 apiece.

The 244 cull ewes on offer met another sparkling trade, to a top of £105 for Suffolk crosses and an overall average of £60.89 per head was realised.

Averages: 165 lambs, 224.8p/kg.

Auctioneers: Frank Marshall.

Moynton Charolais sell to 5,600gns

CHAROLAIS met a buoyant demand selling to 5,600gns at Sedgemoor auction centre, Bridgwater on Saturday at the 'retirement sale' of the Moynton herd owned by Peter Old and managed by Mike Yeandle.

Sale topper at 5,600gns was Moynton Caspar, a two-year-old bull by Seawell Offshore and out of Moynton Violetta. He went to join Ann Orr-Ewing's Foxacre herd, Purton, Swindon.

The 13-month-old Moynton Dante, another same way bred bull, sired by Offshore and out of Violetta made 4,000gns to commercial producer, Andy Crane, Brayford, Barnstaple. Dante is within the breed's top 5 per cent on Self Replacing Index, with an SRI +39.

Two more Offshore sons were among the leading prices. Next at 4,600gns was Moynton Crispin, a rising two-year-old out of a home-bred dam by Balthayock Nougat. He was knocked down to A.S. Cowling, Clatworthy, Taunton.

A bid of 4,100gns secured Moynton Carlton for J. Wylde, Woolavington, Bridgwater. This two-year-old Offshore son went back to Moynton Marianne, full sister to the herd's most successful show cow, Moynton Freesia who amassed 15 inter-breed championships in her career, along with three times winner of the best exhibitor bred title at the Royal.

The day's female trade was led at 4,200gns for Moynton Unique, a six-year-old cow by Pti Prince, and sold with her five-month-old heifer calf, Moynton Dominique, by the 16,000gns Perth reserve junior champion, Balmyle Vagabond. The pair went to join Kevin Thomas' Moelfre herd, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen.

Mr Thomas also paid 3,700gns for Moynton Adella, a four-year-old in-calf to Burradon Talisman, sire of the 55,000gns Perth champion, Thurnton Voldemort.

At 3,000gns, Mr Thomas also secured the sale's highest priced maiden heifer, Moynton Cerise, a two-year-old by the 45,000gns Thrunton Ideal.

Two lots shared a 4,000gns price tag. First to go was Moynton Celine, an eight-year-old cow. Sired by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a Stirling bred cow going back to the Burke Trophy winning Chesham Hercules, she was sold in-calf to Talisman. The buyers were James and Vanessa Webb, Billesdon, Leicester.

The second 4,000gns bid secured Moynton Bonnie, a three-year-old Inverlochy Resolve daughter for Griff and Carolyn Morris, Llanstephen, Carmarthen. She sold with her recently born heifer calf by Seawell Offshore.

Another cow and calf pair made 3,300gns selling to David Lewis, Llandysul, Ceredigion. Moynton Anetta, out of a home-bred dam descended from Balthayock Nougat, sold with her first calf, Moynton Donetta, a six-month-old heifer by Moynton Voltaire.

A second 3,000gns call was made for Moynton Bijou, a Moynton Stafford daughter with her newly born bull calf by Thrunton Ideal. The buyer was B.G. Clarke, Higher Ashton, Exeter.

Averages: 12 cows in-calf, £2,397; 5 cows with calves at foot, £3,675; 9 maiden heifers, £1,767; 9 young bulls, £3,733.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt

I've spent this morning at Bakewell market where trade in all sections seemed to be strong.

Farmers Guardian were sponsoring the Easter Lambs show and sale and the championship went to a Texel cross Suffolk cross Mule from G. and J. Hadfield and Son, Ashbourne. It weighed 45kg and later went on to make 320p/k (£144) selling to Richard Hobday a butcher from Tissington, Ashbourne.

Cull cattle sold to a good trade with three British Blue cows from G. and I. Whieldon, Tean, Stoke on Trent, selling to an average of 177.53p/kg (£1,543.32 per head). The heaviest of the three at 912kg made 183.50p/kg (£1,673). All three were bought b Ashley Cash, Boston, Lincolnshire.

Auctioneers: Bagshaws

BEST quality cattle were easily making over £2,000 at Gisburn auction mart's April show and sale.

First to achieve over this figure was Gordon Beresford, Hellifield, Skipton, with his champion newly calved heifer which sold for £2,160 to Brian Howarth, Bradshaw, Bolton.

Mr Howarth also purchased another fresh heifer giving 26 litres this time from T.A. Crook, Houghton, Preston, for £2,020.

At £2,080 Stuart Fairclough, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, sold the reserve champion heifer to John Clowes, Gawsworth, Macclesfield.  

Gerry Donkin, Copster Green, Blackburn, also achieved £2,080 with his heifer, which sold to Bradley Farms, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire.

Regular vendor, Brian Hall, Gargrave, Skipton, realised £1,900 with a third prize, white heifer, which sold to J. Clowes.

Dairy auctioneer, Fred Spurgeon, said: "With turnout soon approaching customers were keen to purchase cattle and this sale was a great opportunity for farmers to purchase cattle in-milk, with the first three cattle in the sale ring giving over 45 litres."

Averages: heifers £1,799; cows £1,432.

Auctioneers:  Richard Turner and Son.

THE championship rosette at Bridgnorth market's Easter primestock show and sale went to Alison Newby, showing on behalf of regular vendor Michael Williams, Llanymenech, Oswestry.

  The title winner was a Limousin cross heifer weighing 522kg. It later was knocked down at 220p/kg to John Dixon, buying for Roger Westwood of H.P. Westwood, Walsall.

Mr Westwood, who has recently expanded his abattoir business, supplies high street butchers throughout the Midlands and Black Country.

In the spring lambs section a pen of 35kg Texels from Peter Kirton of A.G. Kirton and Son, Bewdley, Worcestershire, took the championship.

They sold at 300p/kg (£105 per head) to John Rutter a butcher from Tipton, West Midlands.

Averages: 216 prime cattle and bulls, 162p/kg; 1,147 hoggets, 190p/kg; 42 spring lambs, 243p/kg; 292 spring lambs, £61; 22 cull ewes 114p/kg.

Auctioneers: Nock Deighton

HEIFERS sold to a fast trade at the Western Holstein Club's monthly show and sale last week at Beeston Castle and a top price of 4,100gns was realised.

Sale leader was Painley Samuelo Lana 53 fro J. and V. Barlow, Nantwich, Cheshire. This daughter of Regancrest-Mr Samuelo has two EX dams and a VG 9,000gns sister. The hammer fell to Lyn Davies, Carmarthenshire. The same buyer also paid 3,100gns for Whinchat Mailing Honey, a Poly-Kow Mailing daughter bred from nine generations of VG/EX dams, from Andy Birkle, Wymeswold, Loughborough.

Selling for 3,000gns was Crosslanes Shottle Redtop 31 consigned by Alastair Dobson, Malpas, Cheshire. This heifer was giving 43kg daily and sold to Hywel and Sheila Evans, Llansilin, Oswestry.

Top priced cow at 2,800gns was the champion - Rowarton Milkstar Favourite - a second calver from Roger and Pat Sutton, Congleton, Cheshire. The buyer was the show judge, Richard Thomas who runs the Croesyceiliog herd, Carmarthen.

Another second calver, Enchanted Jasper Rolls, from Enchanted Holsteins, Preston, sold for 2,500gns to David Alderson, Northallerton.
                                                                                                                  
Averages: 31 cows, £1,753.67; 69 milking heifers, £2,067.89; 100 head overall, £1,970.48.
Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

A total clearance of bulls and a top of 6,000gns were the highlights of the trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society's sale at Dungannon this week.

Animals sold were also eligible for export and as a result buyers from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland bought a total of five.

The top price was realised by the champion bull, Carmorn Cantona, a November 2007-born son of Wilodge Vantastic from Francis McAuley, Toomebridge, Co Antrim. The buyer was butcher and farmer Derek Frew, who runs the Frewstown pedigree herd, Kellswater Rd, Antrim.

The reserve champion, Moneynabane Ciaran, sold for 3,600gns to S. McConville, Ballyholland. This August 2007-born bull , by the French sire, Soldat, was consigned by the Rodgers Family, Dromore.

Another at 3,600gns was the reserve senior champion, Crewelands Colombo, from P.J. Donnelly, Garvaghy, Co Tyrone. By the French bred sire Notable and out of Crewelands Tamara he sold to J. McCloskey, Claudy, Co Londonderry. In all seven bulls made 3,000gns or more.

Top female price at 3,500gns was earned by B. McElroy, Dromara with his two-year-old heifer, Bridgeford Cody, a daughter of Sympa and out of Lynderg Lucille. Purchaser was Alan Kennedy, Lisburn, Co Antrim.

The female champion, Ballyrickard Cynthia, sired by Milbrook Vic and out of Ballyrickard Trixi, from Ian Davidson and Son, Larne and went under the hammer to D. McNamee, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone for 2,800gns.

Averages: 27 bulls, £2,807.70; 13 females, £1,704.15.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart.

THE largest number of British Blues ever presented for sale by the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club were forward at Dungannon last week.

Of the 56 animals forward a total of 52 found new homes and a top of 4,700gns was achieved in the bull section.

Topping the trade was the October 2007-born Mountjoy Cannon from Desmond McAskie, Omagh, and selling to Alan Hawkes, Co Tyrone. This bull is out of Mountjoy Willow and sired by Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur.

Close behind at 4,600gns was Littlederry Challenger from Simon Loughery, Co Londonderry, selling South to Liz McEnery, Co Kerry.

The female section was topped at 4,200gns by the overall chow champion - Annaghone Charm - out of Annaghone Winnie and by Blak Du Baty D'Eprave from Norman Hammond, Stewartstown. This October 2007-born maiden heifer sold to Joe Doyle, Kilkeel.

At 3,100gns was a Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur daughter - Droit Candy - from Richard Mowbray, Newtownstewart, and going to J. Collins, Ballymoney.

Averages: 32 bulls, £3,000; 20 females, £2,220.75.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart.