August 2009 Archives

RESULTS

Championship Supreme, I. and L. Robinson, Glaslough Charles Fancy; reserve, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Champion Willow; honourable mention, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Maude.

Junior champion Sup., M. and P. Jones, Hallow Lheros Indianink; res., S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Shottle Maude 2; hon. men., S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Roy Tippy.

Intermediate champion Sup., S. and J., McCormick, Hilltara Zenith Echo; res., P. and S., Haffey, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2; hon. men., T. Keatley, Aghyaran September Rae Red.

Over 50,000kg cow 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Mtoto Dawn; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye SG Amanda; 3, S. Gunn, Ernevale MJ Rosina.

Senior cow 1, I. and L. Robinson, Glaslough Charles Fancy; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Champion Willow; 3, Messrs Boyd, OÕNeill and Montgomery, Ternbridge Ruth 38.

Intermediate cow 1, I. and L. Robinson, Aldingham Stormatic Ghost; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Tury; 3, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Champion Maude.

Junior cow 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Maude; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Allen Edwina; 3, M. and P. Jones and R. Cromie, Hilltara eSeptember R Maude.

Senior heifer in milk 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Zenith Echo; 2, T. Keatley, September Rae Red; 3, Messrs Patton, Dunn and Truesdale, Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red.

Junior heifer in milk 1, P. and S. Haffey, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2; 2, G. and J. Wallace, Printshop Champion Kassie 21; 3, H. Patton and Sons, Ards Toystory Ruth.

Dry cow, three lactations or more 1, I. and K. Watson, Majestic Igniter Tonya; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Kendal Rosina; 3, I. and L. Robinson, Primo Jed Jenny.

Dry cow, no more than two lactations 1, R. Whelan, Lumville Danoise 2; 2, D. Boyd, Glaslough Gibson Fran; 3, G. and J. Wallace, Printshop BT Dissi 8.

Senior heifer 1, M. and P. Jones, Hallow Lheros Indianink; 2, N. Willis, Conncorr Advent Rae Red; 3, J. Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff Dundee Spotty.

Intermediate heifer 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Shottle Maude 2; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Roy Tippy by Roylane Jordan; 3, Paul Dunn, Dunbanard Dundee Wila.

Junior heifer 1, L. and R. Graham, Moyrah Damion Elsie; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Atlas Betsy; 3, T. Haffey, Kilvergan Dundee Merry 2.

Heifer born this year 1, N. Willis, Conncorr Shottle Roxy; 2, P. and S. Haffey, Glasson Gold Ghost; 3, L. and R. Graham, Moyrah Empire Gondula.

THE biggest pedigree dairy event ever to be held in Northern Ireland saw Glaslough Charles Fancy, a fourth calver, take the overall championship.

The Causeway Classic, held last Thursday at the Balmoral Showground, Belfast, to celebrate 100 years of black and white breeding in the UK and Ireland, attracted a record number of entries.

The winner was shown by Ivan and Louise Robinson of Ballygowan, County Down, who bought her from breeders David and Kenny Boyd of County Monaghan at Rory McCullough's dispersal sale in 2006 for a top price of £17,000.

Sired by Boulet Charles, the Glaslough Charles Fancy won this year's Irish Holstein Friesian Association Spring Fair and the 2007 Royal Ulster Winter Fair.

Reserve champion and best exhibitor-bred animal was Clandeboye Champion Willow from Clandeboye Estates, Bangor, shown by herd manager Mark Logan.

Classified EX93, Willow's career includes winning the 2007 and 2008 Irish National Holstein Show and inter-breed championship at the 2008 Balmoral Show.

Sam McCormick and son John, also from Bangor, had a tremendous show, taking honourable mention in the championship with Hilltara Jordan Maude and also reserve and honourable mention awards in the junior championship and the intermediate championship award, all with home-bred animals.

Junior champion was Hallow Lheros Indianink from M. and P. Jones, who journeyed from south of the border to exhibit.

PLANS are well underway for the 2009 Kelso ram sales with a healthy entry of 4,626 rams forward.

Though this is down around 800 sheep there are 332 consignors compared with 340 in 2008 and organisers believe this shows vendors are being more discerning about what they offer for sale.

Organisers have made it mandatory that all tups entering the sale must have been vaccinated for BTV8 from wherever they come from except for entries from Northern Ireland and Eire.

A total of nine auction companies will be selling in 13 rings simultaneously and numerically the strongest breed is the Texel with 1,627 entries followed by Suffolks with 1341 and Bluefaced Leicesters with 590.

Last year there were 4,324 rams sold for a total of £1,978,495.00p to average £457.56 with the top shearling making £8,000 and top lamb at £5,000, which us a far cry from the first auction in 1838 when 120 Border Leicester and Cheviots realised a total of £700 averaging just under £6.

• The sale takes place on Friday 11 September at Kelso.

NEXT month sees the closure of one of the longest running educational projects at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Experience (CAFRE) in Northern Ireland with the dispersal of the Limo pedigree herd of Limousins.

The herd was set up in 1997, in conjunction with the British Limousin Cattle Society, to allow beef students the opportunity to gain first hand practical, hands-on experience of breeding and management of a substantial herd of pure bred beef cattle

In addition to the experience gained by the many students who participated in the project it proved to be a valuable asset in providing the beef industry with performance data and costs.

The decision to bring the project to conclusion, after more than ten successful years, and disperse the pedigree Limo cattle has been taken after ongoing consideration and full consultation with the various bodies representing the NI beef sector.

The herd dispersal will take place at an evening sale at Ballymena livestock market on 7 October and will comprise of approximately 40 lots accredited for export status and featuring some tremendous bloodlines.

Details of the stock for sale will be catalogued on the BLCS website prior to the sale.

THE first consignments of BVD tested free and vaccinated breeding cattle are scheduled for Aberdeen and Northern Marts' autumn sales at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

This initiative follows the development of a Scottish Standard Cattle Health Declaration to allow animals tested free from BVD virus, and vaccinated against BVD, to be traded by traditional means.

John Gregor, Aberdeen and Northern Marts' general manager said: "For farmers interested in buying and selling BVD accredited animals, these cattle health declarations, which are endorsed by both the farmer and the farmer's vet, will allow breeding animals of known BVD status to be traded by auction. This fits well with the traditional replacement policies of North east herds."

Initial consignments are planned to come forward this autumn with bulling heifers planned for Friday September 18 and in-calf heifers planned for the annual show and sale on Tuesday October 27.

Already around 400 BVD tested free and vaccinated animals are entered for these dates.

The type of sale has been backed by Nigel Miller, farmer, vet and vice-president of NFU Scotland. He said: "There is considerable interest in the North east of Scotland from producers to tackle BVD and it is good to see ANM facilitating sales this autumn for cattle that have been BVD virus tested and vaccinated or from herds that are already in a CHeCS scheme. This will be to the benefit of the whole industry and we hope will roll out throughout Scotland."

RECORDS were smashed for dairy cattle at Leek this week with heifers peaking at £2,520 and third calvers making up to £2,010.

A flying trade saw the top honours going to Arthur Swinson, Macclesfield, Cheshire, for a heifer sold giving 28kg. She went to Stan and John Fernyhough, Swythamley, at £2520.

Mr Swinson also had a second heifer by Lutz Brookview Burt sell at £2,300, to R. Backhouse, Leigh.

The best cow at £2,010 was a third calver shown by regular vendors Messrs Poole of Winkhill.

The top nine of the day averaged £2,144 with the entire entry of milkers averaging £1,645.

The entry of bulling heifers from the Titterton Brothers peaked £1,100 and averaged £975.

Averages: first quality heifers £2,161; first quality cows £2,010; second quality heifers £1,656; second quality cows £1,360; 33 milkers, £1,645; bulling heifers £975.

A top price of 220,000gns - a UK and world record price - has been paid for a Texel ram lamb at the Scottish National Texel sale at Lanark market.

The unbelievable sale topper was the show champion form Graham Morrison's Deveronvale flock at Banff, Aberdeenshire.

Deveronvale Perfection is by the 16,000gns Kelso Oxygen and out of a Knock Magnum sired dam.

Unconfirmed reports says Jimmy Douglas was the buyer for his Cairness flock, Fraserburgh.

THE dispersal of the milking portion of C.J. Bryant and SonÕs commercial herd at Sedgemoor auction centre produced a top price of 2,600gns.

Top seller was a non-registered daughter of Olympian Sterling that had calved in July and was giving 40kg daily.

The pedigree second calver, Rexworthy Queen 198, by Elite Mountain Donor sold for 2,300gns. Close behind at 2,250gns was another August second calver, Hazelden GM Eclipse, by Gillette Merrick and out of a 13,000kg dam.

Calved heifers sold to 2,200gns for an Okendo daughter out of a 10,000kg dam.

In-calf heifers due this Autumn to the Aberdeen-Angus bull sold to 1,450gns for another Okendo daughter, others sold to 1,350gns for daughters of Moet Nansen.

Averages: cows £1,317; calved heifers £1,593; in-calf heifers £1,300.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

TRADE was strong at a sale of store and breeding sheep at Newcastleton Auction Mart, which was held following further investment in new pennage at the market.

In the ewe lamb section a top of £84 was achieved from Messrs Aitchison, The Side, with Mule ewe lambs.

Blackfaced ewe lambs boasted trades peaking at £61.

Store lambs were also in demand with Suffolk lambs I.J. McVittie, Holme Cottage, realising at £51.50.

All averages were up £15-£20 on 2008 prices.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Building on the success of last yearÕs event, Borderway Agri-Expo 2009 will be adding to their beef and sheep classes, by holding an interbreed dairy competition as well as a Mule gimmer lamb class.

The dairy classes will see an across breeds competition for the best heifer of any breed in milk and best cow of any breed in milk and will be judged by well known breeder and show woman Rebecca Jarvis, Yorkshire, who has had numerous success in the show ring with her pedigree Holstein herd.

Taking care of judging the Mule gimmer lambs will be John Barker who farms in Lancashire and Dumfries. This class will likely see lambs bought through H&H markets come back and compete at this prestigious event.

"The decision to add extra sheep classes as well as dairy classes means we now have a technical event aimed at many areas of livestock production", explains event organiser David Pritchard.

Again for this year, the event will play host to the Aberdeen-Angus cattle society calf show and national Youth development finals, as well as the Border Club British Blue calf show and National Hereford Cattle Calf Show.

Alongside the livestock competitions, there will be a series of working demonstrations supported by Lloyds Ltd, Carrs Billington and Askham Motors and include feeder wagon and straw chopping demonstrations.

For visitors wanting to catch up on the latest livestock developments and innovations, many trade stands will be on hand to discuss your every need including pharmaceutical companies, breed societies, feed merchants, banks, accountants and machinery dealers. Entries for trade stand space close in the middle of September.

Last year's event also saw Harrison and Hetherington raise more than £7,000 for charity. This year we plan to have yet another successful charity auction with the funds raised going to Macmillan Nurses and Great North Air Ambulance.

For more information on the event contact David Pritchard, the event's co-ordinator, on 01228 590490 or 07778 623748. For a livestock schedule contact Heather Pritchard on 01228 406233 or 07714 761311 or email heather.pritchard@borderway.com

THE champion at the show and sale of Charollais sheep at Chelford sold for the top price of 700gns.

The title winner was a shearling ram, by Galtres Faithful, from Mark Worthington, Ramsbottom, Lancashire. It sold to the show judge - Alan Davenport, Sandbach, Cheshire.

Mr Worthington saw his thirrd placed shearling ram, also by Faithful, make 620gns, again selling to Mr Davenport.

Charles and Valerie Marwood, Whenby, York, sold a Filibuster sired shearling ram for 680gns to David Jackson, Northwich, Cheshire, who also bought two more shearling rams from the same flock as well as Marwood's leading ram lamb - a Urlay Nook Endeavour son at 470gns.

Ram lambs were headed by a Nympton Grand Prix son from Geoff Biddulph, Macclesfield, Cheshire, at 580gn. The hammer fell to P. Dickson, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

Averages: 19 shearling rams, £441.70; 43 ram lambs, £323.40

Auctioneers: Marshalls.

TRADE at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' annual show and sale of North Country Cheviot ewe lambs, half-bred ewe lambs and sale of all classes of store lambs was described as 'excellent'.

Averages at the sale, held at Caithness Livestock Centre on Monday, saw the half-bred ewe class up some £24, half-bred wedder lambs up nearly £18 and Texel and Down Cross lambs up nearly £14.

In the show and sale of ewe lambs the champion single in the half-bred section was exhibited by A .Miller and Sons, Thurso, and sold for £180 to the judge - Harry Sleigh, St Johns Wells, Fyvie

The Champion pen of 10 was also from Aimster Farm and sold for £115 again to the judge.

Champion single in the North Country Cheviot section was from G. Cormack and Sons, Dunnet, Thurso, and sold for £125 to W. Stewart, Gills, Canisbay.

Champion pen of 10 from J. and J. Farquhar, Smiddyquoy, Watten, sold for £132 to J. Morris, Olrig Mains, Castletown.annual show and sale. The April born lamb by Shoestaines Fury sold at £125 to Wilma Stewart, An Cala, Gills, Canisbay.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

THE championship title in the cattle section of Borderway Mart's anniversary show and sale of primestock went to a British Blue cross heifer.

Consigned by Brian Hall, Ainstable Hill, is sold for 229.5p/kg (£1,468.80) to the show judge - Owain Llyr.

The reserve ticket went to S.J. and J.O. Dodd, West View, with a Limousin cross steer, which later sold to Charles Kirkpatrick.

In the prime lambs section the title went to a pen of Texel cross lambs from Messrs Bell, Hallbankgate. They later sold for 283.6p/kg (£135).Messrs Bell also took the reserve champion ticket with their pen of Beltex cross lambs which made £85.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

THE supreme and reserve championship honours both went to Anne Story, Longtown, Cumbria, at the National Progeny Show for pedigree and commercial Beltex sheep organised by the Northern Beltex Club and held at Skipton Auction Mart at the weekend.

The championship went to an aged ewe, Borderesk Libra, by Airyolland Galliano.

Reserve champion was a shearling gimmer, Borderesk Malteaser.

Mrs Story capped a good day by also sending out both the champion and reserve champion male.

The commercial lambs section was again dominated by Martin and Val Brown, Newton-le-Willows, Bedale, who took the supreme champion butchers lambs for the second year in succession.

The reserve champion butchers lambs came from Eli Tattersall, Darwen, Blackburn.

THE two top priced lots at 7,000gns and 6,000gns at the dispersal of the Muiresk Texel flock from Colin G. Mair and Partners, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, both sold to Trinidad Investments, Warninglid, West Sussex.

The top seller was Cowal Maverick sired shearling ewe out of a Tophill Joe sired dam. At 6,000gns was a Tophill Joe sired ewe out of a Craighead Hercules bred mother.

Trinidad Investments also bought another Maverick sired shearling ewe for 4,000gns.

Next best was 5,000gns realised for a ewe by Clougher Lincoln and out of a Loosebeare Imp sired dam. The hammer fell to J.N. Ellis, Kenley, Shropshire.

An Anglezarke Nimrod sired shearling ewe made 4,500gns selling to Proctors Farms, Clitheroe, and the same buyer also paid 4,200gns for a Maverick sired ewe.

Averages: 54 aged ewes, £1,400.97; 46 shearling ewes, £1,618.37; 53 ewe lambs, £945.40; 154 head overall, £1306.16.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Suffolk

A ram lamb, sired by Cairness Almighty The Second and consigned by J.G. Douglas, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, topped the Suffolk Society's show and sale at 3,000gns.

The ram, out of a Cragroe Craftsman dam, took the championship before selling to A.J. and N.A.J. Robinson, Downpatrick, Co Down.

John Key, Stocksbridge, Sheffield, achieved a best of 1,000gns for his entries; this was paid by E.A. and L. Jackson, Alnwick, for a ram lamb by Tomcroft Origianal and out of Muiresk Eurostar sired ewe.

Averages: 12 shearling rams, £533.75; 55 lamb rams, £455.30.

Bleu Du Maine

A shearling ram, Calla Fergus, from William Baillie, Thankerton, Biggar, topped this section at 850gns. By a Cysgod Daniel tup and out of a Langley Cannon sired ram it sold to James Scott and Partners, Tain, Ross-shire.

Mr Baillie also sold a Calla sired shearling ram for a top price of 1,050gns in the Millenium Bleu section. Out of a Langley Big Boy dam it was snapped up by J. Clarkson, Richmond, Yorkshire.

Averages: 17 shearling rams, £425.56; 4 aged rams, £152.25; 15 lamb rams, £357.70; 10 shearling gimmers, £258.30; 7 ewe lambs, £214.50. Millenium Bleu - 17 shearling rams, £574.41; 4 lamb rams, £485.63; 8 shearling gimmers, £177.19; 4 ewe lambs, £182.44.

Rouge

A top of 880gns was realised for Broadwood Hunter, a shearling ram by Garlic Footprint, from D.R. Jane, Holford, Bridgewater. Out of a ewe by Broadwood Rocksolid it sold to J. Charlton and Sons, Cleator Moor, Cumbria.

Averages: 5 aged rams, £243.60; 8 shearling rams, £576.19; 10 lamb rams, £290.85; 16 shearling gimmers, £187.69; 8 ewe lambs, £190.31. Broadwood flock - 20 ewes, £224.70; 8 shearling gimmers, £279.56.

Vendeen

Prices rose to 600gns for a shearling ram, Lyham Hallmark, consigned by R.N. Howie and Partners, Alnwick, and selling to Messrs Jordan, Morpeth, Northumberland.

Averages: 6 shearling rams, £425.

THE annual production sale from Jan Rodenburg's Turbo Dutch Texel flock held at Borderway Mart produced a top price of 2,000gns.

Earning top call was Turbo Opera - a shearling ram sired by Turbo Monarch out of a Turbo Genetics sired dam. The ram was bought by a two-way partnership of S. Wood, Castle Fraser, Inverurie, and Brian Ryder, Moffat, Dumfriesshire.

Next best at 1,500gns was a Turbo Magnum sired shearling ram selling to D.M. and S. Prince, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

The only other to pass the four-figure mark was the stock ram, Turbo Magnum. This Turbo Kaliber son realised 1,050gns to S. Wood.

Averages: 30 shearling gimmers, £411.60; 2 stock rams, £787.50; 33 shearling rams, £443.42; 65 head overall, £439.32.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

THE Beltex Sheep Society's premier show and sale at Borderway Mart at the weekend saw prices rise to 9,000gns for the largest entry of Beltex to ever come under the hammer.

Earning the day's top call was a home-bred shearling ram, Llwynbrain Mallet, from Steve Gibbons, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

This March-born son of Black Mountain Haymaker out of a home-bred daughter of Llwynbrain Furbo took the reserve supreme championship title before selling to Richard Findlay for his Westerdale flock, Whitby, Yorkshire.

At 5,200gns was a shearling ram, Buckles Master Beltex, from Kevin and Rachel Buckle. Sired by Bullshot this ram was knocked down to G.E. Slater, Butley, Cheshire.

A three-way partnership paid 5,000gns in total for Broughton McIvor, a March-born Airyolland Kingsize son, from A. and M. Dunlop, Biggar, Lanarkshire. The buyers were Kevin and Rachel Buckle; J.R. Wilkinson and Sons, Richmond; and P. and A. Moss, Barnard Castle.

The Dunlops sold another Kingsize son at 4,800gns to a two-way partnership of J. and H. Barclay, Maybole, Ayrshire, and D. and J. Cruickshank, Castle Douglas.

At 4,900gns Andrew Bishop, Eldersfield, Gloucester, bought Dooley Malik, a Clovis V/h Groentenhof sired shearling ram from David Thornley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

In the female section bidding peaked at 2,900gns paid for an undisclosed bidder for the show champion - a shearling gimmer from Andrew Bishop, Gloucester. This March-born gimmer is by Luggsmill Jethro and out of a Bishopton Hamish sired mother.

At 2,200gns was a gimmer from John and Heather Barclay of Maybole, Ayrshire. Beachy Madonna, a daughter of Clary Kaiser, was knocked down to joint purchasers Ameer Asalm, Westhill, Aberdeen and Doreen Mair, Turriff.

Averages: 10 aged rams, £813.75; 73 lamb rams, £798.58; 448 shearling rams, £817.80; 230 shearling gimmers, £534.77.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

MILKING cows sold to £2,350 and maiden heifers to £1,250 at Beeston's mid-month sale of dairy cattle and a total clearance of 356 head forward was achieved.

Topping the sale was a fresh second calf red and white cow from Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, Shropshire. This daughter of the Dutch sire Oudkerker Reno was sold giving 42kg and the hammer fell to Robin Langford who was the day's top buyer taking home 40 lots for his herd at Tattenhall, Cheshire.

A total 11 animals sold for £2,000 or more and these included consignments from Mark Bowden, Malpas, Cheshire; E.V. and B. Boughey, Tarporley, Cheshire, and Alan Outram, Bury.

A consignment from Hague and Partners, Middlewich, Cheshire, who are dispersing their Danevale herd as they calve topped at £2,050 for a fresh third calver sired by Moet Strongman.

John and David Astbury, Nantwich, Cheshire, are also selling their non-pedigree herd and their top seller was a fresh second calver, which realised £1,900.
Youngstock were a very fast trade; in-calf heifers sold to £1,720 for a daughter of Moet Breakout due in September from Alan Orme, Whitley, Warrington.

Maiden heifers peaked at £1,250 for a daughter of Clwch Kiz Ifan from J.E. Williams, Pwllheli.
 
Averages: 134 registered cows and milking heifers, £1,426.94; 98 unregistered cows and milking heifers, £1,398.29; 67 unregistered dispersal cows, £1,001.79; 4 unregistered in-calf heifers, £1,422.50; 46 registered maiden heifers, £912.39; 6 unregistered maiden heifers, £846.67; 1 unregistered heifer calf, £320.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.

PRICES for youngstock were strong at the dispersal of the Ashpetall herd of Holsteins on behalf of J.P. Hall, East Heddon, Newcastle, and sold at Borderway Mart.

Trade for fresh and mid-lactation cows was down on some recent sales, which the auctioneers put down to the slight uncertainty within the market place at the moment.

Top price was 1,900gns realised for a young cow sired by Overside Augustus - Ashpetall Augustus Madigral - sold to S.J. Ogden, Calthwaite Penrith.

Her Gillette Final Cut daughter born in March sold for 850gns.

At 1,700gns was Ashpetall Meadowlord Lily, an Eastview Meadowlord son, which was knocked down to M.J. Wilson, Uldale, Wigton.

An in-calf heifer, Ashpetall Melody Madrigal, made 1,650gns going to A.W. Dixon, Heddon on the Wall.

Selling for 1,620gns was a young heifer sired by Carp-Pyr Basar Brad from an EX93 Dixie-Lee Aaron dam. She now joins the herd of A. Bargh, Skelton, Penrith.

Averages: 47 cows/heifers in-milk or in-calf, £1,267.87; 8 in-calf heifers, £1,424.06; 24 maiden heifers, £949.38; 20 heifer calves, £634.20.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

The show season continues across the country and this week strong sheep, beef and dairy entries were forward at Anglesey show.

WITH the sheep judging taking two days separate inter-breed titles are awarded for lowland and upland breeds.

On the first day of judging lowland breeds took to the ring and the overall title went to a Texel ewe from John and Heulwen Thomas of Llanerchymedd, Anglesey. This home-bred Cornerstone Isaac sired ewe was previously shown three years ago as a ewe lamb. The Thomas', who run 100 Texels under the Bryn Garth prefix with their sons Gutor and Rhys, are no stranger to success at Anglesey having taking breed titles there on numerous occasions.

This year's winner was joined by a shearling ewe and shearling ram to take the inter-breed lowland breed group honours.

Reserve went to a Zwartbles ram lamb all the way from Eastriggs in Dumfriesshire. The ram was shown by Allister Thorburn who decided to make the five-hour journey to Anglesey for the first time after not showing at the Royal Welsh. The prize winner is a son of Bobbet Nimo and out of a home-bred ewe. He has been shown at five shows this year, including Ayr and Northumberland, and has never been beaten in his breed.

On the second day the upland breeds title went to a Cheviot ewe from Ken Earle of Penybont, Carmarthen, and shown by his daughters Katie and Georgina Davies. The ewe was bought privately by Mr Earle and is part of a flock of 70 Cheviot ewes.

A Welsh Hill Speckled Faced two-year-old ram from Ellis Lloyd of Corwen, Denbighshire, took reserve. The ram has won the breed title at the Royal Welsh for the past three years.

The beef section was headed by a British Blue heifer, Caenog Branwen, from Anna and Allan Williams. This November 2006-born heifer is by Gitan Du Petit Mayeur. She was previously reserve champion female at the Royal Welsh. The Williams' have five pedigree British Blues at home in Corwen, Denbighshire.

The inter-breed judge, Christine Williams of Shropshire, praised the heifer for her mobility and length and commented on her impressive growth rates.

Miss Williams tapped out the commercial heifer, Ginger Spice, in reserve. Exhibited by Tecwyn Jones of Llanrwst, Conwy, this 15-month-old was bred by Trefor Jones of Caernarfon and bought privately. It is by a Limousin sire and out of a British Blue cross Limousin dam.

In the dairy section the supreme title went to Coldeaton Jerseys with a fourth calving heifer - Itaskas Fillpail Annette. This fourth calver, by Poppy's Pioneer Sam, was imported from Jersey as an in-calf heifer. Giving 27litres a day she is part of the 40-strong Jersey herd run at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

In reserve was the Holstein, Clwch Fatal Olwen, from W.J. Williams of Llanddeusant, Anglesey. This EX92 cow gave 10,698 in her fourth lactation at 3.8 per fat and 3.57 per cent protein.

The champion of champions in the pig section went to a British Lop sow brought out by Derek Harrison of Carmel, Caernarfon. The July 2006-born sow, Penllwyn Lulu 22, was breed champion at the Great Yorkshire earlier this year. She was shown at Anglesey with one of her daughters, which took the reserve breed title.

Overall reserve went to one of the modern breed winners; a Landrace gilt - Ceiros Marilyn 47, from D.G. Davies and Daughter of Drysllwyn, Carmarthen.

A top of 2,600gns was achieved at the dispersal of the entire Brodyr flock of Suffolks from brothers Bleddyn and George Evans, Dolwen, Abergele, held at Beeston last Saturday.

Earning the day's top call was a gimmer - a daughter of Plasllewelyn Phoenix out of a ewe by the 20,000gns Stockton Sledgehammer. She was purchased by Mike Davies and Sons for their Safaddan flock, Llangorse, Brecon.

Ewe lambs peaked at 1,500gns for an embryo born lamb sired by Stockton Sledgehammer out of a Stockton bred ewe by Glenho Glayva. She was knocked down to T.A. Irwin and Son for their Kings flock, Umberleigh, Devon.

A maternal sister to this lamb sired by Plasllewelyn Sir Percy was also one of the leading priced individuals selling to for 1,100gns and now joins the well known Cairness flock of Jimmy Douglas, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Although Mr Douglas was not at the sale due to judging commitments at Roscrea, Eire, he also bought the top price ewe for 1,100gns. This one-crop daughter of Plasllewelyn Pittsburgh was out of a daughter of the 28,000gns Stockton Sentinal II.

At the same price was another gimmer; this time a daughter of Plas Llewelyn Sir Percy out of a Stockton Sledgehammer ewe. She was purchased by Mike Waycott, Ashburton, Devon.

Jimmy Irving buying on behalf of the new owners of the Flodden flock - J. Laing, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland, purchased one of the top ewes; a two crop daughter of Stockton Sentinal II for 1,050gns.

At the same money was a gimmer by Monkton Maximus out of Sentinal ewe and she now joins the Monkton flock owned by Viv Samuel, Hereford.

The only other sheep to break the four figure barrier was a ewe lamb by Plasllewelyn Pittsburgh which also joins Jimmy Douglas' Cairness flock.

On the same day an inaugural show and sale of lambs, sponsored by Farmers Guardian, was also held.

Auctioneers reported a good quality of rams but a disappointing clearance with only a third finding new homes.

Top price was 580gns for the show champion - a lamb consigned by Steve Buckley from his Sitlow flock, Buxton. This lamb, sired by Didcot Dynamic, was purchased by M.E. and D.O. Jones, Caerwys, North Wales.

Mr Buckley also showed the reserve champion, a son of Muiresk Adrenaline, which sold for 400gns to S.J. Bargh, Lancaster.

The only other lamb to make in excess of this was an entry from Merrick Pinny, Holcot, Northamptonshire, for a son of Baileys Kauto from his Alloaks flock. This lamb sold for 500gns to Stephanie Birch, Stafford.

Averages: Brodyr flock - 27 flock ewes, £434.78; 21 gimmers, £599.00; 23 ewe lambs, £440.09; 1 recipient ewe, £105.00; 2 shearling rams, £378.00; 13 ram lambs, £243.12. Suffolk open sale - 11 ram lambs, £392.32.

Auctioneers: Wright Manley.