July 2009 Archives

A Texel ewe took the inter-breed sheep title beating a Hampshire Down ram into reserve.

The title winner was a Glenside King II sired senior ewe exhibited by Angela and Stanley Nairey of Blackburn. This year the ewe has mainly travelled to local shows and has taken the championship at Todmorden and was also shown with some success as a shearling. The Naireys run 400 pedigree ewes under the Meinspride prefix.

The Hampshire Down in reserve was from Jennifer Borsey of St Asaph, who was fresh from success at the Royal Welsh where she took the inter-breed title with a different ram. Her winner at Nantwich was the aged ram Ballycleary Earl, which sired the Royal Welsh winner and was himself the breed champion at the Welsh in 2007. Mrs Borsey keeps 22 Hampshire Downs as well as 380 commercial breeding ewes and some commercial cattle and pigs.

RESULTS

Inter-breed (A. Winter, York) Sup., F.A. Nairey (Texel); res., J. Borsey (Hampshire).

Inter-breed groups (A.Winter) Sup., Madders and Johnson (Charollais); res., F.A. Nairey (Texel).

Suffolk (C.R. Hartley, Shropshire) Sup., S.J. Hoggarth; res., M. and S. Howard.

Any other continental breed (D. Thornley, Derbyshire) Sup., Madders and Johnson (Charollais); res., M. Prince (Beltex).

Texel (J. Aiken, Skipton) Sup., F.A. Nairey; res., P. Johnson.

Any other downland breed (J. Davies, Llandrindod Wells) J. Borsey (Hampshire); res., S. and L. Sawyer (Hampshire).

Pen of butchers lambs (H. Clewlow, Nantwich) Sup., P.D. Crossmore; res., R.A. Davenport.

IN the dairy section Joseph Heler Farms took the inter-breed title with a second calver - Helton Talent Clarissa 2.

This Ladino Park Talent daughter is part of the 250-cow herd milked by cheesemakers, Helers, at Hatherton, Nantwich.

She was inter-breed heifer champion at last year's Nantwich show and has been shown successfully along with her twin sister at other local shows this year, including Cheshire, where together they took the pairs title. Clarissa 2, an ET daughter of Aldingham Morty Clarissa, is giving 52kg daily.

In reserve was Twemlow Red Poker, an in-milk cow, from Marshall and Patsy Barnett of Twemlow, Holmes Chapel. This Horizon Harry daughter took the inter-breed title at last month's Cheshire show. She gave 9,600kg in her heifer lactation.

The show also included the UK National Showcase of Brown Swiss and around 50 entries were forward from breeders from all over country. The championship went to Kedar Becks Alice exhibited by the Brown Swiss Society's chairman - Jonathan Lochhead of Mouswald, Dumfries. This second calver is classified VG88 and gave 9,358kg in her second lactation at 3.71 butterfat and 3.63 protein.

The inter-breed heifer championship went to a Dairy Shorthorn heifer-in-milk, Westonia Marie 6, from Roger Stockton of Southampton, Hampshire. This Normead Supreme Red daughter was born in May 2006 and is out of Westonia Marie. She also took the breed title.

In other breeds the Guernsey title went to J.A. and S.M. Hope of Tarporley, Cheshire, with Tiresford Posie 2 - a sixth calver by Trotacre Mercury Lorry.

Top honours in the Jersey ring went to Coldeaton Rochette Josephine, an EX90 classified third calver, from Coldeaton Jerseys of Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

RESULTS

Inter-breed (panel of judges) Sup., Joseph Heler Farms, Helton Talent Clarissa (Holstein); res., M. and P. Barnett, Twemlow Red Poker (Ayrshire).

Inter-breed heifer (panel of judges) Sup., Roger Stockton, Westonia Marie 6 (Dairy Shorthorn); res., A. and J. Whittaker, Knowlesmere Jordan Diamond (Holstein).

Ayrshire (N. Armstrong, Cumbria) Sup., M. and P. Barnett, Twemlow Red Poker; res., L.H. Baty.

Brown Swiss (J. Dent, Penrith) Sup., J. Lochhead, Kedar Seattle Glenda; res., J. and C. West, Farrick Dino 2.

Guernsey (P.C. Cox, Devon); Sup., J.A. and S.M. Hope, Tiresford Posie 2; res., J.A. and S.M. Hope, Thornton Peggy 2.

Holstein (E. Thomas, Carmarthenshire) Sup., Joseph Heler Farms, Helton Talent Clarissa; res., A. and J. Whittaker, Knowlesmere Jordan Diamond.

Jersey (T.R. Savage, Cumbria) Sup., Coldeaton Jerseys, Coldeaton Rochette Jospehine; res., G.F. and M.L. Wallace, Mosshayes Remake Legacy.

Dairy Shorthorn (S.V.B. Thomas, Pembrokeshire) Sup., R. Stockton, Westonia Marie 6; res., W.S.J. Pugh, Wallhope Fairy Star 20.

THE heavens opened as the results were announced by the panel of judges in the beef inter-breed judging.

It was a Simmental heifer, Treetops Tallulah, which took the overall title. Exhibited by Roger Birch and his son and daughter, Boomer and Stephanie, this in-calf heifer is part of the family's small herd at Weston, Stafford. She is by Blackford Nero and was purchased from her breeder J. Peters who bought the heifer's dam - Pasturefields Harmony, from the Birch family.

Earlier this summer at Staffordshire show she was second to the Limousin heifer Newstart Cinderella in the inter-breed judging. However at Nantwich the positions were reversed and Cinderella, a Woodhouse Pugh daughter, from the Cormack McDowell Partnership took the runners-up trophy.

Cinderella was bought for 10,000gns at the Newstart herd dispersal sale last year. In-calf to Grahams Unbeatable she has also been shown at the Royal where she took the reserve breed title and also at the Great Yorkshire where she was part of the reserve inter-breed pairs.

RESULTS

Inter-breed (panel of judges) Sup., R.M. and B. Birch, Treetops Tallulah (Simmental); res., Cormack McDowell Partners, Newstart Cinderella (Limousin).

British Blue (A.J. Neachall, Staffordshire) Sup., R.M. and B. Birch, Boomer Dior; res., J.G. Brindley, Bringlee Campbell.

British Blonde (D. Bowe, Silloth) Sup., I.C. and S.D. Archer, Marston Mill Vine; res., C.L. Boden, Bostock Destiniee.

Butchers Beef (J.A. Hollingworth, Mold) Sup., B.E. Williams, Ting Ting (Limousin cross heifer); res., P. and S. Sellers, Priceless (steer).

Charolais (M.V. Atkinson, Ripon) Sup., Cormack McDowell Partners, Sunnyside Caprice; res., M. Impey and M. Davis, Congress Beluga.

Herefords (C. Davies, Kidderminster) Sup., D.D. Rowley and Partners, Hollowseal 1 Easter Rose 30; res., M.J. and H.M. Timmis, Shraden 1 Dowager 285.

Limousin (M. Ridley, Cumbria) Sup., Cormack McDowell Partners, Newstart Cinderella; res., P. Cairns, Plumtree Deus.

Simmental (P.R. Clements, Suffolk) Sup., R.M. and B. Birch, Treetops Tallulah; res., L. and N. Pennington, Annick Versuvious.

Any other pure beef breed (N. Dobson, Shropshire) Sup., Lockerley Hall Farms, Lockerley Georgina H 904; res., W. Burrows, Hampton Princess.

Top 10 per cent.KL

TOP price at Sedgemoor auction centre's 'Top 10 per cent and seasonality' sale of dairy cattle was 2,700gns.

Leading the trade was the Holstein cow, Nortonhill Tessa, a Opsal Finley daughter nd from the Dellia family with six generations of VG or EX dams behind her. Consigned by D. Willcox, Tiverton, Devon, she sold for 2,700gns.

Topping the calved heifers at 2,400gns was Dinnaton Jordan Talent Fleur, one of 12 animals consigned by Derek and Jeremy Dennis, Ivybridge. The Dennis family also bred the days top priced bull, Dinnaton Capulet, a Goldwyn son from 11 generations of VG or EX cows. He was entered by M.A. Pincombe and sold for 1,920gns.

Ian Dimond put forward nine cows and heifers from his Dorset herd to produce the days highest consignment average of £2,011.33 selling to a top of 2,100gns for Dorset Fabulous Molly by Quality Fabulous. She was out of a VG86 dam and freshly calved in June.

In-calf heifers sold to 1,750gns for a Littlebredy Onside daughter due in August to the Aberdeen-Angus bull she was one of 34 heifers consigned by John Redman, Bristol.  Poundhill Farmers, Taunton, consigned their in-calf and yearling heifers to the sale prior to their herd dispersal in August. Their Poundhill Bradley Miranda heifer out of a 12,000kg dam and due in August sold for 1,700gns. 

Andrew Lewis, Barnstaple, consigned 61 maiden heifers which sold to 1,040gns for the 2008-born Shottle daughter out of the Fuchsia family.

September-born heifer calves from the same stable sold to 920gns for a Shottle Dulcie. 

Poundhill Farmers heifer calves sold to 780gns for a Zest Teggy that originated from the Osco herd.  All of the top priced youngstock came from the 'Top 10 per cent' section.

Pedigree Jersey calved heifers sold to 1,120gns for L. Lewis, Wiveliscombe, and commercial British Friesian bulling heifers from M.A. Hoskins, Gillingham, sold to1,060gns.

Averages: 20 calved Holstein cows, £1,733.03; 18 calved Holstein heifers, £1,821.75; 2 calved Jersey heifers, £1,113.00; 51 in-calf heifers, £1,522.70; 35 maiden heifers, £946.20; 61 yearling and younger heifers, £712.79; 3  Holstein bulls, £1,522.50.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

THE championship at the Lancashire Holstein Club's show and sale at Lancaster mart on Tuesday was Wyredale Roy Gertrude, a home-bred heifer with two generations of VG breeding behind her from M.J. and H. Atkinson, Quernmore.

It sold to the day's top price of 2,400gns.                                               

A trio of heifers from H. and S.D. Cornthwaite included the reserve champion, Kirkwood Jordan Daphne. The top price for these three was 2,050gns and they averaged 2,000gns.

In the older cattle section prices rose to 1,920gns for Pennine Poppy 881 from Drinkall Brothers, Catshaw.

A consignment of non-registered commercial heifers from J.B. and C. Lamb peaked at 1,700gns with an average of 1,520gns for the consignment.

Averages: 4 cows, £1,460; 13 pedigree heifers, £1,840; 3 non-pedigree heifers, £1,575.

Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank with North West Auctions.

The Holstein cow, Weeton Journalist Helen, from Almond Holsteins has taken the dairy inter-breed.

  The reserve went to the Jersey seond calver, Clandeboye Jazzman Mabel, from Arwyn Wilson.

The showers look set to continue today as judging gets underway. I'll be covering the dairy inter-breed which takes place later this morning along with the dairy team of five and beef and dairy pairs so keep checking for updates.

The judging in the commercial section took just over five hours to complete and it was a  British Blue cross steer which took the overall championship.

The steer, born in May 2008 was exhibited by Ann Lewis of Brecon, Powys. Bred by D.S. and C.M. Edwards of North Wales the steer - Brutus Black Jack - was bought by Miss Lewis at the Brecon show potentials sale earlier this year for £1,800. It is by a British Blue cross sire and out of a British Blue cross dam. Miss Lewis, who was exhibiting at the Royal Welsh for the first time, has four commercial animals.

Reserve went to Elfed Williams of Sennybridge, Powys, with a Limousin heifer bred by M.T. Jones Baliea and bought by Mr Williams privately. The heifer is by the Limousin sire Solomon and out of a Limousin.

The dairy breed titles have now been decided and in the Dairy Shorthorn championship went to Ian Harries of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, with Marleycote Win Jill 6, a third calver, which is giving 37kg daily.

Almond Holsteins took the Holstein title with Weeton Journalist Helen, a Ridge-Star Journalist daughter.

In the Ayrshire section the red rosette went to Heydale Ginny 90, a Rosehill Blackthorn daughter, from P. and S. Williams of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

The Irish-bred Clandeboye Jazzman Mabel - a second calver from A.H. Wilson and Son of Cardigan, Ceredigion, took the Jersey championship.

The inter-breed judging takes place tomorrow morning.

The weather is wet here in Builth Wells on the second day of judging. This morning the dairy breed championships take place as well as the commercial classes, which as usual here are particularly strong. I'll post results as soon as they happen.

The inter-breed beef title has just been decided and it was a Limousin cow all the way from Aberdeenshire which clinched the title ahead of a Charolais bull.

The title winner was Ballymoney Veronica, a July 2004-born cow, from Harry Emslie of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. By Highlander the cow was bought from Southern Irish breeder, Angus MacDonnell for £1,500 as part of a herd used as a foundation for Mr Emslie's herd, whihc no numbers 60 cows.

  The cow was previously reserve breed champion at the Royal Welsh in 2006 and tha same year was Scottish female of the year, junior inter-breed and female champion at the Highland. She was shown with her heifer calf by Saphire.

Reserve was Thrunton Classic, a August 2007-born bull, exhibited by John Howells and his son, Peter, from Llanybydder, Ceredigion. This bull, by Burradon Talisman, was bought by the Howells from Perth in Febraury this year for 12,000gns.

Being shown for the first time it now heads back to the Howells 50-strong herd, which is run alongside a flock of 600 pedigree Texels.

The inter-breed judge, Bryan Jones of Brecon, Powys, also tapped forward the British Blonde and the Biritsh Blue to complete his final shortlist.

The Blonde was Hackleton Aimme, a Whistley Dollar sired 2005-born cow with her bull calf at foot. This pair was exhibited by Charolotte Boden of Middlwich, Cheshire.

Boomer Birch of Weston, Stafford, brought forward the British Blue - Boomer Dior - a home-bred Graphite De Dessous La Ville heifer born in April last year.   

Work at Borderway, Carlisle, on roofing the remainder of uncovered livestock pens along with yard pennage renewal will be completed in time for the start of the busy autumn sales sheep and cattle sales programme in August.

Harrison and Hetherington is investing around £350,000, part of the mart company's ongoing programme of improvements and renewals its sales centres across the north.

The galvanised steel construction with fibre cement sheeting and roof lights is the third span of the roof and it will cover 1,295 square metres including some existing buildings.

Borderway's yard can pen up to 15,000 sheep or 4,000 cattle at any one time and the final stage of the roofing will further enhance the facilities for the centre's Agri Expo event - the third is to be staged on Friday October 30.

The first sale is for early breeding ewes for early lamb production and breeding rams -mainly Suffolk and continentals - on July 31, followed by a full programme of pedigree sheep sales throughout August along with some dairy herd dispersals and regular sales.

 A significant investment has also been made to renew a large number of the existing livestock pennage at Borderway which has been in service for almost 35 years since the centre opened.

The Welsh Black title has gone to Dancoed Mair, a Seisiog Cymro 61 sired heifer, from Gwynfryn and Marian Phillips of Abergwaun, Sir Benfro. Reserve went to Ken Ellis a'i Feibion of Tywyn, Gwynedd, with Penwernhir Meg 3, a Chwaen Erddyn 137 daughter.

Charlotte Boden of Middlewich, Cheshire, took the title in the Blonde section with Hackleton Aimee, a heifer with calf at foot.

A 15-month-old heifer, Boomer Dior, took the British Blue title when brought out by Boomer Birch of Weston, Stafford.

Charles Lowther took the Beef Shorthorn title with LS Gaia 154, a March 2008-born heifer by K-Kim Freedom.

Some of the beef breeds have just finished being judged and in the Simmental ring the title went to Sterling Krumpets Estate, the Royal show winner, from Boddington Estates of Cheltenham Gloucestershire. This Sterling Flint daughter was shown with her bull calf at foot.

Reserve in this section was Treetops Tallulah from Roger Birch and family of Weston, Stafford. Tallulah is a September 2006-born daughter of Blackford Nero.

The Charolais champion was Thrunton Classic, a Burradon Talisman son, from J.S. Howells of Llanybydder, Ceredigion.

Reserve was Brynffanigl Director a April 2008-born bull by R.T. and D.M. Roberts of Abegele, Powys.

The title in the South Devon judging was David Smallcombe of North Piddle, Worcestershire, with Grove Brutus 82. Reserve was Monkton Cowslip 10 from T. Gareth Davies of Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

The sun's out (for today at least) here at Builth Wells for the Royal Welsh show.

Today sees the inter-breed beef title decided with the dairy breed judging taking place tomorrow and the inter-breed on Wednesday.

I'll be posting updates from the show so keep checking for results.

AN entry of over 400 head of commercial and pedigree dairy cattle and young stock met with a flying trade at Beeston Castle Auction's mid month sale last Tuesday.

The trade throughout the sale was very good and in particular for the fresh milking heifers with bidding for the best of these being particularly fierce. The best young cows also sold very well but second quality cows of varying ages were harder to clear.

Prairie Delegate Cornelia, a fresh calved daughter of Watergate Delegate from Mark Bowden, Malpas, Cheshire, claimed the top price selling at £2,650 to F. and N. Brunt and Sons, Moddershall, Stone. The same buyer also paid £2,500 for Holbeck Outside Primrose, a daughter of Comestar Outside also consigned by Mark Bowden.

A fresh heifer, Danevale Azure Fay, by Cogent Azure, sold giving 34 kg daily. The hammer fell at £2,450 to Ben Elkin, Hilderstone, Stone.

A further six heifers sold at £2,400 each including entries from R.G. and A. and R.T. Lloyd, Anglesey; D.W. and M.N. Ishmael, Wigan; J. and J.M. Walmsley, Garstang and Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, Shrewsbury.

Messrs Taylor also had the top price cow, Burnbrae Tulip Sincere, a second calf daughter of Subliem Tulip Red. The buyer at £2,350 was Ben Elkin.

In total 35 animals sold for £2,000 or more.

Purebred coloured breeds were lead by a fresh second calf shorthorn from David Dent, Kirkby Stephen, which realised £1,820 selling to E. Thomas, Llandudno.

A fourth calf Ayrshire cow from A.J. Thompson and Son, Kent, sold to £1,680. A Blue cross Shorthorn cow from A. Howe, Buxton sold for £1,820 to Owen Hughes, Anglesey.

In-calf heifers were a wonderful trade and the top price was £1,800 for a daughter of Welcombe Golduster; Madryn Duster Blodwen, consigned by Dylan Jones, Pwllheli, and purchased by Colin Weston, Whitchurch.

Ayrshire in-calf heifers sold to a top of £1,420 for an entry from H. Coy &and Son, Melton Mowbray.

Maiden heifers sold to £900 each for pedigree heifers by Zenith and Mr Sam from Phil Coker, Boduan, Pwllheli.

Heifer calves sold to £420 for a non-pedigree Holstein from C.E. Hancock and Son, Sandbach, who also sold a pair of Jersey crosses at the same price.

Averages: 210 cows and milking heifers, £1,521.18; 63 served heifers, £1,175.56; 114 maiden heifers, £559.12; 14 heifer calves, £345.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

St Asaph

An entry of 4,193 lambs at St Aspah on Thursday averaged 144.18p/kg.

Standard weight lambs made between 129p/kg and 209p/kg to level out at 146.21p/kg.

Scots Gap

Hexham and Northern Marts at their Scots Gap centre sold 824 prime lambs to a top of £72.50 for Texel crosses from Messrs Temple, Ingoe Low Hall, and 162.8 p/kg also for Texel crosses from Messrs Johnson, Tuthill. 

The first consignments of mule lambs this season sold to a top of £60 for a pen weighing 44kg from Messrs Anderson, Fairnley. 

The majority of lambs sold to realise £20 over the weight and the sale averaged 42.2 kg at £62.90. 

Bakewell

A seasonal entry of 277 store cattle catalogued were forward at Bakewell yesterday with the auctioneers commenting that purchasers and potential purchasers 'were definitely more circumspect than at sales early in the year and were attempting to proceed with caution'.

Cows with bull calves at foot peaked at £1,680 and averaged £1,114. Cow and heifer calf outfits topped at £2,020 and trade levelled at £1,180. In-calf cows sold to £1,002 to average £868.

THE 11 newly calved dairy cattle on offer at Kendal sold to a top price of £2,220 for a newly calved heifer from Jeff Burrow, Thursgill.

Mr Burrow sold three heifers on the day to average £2,006 and the overall average for nine heifers was £1,700.

Of the two cows forward, a top price of £1,800 was paid for a third calved cow from J.A. and D.E. Batty and Sons, Laithwaite, closely followed by a second calved cow from G.R. Park and Sons, Low Deepslack, at £1,780.

The montly sale of pigs saw sows sell to £94, gilts to £81 and weaners and store pigs selling between £35 and £51.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.

An entry of 1,249 store cattle were forward at Dingwall and Highland Mart's anniversary show and sale of store cattle.

The Judge, Tom Stevenson, Bankfoot, chose a 435kg junior Limousin cross steer from Messrs Smallburn Farms, Duffus, Elgin, as his champion. It later sold at £1,050. The reserve champion award went to a 395kg junior Limousin cross steer from J. and J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, realising £950 selling to Tom Henderson, Udale, Poyntzfield.

THE opening store lamb sale fixture at Skipton yesterday attracted an entry of 2,390 lambs, which achieved an average of £50.65 per head, which is considerably up on the £34.84 average achieved at the corresponding fixture last year.

The championship pen of 50 Suffolk cross lambs from Michael Parker, Winterburn, Skipton, sold at £64 a head to Chris Barker, Scarborough.

The second prize pen of 55 Texel cross lambs from Christopher Heseltine, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, sold at £60 to the judges - Roger and James Farrington, Helmsley, York.

The third prize pen of 40 Texel lambs from Chris Ryder, Blubberhouses, Yorkshire, made £59.80 per head.
Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

BULLS and females sold to a top price of 3,000gns at the South West Limousin Club's summer sensational show and sale at Bristol Sales Centre on Tuesday. 

The leading bull was Loosebeare Drogba, an 18-month-old Tomschoice Usurper son, from E.W. Quick, Crediton, Devon. Drogba took the male championship in the pre-sale show and sold to G.A. Richards, Newquay.

At 2,700gns Columbjohn Farm, Rewe, Exeter, sold Killerton Darwin, a January 2008-born Hafodlas Auron son. The buyer was D.J. Norman and Son, Wellington, Somerset.

The sale included the reduction of Vicky and Matt Maynard's Columbpark herd, Bradnich, Exeter, and it was one of these, which topped the female trade.

Top seller was Columbpark Urence, a Ringway Romeo cow, with her third calf - a bull by Rombalds Utah - at foot. The pair took the overall show championship before selling to an undisclosed buyer.

Three more Columbpark cow and calf outfits sold at 2,800gns. All the cows were by Romeo and progeny by Utah. The buyers were D.J. and C.E. Nott, Ashreigney, Devon; E.J. and C.M. Ley and Son, Torrington, Devon; and F.E. Cottle and Son, Towbridge, Wiltshire.

In the collective sale a maiden heifer, Exmoor Claret, consigned by W.H. White, Ilfracombe, Devon realised 2,900gns. This Cloughhead Umpire daughter out of Exmoor Velvet, sold to J.H. Neale, Launceston, Cornwall.

Rill Countess, a Grahams Samson sired maiden heifer, from Martyn Baker, Tiverton, Devon, sold at 2,800gns to T. Hilsdon, South Molton, Devon.

Weaned calves sold to 2,000gns for Rosecroft Dodger, a Grahams Unbeatable son, from D.K. Wheeler, Cullompton, Devon, selling to M.A. Quiney and S.M. Spears, Newton Abbot, Devon.

A commercial Limousin steer by Quaish Bingo sold at £1,400. Consigned by Nick and Lisa Hill, Cheddar, Somerset, it sold to R. Kingston, Catcott, Bridgewater.

Averages: 5 bulls, £2,509.50; 5 cows served and/or suckling, £1,890.00; 11 served heifers, £1,713.41; 13 maiden heifers, £1,690.50; 5 weaned calves, £1,312.50. Columbpark herd - 7 cows served and/or suckling, £2,692.50; 4 maiden heifers, £1,207.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

THE inter-breed dairy pairs title went to the Holstein breed with the Jersey duo taking reserve.

The Holstein pair were made up of the breed champion, Ternbridge Rosalind 90, from Ed Seaton and Hailstone Talent Maybelle, an EX93 third calver from M. and D. Wilson of Appleby, Cumbria.

The two from the Jerseys were the inter-breed dairy champion, Hillside Laser's Ann, and Pavenham Iben 12 exhibited by Pavenham Jerseys of Boston, Lincolnshire.

In the beef section the title for the native breeds went to the Galloway when the inter-breed beef champion teamed up with the breed's female champion, Doon-of-Nerys 42, from Shawhead, Dumfries.

The reserve pairing were brought out by the Beef Shorthorn and comprised of Pode Hall Beauty Ava from H.C. Horrell of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and Holmeere Colonel exhibited by Mark Holmes of Albrighton, Wolverhampton.

The title in the continental section went to British Blues with Ballygrange Alex from Danny and Jane Wyllie and Solway View Black Beauty from Kevin Watret of Annan, Dumfriesshire.

Reserve went to the Limousin duo; Greenhill Viper and Newstart Cinderalla both from Cormack McDowell Partners.

A JERSEY second calver took the dairy inter-breed title with the Holstein taking the runner-up rosette.

Top honours went to father and son team - Morris and Adrian Harrison of Thornton Rust, Leyburn, with Hillside Laser's Ann.

This was the first time out for Ann, a Willoa Laser daughter, and Adrian Harrison said he'd been thrilled to win the breed championship on the first day of judging but hadn't expected to follow this up with the inter-breed title on Wednesday.

Ann, part of the 130-strong Hillside herd established in 2001 after the family's Holstein herd was wiped out due to foot-and-mouth, is giving 30kg daily. The inter-breed judge, Peter Prior of Essex, praised his champion for its 'super rear udder'.

The Holstein standing in reserve was Ternbridge Rosalind 90, a third calver, from Ed Seaton of Adderley, Shropshire.   

This Roylane Jordan daughter was bought by Mr Seaton last year at the Ternbridge dispersal sale for 3,400gns.

Earlier this summer she took the inter-breed title at Staffordshire County show and the West Mid show.

The other breeds forward in this show of over 200 dairy animals were the Dairy Shorthorn and Ayrshire breeds.

The red ribbon in the Dairy Shorthorns went to Hooton Fair Lady from J.C. Hayward of Newark, Nottinghamshire. This in-milk cow is by Hooton Fair Appeal.

Sanderson Buntie 6, a St BVQ Rubens daughter, from D. and C. Sanderson of Wigton, Cumbria, took the Ayrshire championship.

The beef inter-breed title has been decided here at the Great Yorkshire and the title has gone to Blackcraig Kodiac, a Galloway bull shown by William Maclean of Oban, Argyll.

The January 2003-born bull by Glenkiln Dynamite was the winner of the inter-breed title at the Highland show.

The inter-breed judging was carried out by a panel of judges and the reserve title went to Greenhill Viper, another proven show winner, from the Cormack McDowell Partnership. Viper, by Nenuphar, earlier this summer won the inter-breed titles at Newark and Leicestershire.

In third place was the British Blue bull, Ballygrange Alex, from Danny and Jane Wyllie of Tamworth, Staffordshire. This July 2005-born bull has also collected titles at Staffordshire, Cornwall and the East of England.

THERE was strong demand for a selection of young bulls from the Twyning Ash herd of Richard and Julia Carter, Dursley, Gloucestershire, held at Chelford last Saturday. 

Due to TB movement restrictions they were unable to sell in the Society sale at Chelford in March, but put forward a selection of bulls, which sold to a top price of 6,800gns.

The top money was paid for the April 2007-born Twyning Ash Corporal, the first son of Twyning Ash Worcester to be sold.  Worcester is a son of the AI bull Twyning Ash Troy.  Out of Twyning Ash Amelia this black and white bull sold to the Bockleton Blues herd belonging to Ian and Jim Phillips.

At 6,000gns, Twyning Ash Churchill, a March 2007-born bull by Azur d'Ochain out of Twyning Ash Violet was purchased by H. Davies and Sons, Llandegla, Denbighshire.

At 5,500gns K.J. Jones and Son, Robeston Wathen, Pembrokeshire, bought a Twyning Ash Troy son - Columbus. This September 2007-born bull out of the Wreay Odlio sired Twyning Ash Sable.

Paul Davies, Foxley, Norfolk, went to 5,300gns for Twyning Ash Berkeley a son of the Freshman sired Twyning Ash Trent, and out of the Savant De Pierrecome sired Twyning Ash Renee.

At 5,000gns, Twyning Ash Chazz, another Troy son went home to Brill, Buckinghamshire with Peter Morris.

A selection of young heifers from Messrs. Baldwins White Farm herd, Gloucestershire met a more selective trade with a relatively stronger demand for the younger heifers forward.  

The top price of 1,900gns was paid for White Farm Cinderella, son of the home-bred bull Waylord out of the Hazelwood Oscar sired Bassibones Titania, she returned to Gloucester with David Awre, Newnham.

The sale also featured a selection of continental cross suckler cows with Blue cross calves at foot, from Messrs. Carter. The cows, all back in-calf to either Blue or Limousin, were offered separately and made up to £1,350 for an April 2004-born Blue cross cow seven-months in-calf to the Blue, Twyning Ash Admiral. 

A September-born heifer calf by Twyning Ash Worcester made £600.

Averages: 11 Twyning Ash bulls, £4,849; 15 White Farm heifers, £1,515; in-calf suckler  cows, £819; British Blue cross weaned calves, £568.

Auctioneers: Frank Marshall

The sun's out here in Harrogate for the Great Yorkshire show and some of the breed championships have already been decided.

The Limousin title went to Greenhill Viper, a regular on the winners board so far this year, from the Cormack McDowell Partnership. In reserve was Millington Davina, from Millington Grange Estates, York. This heifer was the breed champion at last week's Royal.

In the Aberdeen-Angus judging the title went to Bon Lea Petrinella, a Wedderlie Prestique daughter, from J. and V. Brooks of Great Smeaton, Yorkshire. Reserve was B.S. Ronan's Jerusalem Diana.

In the dairy section the Ayrshire champion was Hooton Lily Fair 196, an in-milk cow by Hooton Fair Appeal, from J.C. Hayward of Newark, Nottinghamshire.

The runners-up rosette went to another from the same exhibitor, this time a Ridgedal Rustler Red daughter - Chatsworthpark Rustler Rosette.

LEADING the trade at the Charollais breeders sale at Lanark were two bids of 1,000gns. 

First to receive this price was Arwel Owen, Foel, Welshpool, for his tup lamb, Coventry Johnnie.  This was sired by Arjane Fly Half out of a Cairnhill Developer ewe.  The hammer fell to P. and J. Archibald, Isle of Islay. 

Another from the same flock, this time a son of Foulrice Eurostar, sold for 800gns to Frieda Brownlie, Fyvie, for her Crichney flock. 

Aberdeenshire breeder Howard Davies sold Cannahars Jumbo also at 1,000gns to James Andrew for his Rowanston flock, Ayrshire.  This tup lamb was sired by the 1,750gns Banwy Hornblower purchased at Lanark in 2007.

Herbie and Alan Kennedy, Dumfries, had a good pen of tup lambs forward, securing the pre-sale championship ticket with their son of Glyn Coch Idol, Parkgate Joe.  This one sold to the judge - Jonathan Wales, Cumbria, for 800gns. 

At the same price was Parkgate Jonny, also sired by the 2,000gns Glyn Coch Idol, which went to David Sloan, Rigghead, Dumfriess. 

Linda McKendrick, Cupar, Fife, went to 750gns for Parkgate Jubilee, a son of Ballyhibben Paddy Power.

Averages: 20 ram lambs, £673.05

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington

THE Manx Loaghtan Sheep Breeders' Group was established 21 years ago and to celebrate this anniversary a workshop day, including a show and sale was hosted by the Group's chairman - Jeff Clarke, Warwickshire.

The show, judged by Alastair Dymond, attracted an entry of 70. The supreme championship trophy was awarded to Lewislox Kione, a senior ewe bred and owned by Barry and Caroline Lewis and the reserve championship went to Dr John Hedges' ram lamb from his Saepes flock. 

The trophy for best pen of three to five sheep demonstrating the greatest genetic diversity, consistent with and supportive of the message of the breed conservation work of the MLSBG, was awarded to Carol Kempson with five diverse members of her Cannons flock.

The North West Suffolk Breeders' Club recently held their annual

Club show Lancaster auction mart.

The championship went to Keith Denby of Longtown with a ram lamb, sired by Westcarse Premier and out of a home-bred ewe from his Carnforth flock.

The reserve chamionship went to new member Andrea Neale of Cockermouth with a shearling ewe from her Howeton flock. The shearling, by Birness Bondi, had been bought from Cookstead as a lamb.

A special entry of commercial Holstein Friesian cows from Messrs Davies, Maesyrhaf, Meidrim met a strong trade at Whitland mart last week with the best cows topping at £1,750 for a 2007-born freshly calved cow.

In-calf heifers peaked at £1,370 for a March 2007-born heifer and bulling heifers sold at £780.

Auctioneers: J.J. Morris.

Gretnahouse Archangel lifted the male championshiponship, while the Gretnahouse Napoleon  grand-sired Mortimers Urovision won the female and overall championship. This paid then went on to compete in the Burke trophy.

In the junior section a Gretnahouse Ultimate daughter, Wissington Diva, won her class and went on to take the reserve junior female title.

To complete the successful day a Gretnahouse Umpire son from Vexour won first prize in his junior bull class. 

"It is always a buzz to see Gretnahouse genetics performing well in other herds. We try to develop deep pedigrees built around strong female lines and these winners at the Royal represent four important cow families at Gretnahouse. I'm delighted that our customers are having this success, and not just because it sometimes even means they buy me a drink at the bar!" said Mr Houston.      

The last of the cattle judging for today has taken place with the Burke trophies going to the Simmental and Holstein breeds.

The Limousin monopoly on the beef Burke ended this year with the trophy going to the Simmental breed. The winning duo were also, for the first time in modern history, from the same herd - Boddington Estates. They were made up of the inter-breed champion, Sterling Viking 2, which was paired with the female champion, Sterling Krumpets Roxanne.

In reserve was the British Blue pair, Immediate De Mohogne from John Mawer, and the overall breed champion - Ballygrange Alex from Danny and Jane Wyllie.

The native breed Burke trophy went to the Beef Shorthorns with the overall champion and the reserve female champion. These were Tofts Atlas from Playfair Farms and Pode Hole Madeline from C. Horrell.

The dairy Burke went to the Holsteins and the reserve went to the Ayrshires.

The beef inter-breed has taken place and it was the Simmental bull, Sterling Viking 2, from Boddington Estates, which took the overall title.

This home-bred bull has had a successful show career to date after taking the inter-breed title at Devon County and also the breed championship at the Royal Cornwall.

On the halter was Jimmy McMillan who is charge of the 56-strong herd at Boddington.

In reserve was the February 2008-born Limousin heifer, Millington Davina, from Millington Grange Estates. The heifer, by Mas Du Clo and out of Brockhurst Option, also took the junior continental breed title.

The native breed championship went to the Beef Shorthorns with Tofts Altas, a Tofts Shoufler son, from James Playfair of Playfair Farms. This home-bred bull is by Tofts Shoufler, which was an imported embyro from Canada.

Danny Wyllie took the Blue championship with Ballygrange Alex, a woodview Solo son.

In the British Blonde section Charlotte Boden from Cheshire took the red rosette with Hackleton Aimee, a Whistley Doller daughter.

Bridge Homestead Maraca, a four-year-old bull from G.J. Scotcher took the British White championship.

A large entry of Herefords was led by Dorothy and Ernie Colledge of Coventry, who took both the champion and reserve titles with heifers - Hawkesbury 1 Volie Vont and Hawkesbury 1 Vienetta.

Here's a catch up of some of the results from yesterday....

The Aberdeen-Angus title went to an August 2007-born bull, Warrenho Dalmigavie, from A.E. and C.R. Bishop of Wokingham, Berkshire. The bull is by Nightingale Dalmigavie.

In the Beef Shorthorn section the championship went to Playfair Farms of Kelso, Scotland with Tofts Atlas, a Tofts Shoufler son.

Mortimers Urovison, a Mortimers Riddle sired cow took the Charolais championship. This May 2003-born cow, exhibited by Mr and Mrs Piper of Eastleigh, Hampshire, calved in November 2008.

Millington Grange Estates took the title in the Limousin section with Millington Davina, a Mas Du Clo sired yearling heifer.

The Lincoln Red winner was Walmer Lass, a Walmer Prince sired eight-year-old cow from H.M. and J.M. Needler of Ranby, Lincoln.

A February 2005-born bull, Blackbrook Philosopher, from J.W. Stanley of Coalville, Leicestershire, took the Longhorn title.

In the Simmental judging Boddington Estates took top honours with Sterling Viking 2, a Sterling Rochester sired bull.

 The rest of the beef breed titles are judged today so I'll keep updating the blog.

The beef results are beginning to trickle in now....

The Salers championship has gone to B. Walling from Selkirk in the Scottish Borders with a five-year-old bull, Vallant, by Romain.

In the Welsh Black ring the breed championship went to Gwarcwm Max 10, a three-year-old bull by Seisiog Max so exhibited by D. Jones of Bowstreet, Ceredigion.

The brollies are out here at Stoneleigh as the last ever Royal Show gets under way.

I'm taking care of the beef cattle judging so I'll be updating the blog with these results as they happen and will get you the major winners in the other sections. The dairy inter-breed takes place tomorrow while the overall beef, sheep and pig championships are judged on Tuesday.

From what I've heard so far the exhibitors are out to make sure this is a show to remember so I'm off now to have a look around the cattle lines.

DAIRY cattle were in strong demand on Thursday at Gisburn Auction Marts July show and sale with a total of nine cattle achieving over £2,000.

The top price was £2,460paid for the champion from Jeremy Taylor, Broughton, Skipton. This newly calved heifer sold giving 35kgs to David Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Preston. Mr Coulthurst also paid £2,300 for a heifer from Brian Hall, Gargrave, Skipton.

Andrew Swales, Rishton, Blackburn, sold a heifer for £2,120 to D. Clowes, , Macclesfield, Cheshire.  

Also achieving £2,120 was a Jackson bred heifer was J. and B. Rowland, Preston, Lancashire. The buyer was Richard Bradley, Colne, Lancashire

Heifer rearer, Alan Butler, Colne Lancashire, had three heifers at £2,120, £2,060 and £2,020.

Others in the money with newly calved heifers at £2,020 were A.C. and N. Starkie, Burnley, Lancashire, and Michael Fish, Bury, Lancashire

Topping the newly calved cow section at £1,990 was Frank Coar, Cowark, Clitheroe, with a second lactation cow, just a week calved she sold to S. and M.E. Reeves, Wem, Shropshire.

There was a strong entry of youngstock forward with six Holstein Friesian heifer calves from E. and W. Threlfall, Rishton, Blackburn, averaging £615, topping at £690.

Averages: newly calved heifers £1,870; newly calved cows, £1,380.

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son

ALMOST a third of the animals made 2,000gns or more when Jeff and Alison Ellwood dispersed their Lodgic herd at Ulverston, Cumbria.

Top price was 3,100gns paid for Lodgic Gayelass 15 by Ted Fearon and family, Cartmel, Cumbria, who are re-establishing their Waltall herd. This second calver is a daughter of Ladino Park Talent.

Keith Pattinson from the Ellengrove herd purchased several of the herd's senior cows and had to go to 2,800gns to buy Lodgic Heather 9 a fifth calver by Comestar Stormatic.

At 2,750gns second calver, Lodgic Echo, another Talent daughter from a Payhembury dam that traces to Crudwell and Hayleys. The hammer fell to A.M. Bunby, Boncath, Ceredigion.

At 50gns less A.L. Dean and Son, Threshfield, Skipton, bought a Gillette Brilea FBI daughter from the Musk family, due again in September to Gillette Final Cut.

Leading volume buyers were W.J. Fox and Sons, Oxspring, Sheffield who purchased ten milkers.

Highest priced in-calf heifer was Lodgic Sunlight 61, by Shottle out of an EX dam, selling at 2,700gns to Wilson Boow for his Dunnerdale herd.

Maiden heifers reached 2,400gns, paid by Graham Donaldson of the Barlees herd, Cleveland for a 15-month-old daughter of Braedale Goldwyn, and he also took the top priced calf for 1,800gns, a Karona Bonair daughter from the Sunlight family.

Averages: 65 cows and calved heifers, £2,268.48 (including 24 heifer calves at £1,021.12); 15 served heifers, £1,902.60; 19 recently served and maiden heifers, £1,125.16; 99 head overall, £1,993.62.

Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank.

STORE lambs were keenly sought at Gisburn Auction Mart's opening sale last Saturday. Texel cross lambs, from Susan Murphy, Wigglesworth, Skipton, topped the sale at £56 selling P.E. Dalby, Otley, Yorkshire.

Auctioneer, Rachel Capstick, said: "The demand outstripped supply, with purchasers keen for short and long term keep lambs, due to the abundance of grass."

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son

NO record breakers but Charollais breeders saw strong interest for their rams at the breed premier sale held at Worcester Market last weekend.

A total of 33 rams sold for four-figures prices and the ram lamb average were up.

Topping the trade at 4,200gns was a ram lamb from society chairman, Robert Gregory, Harmer Hill, Shrewsbury. Edstaston Juno, a son of Edstaston Goldfinger out of a Lowerye Del boy ewe, sold to Arwyn Thomas for the Arjane flock, Carmarthenshire.

At 3,750gns was Logie Durno I'm Yer Man, the inter-breed champion at the Highland Show. This shearling ram from William and Carole Ingram, Aberdeenshire, sold in a three-way split to Paul Quick (Loosebear flock), Devon; Geoff Probert (Mortimer), Herefordshire; and Peter Vaughan (Kings Land), Herefordshire. This ram was sired by the 4,000gns Crogham Hanniball II.

The Logie Durno flock also headed prices in the ram lamb section with the pre-sale reserve champion, Jackpot - a Rockvilla Golden Promise son - selling for 2,600gns to Robert Whitaker, Roxburghshire.

Also selling at 2,600gns was the best of a pen of nine lambs from Myfyr Evans, Denbigh. This Parkgate Hurricane son sold to Russel Gray, Lanarkshire.

A first prize winner in the lamb classes from the Parkgate flock of Herbie and Alan Kennedy, Dumfriesshire, also sold for 2,600gns. This lamb was by Ballyhibben Paddy Power.

Three lambs made the 2,000gns mark including the pre-sale champion from Paul and David Curran's Wernfawr flock, Powys. The lamb, Wernfawr Jet, by Foulrice Eurostar sold to the judge - David Mawhinney, Newtownards, Co Down, who decided the lamb should remain in England for the time being

A grandson of Eurostar from the Arjane flock of Arwyn Thomas sold at 2,000gns to Samuel and Robert Tindall, Yorkshire. The lamb was by Penrhos Ibanez.

A Kings Land Impeccable son, Foxhill Jake, from Mike Alford, Cullompton, Devon, realised 2,000gns selling to Herbie and Alan Kennedy, Dumfries.

Arwel Owen, Foel, Welshpool, sold a pen of lambs mainly sired by Gawsworth Fieldsman. Three went for 1,900gns apiece; Banwy Jetsetter sold to a Dutch breeder while Banwy Just the Job was bought by Tony and June Gregory, Milton Keynes; and the third, Banwy Jazzman, went to Adrian Davies's Glyn Coch flock, Carmarthenshire.

Averages: 41 shearling rams, £759.94; 97 ram lambs, £949.28; 6 shearling ewes, £458.50; 2 ewe lambs, £336.

Auctioneers: McCartneys

RECENTLY calved cows and heifers sold to a top of 2,150gns at the reduction sale of Holsteins from G. Wannop and Son's Linstockcastle herd sold at Carlisle.

Sale topper was a daughter of Sikkema-Star-W Modesto, which had calved at the beginning of May, and sold to A. and E. Johnston and Sons, Wetheral, Carlisle.

Selling at 2,100gns was a Mascol daughter, which calved 11 days prior to the sale. The buyer was M. Reid and Sons, Waterbeck, Lockerbie.

Linstockcastle Brad Angela, a Carp-Pyr Basar Brad daughter, realised 2,050gns selling to N. and S.J. Sanderson, Lanercost, Brampton.

The top price cow sold for 2,000gns to M.J. Wilson, Uldale, Wigton. This was a Roylane Jordan daughter giving 37kg after calving in May.

Averages: 35 fresh cows, £1,352.11; 33 fresh heifers, £1,659; 68 head overall, £1,501.04.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

TRADE for dairy cattle at Leek auction last week peaked at £2,220 twice and trade was described as 'blistering' for the 139 cattle on offer.

The first at £2,220 was a Picston Shottle daughter giving 34kg consigned by Andrew Weston, Litton, Derbyshire, and selling to S. Fernyhough, Swythamley. The same buyer also bought the other at £2,220; this time a second calver from R. Thompson, Sudbury, Ashbourne.

At £2,090 was a fresh heifer from Messrs Titterton, Sheen, Buxton, who also sold six in-calf heifers to a top of £1,890 and an average of £1,643.

Two heifers reached £1,980. The first was an Aintree Northside daughter from R. Lomas and the second a Lucius daughter from Mick Bailey, Alkmonton. Both sold to J. Chamberlain, Marston Montgomery.

The sale also included a special entry from Andrew and Sandra Needham, Monyash, Bakewell, which peaked at £2,080 for a fresh third calver by Catlane Confucius. She went to Messrs Sherwin, Middlewich, Cheshire.

Bulling heifers were consistently over £1,000 peaking at £1,110 with all youngstock of all ages averaging £826 and the entire special entry including all ages of youngstock averaging £1,017.

Averages: first quality heifers £1,988; second quality heifers £1,644; second quality cows £1,410; in-calf heifers £1,643. Special entry - cows £1,215; in-calf heifers £1,310; youngstock £826.

Auctioneers: Leek Auctions.

A Sikkema-Star Modesto daughter sold at 3,200gns and topped the sale of the milking portion and heifer calves from Gerald and Annette Atkin's Ellertongrove Holstein herd farmed at Hinstock, Market Drayton, and sold at Beeston Castle Auction.

Top priced lot from this loose-housed herd was Ellertongrove Modesto Vicki, which gave 11,000kg as a heifer and after calving her second in April sold giving 58kg. The buyer was John Shropshire of the Bridgelane herd, Cheswardine, Shropshire.

Selling at 2,650gns was Ellertongrove Okendo Ella 2, a milking heifer by the French sire Okendo, which calved last September and was due again with her second to Homestead in October. She was purchased by Norman Tomkinson, Gnosall, Staffordshire.
Two animals made 2,400gns each. The first was Tillbank Olive 123, a daughter of Inkersall Rollsader, due with her third in September to Sollien Grandview. The hammer fell to Martin Lowry, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire.

The other at this price was Ellertongrove Asner Teabag, which was due with her second in September and sold to Geoff Bonell, Buerton, Audlem.

A further ten animals sold for 2,000gns or more.
Heifer calves were a very fast trade and sold to a top of 900gns for Ellertongrove Grandview Grace, a November 2008 daughter of Sollien Grandview, purchased by T.E. and M.A. Jerman, Berriew, Welshpool.

Averages: 159 cows and milking heifers, £1,485.18 (including 41 heifer calves at £733.98).

Auctioneers: Wright Manley