May 2009 Archives

DAIRY

Inter-breed (Judge, B. Challenor, Abergavenny) Sup., Seaton Farms, Ternbridge Rosalind (Holstein); res., M.E. and A.W. Wright, Fxs Maximus Pineapple (Jresey)

Holstein (A. Timbrell, Gloucestershire) Sup., Seaton Farms, Ternbridge Rosalind; res., W. Maddocks, Wyndford Jordan Contentel.

Jerseys (J.C. Stubbs, Derbyshire) Sup., M.E. and A.W. Wright, Fxs Maximus Pineapple; res., D.P. Manning and Co, Windyridge Astronomer Radience.

Dairy Shorthorns (G. Bell, Cheshire) Sup., N. Madeley, Nejay Erin 2; res., I.R.G. Collins and Partners, Churchroyd Heather 30.

Dexter (C. Bickerton, Cheshire) Sup., S. Hunt, Saltaire Jentian; res., S.W. Adcock, Toad Hole Portia.

BEEF

Inter-breed (R.A. Bradstock, Hereford) Sup., Cormack McDowell Partners, Newstart Cinderalla (Limousin); res., R. Birch, Treetops Talluliah (Simmental).

Hereford (J. Williams, Cornwall) Sup. and male, Messrs Spooner, Westwood Advancer; res. and male, D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, Dendor 1 Equinox; fem., P.J. and A.C. Allman, Greenyards 1 Contessa 2; res. fem., D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, Dendor 1 Anna Mary.

Charolais (G. Bothwell, Staffordshire) Sup. and fem., M.L. Impey and M.L. Davis, Congress Balvga; res. and male, E.D. Marshall, Killadeas Violet; res. fem., M.L. Impey and M.L. Davis, Carrigbeg Connie; res. male, Newroddige Charolais, Gretnahouse Archangel.

Simmental (W. Boulton, Staffordshire) Sup. and fem., R. Birch, Treetops Talluliah; res. and res. fem., D. Donnelly, Atlow Lucinda; male, R. Birch, Pasturefields Turbo Tommy; res. male, Pasturefields Woger.

Limousin (C. Pennie, Powys) Sup. and fem., Cormack McDowell Partners, Newstart Cinderalla; res. and res. fem., M. Phillips, Millington Devotion; male, W. Smith, Rougley Dominic.

British Blue (A. Wilkinson, Preston) Sup. and male, D. and J. Wyllie, Ballygrange Alex; res. and fem., J. Mawer, Immediate ET 2840 De Mehogne; res. male, I.E. Wilson, New Close Dominator; res. fem., G. Jones, Bringlee Beth.

Highland (E. Barr, Leicester) Sup. and fem., P. Edwards and J. Price, Mari 4 of Kynedor; res. and res. fem., P. Edwards and J. Price, Caleag Ghrinn 7 of Tain; male, S. and S. Leighton, Teddy of Mercaston; res. male, S. and S. Leighton, Mawgan of Headland.

Longhorns (P.J. Guest, Herefordshire) Sup., E.M. Hallifield, Dunstall Hector; res., A.J. and J. Richardson, Bollin Grace.

Any other beef breed (J. Williams, Cornwall) Sup., P. Nash, Coul Priority (Aberdeen-Angus); res., A. Plumbley and Co, Calveley Ellie (Welsh Black).

Any other rare and minority breed (E.G. Freeman, Gloucestershire) Sup., J.D. Silverwood, Trentside Harebell (Gloucester); res., P. Edwards and J. Price, Mochrun Kintyre (Belted Galloway).

PIGS

Inter-breed (R.T. Swanton, Wiltshire) Sup., A. and J. Walton, Hover 190 (Duroc); res., J. Herbert, Dappleheath Rajah 8 (Middle White).

Modern (J. Brett, Derbyshire) Sup., A. and J. Walton, Hover 190 (Duroc); res., A. and J. Walton, Deva Jerry 196 (Duroc).

Middle Whites (M. Renshaw, Lincolnshire) Sup., J. Herbert, Dappleheath Rajah 8; res., E. Paddock, Eaves Dorothy.

British Saddlebacks (M. Renshaw) Sup., J.R. and M.L. Wreakes, Victoria Lottier; res., S.J. and A.L. Booth, Stoke Doyle Octavia.

Gloucester Old Spots (M. Renshaw) Sup., S.J. and A.L. Booth, Chapel Patrick 10; res., S.J. and A.L. Booth, Chapel Dolly 16.

Large Blacks (M. Renshaw) Sup., G.G. Wickstead, Chadston Diana 2; res., S. Merril, Constable Malcolm 311.

Any other pure breed traditional (J. Brett) Sup., Sup., M. Horsley, Horbeck Louise 111 (Berkshire); res., S. Ashcroft, Barlings Stonebow (Berkshire).

SHEEP

Inter-breed (J. Thorley, Worcestershire) Sup., K. Thomas (Suffolk); res., D. and S. Eglin (Poll Dorset).
Suffolk (S. Eggleston, Loughborough) Sup., K. Thomas; res., T.S. Cox.

Texels (A. Meridith, Worcestershire) Sup., P. Johnson; res., F. Rushton.

Charollais (R. Geldard, Kendal) Sup., S. and S. Murray; res., R.S. and J.A. Gregory.

Shropshire (S. Farquhar, Herefordshire) Sup., A. Harvey; res., A.L. and M.E. Webb.

Beltex (S. Gibbons, Hereford) Sup., D., M. and S. Prince; res., D. Thorney.

Any other pure native breed (P. Hodges, Oxfordshire) Sup., D. and S. Eglin (Poll Dorset); res., E. Pocock (Poll Dorset)

Any other pure continental breed (P. Hodges) Sup., S. and S. Murray; res., D. and S. Eglin (Charmoise Hill).

Any other rare and minority native breed (C. Wainwright, Leicestershire) Sup., E. Lambert (Hill Radnor); res., P. Robarts.

Rare and minority primitive breeds (C. Wainwright) Sup., H.R. Arthan (Hebridean); res., A. Pickstone.

Jacob (D.E. Tuffney, Nottinghamshire) Sup., D.J. Price; res., G.A. and V. Ridout and H.V. Higginson.

Ryeland (N. Morgan, Pembrokeshire) Sup., C. Shaw; res., A.G. Anslow.

Southdown (A. Long, Kent) Sup., D., E. and V. Hulme; res., C. Rhead.

Kerry Hill (G.W. Roberts, Denbigh) Sup., R. and R. Powell; res., D.J. Price.

A herd of non-pedigree Holsteins from J. Howie and Sons, Morpeth, sold to a peak of 3,000gns, with thirty cows and heifers making over 2,000gns and baby calves to 1,000gns.

The top price cow at 3,000gns was by a Moet test bull, Moet Racy Russell, from a Lord Lily, then a Sunny Boy. She sold fresh in her fourth lactation. The buyer was D.A. Howie and Sons, Morpeth.

Her three-week-old calf by Burlane Tennyson made 1,000gns.

Close behind at 2,800gns was a fresh heifer by Audhutton Adonis. She sold to J.T. and E.M. Marrs and Son, Great Orton, Carlisle.

Her calf by Morwick Bellboy made 800gns.

The overall average for the cows and heifers with heifer calves was £1,683 and included cows in their eleventh lactation.

Averages: 165 cows and heifers in-milk or in-calf, £1,683.37; 27 in-calf heifers, £1,491.78; 23 maiden heifers, £982.89; 37 heifer calves, £658.95; 252 head overall, £1,351.75.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

LIVESTOCK entries were up considerably at this year's Staffordshire County Show held at the County Showground in Stafford.

Organisers reported cattle entries up from 250 last year to 400 this year and sheep were at the 500 mark compared to the 300 entered 12 months previously.

Beef

In the cattle ring the overall beef championship went to a two-year-old Limousin heifer, Newstart Cinderella, from the Cormack McDowell Partnership of Billesdon, Leicestershire. The January 2007-born heifer is by Woodhouse Pugh and out of Rachelss Stella. Five-months in-calf to the 35,000gns Grahams Unbeatable she will next be shown at the Royal Highland.

Reserve went to a Simmental heifer, Treetops Talluliah, from Roger Birch and his daughter, Stephanie, and son, Boomer. Talluliah is by Blackford Nero. The Birch family sold the heifer's dam, Ben Nant Jennifer, to J. Peters and then bought her heifer calf - Talluliah - as a baby heifer. Part of the Birch's four-cow herd at Weston, Stafford, she is in-calf with her first.

Dairy

In the dairy section the title went to a Holstein third calver, Ternbridge Rosalind 90, exhibited by Ed Seaton of Seaton Farms at Audlem, Cheshire. Bred by T. and B. Preston this Roylane Jordan daughter was bought by Seaton Farms at the Ternbridge dispersal in October last year for 3,400gns. She calved in January and is currently giving 55kg a day. Her next outings will be Great Yorkshire and the Shropshire and West Midland show.

Fxs Maximus Pineapple, a Jersey second calver, from Phillip and Helen Wright of Tixall, Stafford, took reserve. This home-bred cow is part of the Wright's 150-strong herd and is has given just short of 6,000 litres in her current lactation.

The Dairy Shorthorn championship went to Neil Madeley of Bridgenorth, Shropshire, with Nejay Erin 2, a second calver by Morwick Sand Ranger.

Sheep 

The sheep section was headed by a shearling Suffolk ewe bred and exhibited by Keith Thomas of Stone, Staffordshire. The shearling, by Strathisla Kingsway, is part of the 60-ewe Manordale flock and was second in it's class as a ewe lamb at last year's show.

Reserve went to a Poll Dorset ewe from David and Susan Eglin's Bramain flock of 160 ewes farmed at Bulkington, Warwickshire. Mr Eglin also runs a flock of Charmoise Hill and crosses the two breeds.

Pigs 

The pig championship went to a Duroc gilt, Hover 190, from Andrew and Jan Walton of Backford, Chester. By Tates Jerry 4 this gilt was previously shown at Newark where it qualified for the pig of the year competition.

Reserve was a Middle White boar, Dappleheath Rajah 8, from J. Herbert of Stafford.

A new all-breeds centre record of 8,800gns was set for a Limousin cow, Teeshan Vanoush, at a society show and sale of pedigree bulls and females at Ballymena on Monday.

Leading the trade was Trevor Robinson, Cullyhanna, Ballymena, who secured all four of the top prices for females.

Topping the sale was Teeshan Vanoush, a five-year-old Ronick Hawk daughter and out of the home-bred dam, Teeshan Shantous. She sold with her two-month0old Wilodge Vantastic-sired heifer calf at foot. Vanoush had previously been inter-breed champion at both Ballymena and Ballymoney shows.

The hammer fell to William McAllister, Kells, Co Antrim, who also paid the next best of 6,200gns for VanoushÕs mother, Teeshan Shantoush. Sired by Ashmara Nuts, Teeshan Shantoush sold with her Wilodge Vantastic bull calf at foot.

At 6,000gns was a November 2006 heifer, Teeshan Banoush, sired by Ryedale Paragon and out Teeshan Shantoush. She was sold in-calf to Cloughhead Umpire and heads to the Moneykee herd of Noel McGarrigle, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.

The last of Mr RobinsonÕs sale topping cattle was Teeshan Otty, an 11-year-old Derosa Masso daughter with her Wilodge Vantastic calf. The hammer fell at 4,400gns to Sam Coleman, Glarryford, Co Antrim.

Leading the bull trade - which saw averages increase by over £500 on the year to average £2683 - was Slaneburn Dara, from Charlie Magill, Larne, Co Antrim. Having been put up as champion in the pre-sale show this January 2008 Bapton Javelin son made 5,000gns selling to Graham Brothers, Aughafatten, Ballymena.

Three bulls sold for 4,400gns. First was the reserve intermediate champion, Craigatoke Cyclone, from Martin Conway, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone. Cyclone, December 2007-born and with a Beef Value of LM+37, is sired by Haltcliffe Underwriter and out of a home-bred Cannon daughter, Craigatoke Sally. The purchaser was S. Monaghan, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

The same price was realised for Ballynahone Dominator from Richard Henderson, Magherafelt, Co Derry. Dominator is an embryo calf, which earlier stood reserve male champion. This rising 17-month-old bull is by Sympa and out of the Shire Milton daughter, Ballynahone Sensation. The buyer was William Campbell, Carnlough, Co Antrim.

Also at 4,400gns was the second placed bull to the champion, Lisnisk Danny from Lisnisk Farms, a son of the French bred Ravageur and the dam Albian Victoria. The buyer was Eileen McIlwaine, Cushendall, Co Antrim.

In all, 35 bulls from the 39 forward found homes representing a clearance of 90% which was mirrored in the female trade where 25 of the 29 females were snapped up to average £2,444 overall.

Greensons Gigolo semen, sold on behalf of Christopher Murray, Newry, Co Down, proved as popular as ever. The two straws were eventually bought for £504 each by Gerard Moohan to be used in his Scrinney herd, Kesh, Co Fermanagh.

Averages: 34 bulls, £2683.68 (+£523); 4 cows and in-calf heifers, £6667.50; 21 maiden heifers, £1639.50 (-£78).

Auctioneers: J. McClelland and Son.

A top of £2,300 was realised when 31 lots went under the hammer at Kendal auction mart's fortnightly sale of dairy cattle.

Top money was paid for the show champion, Pennine Graceful 52, from Drinkall Brothers, Over Wyresdale, Lancaster. It was bought by the judge - Neil Sanderson, Carlisle.

Despite a large number of buyers present there was a reluctance to pay the very high prices seen over recent months with only the best stronger cattle selling around the £2,000 range.

A consignment from Ashley Kinvig's Sandash herd from the Isle of Man met keen interest with the second prize heifer, a Comestar Stormatic daughter, selling to £2,050. Overall his consignment of four heifers averaged £1,737.50.

First prize cow on the day consigned by J.D. and E.M. Wallbank, Lancaster, sold for £1,880 to John Lawson, Lancaster.

An entry of 13 in-calf Montbeliarde heifers were also sold and peaked at £1,820 for a registered heifer from Messrs Hoggarth, Kendal, Cumbria, and averaged £1,427.78.

Averages: 5 newly calved cows, £1,250; 13 newly calved heifers, £1,710.33

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.

TRADE at the pedigree beef day at Carlisle, sponsored by Farmers Guardian, was topped by a South Devon bull selling at 3,100gns.

The sale topper was Lumbylaw Rushdie 2, a Brettle Sas Red Earl son out of a Trewint Jubilee Junior 7 sired dam, from A.R. Lee, Alnwick, Northumberland. The hammer fell to R. McKinnel and Sons, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. The bull also took the reserve championship rosette in the pre-sale show.

The same buyer also bought the overall champion, Enterprise Luther, from D.L. Irving, Dumfries, for 1,700gns. This May 2007-born bull is by Ewfields Winston and out of Lumbylaw Maple 15.

Females in this section sold to a top price of 1,100gns for an entry from the Amounderness herd draft being sold for J.R. Pye, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire. This Wappenshall Jambo 3 sired heifer, Wappenshall Beauty 13, sold to C.J.J. and J.C. Cookson, Kendal, Cumbria.

In the Beef Shorthorn section top was 3,000gns for Annanwater Aramis from Andy Ryder, Moffat, Dumfriesshire. This April 2004-born Newfield Tarquin son sold to M. Clark, Cockermouth, Cumbria.

A roan Chapelton Warrior son, Hallsford Viking Warrior, sold for 2,600gns to G.L. Riby, Bridlington, Yorkshire. The March 2007-born bull was consigned by A.N. and H.S. Tomkins, Hethersgill, Carlisle.

Top priced Beef Shorthorn female at 2,500gns was Ballard Abygail, one of a draft from E. Hugill's Ballard herd at Stokesley, Yorkshire. Born in May 2007 this red heifer, by Cairnsmore Xtreme Force, sold to T. Severn, Barkisland, Halifax.

At 100gns less another from the same consignment and by the same sire sold to Andy Ryder.

Herefords peaked at 2,600gns for Baldinnie 1 Falloch consigned by John A. Cameron and Son, Leven, Fife, and selling to Rob Shaw, Ledsham, Cheshire. Falloch is by Leos Pride 1 Vanquish.

Just one lot earlier Amberfield 1 Diamond from Messrs Hewson, Wigton, Cumbria, sold at 2,200gns. Born in February 2007 this bull is by Hillrow 1 Wrestler. The hammer fell to R. Jefferies, Beckwith, Harrogate.

Hereford females topped at 1,300gns for a heifer by Louada 930K Sensation. Consigned by Harvey Brothers, Balfron, Glasgow, the April 2007 born Harveybros 1 Crocus D3 sold to H. Wilson, Workington, Cumbria.

A bid of 1,600gns topped the dispersal of Bazadaise cattle sold on behalf of J.T. and N. Monkhouse and Son, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham. Top seller was a maiden heifer, Houselop Corille, a Houselop Thomas daughter. The buyer was C.T. Parsons, Sutton on Trent, Newark.

Averages: South Devons - 5 bulls, £1,816.50; 8 females, £849.19; Amounderness draft - 2 cows served and/or suckling, £903; 3 served or maiden heifers, £920.50.

Herefords - 3 bulls, £2,380; 8 females, £1,050.

Bazadaise - 2 cows with calves at foot; 9 maiden heifers, £1,067.50.

Beef Shorthorns - 6 bulls, £2,222.50; 17 served and maiden heifers, £1,250.74; 4 cows served and/or suckling, £1,640.63; Ballard herd - 9 lots, £1,954.17.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

A bid of 2,600gns topped the dispersal sale of the Maunsel herds of White Park and British White cattle sold at Worcester market on behalf of Benjamin Slade, Somerset.

Sale leader was Catfield Ginger, a three-year-old bull by Catfield Drusus and out of a Westbrook Centurion cow, selling to volume buyers R. Pitman, Wareham, Dorset.

Cows with calves at foot enjoyed a sound following selling to 1,700gns for Ash Angie with a heifer calf by Dynevor Treorchy at foot. The buyer was Miln Arable, Markfield, Leicester. Another cow Lowergreen Lark with a calf at foot sold 1,400gns to Banks Farm Partnership, Horam, East Sussex.

British White Cattle peaked at 910gns for Hevingham Pomme with bull calf at foot. The buyer was S. Wright, Longstanton, Cambridge.

Averages: White Park cattle - cows with calves £746.76; cows in-calf £601.36; cows running with bull £558; heifers in-calf £576.63; maiden heifers £428.98; bulls £1,155. British White cattle - cows with calves £833.88; cows running with bull £639.75; maiden heifer £463.75.

Auctioneers: McCartneys.

TRADE topped at 7,500gns at the Aberdeen-Angus spring show and sale of bulls and females at Carlisle last week with a strong clearance and a healthy demand from commercial beef producers.

Leading trade was Duncanziemere Edwin G249 from Alistair Clark, Cumnock, Ayrshire. This Wrae Big Brother D047 son is out of the Newcairnie Pastor Z006 daughter Duncanziemere Edwina E178. The hammer fell to Willie and Jimmy Thompson, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

Second highest 5,500gns was Haymount Embo G717 from J. and W. Arnott, Haymount, Kelso. This one is by the Eastfield Elevator son and Perth 2005 junior champion Old Glenort Kallum D784 and out of the Lord Horatio P11 of Blelack daughter Haymount Evatrona Z014. The buyer was P. Crawford, Glenluce, Wigtownshire.

At 5,100gns, R. and E. Vance, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, bought Cardona Edwin G523 from Robert Galloway, Doune, Perthshire. Edwin is home-bred on both sides and is sired by the Lockerley Eastern Cruz son Cardona Edgar and is out of Cardona Edwina.

Heading to Duns, Berwickshire, with L.L. Macvie and Co, is Newbank Emperor G059 from M. and S. Wilson and Sons, Moffat, Dumfriesshire. Emperor is by Golenmoy James Eric. He sold for 5,100gns.

At 5,000gns, Lena Forbes, Nairn, sold Lochdu Calibre Boy G209 to C. Gurney, Foscott, Buckinghamshire. This one is by Blelack Justin Eric A238.

At 4,500gns was Blelack Kintail G756 consigned by Neil Massie and Sons, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, and selling to D.E.W. Kibble and Sons, Heriot, Midlothian. Kintail is a Nightingale Ernie B133 son.

Four bulls followed with a 4,000gns price tag, the first was Cheeklaw Black Bently G264 from David Lucas, Duns. This Tweedside Jewgal Eric sold to G.W.B. Fullerton and Son, Duns.

David Evans, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, sold Tree Bridge Embassy G161 at the same money. Home-bred on both sides, he is by Tree Bridge Edwin D076 and sold to R.M. Johnston, Riding Mill, Northumberland.

The other at the same money was another from the Massie family, Blelack Errol G720. By Nightingale Defiance E264 it sold to G.T. and S. Coghill, Birsay, Orkney.

The final bull at the same price tag was Haymount Etruscan G779 from J. and W. Arnott. By the Dalrene Cruz son Tonley Elgin he sold to W.M. Robinson, Wigton, Cumbria.  

Leading female trade was J.E. Thomlinson, Carlisle, Cumbria, with their 2000-born cow Wedderlie Prudence Z001. By Lord Horatio P11 of Blelack, she is out of Wedderlie Prudence and sold having run with Windsole Black Bandit to H.M. Prison Services Kirkham, Preston.

The same buyers also paid 2,000gns for an April 2005 cow, Windyhill Miss Burtha E092, with bull calf at foot from Malcolm and Linda Wilson, Wigton, and the female champion Border Lyne Gammada G083 from M.D. Story, Longtown, Carlisle, for 1,400gns.  

Averages: 45 bulls, £3,094; 2 served maiden and or maiden heifers, £1,197; Falconer herd - 16 females, £920.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

TRADE was brisk for fresh young cows and heifers at Border and Lakeland Holstein Club's monthly dairy sale at Carlisle.

Top price was 2,900gns paid for a heifer, Painley Gelpro Kimo 112, from J.C. Bellerby, Weeton, Huby. This daughter of Regancrest-Mr Samuelo from the Kimo family sold to Messrs Pattinson, Walby, Carlisle.

Two more from the same home sold at 2,400gns; one was by Shottle from the home-bred Iolanthe family.

At 2,600gns was a three-week calved Shottle heifer from J.M. and J. Fisher, Newtonrigg, Penrith.

At the same price was a heifer by Roseland-View Black Starboy and off a Comestar Outside cow from S.L. and P. Bell, Bowscar, Penrith.

Among the embryos for sale the greatest enthusiasm was attracted for those out of Morsan Dundee Doris by Braedale Goldwyn. They sold for 610gns each.

Following the milking section was a dispersal batch of commercial heifers, mostly Norwegian Red sired off black and white cows and in-calf to an Aberdeen-Angus. Trade averaged £1,360 and a top of 1,800gns was realised.

Also forward were a 12 pure Friesian served and bulling heifers from the recently dispersed herd of Michael Henderson, Haltwhistle. In-calf heifers averaging nearly £1,300 and maidens just over £900.

Averages: Border and Lakeland - 8 cows, £1,883.44; 23 heifers, £2,038.37 31; overall, £1,998.39; 26 embryos, £310.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington 

THE commercial cattle section of the national spring spectacular show was won by a British Blue cross Limousin heifer, Black Beauty, from Tecwyn Jones,
Llanrwst, Conwy.

The heifer, born in June 2008 and weighing 427kg, was bought privately from breeder - Trefor Jones of Caernarfon, who was also the breeder of Tecwyn Jones' champion at Beef Expo 2007. The heifer is by the British Blue bull - Netherwood Umpire.

Reserve went to a Limousin cross steer, Priceless, exhibited by Phil and Sharon Sellers who bought it for £5,000 at Ruthin earlier this year from breeder - Alan Powell, Welshpool. The Sellers' of Belper, Derbyshire plan to take the Grievepark Nulan sired steer to the Royal show.

Christine Williams and Paul Tippets swept the floor in the pedigree section taking the championship and reserve prizes with entries from the Wilodge herd at Shifnal, Shropshire.

Champion was the May 2008-born heifer Wilodge Diamante and reserve was the July 2008-born bull Wilodge Dallaglio. Born were by Wilodge Vantastic.

RESULTS

Commercial cattle (Judge, R. Arfon Jones, Anglesey) Supreme and heifer, T. Jones, Black Beauty (British Blue cross Limousin); res. and steer, S.E. Sellers, Priceless (Limousin cross); res. heifer, C. Williams and P. Tippetts, Ohh-La-La (Limousin cross British Blue); res. steer, G. and E. Jones, Gold Digger (Charolais cross Limousin); sup. baby beef, S.E. Sellers, Betty Boo (British Blue cross Limousin heifer); res., C. Williams and P. Tippetts, Milly Many (Limousin cross heifer).

Pedigree cattle (J. Owens, Leominster) sup. and continental C. Williams and P. Tippetts, Wilodge Diamate; res. and res. continental, C. Williams and P. Tippetts, Wilodge Dallaglio; sup. native, G. Blandford and Son, Bosa 1 Laner; res. native, S. Farquhar, Hansnett Francie 20.

Kirkby Stephen

Bidding peaked at £2,300 at the New Fair show and sale of cattle at Kirkby Stephen mart.

Cows with calves averaged £1,250 (+ £180 on the year) and heifers with calves averaged £1,490 (+ £335 on the year). 

Hexham

Prime cattle sold to 170.5p/kg and the 74 OTM cattle on offer averaged 115.4p/kg. In the prime sheep section lighter lambs weighing 38-42kg met the keenest trade topping at 246.1kg for Texels.

Melton Mowbray

An increased entry was forward at Melton Mowbray and the top price of the day was

227p/kg for a pen of standard weight Suffolk cross lambs from I.J. and P.J. Handley, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Sedgemoor

A strong cull sheep trade saw the 659 lots peak at £88 for a pen of Suffolk ewes.

Best meated ewes were selling for in excess of £80 and ewes averaged £63.66. Rams sold to a top of £85.

Ashford

Trade was easier for new season lambs with overall averages back by some 12-15p/kg on the week and in-line with the national trend. Trade for well meated lambs was level and an overall average of 203.7p/kg was realised. Best continental cross lambs sold in excess of 210p/kg.

THE first northern spring sale at Beeston Castle auction on behalf of members of the Longhorn Cattle Society saw prices rise to 3,400gns.

It proved to be an outstanding day for Graham Lea and family, Macclesfield, Cheshire, who had the four top prices in the sale including the top seller - an October calving in-calf heifer, Dinglebank Imogen. Imogen is a daughter of Bejon Donald and is in-calf to Blackbrook Cracker.

The hammer fell to Mr and Mrs Phil Robinson, Goostrey, Cheshire.

Two more October calving heifers in-calf to Blackbrook Cracker from the Lea family sold for the next two best prices; Dinglebank India and Dinglebank Iris are both daughters of Bejon Donald and sold for 1,400gns and 1,450gns respectively. Both went to J. Romani, Birkinshaw, Bradford.

The two leading lots of cows and calves sold at 1,050gns; both were consigned by Eric Wood, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire and both were daughters of Fawsley Flashman with heifer calves at foot. They sold to G.R. Hope, Tatham, Lancaster.

Averages: 10 cows with calves at foot, £812.70; 10 in-calf cows, £597.45; 6 in-calf heifers, £1,576.75; 1 maiden heifer, £525.00; 27 head overall, £892.11.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

A total of 24 lots sold for over 2,000gns when the entire Swaffham herd of Holsteins was dispersed at Beeston due to Tony and Jenny Mallon (trading as Fransham Farming Co) deciding to cease milk production at Little Fransham, Norfolk.

The top price was 3,500gns for a milking heifer, Swaffham Iron Grey 1,312. This daughter of Boss Iron calved in January and is back in-calf to Buckeye. It sold giving 34kg daily and was snapped up by Peter and Ava Barrell, East Dereham, Norfolk.

They also purchased another heifer, Swaffham Starr Ivory, a daughter of Hilmar CVC Starr  giving 30kg for 2,900gns. 

At the same price was Pinebreck Starboy Faith, a daughter of Roseland-View Black Starboy milking with her third calf and due again in October to Buckeye. She was purchased by M. and A.M. Bunby, Boncath, Ceredigion.

Heifers calving in July and August sold to a top of 2,500gns for Swaffham Shottle Dora purchased by John Fisher, Longtown, who also bought two daughters of Ladys-Manor Wildman at 2,400gns each.

Recently served heifers sold to 1,550gns twice and maiden heifers peaked at 1,750gns.

Heifer calves sold to 980gns for the 8-month-old Swaffham Shottle Belise 2 purchased  by J.W. Jones and Co, Denbigh.

Averages: 191 cows and milking heifers (including 51 heifer calves at £700.41), £1,500.01; 19 summer calving heifers, £2,196.71; 30 recently served heifers, £1,220.45; 51 maiden heifers, £1,090.35; 291 head overall, £1,444.88.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

SHOW potential cattle sold to a top price of £1,900 at a special spring prize sale at Hawes livestock market.

Topping the sale was a Limousin heifer from J.R. and A. Blades, Hawes. The heifer took the championship before selling to C.R. Fawcett, York.

Reserve in this section was a British Blue heifer again from Messrs Blades. It sold for £1,600 to J.W. Cockett and Son (Butchers), Hawes.

Messrs Blades also sold British Blue cross cows with a British Blue cross heifer calves at foot for £2,080 and £2,000.

In the commercial section the championship went to a Limousin cross steer from W. and M. Orme, and selling at £1,220.

Auctioneers: Hawes Auction Mart.

A new centre record average was set last Friday at Llandovery market's monthly sale of commercial suckler cows and calves. 

An entry of 80 cows and calves averaged £1,495 and 13 made £2,000 or more. The top price of £2,850 was paid by Messers Evans, Talybont, Aberystwyth for a Limousin cross first calver with her British Blue cross bull calf at foot. The pair were consigned by D.L. Jones and Sons, Falcondale, Lampeter. 

Averages: 68 first calvers, £1,509.85; 8 second and third calvers, £1,470; 4 aged cows, £1,297.

Auctioneers: Clee, Tompkinson and Francis.   

BISHOP Burton College consigned the top priced lot at the May dairy cattle sale at Skipton auction earlier this week.

Exhibited by college student Tom Lister, Wakefield, the November, 2006-born heifer, BishopB Bradley Barbra, is by Rockali Bradley and is in-calf to Far O La Debbi Fo Decker.

The heifer, one of a consignment of 13 from the college, sold at £2,250 to Brian Moorhouse, Bell Busk, Skipton.

Another in-calf heifer from Bishop Burton sold for £2,000 to Alan Outram, Bury

Mr Moorhouse was also selling and his first prize fresh cow took the reserve championship before selling to Wick Williams, Nantwich, Cheshire, for £2,020.

The second calver, giving 30 litres, is by another AI bull - Diehard.

Mr Williams also bought the champion - a newly calved Holstein Friesian heifer by Roylane Jordan - from George Fleetwood, Mirfield, Yorkshire.

The champion, which calved at the beginning of May and was giving 27kg, realised £1,860.

Averages: newly calved heifers £1,660, newly calved cows 1st quality £1,637; 2nd quality £887; in-calf heifers £1,448; maiden heifers £544.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

COMMERCIAL buyers underpinned trade for 27 Simmentals at the North East Simmental Society's sale at Thirsk.

The top price was 2,250gns realised for a Popes Laird son, Moorside Voltage, from John and Gill Smith's Moorside herd, Pickering, Yorkshire. It sold to the show judge, Richard Elliot, Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

Other prices among the bulls included 2,050gns paid for the reserve champion, Moorside Voyager, also from the Smiths. This 20-month-old bull sold to G. Bowes, Great Stainton, Cleveland.

Top price female at 1,650gns was Beaghill Fiona 2, a Balmano Hitman daughter, from M. Brears and Sons, Goole, Humberside, selling to N. Kendall, Whitby, Yorkshire.

The championship went to a maiden heifer, Swaleside Violet, from Brian and Anne Wise, Skipton-On-Swale, Thirsk. It sold for 1,120gns to W. Warren, Gomersal, Yorkshire.

Averages: 4 bulls, £2,061; 21 females, £1,095.

Auctioneers: Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart.

A French-bred cow led the bidding at the major reduction of the Trafford Limousin herd, sold at Carlisle, on behalf of Grahams Agriculture, Mickle Trafford, Chester.

Sale topper, Ubonie, was a 2003-born cow with her un-registered heifer calf at foot. Bred in France by Earl Camus-Huberson this cow is by Nenuphar and sold on-calf to Arius. The hammer fell to Harry Emslie, Peterhead, Aberdeen.

At 5,200gns was one of the herd's stock bulls, Umilio, a November 2003-born bull by Renault and out of a Navarin sired dam. Again French-bred this bull sold G.W. Jones, Llanrhystyd, Aberystwyth.

Another French-bred stock bull, Bonneval, made 4,500gns. Sired by Poseidon and out of a Sacristain sired cow it sold to J.M. Davies and Sons, Llangollen, Denbighshire.

Paul Dawes, Dinmore, Hereford, bid 2,900gns and 2,800gns for two served heifers. The higher priced lot was Barbouze, a March 2006-born heifer bred in France and by Magique. The heifer had been running with Vallon prior to the sale.

The other was another French bred heifer by Radieux, which had also been running with Vallon.

Averages: pedigree - 61 cows served and/or suckling, £1,833.60; 17 served heifers, £1,817; 17 maiden heifers, £1,667; 3 stock bulls, £4,305. Non-pedigree - 20 cows served and/or suckling, £1,629; 24 served heifers, £1,723; 36 maiden heifers, £987.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

A record-breaking entry of 500 dairy cattle at the Beeston mid month sale sold to a top price of £2,550 twice.
The sale included the dispersal of the entire Tattondale herd, the property of Hugh Barber, Knutsford, Cheshire, and the two top prices came within this section.

The first at £2,550 was a fresh second calver, Tattondale Penelope 55, a daughter of Budjon Sky Enforcer, which sold to Rob Ward, Whitchurch.

At the same price was the fresh heifer, Tattondale Elaine 52, a daughter of Ballycairn Orion, which sold to Ben Elkin, Hilderstone, Stone.

Another heifer, the March calved Tattondale Penelope 60, by Moet Melody sold to G. Green and Son, Northwich, Cheshier.

A total of 19 Tattondale lots made £2,000 or more.
The Sale also featured several part dispersals of herds which are selling their cows as they calve; D.J. and S. Windsor, Black Park, Whitchurch, sold to a top of £2,350 for a non-pedigree Picston Shottle heifer that calved at the end of March. The hammer fell to Messrs Whalley, Knutsford
The collective part of the sale was headed at £2,300 for a pedigree heifer, Starcross Samuelo Frost, from Mark Bowden, Malpas, selling to P. and A. Howard, Winsford, Cheshire.

Ivan Shepherd, Northwich sold Budworth Galaxy Rockette, a fresh heifer by Galaxy Speed, for £2,250 to Ben Elkin.

Also at this price was Stud Enforcer Snowdrop 11 from the Leicestershire Cheese Company, Warwickshire. This Budjon Enforcer sold to P. Mathias and Sons, Haverfordwest, who purchased 42 head at the sale.

Terence Rigby, Isycoed, Wrexham, sold a non-pedigree heifer by Wa-Del Convincer for £2,250 to D. and H.E. Colclough and Son, Sandbach, Cheshire.
A small consignment of served heifers sold to £1,400 for an entry from Mervyn Longford, Stratford upon-Avon, Warwickshire, and recently served heifers from C.B. Farming, Nuneaton, sold to £1,250.
The maiden heifers topped at £1,250 for Tattondale Minister Flame 41, a June 2007 daughter of Mr Minister, which was part of Hugh Barber's dispersal sale

Jersey cross heifers sold to £1,020 for entries from E. Fair, Market Drayton and yearling Holsteins also sold to £1,020 for Oldchurch Degas Ellen from A.L. Kemp and Son, Alvechurch, Birmingham
Heifer calves peaked at £650 for a four-month-old daughter of Joylan Specialist, which was part of the Tattondale dispersal with others from this herd making £580 and £540.

Averages: 258 cows and milking heifers, £1,403.13; 77 Tattondale dispersal cows, £1,419.09; 335 head overall, £1,409.77; 9 served heifers, £1,197.78; 43 maiden heifers, £873.25; 45 Tattondale maiden heifers, £822.22; 97 head overall, £879.69; 19 heifer calves, £352.94; 13 Tattondale heifer calves, £486.15; 32 head overall, £404.68.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

BULLS sold to a top of 2,500gns and females to 2,400gns when the Salers Cattle Society held its spring sale at Welshpool.

The top bull bid came in for a 2007-born Coland Taliesin sired bull, Mock Arwyn, from Aled Jenkins, Llandysul, Ceredigion. The buyer was J. Jones and Son, Llanidloes, Powys.

The judge at the pre-sale show, Glyn Jones of Newtown, Powys, picked out Coland Queenie from Denis and Hilda Rogers, Hayscastle, Haverfordwest, as his female and overall show champion. Born in 2001 Queenie is by Novak out of Coland Nerris

Sold as an outfit with her March-born bull calf, Coland Conner, at foot Queenie went at 2,400gns to Fred Robinson, Church Stretton, Shropshire.

The Rogers also topped the commercial sales selling a four-year-old Salers cross cow with her Charolais sired heifer calf at foot to Rachel and Steven Hallos, Ripponden, Yorkshire, at £1,700.

Yorkshire vendors, Rigel Pedigree of Middleton-on-Leven, Yarm earned the top heifer price with their reserve female champion, Rigel Ina, a daughter of Rigel Othello, which went at 2,000gns to Mike and Teresa Jones, Taliesin, Machynlleth.

The sale also saw three out of ring deals for cattle unsold through the ring. Rigel Pedigree sold two bulls, Rigel Peregrine and his full brother, Rigel Carlton, at 5,000gns and 3,000gns respectively.

Peregrine joined the Bowi herd of Guto Jones at Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn, while Carlton sold to Andrew Beavan, Llanfair Waterdine.

Averages: 6 bulls, £2,817; 4 cows and calves, £1,890; 3 heifers, £1,715; 1 heifer calf, £714.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales.

THE biggest ever sale of British Blues at Carlisle produced a top bid of 16,000gns and a further nine bulls breaking the five-figure barrier.

Topping the sale was the reserve intermediate male champion, Tamhorn Crackerjack, an August 2007 ET son of Empire D'Ochain and the show winning dam Annanwater Vine.

This blue and white bull from Danny and Jane Wyllie's Tamhorn herd, Edingale, Tamworth, Staffordshire, sold to H. Harvey and Son, Sea Palling, Norwich, to join their Waxham herd.

At 14,000gns was an 18-month-old blue and white bull, Oak Tree Collosuss, from J.H. Pedley, Carnforth, Lancashire.

Collosuss is an ET son of Harley Du Chateau Lebrun and Oak Tree White Star. He was knocked down to J.C. Innes and Sons, Huntly, Aberdeen for their Strathbogie herd.

The junior champion and reserve overall champion, Auchenlay Coll, sold at 13,500gns for Perthshire breeders R. and M. Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane. Coll, a 19-month-old son of Mountjoy Utopia, is out of Auchenlay White Magic Rose. The hammer fell to Balfour Baillie, Tankerness, Orkney Islands.

From the same home Auchenlay Celt sold for 11,200gns to James Strathern, Whins of Milton, Stirling. This black 18-month old is an ET son of the Mountjoy Utopia and Auchenlay Venus.

David Thompson, Bampton, Penrith, sold Drybarrows Cawdale at 12,500gns to pedigree breeder G.L. Morgan, Tillington, Herefordshire. Cawdale, a November 2007 blue roan bull is a son of Hazelwood Uranus and out of Woodview Winifred.

There were three lots sold at 11,000gns; the first was Newton Blues Chico from Malcolm Telfer and Helen Claxton, Stocksfield, Northumberland. Chico is a two-year-old son of the Reinbeck Rubin and Bradwall Olivia flush and was purchased by an undisclosed buyer.

Matching that price was Greystone Cannon, a July 2007 son of Empire D'Ochain and out of Hazeldown Mystic Queen. Consigned by the Coates Family, Stainforth, Settle, this first prize winning bull was knocked down to pedigree breeders G.G. Jenkins and Son, Crymych, Dyffed.

At the same price was a Bringlee Volkawagon bred son, Dragon Blues Champ, which took the intermediate male championship and was shown by G.W. and K. Williams, Llanwnnen, Lampeter. This August 2007 bull bred from Dundrod Sarah, a Philipper sired cow, sold in a joint purchase to J.C. Walker and Son, Clitheroe, Lancashire, and Phil Halhead of Norbreck Genetics, Lancaster.

Also reaching the five-figure mark was the best from the Paulern consignment of E.R. Hemmings and Co Farmers, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Paulern Chapman, a March 2007-born son of the Serum D'Anloy and Paulern Audrey flush, sold for 10,000gns to go to L.P. Jenkinson and Son, Beaworthy, Devon.

Another Empire D'Ochain bred son, Brookfield Columbus from Stephen Potter, Topcliffe, Thirsk, sold for 10,000gns. Columbus, a 20-month-old dark blue bull out of the Royal show 2003 champion, Brookfield Rhanne, sold to Messrs Stephen and Co, Nairn, Inverness.

The male champion was Graymar Churchill from Graham Jones, Hadnall, Shrewsbury. This April 2007-born son of Bringlee Talbot was knocked down for 8,000gns to S. Whiteford, Symington, Biggar.

Leading the ladies was the first prize winning senior maiden heifer Tyddyn Ciara, out of the Cajoleur De Rettigny and Bringlee Wanova flush. Consigned by Gerwyn Owen, Llawfihangel, Corwen, she was knocked down for 9,400gns to an undisclosed buyer.

Her full sister Tyddyn Citrus was sold for 6,000gns to J.P. Graham and Son, Wigton, Cumbria.

Two first prize winning heifers sold for 7,000gns, the first through the ring was Broadlands Coral, out of the Dafydd D'Ochain and Widewath Virginia flush, from Messrs Cook and Colman, Norwich, Norfolk and selling to Peter Jones and Sons, Lampeter, Ceredigion.

The other at 7,000gns was Balzar Dancing Queen from Ingrid Phillips, Llandysul, Ceredigion. This February 2008 daughter of Henlli Wishmaster was purchased by Messrs Watret and Ryder, Annan, Dumfriesshire.

Averages: 32 senior bulls, £5,581.41; 80 intermediate bulls, £4,823.44; 49 junior bulls, £4,660.71; 161 bulls, £5,015.57; 2 served heifers, £3,360; 50 maiden heifers, £3,483.90; 11 cows served and/or suckling, £2,558.18; 6 recipients with calves or carrying embryo, £2,642.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

TOP honours in the beef section went to Sportsmans Columbo, a July 2007-born Charolais bull from Gilbert Crawford, Maghera, Co Londonderry. The Thrunton Volermort son was bred by Charlie Boden, Stockport, Cheshire, and was bought by Mr Crawford for 55,000gns in February.

Reserve was Guards Boomer, a Limousin bull by Rocky, brought out by Paul Brown, Loughgilly, Co Armargh. Mr Brown bought the bull from breeder, Messrs Little, at Carlisle this February for 22,000gns.

Sheep

In the sheep section a total of 16 breeds competed for the inter-breed title with the Suffolk breed reigning supreme.

The title winner was a two-crop ewe from Norman Robinson, Downpatrick, Co Down. The ewe, bought at Strathisla as a gimmer, is by the 30,000gns Glenho Gurka.

In reserve was a home-bred shearling ram from Stewart Hammond, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. The ram is by a Mossvale sire.

Dairy

Dairy inter-breed went to the Jersey breed with Potterswells Paramount Glamour taking the championship rosette. This fifth calver, at 96 points the highest classified in her breed, was exhibited by the Fleming family, Seaforde, Co Tyrone.

Reserve went to the Holstein breed with a second calver, Relough Goldwyn Danna, from Malcolm McLean, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. This cow, classified VG89, gave 9,324 litres in her first lactation and is currently giving 51 litres after calving in March.

Results 

BEEF

Inter-breed (judge, A. Fotherington, Scotland) Supreme, G. Crawford, Sportsmans Columbo (Charolais); res., P. Brown, Guards Boomer (Limousin).

Inter-breed pairs (A. Fotherington) G. Crawford, Sportsmans Columbo, and C. Millar, Glenleary Cathy (Charolais); res., P. Brown, Guards Boomer, and W. Smith, Millbrook Ulla.

Inter-breed group of three (A. Fotherington) C. Millar, Glenleary Cathy, G. Donnelly, Ballylast Dan, and G. Henderson, Sandelford Ceara (Charolais); res., P. Brown, Guards Boomer, R. Crawford, Curraghree Sensation, and W. Smith, Millbrook Ulla (Limousin).

Aberdeen Angus (M. Tilson, Berwickshire) Sup. and male, J. Porter, The Moss Mr Eshton; res. and fem., J. Porter, Netherton Kim.

Hereford (G. Blandford, Herefordshire) Sup., and male, J. McMordie, Solpoll 1 Dynamite; res., and fem., J.E., R.I and W. Haire, Dorepoll 1499 Tessa; res. fem., J.E., R.I. and W. Haire, Dorepoll 1 H L Duchess.

Charolais (P. Donger, Northamptonshire) Sup. and male, G. Crawford, Sportsmans Columbo; res. and res. male, S. McGovern, Ashleigh Victor; fem., G. Crawford, Coolnaslee Bella; res. fem., C. Millar, Glenleary Cathy.

Simmental (R. Macgregor, Perth) Sup. and male, Clonagh Herds, Banwy T-Rex; res. and res. male, R.J. Boyd, Slievenagh Wyatt; fem., W.D. Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel; res. fem., Clonagh Herds, Clonagh Venus Grace.

Limousin (T. Masterson, Co Wexford) Sup. and male, P. Brown, Guards Boomer; res. and fem., W. Smith, Millbrook Ulla; res. male, A. and T. Clyde, Ironstone Bomber; res. fem., R. Crawford, Curraghree Patrice.

British Blonde (A. Watts, Banffshire) Sup. and fem., Hillhead Blondes, Maidenlands Verity; res. and male, Ivaniskey Blondes, Doncombe Aga Khan; res. fem., K. Archer, Ivaniskey Bubbles; res. male, C. Todd, Pinehill Dynamite.

British Blue (P. Walker, West Midlands) Sup. and male, O. McGuinness, Clonmore Ben; res. and fem., A. Craig, Woodview Cari; res. male, A. Craig, Woodview Cadet; res. fem., Z. Chestnutt, Clougher Wilma.

Salers (A. Sleigh, Aberdeenshire) Sup., J. and E.A. Elliott, Blason; res., J. and E.A. Eilliot, Unity.

Commercial beef (W. Hunter, Angus) Sup. and heifer, J. Killen, Sasha Bad Girl; res. and steer, Laddy; res. heifer, W. McAllister, Duffy; res. steer, A. Farlow, Hillview Tommy.

DAIRY

Inter-breed (M Huxtable, Devon) Sup., Fleming Family, Potterswalls Paramount Glamour (Jersey); res., Relough Goldwyn Danna (Holstein).

Ayrshire (J. Whiteford, Cumbria) Sup., A. Irwin, Denamona Emperor Ruby 30; res., J. and M. Hunter, Ardmore Janet 63.

Jersey (E. Morgan, Carmarthenshire) Fleming Family, Potterswalls Paramount Glamour; res., Fleming Family, Potterswalls Junos Glamour 2.

Holstein (D. Robinson, Cumbria) Sup., R. McLean and Sons, Relough Goldwyn Danna; res., M. Truesdale and P. Dunn, Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red.

SHEEP

Inter-breed (J. Morison, Blairgowrie) Sup., N. Robinson (Suffolk); res., S. Hammond (Bluefaced Leicester)

Inter-breed Long wool (J. Morison) Sup., S. Hammond (Bluefaced Leicester); res., P. McEvoy (Blackface)

Inter-breed Short wool (J. Morison) Sup., N. Robinson (Suffolk); res., T. Bailey (Suffolk).

Border Leicester (S. Watsons, Fyfe) Sup., T. Horner; res., J. Aiken.

Suffolk (M. Weaver, Gloucestershire) Sup. and fem., N. Robinson; res. and res. fem., T. Bailey; male and res. male, M. Priestley.

Texel (G. Jones, Glamorgan) Sup. and male, J. Cleland; res. and res. male, J.T.W. Foster; fem., V. Chestnutt; res. fem., T. Bailey.

Ile de France (W. Hutchinson, Kilkenny) Sup. and male, M. and S. Robinson; res. and res. male and fem., W.J. Donaldson; res. fem., M. and S. Robinson.

Bluefaced Leicester (M. Drummond, Ayrshire) Sup., S. Hammond; res., McCormick Brothers.

Blackface (B. Grant, Blairgowrie) Sup., P. McEvoy; res., R. Crawford.

Greyface (B. Grant) Sup., M. Wright; res., M. and A. Graham.

Hampshire Down (R. Vincent, Carmarthen) Sup. and res., J. and M. McCauley.

North Country Cheviot (J. Lorinyenko Co Donegal) Sup., T. McKean; res., M. Devine.

Rouge De L'ouest (P. Tait, Worcester) Sup. and fem., B. Wallace; res. and male and res. male, J. and M. Pollock.

Dorset Horn and Poll (K. Manning, Sussex) Sup. and res., T. Wright.

Charolais (D. Whitcher, York) Sup., J. Aiken; res., D. Christie.

Beltex (J. Campbell, Alnwick) Sup. and fem. and res. and male, E. McAllister; res. fem., F. Harbinson; res. male, E. McAllister.

Kerry Hill (J. Owens, Herefordshire) Sup., J. McClintock; res., S. and F. McAllister.

Zwartbles (A. Francis, Carmarthen) Sup., M.W. Dorman; res., M. Woods.

Rare breeds (P. Titley, Staffordshire) Sup., N. Spurr; res., R.J. McCauley.

I head over to Belfast tomorrow for the Balmoral show but I have managed to get some results....

James Porter, Lisburn, has cleaned up in the Abderdeen-Angus judging taking the championship and reserve. The champion was his bull, The Moss Mr Eshton, and on reserve was Netherton Kim.

In the sheep rings the top honours in the Ile de France breed has gone to Mark and Samantah Robinson, Portadown, and the North Country Cheviot section has been won by Tommy McKean, Killaloo.

The champion Rouge was exhibited by Brian Wallace and taking the champion rosette in the Zwartbles judging was Melvyn Dorman.

Visitors to next week's Beef Expo 2009, to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcester, on Thursday (May 21), will have the opportunity of competing for prize money totalling £2,000 in a beef cattle judging competition.

A total of £1,000 in prize money is up for grabs in the Yara Open Stockjudging Competition and young farmers will also be competing for a prize pot of £1,000,

Three classes of beef cattle will require to be judged and there is also a competition to guess the weight of two Hereford steers, with a top prize valued at £200.

LEADING the second premier sale for the Irish Limousin Cattle Society held at Roscrea mart last week was a E7,800 bid for Mount Scott Donal from Michael Sexton, Ennis, Co Clare.

This March 2008-born bull is by Ronick Hawk and out of a home-bred Gamin cow. The buyer was Keith Stewart, Aberdeenshire.

At E5,100 was Doonbeg Dodger from Claire Griffin, Doonbeg, Co. Clare and selling to Mary Doyle, Dunleer, Co. Louth. This January 2008 bull was by Ronick Iceman and out of another Gamin cow.

Another from the same herd made E4,600; Doonbeg Dimi, a January 2008-born bull by Ronick Iceman sold to Robert Reidy, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Trade for females was steady with heifers selling from E4,100 to E1,800.

Averages: 74 bulls, E3,318.42 (+E518.42); heifers E2,673.50 (+E383.50).

A Limousin bull, Goldies Classic, bred by Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries, has been sold for £26,000 in a private deal to Mr and Mrs G. Moane, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone.

Mr Moane, who runs the Altaponer herd which comprises over 50 breeding females, said: "I bought a Goldies bull (Goldies Unionflag 12,000gns) five years ago and he bred so well that I returned to look for a new stock bull to use on his daughters."

Mr Moane described his new purchase as the best Limousin bull he has ever seen, combining outstanding pedigree, conformation and performance well into the top 1 per cent of breed. The 16-month-old Classic is sired by Goldies Terence.

His dam, Goldies Vitality, is also dam of the herd's reserve supreme champion at the February 2009 Carlisle sale, which went on to sell for the leading price of 23,000gns.

Goldies Classic now represents the top priced bull ever sold from the Goldies Limousin herd.

TOP at the British Blonde Society May show and sale at Carlisle was 6,500gns paid for the reserve senior champion - Elmhirst Conrad - from A.J. Wilshaw, Wigton, Cumbria.

Sired by Brownhill Sam this May 2007-born bull sold to J. Benn and Sons, Mungrisedale, Penrith.

The overall champion, Doncombe Dvorak, from David Knight, Bristol, realised 6,000gns. This March 2008-born Doncombe Valhalla son is out of a home-bred dam by Doncombe Rangatira. The hammer fell to M.J. Stockdale, Laxton, Newark.

At the same price was the reserve champion, Hallfield Carlsberg, a November 2007 son of Doncombe Ayers Rock from P. Weightman and Sons, Peterlee, Co Durham. The buyer was A. and P. Munro, Alness, Ross-shire.

Another from the same herd, Hallfield Crockett, made 5,000gns selling to W.R. and A.M. Sayer, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle. Born in December 2007 this bull is by Megray Serendipity.

Top female price was 4,000gns paid for Paragon CJ from Paragon Blondes, Hexham, Northumberland. This two-year-old heifer is by Everest and sold to Bailey Farms, Howgill, Kendal.

Averages: 5 senior bulls, £4,494; 9 bulls, £4,036.66; 14 bulls overall, £4,200; 4 served and maiden heifers, £2,257.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

A 98 per cent clearance was achieved at the Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn May sheep fair at Exeter with registered ram lambs selling to 2,730gns and shearling rams to 1,470gns.

The show champion, Downkillybegs Lancelot, a ram lamb from William and Karen Carson, Co Antrim, sold for 2,000gns to Raymond Hill, Northern Ireland. This ram is by Downkillybegs Jojack, which is a son of the New Zealand AI sire - High Plains.

The reserve championship went to David Rossiter, Kingsbridge Devon, with a ram lamb, Huish Leader, which sold at 2,600gns to Fooks Brothers, Poorton, Dorset.

The top price female was 580gns paid for Manorcroft Landlady from C. and T. Clarke, Crediton.

Auctioneers: Exeter Market Auctioneers.

A centre record average of £4,275 and a total clearance of bulls underpinned a strong trade for Limousin bulls at Brecon last Saturday.

Topping the sale at 7,450gns was the reserve champion Pyebrook Calvin from N. Matthews, Ludlow, Shropshire.

This December 2007-born bull, sired by Tunnelby Scallywag and out of the Nebulon daughter, Winnington Tawny, sold to L.H. Attewell and Partners, Magor, Newport.

Pyebrook bulls also sold to 6,600gns, 4,500gns and 3,800gns.

At 6,600gns was Pyebrook Cobra, a November 2007-born Oxygene son out of a dam, which carries Haltcliffe Hercules breeding on both sides. The hammer fell to commercial breeder H.G. Richardson, Redditch, Worcestershire.

At 6,000gns was Dafalog Classic from D.A. Thomas, Penybont, Carmarthen. This December 2007 Cockleshell Olympus son sold to T.M. Williams, Nantygeifr, Llanidloes. The Dafolog prefix also sold to 4,500gns for Dafolog Champ, a Rocky son, selling to John Jenkins, Spittal, Haverfordwest.

The champion was Corridan Carlos from J.D. Evans, Caersws, Powys. Carlos, bred by Corridan Farms, is by Ardnacrusha Uthman and out of the Malibu daughter. He was bought by S.P. Davies, Lower Chapel, Brecon for 5,800gns.

The female trade topped at 2,100gns for a Fleethill heifer consigned by M.J. Gray and Son, Crossgtates, Llandrindod Wells.

A dispersal of cows and calves on behalf of N. Hollick, Marston, Warwickshire topped at £1,920 with 35 outfits averaging £1,555.

Averages: 35 bulls, £4,275 (+£1,139); 27 heifers, £164 (+£282)

Auctioneer: McCartneys

It was a busy weekend of beef sales......

TOP at the Simmental Society sale at Bristol was 5,600gns paid for Starline Variety consigned by Henry and Susan Widdicombe, Totnes, Devon.

Variety, an October 2007 son of the home-bred stock sire Ð Starline Prankster Ð is out of a Starline Klassik sired dam. The hammer fell to J. A. Powell, Knighton, Powys.

The same buyers also went home with another Prankster son from the Widdicombes - Starline Viking - at 4,400gns.

Selling at 4,600gns was Chyanhal Wellington, from David Nicholas, Goldsithy, Penzance, and going to W.R. Eales and Son, Peatling Magna, Leicester. He is sired by Corskie Radium, a son of Popes Laird, and out of a Sacombe Wilshful Thinking daughter.

The reserve champion bull, Station House Viscount, from Eric Ford and Barry Littlewood, Hatton, Derbyshire, made 4,000gns. This Popes Laird son with Sterling Flint on his damÕs side, sold to Sam Madeley, Glewstone, Ross On Wye.

The champion, Wishful Well-Pict, from David and Christine Mills, Wellington, Somerset, sold to Atkin Brothers, Barrow on Trent, Derby for 3,600gns. This bull is a son of Sacombe Wishful Thinking and out of a Balmano Hitman dam.

Trade for females topped at 4,000gns for Crackley Cadette 78 sold by Messrs Booth and Bell, Kenilworth, and going to A.J. and S.D. Heath, Eaton-Upon-Tern, Market Drayton. Cadette, a Wroxall Luke daughter, sold with her Lamhoj Supery sired bull calf at foot and back in-calf to Crackley Taurus.

The reserve female champion, Wishful Vanessa, from David and Christine Mills sold at 3,200gns to David and Nicki Fields, Blunsdon, Swindon. Vanessa sold carrying her first calf to Skerrington Talent.

Top among a reduction from Martin BoucherÕs Loxton herd, Axbridge, was 3,000gns for Loxton Serena with a bull calf at foot. Serena, in-calf to Twyford Roger, is by Sterling Maverick 2 and her calf by Twyford Roger. The hammer fell to J. A. Powell.

Averages: 17 bulls, £3,166; 4 cows with calves at foot, £2,667; 4 in-calf cows, £1,414; 13 in-calf heifers, £1,983; 21 maiden heifers, £955; 12 Loxton reduction, £2,290; 3 Sabre dispersal, £1,873.

Auctioneers: Stags and McCartneys.

Solid demand for quality Charolais bulls from commercial suckled calf producers underpinned trade throughout at the breed society's official spring sale in Carlisle on Saturday.

Bidding peaked at a new breed centre record of 28,000gns, seven entries commanded 10,000gns or more, 140 lots sold to average £4,798, up £1,098 on the year and 82 per cent clearance was achieved.

Sale leader at 28,000gns was the two-year-old senior champion, Goldie Champion, which was among the first lots through the ring. Bred and exhibited by Hamish Goldie, Ruthwell, Dumfries, Champion was by the 34,000gns Goldies Uppermost out of a Kinclune cow by Killadeas Legend. He went to join the Haltcliffe pedigree Charolais herd owned by the Ridley family, Matt, his son Craig and grandson Matthew, Hesket Newmarket, Wigton.

Two more lots were among the money from the same breeder and both were 18-month-olds by Goldies Vicechancellor, one of Uppermost's brothers. Goldies Cassanover was out of a home-bred dam by the 20,000gns Blelack Rustic and made 6,500gns to Wissington Charolais, Nayland, Colchester. Goldies Chief out of a home-bred dam going back to Dingle Hofmeister made 5,000gns to A. Lindsay, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas.

Balthayock Diplomat sold at 22,000gns, a record for David Walter in more than 35 years of breeding pedigree Charolais at Balthayock, Perth. A 15-month-old, second prize class winner, Diplomat was sired by the 26,000gns Balbithan Vespasian and out of a Dingle Hofmeister sired homebred dam. He returned to Perthshire with Bill Bruce, Balmyle, Meigle.

Mr Bruce recouped some of his investment when minutes before he offered Balmyle Dingle TI +43, SRI +49 at 8,000gns to Wesley Estates, Markfield, Leicester. This 15-month-old was by Hofmeister and out of a home-bred cow by the 31,000gns Pedr Thumper.

Father and son team, Bob and Drew Adam, Glamis, Forfar offered their sole entry at 18,000gns to neighbouring breeders, P. Cooper and Son, Kincaldrum, Forfar. The January 2008-born Newhouse Debonair was by the 14,000gns Sackville Adonis and out of home-bred dame by Blelack Rustic.

At 16,000gns, Maerdy Cecil TI +27, SRI +35 headed a string of 10 entries sold from Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold. This 17 month old was out of a homebred cow by Maerdy Grimaldi and had been awarded the reserve intermediate championship. Cecil who was knocked down sold to the Campbell family, Ian and John and father, Colin, of Thrunton, Alnwick was one of twins and by their 55,000gns Perth supremo, Thrunton Voldemort.

Averages: 42 senior bulls, £4,971.25; 56 intermediate bulls £4,393.13; 42 junior bulls £5,167.50. Females: two cows and heifers served and/or suckling £4,987.50; seven maiden heifers £1,777.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

THE Sara cow family dominated the top prices at the second sale to disperse the Wardle herd of Holsteins sold on behalf of Ian Williamson and J.R. Williamson and Co on farm at Nantwich, Cheshire.

The top price of 8,000gns was for the December 2007-born maiden heifer, Wardle Shottle Sara, a daughter of the former National Holstein Show champion and 20,500gns seller Copywood KJ Sara 2. The hammer fell to Gino Vasami and family for their Santamaria herd, Llandyssul, Ceredigion.

Copywood Goldwyn Sara, a Goldwyn sired maternal sister to the top seller made 6,500gns. This heifer, which is due to calve for the first time to Wilcoxview Jasper in the late summer, sold to Robert Hugo for his Rockset herd, Bodmin, Cornwall.

The third member of the Sara family to make the headlines was Riverdane Rampage Sara Red, which sold in-calf to Wardle Ghostly and due in the autumn. The buyer at 5,700gns was Peter Royle, Rugby, Warwickshire.
The best in-calf heifers were a great trade, particularly those with great pedigrees; Astlowhall Goldwyn Laurie, a Goldwyn daughter from the Laurie Sheik family, which is due in the autumn sold for 6,500gns to Mike Owens, Tregaron, Ceredigion for his Prospect herd. 

Selling at 5,200gns was the recently served Wardle Shottle Vaakje who has 11 generations of VG/EX dams on the maternal line. This Shottle daughter which also has two VG sisters sold to C.S.A. Brassington and Son for their Cracking herd, Roden, Shrewsbury.

At 5,000gns was the July calving Beanfield Douglas Ebony, a daughter of the German sire Douglas, selling to Roston Partners for their Cassia herd, Winsford, Cheshire.

At just 100gns less M.R. and M.J. Brassington, Ledsham, Wirral, and P.D. Crossmore, Nantwich, Cheshire, jointly bought the red and white Baileys Rampage Molli Red 3, a September 2007 recently bred heifer by Rampage Red.
Milkers topped at 4,300gns and broke the 4,000gns mark three times. The leading bid was made for Wardle Shottle Knierke, a January calved milking heifer by Shottle out of an EX91 dam. It sold to Hywel and Sheila Evans, Llansilin, Oswestry,

Rossett Stormatic Maria, a dry cow by Stormatic due with her fourth to Shottle in June sold for 4,200gns to the Brassington's Cracking herd.

At 4,100gns Richard Edwards and Partners, Tilstock, Whitchurch purchased the milking heifer, Wardle Shottle Bliss.

 
Averages: 145 cows and milking heifers, £2,219.48 (including 34 heifer calves at £924.00 and 5 bull calves at £451.50); 97 in-calf and served heifers, £2,118.94;  55 maiden heifers, £1496.15; 8 bulls, £807.19; 305 head overall, £2,020.02.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley

 

Newark

An entry of 161 OTM cattle at Newark yesterday averaged 119.07p/kg or £796.58 with the top price going to a British Blue from Henry Catlin, Boston, which sold for 148.5p/kg.

Dairy cows sold to 119.5p/kg for an entry from A.M. Duguid, Caneby Corner.

New season lambs were an 'outstanding trade' and a pair of Beltex, which took the show championship, sold for 40.5p/kg and sold for £116 per head.

Market Drayton

A good entry of spring lambs sold to a 'much sharper' trade with an extra two firms in attendance and an overall average of 229p/kg.

Standard weights sold to 247p/kg for some Charollais cross lambs weighing 36.7kg and grossing £90.65.

Mediums peaked at 248p/kg and heavies topped at 195p/kg.

Whitland

An improved entry of calves were forward with bulls selling to £250 for a Limousin from

Messrs Jones and Sons, Hackett Farm.

Other leading bull prices included £210 for a Limousin from the same vendor; £200 for a Hereford from Messrs Reynolds, Sarland who also sold another Hereford at £175; £72 for a Shorthorn from Messrs Woolley, Pencraig Isaf who also sold a Simmental at £66 and a Shorthorn at £58.

Heifers sold to a top of £205 for a Limousin from Messrs Evans, Waterholmes Farm who also sold another Limousin at £170; with other leading heifer prices at £185 for a Limousin from Messrs Reynolds, Sarland; and £125 for a Simmental from Messrs Woolley, Pencraig Isaf.

Top price at the show and sale of commercial breeding cattle at Thainstone was £6,000 paid for an April 2005-born Charolais cross heifer with September 2008 born pure Limousin bull calf.

Consigend by Harry Emslie junior, Mintlaw, Peterhead, it sold to T.T. Farming, Yorkshire.

The calf was born by embryo transfer by a recipient mother and is one of 100 animals Mr Emslie breeds this way each year. The bull calf is pure Limousin, the dam being Tess and the sire Sammy.

The overall champion was an April 2006-born Limousin cross heifer with March 2009 born Limousin cross bull calf at foot.

Consigned by Angus Greenlaw, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly, it sold for £2,700 to O Llyr, Tyn-y-Wern, Ruthin, North Wales.

The reserve came from Keith Stewart and Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly. The April 2006-born Limousin cross with February 2009-born Limousin cross bull calf at foot sold for £3,100.

The Simmental special prize went to Ivan Keith with a November 2006-born Simmental cross with February 2009 Limousin cross bull calf. They sold for £2,600 to D.G. Kennedy, Canisbray, Wick.

Although I can't be at the dispersal of the prize winning Wardle herd of Holsteins in Cheshire today I do have some news of latest prices.....

Top so far is 6,500gns paid for Astowhall Goldwyn Laurie bred by local Holsteins enthusiasts - M.J. and M.C. Thomasson, Nantwich, Cheshire. This Febraury 2007-born heifer is by Goldwyn and bred from six successive generations of cows classified in the top two grades.

Just one lot earlier Riverdane Rampage Sara Red realised 5,700gns. This proven show cow is also bred from six successive generations of VG or EX cows.

If I hear anymore I'll let you know!

PRICE rose to 3,000gns on two occasions for heifers at the April Western Holstein Club show and sale held at Beeston.

The first was for Astlowhall Outside Tyson, a daughter of Comestar Outside bred from seven successive generations of VG/EX dams from M.J. and M.C. Thomasson, Nantwich, Cheshire. The hammer fell to John Moore, County Offaly, Ireland.

The second at this price was Dunnerdale Drake Sabrina from W.W. and D. Boow, Millom, Cumbria. This daughter of Drake bred from five generations VG/EX dams sold to D.E. and M.A. Booth of Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

Messrs Booth also purchased another heifer by Drake from the Boow's for 2,900gns.

In the cow section a top of 2,200gns was realised for the reserve champion - a second calf cow Burnbrae Patriot Lily from Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, Shrewsbury. The buyer was G.F. and B.J. Beeston, Adbaston, Stafford.
The sale opened with the sale of embryos, which sold to a 70 per cent clearance. Top price was 660gns for a package of five by Shottle and out of Riverdane Silky Ghost.

Averages: 17 cows, £1,710.26; 74 heifers, £2,252.68; 91 head overall, £2,151.35; 56 embryos, £352.13.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

Trade for new season lambs was well above the national average at Ashford this week with lambs grossing up to £98 for medium weight continental crosses.

Overall trade for hoggs was also up with the majority selling for between £70 and £90 and peaked at £95 per head.

The reserve champion, a British Blue cross heifer, from Messrs Brown, Newton Le Willows, sold for a centre record of £3,200 at a prize show and sale at Kirkby Stephen.

The buyer was the show judge - I. Pickup, Great Harwood.

Mr Pickup also bought the championship winner - a Limousin cross heifer from Levens Farming Partnership, Gaythorne Hall, at £1,300.

The 1,100 store cattle on offer saw averages increase on the year by £104 for steers and £108 for heifers.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

A larger entry was forward at the weekly sale of prime sheep and 75 spring lambs sold to average £94. In the show classes the championship went to a pair of Beltex lambs from Messrs Bainbridge, Bonnygate, Soulby, which sold at £120 (276p/kg).

Hoggs topped at £91.50 for Suffolks from Messrs Hodgson, White House, Glassonby.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

A total of 420 store cattle went under the hammer at Lockerbie's fortnightly sale of store cattle yesterday.

A British Blue steer from G.P. and E.A. Coats, Beckhall, achieved the top price per head at £1,135.

A Charolais from J.S. and M.E. Goldie, Skipmyre, sold for the top price per head for a heifer at £1,000.

Charolais steers sold to 205.8p/kg from W.J. Davidson, Poldean, Moffat, with Charolais heifers selling to 191.4p/kg for an entry from Messrs Porteous and Sons, Penlaw.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

Here are the pictures of the two top sellers at the Carlisle Limousin sale.

Firstly here's the overall champion, Ampertaine Commander, from W.J. and J. McKay, Maghera, Co Derry, and selling to Willie Barron, Burnhope, Durham for 20,00gns.

At the same price was Tunnelby Cymbellene from E.A. Thompson, Crewe, Cheshire. This selling jointly to D.A. and R.S. Harker, Carnforth, Lancashire and D.B.D. and C.A. Edgar, Penrith, Cumbria.

Charolais

Charolais led the bidding at 6,500gns and achieved the day's highest average of £4,022 at the multi beef breed show at Perth yesterday.

Sale topper was the day's reserve champion, Thrunton Caledonian, a 22-month-old by the 17,000gns Coolnaslee Universe and out of a home-bred dam by Blanerne Fearless.

Bred and exhibited by the Campbell family, Ian and John and their father, Colin of Thrunton Alnwick, he was knocked down to R.T. Phaup and Partner, Cocksburnspath, Berwick on Tweed.

The Campbells went on to sell the next two highest bids. At 5,500gns they sold Thrunton Cassius, an October 2007-born entry by Burradon Talisman and out of a dam by the noted Mowbraypark Orlando. He crossed the water to Islay with G. and M. Porter, Bridgend.

Next at 4,800gns was the 22-month-old Thrunton Commando, another Talisman son and out of a home-bred dam also by Orlando. He sold to A. and H. Sim and Son, Monymusk, Inverurie.

At the same price was first class prize winner, Newhouse Castoff, from Drew and Bob Adam, Glamis, Perthshire, selling to Aucheneck Farms, Killearn, Glasgow. This 17-month-old was by the 14,000gns Sackville Adonis and out of a home-bred cow by the 20,000gns Blelack Rustic.

Two lots were bid to 4,500gns. First to go was the day's champion, Coolnaslee Cardinal, a 22-month-old by Allanfauld Superscot consigned by Paul Stobart, Renwick, Penrith. He was knocked down to T. Howden and Son, Balerno, Midlothian.

The second 4,500gns call was made by Preston Hall Farming Company, Pathhead, Midlothain for Vexour Clive from A.J. Lyle, Midcambushinnie, Dunblane. Sired by the 7,000gns Maerdy Tally a former Young Bull Promotion Scheme sire, he was out of a Mortimers bred cow going back to Cleffany Spitfire.

Aberdeen-Angus

Leading trade for Aberdeen-Angus bulls at 3,600gns was M. Bruce and Partners, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, with Logie Legendary. This son of Logie Darius is out of Logie Lady. Buyer was D. Grant and Son, Aberlemno, Forfar.

At 3,000gns was Coruanan Lord Lucky from J.H.C. Campbell and Sons, Alnwick, Northumberland. Lord Lucky is a son of Duncanziemere Edward out of the RawburnTransformer sired Coruanan Lady Luck A019. He knocked down to Ross Brothers, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Richard and Carol Rettie, Clackmannanshire, sold Retties Lord Ross at 2,800gns. By Hurdcott Beacon and out of Rawburn Lady Rhoda, he sold to I.O. Warren, Argyll, Isle of Islay.

Leading trade for females at 1,000gns was James Drummond, Dunkeld, Perthshire, with the 2001-born Ladywell Erana Princess, a daughter of Prince Proper of Oxencraig. Taking her home was K. Taylor and Sons, Killin, Perthshire.

Simmental

A bid of 6,000gns topped the Simmental section for Halenook Vargner, a Dinto Nautical son, born in November 2007. Vargener was consigned by J. Telford and A. Rawcliffe, Shinness, By Lairg.

Next best at 5,800gns was the show champion, Balmaud Valuable, fro, W. and G. Strachan, Banff, Aberdeenshire. Valuable, a May 2007 bull, is by Innerwick Renown.

Limousin

In the Limousin section bidding topped at 5,500gns twice; the first time for the breed champion - Dyke Coisty from J.R. MacGregor, Milton of Campsie, Glasgow. Coisty, born in March 2007, is by Ardbrack Taketime.

The other at the same money was a November 2007 son of Loosebeare Aviator from W. Laing, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire.

British Blue

The only British Blue bull to sell was Ruaig Calum, an April 2007-born bull sired by Ruaig Wallace. Consigned by A. Macinnes, Isle of Tiree, it sold for 1,650gns.

Shorthorns

The only bull sold in the Beef Shorthorn section was Holmeere Gerald, a July 2007 Tugby Snowman son, from M.A. Holmes, Albrighton, Wolverhampton.

Averages: Charolais -13 bulls £4,022.31. Aberdeen-Angus - 9 bulls, £2,444.17; 10 females, £813.75.

Auctioneers: United Auctions

The last at 11,000gns was a January 2008-born bull, Dumbreck Diamond, from D. Work and Sons, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. This Ionescso son sold to R.F.S. Newall, Hexham, Northumberland.