October 2009 Archives

CHAROLAIS bulls sold to 26,000gns on the last day of trading with 12 bulls in all making five-figure prices and averages being up by £123 at £5,687 for 123 sold.

The sale topper was the senior champion, Balmyle Dickler, from Bill Bruce, Meigle, Perthshire, selling to the Thrunton herd of Colin Campbell and Sons - Ian and John, Alnwick, Northumberland. Born in March 2008 this bull is by Sackville Adonis, which was bought jointly by Mr Bruce for 14,000gns and he described as being one of the best bulls used at Balymyle. Dickler is out a dam bred from Brampton Nacodar.

The five bulls by Adonis offered for sale by Mr Bruce grossed 55,500gns with other prices including 9,000gns and 8,000gns.

Mr Bruce later reinvested some of the money when bidding 12,000gns for Pennal Dazzller, a Dingle Hofmeister son, from W. and R.A. Rees, Machynlleth, Powys.

At16,000gns was Blackford Dynamite, a Burradon Talisman son from Anne MacPherson, Dalcross, Inverness. This March 2008 bull had taken the intermediate and overall championship titles in the pre-sale show before catching the eye of eventual buyers Stuart and David Bothwell for the Killadeas herd, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh.

The junior champion also sold for 16,000gns. Clyth Diplomat, the lone bull on offer from R. Mackay, Lybster, Caithness, sold to Northern Ireland with the hammer falling to Brian McAllister, Ballymena, Co Antrim. Diplomat, an Oldstone Egbert son, took the inter-breed championship title at Caithness show and the male title at Black Isle show.

The senior champion, Balmyle Dickler, from Bill Bruce, Meigle, Perthshire, realised 26,000gns going to the Thrunton herd of J.H.C. Campbell and Sons, Alnwick, Northumberland.

The March 2008-born bull is by Sackville Adonis, which Mr Bruce described as one of the best bulls used at Balymyle. Dickler is out a dam bred from Brampton Nacodar.

Making 16,000gns was Blackford Dynamite, a Burradon Talisman son from Anne MacPherson, Dalcross, Inverness. This March 2008 bull had taken the intermediate and overall championship titles in the pre-sale show before catching the eye of eventual buyer S. and D. Bothwell for the Killadeas herd, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh.

Hamish Goldie, Ruthwell, Dumfries, was among the top prices selling Goldies Dynamite for 15,000gns to Neil Massie's Blelack herd, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. This bull is by Goldies Ambassador and out of Goldies Verynice, a Maerdy Hofmeister son.

SELLING the last of the bulls from his Hockenhull herd Hugo Arnold topped the Simmental trade at 16,000gns.

Mr Arnold, Tarvin, Chester, dispersed the majority of his herd last month at Beeston Castle mart and brought his last remaining three bulls to Stirling.

The sale topper was Hockenhull Waterloo bought by Billy McPherson for the Blackford herd and his daughter Anne McHardy for her Silverwells herd, Croy, Inverness-shire.

Waterloo is by Blackford Harvester and out the nine-year-old Hockenhull Girlie 13, which sold for 5,800gns at the recent dispersal.

Next at 12,000gns was the best from Ian Green's Corskie herd - Corskie Woody. This March 2008-born bull is bred from the AI bull, Celtic Rock, and is the first one by him to be sold at auction. The final bid came in from Pitgaveny Farm, Elgin, Morayshire.

Andrew and Yvonne Leedham, Swadlincote, Derby, sold Grangewood William for 11,000gns to Messrs Saccomb.

William, from the Leedham's 25-cow herd is an AI son of Popes Laird, which bred their previous best priced bull at 10,000gns.

Realising 10,000gns was Kilbride Farm Wick, a Kilbride Farm Newry son, from Billy Robson and his sons - Michael and Norman, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Newry has sired bulls up to 20,000gns in the past. Wick was knocked down to Nick and Nadia Gwynne for their Chestermann herd, Crymych, Pembrokeshire.

At the same price was Omorga Watson consigned by John Moore, Beragh Omagh, Co Tyrone. Watson was tapped out as the junior champion before selling to Messrs Innes, Forres.

Averages: 92 bulls, £4,920 (75 bulls, £4,086.60 in 2008).

THE British Limousin Cattle Society's autumn show and sale at Borderway Mart saw the 143 bulls selling at an all-breeds centre record average of £5,735, surpassing the mark set at the Limousin Sale in February this year.

Leading the way at 30,000gns was Wilodge Dallaglio from Christine Williams, Shifnal, Shropshire; this is the fifth animal from Wilodge to sell for 30,000gns or more.

Dallaglio was tapped out as reserve junior and reserve supreme champion before selling in a joint purchase to Keith Harryman and sons Mark and Shaun, Newlands Valley, Keswick, and M. and W. Richardson, Buttermere, Cockermouth, Cumbria, who run the Keskadale and Honister pedigree herds respectively.

With a sire stack including Oxygene, Cloughhead Lord and Ronick Luke this bull is an embryo calf by the 42,000gns Wilodge Vantastic and out of the dam Sarkley Bellola, purchased as a maiden heifer in 2007 for 24,000gns.

This 15-month-old bull was one of the youngest in the catalogue and this summer took the male Limousin championship the 2009 Royal Welsh show.

At 27,000gns was Greenwell Dreamboy consigned by J.T. and J. Nattress and Son, Lanchester, Co Durham. This April 2008-born bull is sired by Vagabond and out of the Greenwell Alisha. The hammer fell to Daf Griffiths for the Mynach herd, Cwmfelin-Mynach, Carmarthen.

Making 20,000gns was Procters Duvalier, a son of the 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount and out of Procters Vabrielle selling to Paul Dawes, Dinmore, Hereford.

Duvalier, the reserve intermediate champion, is full brother to the 22,000gns Procters Commander. Consignors were Procters Farm, Clitheroe, Lancashire, who also sold Procters Drogba, a Greenwell Ronick son and out of Procters Udettie for 13,000gns to D.R. Owen and Son, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

The Procters team of Procters Duvalier, Procters Deloitte and Procters Domino combined to win the group of three award. All were by Vermount.

Deloitte, the reserve senior champion, and Domino both went on to sell for 9,000gns to Booilshuggel Farms, East Baldinn, Isle of Man and Messrs Mackay, Aberlour, Banffshire respectively.

The 18,000gns junior and supreme champion, Kaprico Davelle, was from A.K. and C. Stafford, Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear. Davelle, the youngest in the sale, is by Wilodge Tonka and out the Greensons Gigolo daughter, Kaprico Ravelle. The buyer was John Logan, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

Loosebeare Diver made 15,000gns. Brought out by E.W. Quick and Sons, Crediton, Devon, this intermediate champion sold to Mr and Mrs D.K. Wheeler, Cullompton, Devon.

At the same price was Ampertaine Director from W.J. and J. McKay, Maghera, Co Derry. This May 2008 born Sympa son sold to E. Jones and Daughter, Cellan, Lampeter, Dyfed.

Emily Jones, Lampeter, Dyfed then bought Gunnerfleet Danny at 12,000gns. Danny, by Tunnelby Monkeytricks, was consigned by J. Handley, Ingleton, Carnforth.

Two made 14,000gns; the first was Hudscales Darren, a Gunnerfleet Talker son, from W. and A. Cowx, Wigton, Cumbria. This February 2008-born bull sold to W. McLaren, Kirriemuir, Angus.

The other at 14,000gns was Pembridge Delboy from Marston Court Farm, Leominster, Hereford when knocked down to commercial producers Page Brothers, Elkington, Northampton. Pembridge Delboy is a March 2008 AI son of Cloughhead Umpire.

There were two 13,000gns bids; firstly Coachhouse Duke from Messrs Heald and Co, Retford, Nottinghamshire, selling to E.S. and E. Norman, Carlisle, Cumbria. Duke is a Bailea Ulsterman son.

The Healds also sold another Ulsterman son, Coachhouse Douglas, for 9,000gns to G. and W. Halliday, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.

At 13,000gns was Sarkley Dynamic purchased by J. Gordon and Co, Bridge of Alford, Aberdeenshire. Dynamic, consigned by E.H. Pennie and Son, Montgomery, Powys, is an AI son of Fieldson Alfy.

The Sarkley Herd also realised 10,500gns for Sarkley Cossack, an Objat son selling to J.W. and M.E. Fieldson, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Homebyres Dixon consigned by John Logan, Kelso, Roxburghshire, sold at 10,500gns to A.J. Mason, Embsay, Skipton. This bull is by the home-bred bull, Homebyres Vanhee,.

The final bull at five figures was Glenrock Dictator from S. and H. Illingworth, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie, selling at 10,000gns to J.N. Swinbank, Darlington, Co Durham. Dictator is a May 2008 born son of Bremore Artist.

Averages: 40 senior bulls, £5,015.06; 58 intermediate bulls, £5,903; 45 junior bulls, £6,164.67; 143 head overall, £5,736.97.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

TRADE for Aberdeen-Angus females peaked at 5,000gns for one from J. Robert Galloway's draft from his Cardona herd, Doune.

Sale leader was Cardona Jenon; a Cudlobe Yellowstone bred heifer in-calf to Eastfield Fusilier. It was knocked down to James Porter, Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Another in-calf heifer from the same draft realised 4,800gns to Messrs Whitaker, Tarporley, Cheshire. This one was an Eastfield Fusilier daughter.

Other prices included 4,000gns for Carlhurlie Eglamour from Alexander Grieve, Lundin Links, Fife, selling to Preston Farms, Stranraer, Dumfries. This heifer is by Blelack Eagle and in-calf to Penguin Eldorado.

PRICES peaked at 15,000gns when the Aberdeen-Angus bulls took to the ring to mark the start of the Perth bull sales at its new venue at Stirling Agricultural Centre.

Topping the sale was Blelack Krackerjack Lad from Neil and Graeme Massie, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire.

This March 2008-born bull is an ET son of the 13,000gns Blelack Prince Consort out of a Canadian imported cow, Viking Karama Lady. Consort had previously bred bulls to 13,000gns. Krackerjack Lad has had a successful show seasons culminating in being named inter-breed yearling bull at Turriff show. The hammer fell to R. McNeil of Kincardine Castle, Auchterarder, Perthshire.

Next best for Blelack was 6,000gns realised for a March 2007-born Nightingale Ernie son, Blelack Lord Hendry, which sold to B. Anderson and Son, Towford, Jedburgh.

The junior champion and reserve overall bull sold for 11,000gns. This was Eastfield Black Bandit from Ewan Brewis, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

Born in March 2008 this bull is by Rawburn Rochester and out of Eastfield Blackbird. It was knocked down to pedigree and commercial breeder Scott Harcus, Orkney.

Two sold at 6,800gns; the first was the reserve intermediate bull, Perkhill Emperor, from Alex and Philippa Davie, Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Emperor, a Rosemout Black Knight son, was the reserve junior champion at the Highland show in 2009. It was knocked down to J.S. McLaren, Ballinluig, Pitlochry.

The other at the same money was Belhaven Tabernacle, the first son of Muirhall Double Edition to sell at public auction and with sire stack including Hoff Limited Edition, Hoff First Edition and Papa Equator. Brought out by J. Gilmour and Co, Macmerry, East Lothian, it sold to E.L. Laing, Ardgay, Ross-shire.

At 6,500gns was Deveron Lionheart, an AI son of Young Dale Dudley, from Hamish Sclater, Turriff, Aberdeenshire. This bull was reserve bull calf champion at the 2008 Black Beauty Bonanza. It sold to Meadow Brook Farms, Little Melton, Norwich.

Four more reached the 6,000gns mark. Two of these were senior Blelack Eagle sons from Alexander Grieve, Lundin Links, Fife. The first was Carlhurlie Jet Eric going to Northumberland breeder J.P. Gray, Alnwick. The other was Carlhurlie Gratiano selling to M.J. Fleming, Douglas, Lanark.

Another at 6,000gns was the intermediate champion, Auldhouseburn Fergus, from Hugh Blackwood, Muirkirk, Ayrshire, and selling to Terry Coghill, Birsay, Orkney. Fergus is by the 10,000gns Duncanziemere Judge.

The last was Newfield Errol, a Newfield Prince son, from Mr and Mrs Neil Gillanders, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. The hammer fell to Mrs Ward and Sons, Carnwath, Lanarkshire.

The breed's chief executive, Ron McHattie, commented on the pleasing £1,000 increase in averages on the year. Of the 62 bulls forward 40 sold and Mr McHattie said the trade was underpinned by a 'good, strong commercial demand'.

Averages: 40 bulls, £4,242 (43 bulls, £3,200 in 2008).

THE champion male at the Derbyshire Gritstone Sheep Society's show and sale at Clitheroe went on to sell for 1,700gns.

Consigned by P.D. Read, Todmorden, Lancashire, the shearling ram sold to D. Eggleton, Meltham, Huddersfield.

Trade for rams was brisk with many shearlings over the 1,000gns mark. 

Top price in the lamb ram was achieved for an entry from F. and R. Fielden, Todmorden, which sold at 600gns to W.B. Watson, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

In the female section the championship went to a pen of six gimmer lambs from F. Ainsworth, Rossendale, Lancashire, which sold for £96 per head to J. Robertshaw, Bradford. 

A of six shearlings from P. Feber, Rossendale, sold for £146 per head to W.L. Evans, Wales. 

Averages: ewes £66; shearlings £94; gimmer lambs £80; aged rams averaged 440gns; shearling rams 340gns; lamb rams 200gns. 

Auctioneers: Clitheroe Auction Mart.

THE champion Blackface at Hexham and Northern Mart's show and sale of rams sold for the top price of £12,500.

The shearling ram was consigned by John Snaith and his shepherd Steven Mackay, Harbottle, Morpeth, it was knocked down to the show judge - Annabelle Morshead, Nilston, Rigg.

Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.

AN entry of 1,063 suckled calves were forward a Lanark yesterday (Tuesday) and overall averages were up by £132.45 per head on the year.

The 571 steers on offer averaged 199.2p/kg and peaked at 349.7p/kg (£1,000 per head) for a pen of 286kg Limousin cross steers from T. Laird and Son, Cumnock, who also consigned the highest grossing steer at £1,000.

In the heifer section 492 head levelled at 187p/kg and topped at 573.6p/kg (£1,480) for a pen of 258kg Limousin crosses again from T. Laird and Son.

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.

PRICES peaked at 4,050gns at the dispersal of the 350-strong Southam flock of Charollais being sold for Lionel Organ on farm at Rhos, Llandysul.

It was the very last animal through the ring that went for the top price; this was the stock ram, Carthorpe Grand Duke, knocked down to Michael Alford for his Foxhill flock, Devon.

Leading the female prices at 3,600gns was a 2006-born ewe sired by Rutland Ensign. Carrying twins to Southam Exotic she was knocked down to William Ingram, Aberdeenshire, who also took her full sister for 2,500 gns.

A 2005-born ewe, which took the female and reserve breed champion and inter-breed pairs titles at the Three Counties Show this year, sold for 2,800gns to J.N.R. Jones, Llanddulas, Conwy.

The 100 shearling ewes on offer topped at 2,000gns for a daughter of Carthorpe Grand Duke out of the top priced ewe and in-lamb to Southam Exotic. This one also stayed in Wales going to Mark Davies, Pengarreg, Rhiwgoch.

At the same price was a March-born shearling by Southam Eros out of a Southam Speculator daughter. The hammer fell to Peter Vaughan for his Kings Land flock, Herefordshire.

Joining the consignment going up to Aberdeen for the Logie Durno flock of William Ingram was the prize-winning show shearling, Southam Ice Maiden. She was sired by Rockvilla Golden Promise and although lambing late, made 1,800gns.

The run of 59 ewe lambs saw bids of 1,100gns twice. The first for a daughter of Carthorpe Grand Duke selling to Russell Gray, Lanark, and the second was a daughter of Southam Exotic, which sold to Mike Alford, Devon.

Averages: 8 senior ewes, £286.12; 36 2004-born ewes, £362.25; 34 2005-born ewes, £503.69; 68 2006-born ewes, £652.35; 47 2007-born ewes, £514.05; 99 shearling ewes, £702.17; 59 ewe lambs, £403.45

Auctioneers: Dai Lewis

THE eagerly anticipated 'Perth Bull Sales' at Stirling kicks off next week (Monday 19th October) and I'll be there keeping you updated on the top prices and news from the ringside.

Around 800 bulls cattle have been entered for the sale from Scotland, England and Wales with 40 bulls coming over from Northern Ireland.

The auctioneers, United Auctions, are clearly anticipating large crowds as along with the 100-seater restaurant a marquee restaurant and bar has been erected.

David Leggat, executive chairman of UA said: "We're looking forward with great excitement to the Perth Bull Sales at the new Stirling venue and we're delighted by both the high number and high quality of entries from leading herds across the UK and Northern Ireland."

Full catalogue details are available on the home page of the UA website www.uagroup.co.uk

The format of this year's three-day sale is slightly altered with the Monday being a particularly packed day. The Aberdeen-Angus bulls (79), Beef Shorthorn (11), Hereford (1) and Lincoln Red (1) bulls will be sold from 1pm, Aberdeen-Angus females (27) plus drafts at 3pm and the sale of Limousin bulls (108), Salers (11), Blonde (2) and British Blue (2) plus females kicks off at 5.30pm so we could be in for a late night!

The Simmental bulls (121) and females (40) are sold on Tuesday at 1pm and the Charolais bulls (217) and females (28) plus drafts go under the hammer at 10.30am on Wednesday.

Keep checking the blog for updates next week.

TRADE at the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeder's Association's last sale of the season at Carlisle was buoyant with averages well up on the year and a top price of £6,800.

The entry of tup lambs levelled at £775.54, an increase of £282 on the year for 148 more sold, and the shearling tups were up £189 for an extra 44 sold at £633.59.

Topping the trade was a tup lamb from Alec and Claire Bisset, Middle Dukesfield, Hecham. The lamb, which was male champion at the Great Yorkshire show earlier in the year, stood third in the pre-sale show. It was by X6 Clennel bought out of Kelso in 2005 and out of a ewe by X9 Walton. The hammer fell to Sophie Harding of the Shrewbridge flock, Nantwich, Cheshire, and Tudor Harris' Redlands flock, Henley in Arden, Warwickshire.

At £6,500 was a Y1 Midlock sired lamb from Jack Lawson's Hundith flock, Mealsgate, Wigton. It went in another two-way partnership to W.M. Hutchinson and Son, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, and T.J. France, Preston, Lancashire.

The pen leader from T. Armstrong's Broomhill's flock, Longtown, Cumbria, sold for 6,000gns in a four-way split.

The buyers were Marcus and Ted Williams, Newtown, Powys; Helen Whittall, Craven Arms, Shropshire; Tudor Harris, Henley in Arden; and Martin Archer, Wark, Hexham.

This lamb is a son of A1 Street, which was bought last year as a lamb for £250. The show champion, again from the Broomhill flock, was by the same sire and sold for £1,400.

At £5,900 was a Welsh-bred ram lamb by the £3,000 A3 Old Hemley. Consigned by J. Thomas and Son, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, it sold to Robert Loughbridge, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.

Making £5,500 was one from John Wight and Son's Midlock flock, Biggar, Lanarkshire. This Controversy son out of a V3 Bull and Cave daughter went to D.J. Abberley, Brecon, Powys. Seven from Midlock averaged £2,093.

A ram lamb from J.T. and J. James, Todhills, Carlisle, realised £5,000 going to a two-way partnership of W.A. Dinsdale and R.A. Busby and Sons both of Richmond.

The last consignment into the ring was from GT Davies of the Ty-Gwyn flock, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and the top price in this pen sold to J. and J. Cunningham, Biggar, Lanarkshire, for £4,500 and another for £3,000 to James Porter, Richmond, Yorkshire. Both lambs were by A1 Ty-Gwyn, a home-bred tup lamb and out of ewes by W22 Midlock. The 10 from the Ty-Gwyn flock averaged £1,380.

In the female section it was the champion and reserve supreme champion from Sophie Harding, which made the headlines. The Shrewbridge flock was having a reduction and sold 59 females to average £493. The champion was a ewe by W3 Plas-yWard and sold for £1,300 to D. Parry, Dolwen, Abergele.

Averages: 128 shearling rams, £633.59; 13 aged rams, £341.54; 358 lamb rams, £775.54. Shrewbridge reduction sale - 38 ewes, £570.79; 20 shearling gimmers, £363.50; 10 ewes, £655; 14 shearling gimmers, £348.21; 16 ewe lambs, £429.38.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

TOP price at the autumn show and sale of Shetland ponies and horses held at Thainstone Centre was 2,400gns.

Leading the way was Wendy McEwan, Kirkton of Skene, Aberdeen, with a n April 2003-born 41" black mare Kerloch Eliza. It sold to Lynda Buchanan, Upper Tilton, Firie. This animal was the reserve champion in the standard category.

Also breaking the 2,000gns mark was Athelney Masterpiece, a 29.5" April 2005-born licensed stallion from Sue Bowling, Dunning, Perthshire. It sold for 2,100gns to D.J. Howard, Crossmichael, Castle Douglas.

Standard champion was Hedderwick Romancer an April 2002-born 41" black licensed stallion from Mr and Miss Robertson, Montrose. It sold for 1,100gns to B. Johnston, Carlisle.

Champion in the miniature class was Narnian Carmen a May 2009-born chestnut filly foal from S.A. MacArthur, Auldearn, Nairn. It went on to sell for 550gns to Carole Laignele, Dunrossness, Shetland. This animal also stood as foal champion.

Reserve in miniature class was Barflat Highlander a June 1999-born Palomino Skewbald, licensed stallion from G. Alston, Gartly, Huntly.

Other leading prices included 1,100gns for Clivocast Juniper, a May 2005 born 40Ó"Skewbald mare from J. Syme, Walls, Shetland. The hammer fell to M. Geven, Haarsteeg, Holland.

Millhouse Relative a May 2007 born 39" black filly from A.M. Howie, Dunning, Perthshire, also sold for 1,100gn to J. and I. Wilson, Ceres, Fife.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

Ballymena Livestock Mart will be the venue for the dispersal of the noted Laurelbank pedigree Suffolk flock, the property of David Duncan, Crumlin, on Tuesday, October 27. The sale commences at 7.30pm with stock being on view from 5.00pm.

The catalogued entry includes 33 ewes, 25 gimmers, 30 ewe lambs and 14 embryos and all entries are eligible for immediate export.

The 33 ewes on offer are by leading sires such as the 8,000gns Cairness Kickback; the 1993, 1995 and 1996 sire of the year - Fordafourie Flashdance; the Û32,000 Mullanboy Mohammed, champion at Roscrea in 2004; the 11,000gns Birness The Body purchased at Edinburgh in 2005; and the 70,000gns. Raeadr Rossi.

One of the highlights is said to be Lot 21, a daughter of the 45,000gns Boreland Buddah. She is bred from a dam by Baileys Barrichello, and traces back to Cairness Carlsberg. Featured on the front of the sale catalogue, this ewe is the dam of seven ET ewe lambs by Beaufort Bullion (lots 75 to 79, and lots 85 and 86).

For more information visit www.jamcclelland.com.

CHAROLAIS bulls sold to 5,500gns twice in Carlisle last Friday at the breed society's rescheduled official autumn show and sale, which also featured the annual consignment of Cracker females.

First at 5,500gns was Mowbraypark Derby, a 20-month-old from Mike and Margaret Atkinson, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon. This bull was sired by their noted Mowbraypark Paramount and out of a Bleasdale bred dam going back to Shraden Talisman. The buyers were I.M. and C.L.C. White, Riddlington, Rutland.

Next at 5,500gns was Alsnow Dictator, the reserve overall male champion from Alan Lawson and Son, Hallington, Newcastle. Sired by Blelack Roger and out of a home-bred dam by Burradon Talisman, the 18-month-old sold to W. and N. Milne, Strathdon, Aberdeen.

Gretnahouse Drysky, a 19-month-old from Alasdair Houston, Gretna Green, took the supreme male title and sold at 5,000gns to P.M. Usher, Gatehouse of Fleet. This bull is a Gretnahouse Ultimate son out of a Mortimers bred cow.

Three more lots were bid to 5,000gns each. First to go was Wesley Drake, an 18-month-old from Wesley Estates, Markfield, Leicester, to T.N. Lightfoot, Stoke Climsland, Callington. Drake is a Thrunton Trojan son out of a home-bred cow going back to Maerdy Rock.

James Herdman, Edlingham Newton, Alnwick, paid 5,000gns for the May 2008-born Hallbankgate Dragon from Tom and Ian Bell, Hallbankgate, Brampton. An Edenhurst Pioneer son, he was out of a home-bred dam by Brampton Imperial.

The fourth 5,000gns call was made by Derek and Gillian Young, Waverton, Wigton, for the 16-month-old Piatroon Debonair bred by Harold Forster and Sons, Humshaugh, Hexham. Another Burradon Talisman son, he was out of a Thrunton bred dam.

A 16-month-old Thrunton Voltage son, Chesham Daniel, from Ben Harman, Chesham, Buckingham, sold at 4,500gns to P. Oag, Wick, Caithness.

Heading the Cracker female trade at 5,000gns was the female champion, Edenhurst Caroline, from Peter Vasey, Wetheral, Carlisle, selling to T. Jones and Son, Dryslwyn, Carmarthen. This two-year-old heifer scanned in-calf to Edenhurst Cognac was by Burradon Talisman.

The same buyers paid 4,100gns for Thrunton Bronte, a three-year-old by Burraradon Talisman sold with her April-born heifer by Newhouse Bigal. The cow and calf pair was one of four entries consigned by the Campbell family, Thrunton, Alnwick, whose trade was headed at 4,600gns by Thrunton Bluebelle, a three-year-old by Solwayfirth Union sold with her nine month old heifer, to James and Vanessa Webb, Billesdon, Leicester.

Averages: 28 bulls, £3,165.00; 6 Cracker females, £3,552.50. Thrunton draft - 4 lots £4,068.75. Shamleys and Cliftonpark draf - 6 lots £1,680; Bega retirement - 7 lots, £2,430; 8 other collective females, £1,404.38.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

THE South Devon Herd Book Society's autumn show and sale saw another boost in prices, particularly for bulling and in-calf heifers.

Bidding for bulls peaked at 5,300gns and the average of £3,150 was the highest seen at Bristol since the Society held it's first autumn sale at the centre on 2002.

Sale topper was Welland Valley Crusader 4 from M.E. and T.E. Broome, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. This bull is a half-brother to the top placed bull in the national herd competition and a son of Welland Valley Adora 2. The hammer fell to Portman Burtley Estate, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

The same buyer acquired a scurred bull, Z Colcharton Demetrius 17, from R.J. and C.J. Edwards, Tavistock, Devon, for 3,300gns.

Trade for heifers was at a 'record' level with a top price of 3,600gns achieved twice; the first at that price was Sexton Alice 45, from R.R.B. and S.J. Harvey, Ivybridge, Devon. This Z Sexton Poll Hermes daughter took the female championship before selling to R. Jenkins, Holsworthy, Devon. The other at 3,600gns was a polled heifer, Z Waddeton Suffragette 89, consigned by The Tully Partnership, Brixham, Devon and selling to Mr and Mrs Holt-Martyn, Tavistock.

The male champion was Brafferton Starbuster Wright, a home-bred bull, from J.P. Harrison, Tollerton, York. It realised 3,000gns to D. and L. Farr, Leicestershire.

The reserve male championship rosette went to R.R.B. and S.J. Harvey, Ivybridge, with Sexton Cavalier 10, which sold to P.S. Rowe, Cornwall, for 3,100gns.

The bull gaining most points on performance and inspection was Grove Brutus 109 from W.H.D. Scott, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. With a Beef Index in the top 5 per cent of the breed it sold at 2,700gns to Messrs Hill and Johnstone, Somerset.

Averages: 12 bulls, £3150; 23 halter broken heifers, £1,995; 8 non-halter broken cows, £1,614; 35 non-halter broken pedigree heifers, £1,612.

Auctioneers: Kivells

BIDDING peaked at 2,800gns for two bulls when a small entry of Aberdeen-Angus bulls and females were sold last week at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Joint sale leader and champion was Moncur Entertainer from G.C. Taylor Farms, Inchture, Perthshire. By the 2008 Royal Highland Show male champion Moncur Jacob Eric, this April 2008-born bull is out of a Blelack Black Bellringer. The hammer fell to J. Forrest, Lauder, Berwickshire.

At the same money the reserve male champion, again from G.C. Taylor Farms, sold to J. Carruthers and Son, Annan, Dumfriesshire. By the 2007 Royal Highland Show male champion, Curzon Entertainer, Moncur Fortune is out of Moncur Fifi, another Bellringer daughter.

At 1,800gns was Wedderlie Possability from John and Marion Tilson, Gordon, Berwickshire. Sired by Wedderlie Black Boss and out of the Tui Blackmark daughter Wedderlie Popmark, this March 2008-born bull sold to P. McDonald, Olney, Buckinghamshire.

The trade for females peaked at 2,000gns for Craigbeck Eloise, a daughter of Ballavitchel Red Eriksson, from Catriona McKeane, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. She was sold having run with Shadwell Red Jay Eric to Messrs Pirie, Banchory, Kincardineshire.

For the same money, Mrs McKeane sold Craigbeck Elf, another Red Eriksson daughter this time out of the Woodvale Black Bud daughter Craigbeck Elphine. She also sold to Messrs Pirie.

The female and reserve overall champion Winwick Paris from D.W. German, Huntongdon, Cambridgeshire, sold for 1,500gns to previous bull purchaser P. McDonald. Sired by Wicken of Haymount, she is out of Winwick Pollyanna and sold having run with Winwick Viceroy.

Averages: 6 bulls, £1,907.50; 3 cows served and/or suckling, £875; 6 served heifers, £1,487.50; 5 maiden heifers, £886.20.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

AN entry of 1,149 rams and females were forward at Skipton's multi-breed show and sale fixture.

The entry was 200 up on the year with six different sheep breeds again competing for individual championship honours.

Demand and trade in the Bluefaced Leicester section was particularly buoyant and they topped the sale at 1,800gns paid for a shearling ram from the Marriforth flock of Granville and Paul Fairburn, Thornton Steward, Ripon. The buyer was John Stockdale and Sons, Burnsall, Skipton.

Two further Bluefaced shearling rams made four-figure prices; the first was an entry from Ken Throup, Silsden Moor, selling at 1,400gns to David Plews, Kettlewell, Skipton. The other was 1,050gns from John Mason, Embsay, Skipton, selling to G.R. and S.A. Brocklehurst and Son, High Peak, Derbyshire.

The top-priced Texel at 950gns was a two-shear ram from Graham and Sarah Taylor's Parkholme flock, Thirsk, which sold to N. Peacock, Maunby, Thirsk.

Scottish Blue Texel breeder David Alexander, Galston, Ayrshire, sold six gimmer shearlings to an average of £718. The best of them made 1,000gns when joining Tom Kitching, Hebden, followed by a 900gns sale to Welsh buyers D.L. and B.W.H. Jones, Pencader.

Stephen Bolland, Bolton Abbey, landed his first Skipton Suffolk championship with a home-bred shearling ram by an Aberdeenshire-based Cairness sire. It also headed the section prices at 900gns selling to C.A. Foster, Bolton Abbey, Skipton.

The best-priced Beltex at 820gns was a shearling ram from the annual 70-strong consignment from Thomas and James Whiteford, Brampton, Cumbria. The ram sold to Angus Dean, Threshfield, Skipton.

Prices for Charollais peaked at 480gns for a shearling ram from Charles and Valerie Marwood, Whenby, York, selling to Jim and Diane Wood, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire.

In the Zwartbles section Tracy Harsley, Greenhow, Yorkshire, sold a home-bred Littlegate-sired shearling ram for 420gns to J.M. Abel, Bedale, Yorkshire.

The northern region of the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' Association staged its annual show and sale on the same day, and the supreme champion title went to E.B. and S.A. Jones, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

The home-bred shearling ram sold for 650gns to Michael Ratcliffe, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts

BIDDING at the Hereford Cattle Society's autumn show and sale at Hereford topped at 3,100gns in the male section.

Top price bull was one of the youngest in the sale, the 17-month-old Hallwood 1 Eddy consigned by Rob Shaw of South Wirral, Cheshire.

The bull, by Hallwood 1 Nibbs, was male champion at this year's Cheshire County show and junior male champion at the recent National Poll show.

The buyer was B., H. and M.R. Myers of Boundless Herefords, Godalming, Surrey.

The overall show championship title went to the 24-month-old Spinney Dublin from breed president, Richard Mann, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Dublin was purchased for 2,000gns by R.A. Bradstock and Partners of Free Town Herefords, Tarrington, Herefordshire.

The junior and reserve male champion was the 17-month-old Dendor 1 Elijah consigned by D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, Newtown, Powys. The hammer fell at 2,300gns to G.J. Lewis, Gof Herefords, Llanbed, Ceredigion.

Taking the award for the best pair of exhibitor bred bulls, M.J. and M. Nash, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, saw their reserve junior male champion, the 19-month-old Whartonspool Eragon sell for 2,800gns to N. Hooper, Hooper Herefords, Malvern, Worcestershire.

At 3,000gns Ford Abbey Farms, Leominster, sold their 23-month-old Ford Abbey 1 Exquisite for 3,000gns to T.D.R. Williams, Windycreek Herefords, Hay-on-Wye.

At the same price was Greenyards 1 Eagle, a 23-month-old bulls from P. and A. Allman, Sutton St Nicholas, and selling to M.J. and H.M. Timmis, Baschurch, Shrewsbury.

Another at 3,000gns was Bosa 1 Edgbaston, an 18-month-old, consigned by G. Blandford, Bosbury, Ledbury, and selling to V.A. Oliver, Telford, Shropshire.

The show heifer section saw prices rise to 2,600gns paid for the 19-month-old Dendor 1 Molly 25 bred and exhibited by D.E., E.D. and A.L. Jones, of Newtown, Powys.

Molly was reserve junior female champion at the recent National Poll show and was purchased by A.J. Hobson, Eldersfield Herefords, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire.

A strong demand in the Ôfor sale onlyÕ section saw cows and calves selling to a top of 2,700gns for the four-year-old Glenrose 1 Nightingale with her April-born heifer calf from F.G. Goodall, Dyfed. The hammer fell to V.B. Collins, Kathlea Herefords, Llangattock Lingoed, Abergavenny.

Averages: 16 bulls, £2,277.18; 8 cows with calves at foot, £1,857.19; 11 in-calf heifers, £1,322.05; 9 maiden heifers, £1,102.50

Auctioneers: Brightwells

WITH a top call of 10,500gns and a further eight bids to 4,000gns and above the overall average for bulls was up on the year at the Border British Blue Club's show and sale at Carlisle.

Sale topper was the show champion, Ballyhossett Duke, from Jason and Jennifer Edgar, Downpatrick, Co Down. This 17-month-old black and white bull is by Empire D'Ochain and out of a Ridge Dean Mahogany bred daughter Knockagh Whoopee ET. On his only show outing he was supreme champion at Castlewellan show, which was one of the biggest shows of Blue cattle this year with over 70 head of entries. Duke was knocked down to M. and A. Eddon, Cropton, Yorkshire.

The reserve rosette went to Crackley Bank Cannon, a November 2007 son of the Cajoleur De Rettigny and Bringlee Sandy ET flush. He was exhibited by Paul Walker, Hunnington, West Midlands. This blue and white bull was sold to an undisclosed buyer for 9,000gns.

At 7,000gns was Ridge Dean Dynamite from Michele Wilde, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. This March 2008-born ET bull from the Empire D'Ochain and Ridge Dean Valentine ET flush was purchased by G. and H. Jerman, Newtown, Powys.

An AI son of Daffyd D'Ochain was next in the price ratings. Harestone Daredevil bred and exhibited by Neil Barclay, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, sold at 5,500gns. This 17-month-old is out of a Serum daughter, Woodview Trixie ET. The buyer was Wyn Griffiths and Son, Abregele, Conwy.

Leading the trade for females at 4,000gns was Asby Chloe, a 29-month-old daughter of Baroque De L'Ecluse and Ridge Dean Super Star, from H.W. Timm's Timos herd, Airmyn, Goole. Chloe was bred by H.R. Hayton and Son, Great Asby, Appleby, and sold to C.T.W. and D. Ennion, Logielmond, Perth.

At 3,500gns was the reserve female champion - Franks Daffodil Dream - from D. Whiteley and J. Courts, Scawton, Thirsk. This blue and white, 18-month-old heifer is by Gitan Du P'Tit and out of Blue Chip Tartan. The hammer fell to Page Brothers, Elkington, Northampton.

Averages: 15 bulls, £4,858; 7 maiden heifers, £3,150; 1 recipient with calf at foot, £2,730.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

THERE was strong demand for in-lamb Charollais females at the first sale of the season held at Worcester market last Saturday.

Topping the sale at 1,750gns was a shearling ewe from the Crogham flock of Jonathan and Carroll Barber, Norfolk.

The ewe was sired by Rockvilla Ferrari and was carrying twins to Kings Land Invincible. It was knocked down to William Ingram, Aberdeenshire.

At 1,720gns was a shearling ewe from Drew and Stephen Cowan, Banbridge, Co Down, and selling to David Roberts, Kenley, Shropshire. Her sire was Logie Durno Finnegan and she was carrying twins to Tullyear Egbert.

Another highlight of the sale was the sale of this year's Royal Show champion, Dalby Izzy, from Charles and Helen Sercombe's flock, Melton Mowbray. This shearling ewe was sired by multiple inter-breed winning ram, Rockvilla Golden Promise, and was carrying twins to Rainbow Hermes. Purchaser of this ewe at 1,700gns and a further seven lots for his Coleford flock in Gloucestershire was Peter Scott. He plans a return to the show ring for Izzy next year.

Top pen average of the day went to Meilir Jones's Aberkinsey flock, Dyserth, Denbighshire. His four shearling ewes sold to a top of 1,700gns and averaged £1,163. Purchaser of the top priced ewe was A.T. Edwards and Arwel Owen, Powys. This ewe was sired by Foulrice Eurostar and carrying twins to Skelton Whin Istabraq.

Adrian Davies, Carmarthenshire, had a consignment of shearlings and ewe lambs from his Glyn Coch flock. Topping his trade at 1,380gns was an ET yearling ewe, sired by Galtres Dominator out of a Southam Aztec ewe. Carrying twins to the top price ram lamb at this year's premier sale, Edstaston Juno, she was purchased by new flock owner, E.M. Morgan, Carmarthen.

Robert Gregory's Edstaston flock from Shrewsbury, achieved top price for a ewe lamb. Going to 900gns for this daughter of Edstaston Iconic was John Davies, Stoke on Trent.

Averages: 81 ewes, £587.16; 23 ewe lambs, £428.22.

Auctioneers: McCartneys

CHAROLAIS females met a solid trade selling to a top of 7,500gns at Newark Mart last Saturday when two East Midlands based herds were dispersed - Baggrave, owned by Baggrave Farms, Hungarton, Leicester and Messrs Wilson's Lincolnshire herd, Irby on Humber, Grimsby.

Sale leader at 7,500gns was Balmyle Virgo, a five-year-old Dingle Hofmeister daughter out of a cow by Balmyle Ochtertyre from the Lincolnshire herd. Virgo sold with her 10-month-old heifer calf, Lincolnshire Donna, by the 10,000gns Maerdy Othello. The hammer fell to father and son team, Cyril and Andy Smith, Keelby, Lincoln.

The same buyers paid 6,500gns, the day's second top price for another Lincolnshire lot, this time Balmyle Sophia, a Brampton Nacodar daughter with her January-born heifer calf at foot, Lincolnshire Eloise by Balmyle Statesman.

Topping the Baggrave dispersal at 6,400gns was a cow and calf split; Baggrave Annushka, a Harestone Unclesman daughter was bid to 3,800gns by Messrs Paton, Kinross, while her March-born heifer Baggrave Elue by Gower Universe went for 2,600gns to breed newcomers, Gordon Jones and Sarah Warner who purchased 12 lots in total for their Brixworth, Northants based Cardigan herd. They included the 4,000gns Baggrave Violet, a five-year-old by Balmyle Pretender together with her bull calf, Baggrave Dreamboy, a rising yearling by Erudit.

Next from Baggrave at 6,000gns was Baggrave Carnation, a two-year-old ET maiden heifer by Baggrave Hidalgo and out of Ambiance. She was knocked down sold to breed newcomer, B. Hadley, Halstead, Essex, along with five more lots including Baggrave Sancere at 5,500gns. A 2001 born Dingle Hofmeister daughter, she was sold in-calf to Baggrave Hollandais.

A second 5,500gns call was made for another Hofmeister daughter, this time Balthayock Ada, selling to Neil and Graeme Massie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Consigned by the Lincolnshire herd, the four-year-old Ada was out of a Balthayock dam going back to Balmyle Laurier and she was sold with her April born bull calf, Lincolnshire Earl by Maerdy Othello.

Another entry heading up the road to Aberdeenshire was Lincolnshire Cristal, a two-year-old in-calf heifer by Maerdy Othello which sold at 5,200gns to Iain Thomson's Airdlin Partnership, Ellon.

Two Baggrave entries shared a 5,000gns bid. First to go was Baggrave Summer, a Balmyle Pretender daughter sold with her April-born bull, Baggrave England by Maerdy Ulm. She travelled to Cornwall with Messrs Hopper, Bude.

The second 5,000gns lot was sold in a cow and calf spilt; Baggrave Umberleigh, a Maerdy Polo daughter sold in-calf to Gower Universe made 3,600gns to David North, Lincoln while her 10-month-old calf, Baggrave Dustyrose by Mowbraypark Orlando went for 1,400gns to David Cormack, Norwood, Otley.

Other leading entries from Lincolnshire included Balthayock Vignette, at 4,800gns. A five-year-old Dingle Hofmeister daughter offered with her May-born bull calf, Lincolnshire Epic by Maerdy Othello. The pair went to Neil Barclay's Harestone herd, Crathes, Banchory.

Lincolnshire Destiny, a 19-month-old maiden by Blelack Ladysman sold at 4,300gns to John Gough, Newport, Shropshire.

Averages: Baggrave -15 cows with calves, £3,675; 18 in-calf cows, £1,767; 8 in-calf heifers, £1,641; 21 maiden heifers, £1,460. Lincolnshire - 11 cows with calves, £3,508; 4 in-calf cows, £1,798; 4 in-calf heifers, £2,428; 4 maiden heifers, £2,008.

Auctioneers: Newark Livestock Mart