BIDDING peaked at 20,000gns last Friday at the Solway and Tyne Texel Breeders Club show and sale at Borderway Mart.

Top seller was a ram lamb from R. and E. Forsyth's Baltier flock, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway.

This ram was by Kelso Ozone and out of a ewe by Garngour Neptune. It sold in a two-way share to R. Cockburn, Crieff, Perthshire, and K.A. and R. Campbell, Lochgoilhead, Argyll.

Next best was 15,000gns for Haddo Rambo, a Knock Powerpacker son, from William Knox, Turriff, Aberdeenshire. Out of a Cowal Maverick-bred dam it sold was knocked down to a three-way partnership; Douganhill Farms, Palnackie, Castle Douglas; J. and C. Hastings, Holywood, Dumfries; and R. and J. Osborne, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire.

Another from the same home, but this time by Kelso President, sold at 6,500gns to joint buyers; W. Wilson and J. Carey, both of Newtown Crommelin, Ballymena.

Ettrick Rainbow, a Knock Papoose sired ram lamb, from Gordon Gray, Lindean, Selkirk, realised 10,500gns. Out of a dam by Teiglum Nevada it sold to T. Nesbitt and Son, Darlington, Co Durham, and J. and S. Wilkinson, Barningham, Richmond, with Gordon Gray retaining a quarter share.

The Firm of R.F. Forsyth, Whithorn, Newton Stewart, paid 8,000gns for Hull House Rothchild, a Kelso son, from John Mellin, Skipton, Yorkshire. This ram lamb was out of a dam by Castlecairn Nairobi.

Entries from Procters Farm, Slaidburn, Clitheroe, sold to a top of 7,000gns for a Deveronvale Private son. The hammer fell to Drayton Farm Partnership, Petersfield, Hampshire.

At 6,000gns was Knock Reebok from A. and G. Howie, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. This one was by Garngour Playboy and out of a dam by Anglezarke Krug. It sold to a three-way share of D. Jarvie, Muthill, Perthshire; R. and E. Campbell, Cockermouth, Cumbria; and Gordon Gray.

The reserve champion, Castlecairn Ranaldo, from Bruce Renwick, Kelso, sold for 5,500gns. This Knock Powerpacker son sold to R. Kellett, Castle Ashby, Northampton.

Shearling rams sold to 10,000gns for the best of a consignment from E.W. Quick's Loosebeare flock, Crediton, Devon. Loosebeare Panther, a Cennen Magnum son out of a ewe by Douganhill Lonestar, sold to I. Graham, Kilmalcolm, Renfrewshire.

The overall show championship was taken by a shearling ram, Douganhill Pheonix, from Douganhill Farms. By Lauder Nugget it went on to sell for 5,000gns to R.R. and M. Lawrence, Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Trade for females peaked at 3,000gns for a Mattadale On Top sired shearling gimmer from Procters Farm. The buyer was I. Graham, Renfrewshire, who also paid 2,000gns for a Kerryhill Oliver sired shearling consigned by Thomas MacTaggart, Castle Douglas.

Averages: 247 shearling rams, £975.27; 2 aged rams, £252; 172 ram lambs, £817.66; 99 shearling gimmers, £505.80; 4 ewe lambs, £367.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Top seller at 2,000gns was a shearling gimmer from Thomas MacTaggart's consignment from his Rascarrel flock. This on was by Kerryhill Oliver and sold to I. Graham, Renfrewshire.

Another from the same home and by the same sire made 1,800gns selling to R. and E. Owen, Colwyn Bay.

The first lot through the ring, a Baltier shearling gimmer from R. and E. Forsyth also made 1,800gns. This one was by Kelso Ozone. The buyer was R. Wilson, Cumbria.

The next lot, again by Ozone, made 1,400gns. It sold to A. Mawson, Bootle, Cumbria.

BIDDING peaked at 4,000gns for ram lambs at the Welsh National Show and sale of Texels at Welshpool.

Trade leader was Glenside Ripvanwinkle, a Strathbogie Python son out of a dam by Baileys Mega. Consigned by John Forsyth, Maybole, Ayrshire. It was knocked down to S.I. Lewis, Rhos, Llandysul.

Another from Mr Forsyth and by Python, Glenside Rapper, realised 2,800gns to D.R. Owen and Son, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

At 3,800gns was Mellor Vale Reyna, a Baltier Panther son, from Charlie Boden, Stockport, Cheshire. Out of a Garngour Maestro-bred dam it sold to P.J. Evans, Ffostryll, Brecon.

Another from the Mellor Vale flock made 1,800gns going to G. and J. Probert, Leominster.

The male and supreme champion, Proctors Rocco, from Proctors Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire, sold at 3,000gns to D.T. and M.O. Morgan, Brecon. Rocco is by Kerryhill Oliver and out of a dam by Tullagh Neptune.

At 1,500gns was Ettrick Rio Grande, a Mitchelhill Paparazzi son, from Gordon Gray, Lindean, Selkirk. It took the reserve male title before selling to P.A. Kermode, Isle of Man.

Shearling rams sold to 1,500gns and in the female section the reserve champion from the Meinspride flock made 1,5000gns.

Averages: 57 yearling ewes, £417.79; 31 yearling rams, £694.35; 90 ram lambs, £643.07.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales.

The livestock section with more than £10,000 at stake, will feature the National Suckled Calf and Primestock Show to be judged by Arfon Jones, of Anglesey who has more than 40 years of experience in the primestock ring.

A holder of the supreme Smithfield championship, he has judged Smithfield classes at both Earls Court and the Bath and West showground, and is frequently found judging in the prime cattle ring up and down the country. Back home at Paradwys, Bordorgan, Anglesey he manages a 40 cow suckler herd with progeny taken through to finishing along with up to 300 bought in stores annually. He also buys in weekly more than 100 stores and finished cattle. "I'm really pleased to be invited to judge at Agri-Expo," he said. "Last year I was on the other end of the halter exhibiting at the event and I was impressed by the quality turnout of stock, the show layout and its smooth running."

Another Smithfield championship holder, Brian Glaves, of Scarborough has agreed to do the honours in the National Prime Sheep Show. Armed with judging experience in the ring at both the Scottish and English Winter Fairs and Smithfield, he has an understanding of the entire red meat chain. Mr Glaves farms pedigree Texel, Suffolk, Old English Leicesters and South Downs, together with a commercial flock producing up to 700 lambs a year which are slaughtered together with bought in lambs, cattle and pigs, in the family's abattoir to supply their own retail outlet. "I'm looking forward to sifting through some very strong classes at this event which is going from strength to strength," he said.

Ian Sowerby, Ormside Appleby will back his judgment in the Mule gimmer lamb ring by a lifetime's experience. "I have 50 years of buying in annually 350 in lamb Mules and selling them with lambs at foot the following spring. The practice complements our 150 cow suckler unit and we've found ourselves among the top lost in the sale ring on more than one occasion."

Agri-Expo will also be featuring for the first time the National Beef Shorthorn Society Calf Show, while the Aberdeen Angus breed society plans to grow its Winter National Show at the event. In addition, two calf shows, the Hereford Regional and Border British Blue, will be returning to Agri-Expo.

"We are optimistic of a high quality turn out of stock throughout the various sections and we are very pleased to have lined up a set of high caliber judges to do the honours," explained  Harrison and Hetherington's event organiser and operations' director, David Pritchard. "Our plans are to grow Agri-Expo following its success last year which attracted more than 600 livestock entries, 100 trade exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors. We achieved a formula which proved to be appealing to both specialist livestock breeders and rearers and trade exhibitors alike from throughout the UK and beyond, and it's certainly one we are going to build on for the future."

The day's top price of 1,500gns was paid for a ram lamb bred by Andrew Bishop, Malvern, Worcestershire. This lamb, a substitute entry, was by Fort View Knight out of a ewe by Luggsmill Jethro. It sold in a three-way split to John Barclay, Ayrshire; Jock McMillan, Newtown Stewart; and Stuart Wood, Aberdeen.

Mr Bishop also sold a shearling ram, by Luggsmill Lainey and out of a ewe by Jethro, at 900gns. It sold to Chris Heath, Sutton, Macclesfield.

John Barclay and Jock McMillan were also selling and achieved a complete clearance for their own consignements. Mr McMillan took the supreme championship with a shearling ram, Clary Northern Boy, by Clary Kaiser Chief. It sold for 1,250gns to David and Matthew Prince, Chesterfield.

John Barclay achieved 1,100gns for a shearling ewe, which topped the female trade selling to Tom and Jack Belfield, Sheen, Derbyshire.

A ram lamb from Mr Barclay sold for 950gns. Beachy Pure Gold, a Corstane Mighty Max son out of a ewe by Tullgarley Elite, made 950gns. It sold in a telephone bid to Graham Burke, Scotland.

The reserve champion, a ram lamb from K. Marshall's Lamberhurst flock, made 900gns selling to the show judge - David Findlay, Yorkshire. The ram, Lamberhurst Power House, is by Northern Beltex Nitro and out a Westerdale Hipster bred ewe.

Two females from Jock McMillan's Clary flock sold for over 1,000gns. The first, Clary Nancy, by Borderesk Leap Frog made 1,000gns also to Tom and Jack Belfield.

Clary Needle Me, by Clary Kaiser Chief and out of a Cookstown Hamish ewe, made 1,200gns to E. Owen and Son, Conwy, Gwynedd.

The trade for ewe lambs was again led by the Scottish contingent. The reserve female champion, Beachy Prodigy, a Clary Kaiser Chief daughter out of a ewe by Brickrow High and Dry, from John Barclay made 900gns. The hammer fell to J. Collinge, Lockerbie, Dumfries. 

This was followed by the second prize ewe lamb Clary Prestige, by Borderesk Leap Frog and again out of a Cookstown Hamish bred ewe, which made 800gns also to Messrs Collinge.

The majority of quality shearling ewes and ewe lambs made in excess of 500gns.

Averages: 28 shearling rams,     £510; 25 ram lambs, £552; 21 shearling ewes, £518.50; 24 ewe lambs,            £469.35.

Auctioneers: Marshalls

The annual showcase event for the UK beef industry, organised by the National Beef Association, is growing in stature every year and now requires more exhibition space to accommodate an expanding range of livestock demonstrations, educational/advisory exhibits, seminars and trade stands.

"Newark is an excellent venue in the centre of England and close to the A1, which is one of the main arterial routes in the country," said NBA director, Kim Haywood.

"The showground is already home to the Newark and Notts Show each May and the Lamma machinery show in January and offers a first-class range of facilities for a major specialist event such as Beef Expo which attracts thousands of beef farmers, meat processors, butchers and other industry professionals from throughout the UK and Ireland each year, as well as visitors from overseas."

The organisation of the event will be in the hands of a local committee chaired by Rachel Gascoine, who is a director of both Newark Livestock Market Ltd and a family farming business with extensive beef interests in both Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity of hosting this important event for the beef industry at Newark and look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the country, and further afield, to Nottinghamshire," said Ms Gascoine.

"Beef Expo is going from strength to strength each year and is firmly established as the flagship event for the beef industry in the UK, involving all sectors of the supply chain from primary producer to supermarket and butcher."

Features of Beef Expo will include the National Spring Spectacular Show of haltered suckled calves and store cattle, breed society exhibits, stockjudging competitions, machinery demonstrations, seminars and trade stands.

On the day before, Wednesday, May 25, there will be visits to two beef farms in the Nottinghamshire area, and also the first part of the National Spring Spectacular which will include a show and sale of unhaltered prime cattle at Newark Livestock Market, in conjunction with the market's weekly sale of prime stock which is the biggest in the country. This will be followed by the annual dinner in the Dome at Kelham Hall on the outskirts of Newark which can accommodate up to 500 guests.

The NBA's corporate development consultant, Euan Emslie, who has organised the last nine Beef Expo's, has been appointed organiser for the 2011 event.

For more information visit www.beefexpo.co.uk.

CCM's new, purpose-built headquarters was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in September, 1990, 100 years after the mart was first established on its original town centre site, now the home of Morrisons Supermarket. 

The 20th anniversary livestock shows begin on Monday, September 6, with monthly prime cattle and sheep fixtures supported by special shows and sales of Masham and Lleyn prime lambs on behalf of both breed societies.

Tuesday's opening show and sale of 6,000 Mule gimmer lambs from members of the North of England Mule Sheep Association is one of the biggest sheep days of the year at Skipton, to be followed on the Wednesday by an anniversary sale of store lambs, including a prize show for Masham Wethers.

Dairy cattle are on show the following Monday, September 13 and the curtain falling on the celebrations with an anniversary show of store cattle on the Wednesday.

Tthe average price of just over £56 per head was around £2 up on the previous fortnightly store lamb sale. It also represented a further improved performance when compared to the £50.75 average selling price at the corresponding 2009 fixture.

The champion pen of 50 Mule wethers was exhibited by Mark and Susan Harrison, West End, Summerbridge. The pen went on to sell for the  top price in show at £59.80 per head to Frank Towers, of Lancaster.

The second prize pen from D.M. Gott, Cowling, sold for £56.50 each to Roger Naylor, Ilkley, with the third prize pen from Granville Fairburn, Apperley Bridge, realising £57.80 a head by to R. Lloyd, Ruthin.

The fixture also made history, as it was the first time Skipton's new electronic identification (EID) race reader had been used at an official sheep sale.

Craven Cattle Marts' farmstock sales manager and auctioneer Ted Ogden reported that the equipment had passed its initial test with flying colours ahead of the big Autumn sheep sales season.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

The judge - Ron Cruickshank - from the Kype herd in Scotland, said it was difficult to choose between this heifer and his reserve - Titchburn Elegance from Donal Murray, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh.

Mr Cruickshank said Electra was just slightly more balanced and showed great character and alertness.

Ardlea Electra is out of the French cow, Vorace, and by Fieldson Alfy.

Titchburn Elegance is a daughter of Annandale Bliss out of the noted and well known bull Wilodge Vantastic.

The heifers in second, third and fourth place were all daughters of Vantastic.

Although the Southern females out placed the Northern cattle there were three bulls from Northern Ireland in the top four in the Bull Derby.

Winner was Carrickaldreen Enrico from Peter Murphy.

Mr Cruickshank said that Peter's bull caught his eye as soon as he came into the ring. He was an excellent Limousin bull with great character, muscle and shape as well as being very good on his feet and legs.

In Reserve spot was the Southern Mas Du Clo son, Killycastle Eric from Alan Kelly.

The Challenge Shield for the overall highest points gained between the Irish Society and the Northern Club at the end of the judging ended in a draw.

The Irish Society had the top heifer and the reserve bull while the Northern club the top bull and reserve female. It was then decided to judge them as a pair to decide who would be awarded the shield. This added an extra dimension to the competition but in the end Ron Cruickshank picked the Northern pair as his overall winners which meant the Northern Limousin Club retained the Challenge Shield.

The championship title went to Roy Swinson, Oakdale, with a Limousin steer, which went on to make £1,010.

Heifers sold to £850 for an entry from K.M. and S.J. Atkinson, Quarry Top.

Cows with Calves at Foot were good to sell with a top of £1,280 from S.H. Wightman, Low Woodhouse.

An excellent entry of store lambs were in great demand from buyers throughout the North of England.  The overall average was £53/head topping at £61 for Charollais cross lambs from J.R. Handley, School House.

A low entry of cast cows were good to sell, averaging 98p/kg selling to 115.5p/kg (£885) for a Charolais cross cow from K.M. and S.J. Atkinson.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.

Top money was paid for a July calved heifer by Manat and out of a 10,000kg dam. 

Other July calvers sold to 2,050gns for a second lactation cow and 2,000gns for a fourth lactation daughter of Belwood Larky.

Despite the lack of winter food two-year-old in-calf heifers due in September to the Aberdeen-Angus bull sold to 1,300gns for daughters of Megatone. 

Weaned heifer calves and 'A' lot heifer calves met considerable demand, selling to 500gns.

Four-week-old heifer calves by Mohoeve Niveau sold for 460gns.

Averages: cows (including 'A' lots) £1,171; calved heifers £1,468; in-calf heifers £1,100; served heifers  £800; maiden heifers £562; 'A' lot heifer calves £330.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt and Woolley and Wallis.

The one-day showcase event attracted over 120 entries, with both novice and experienced exhibitors competing for a share of the bumper prize fund.

Claiming the supreme championship honours was Xtra Factor, a heavyweight Limousin heifer exhibited by Clive Hoey, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone. This super heifer was bred from a British Blue cow, and was purchased from Sean McCloskey, Claudy, Co Londonderry. She scooped the reserve championship at Ballymena Show in May, and was crowned commercial beef champion at Enniskillen Show a few weeks ago.

This heifer also claimed the Limousin championship ribbons.

Scooping the reserve supreme championship was the Charolais heifer, Hillview Dora, shown by Alan Farlow, Garvagh. Sired by a Charolais bull, and out of a three-quarter-bred Limousin heifer, she was also bred by Sean McCloskey, and was purchased at Swatragh Mart. This heifer claimed the championship honours at Balmoral, Ballymena and Ballymoney.

Patrick John O'Kane, and son, Sean, from Dunloy, claimed the calf championship ribbons with a Charolais heifer calf sired by the herd's stock bull, Curragh Cahir Bill. They also received the trophy for the best exhibitor-bred calf.

Runner-up in the calf championship was the second prize winning heifer calf bred by Gerry Law who runs a 160-cow suckler herd based at Kesh. This home-bred entry was sired by the herd's Charolais stock bull, Waterview Victorious, and is out of a British Blue cow.

The husband and wife team of Nigel and Sandra Cochrane, Portadown, won the trophy for best butchers' heifer for the second year in succession. Their British Blonde cross heifer caught the eye of class judge, Will Corrie, Newtownards.

The award for the best pair of cattle went to a well-matched pair of Charolais heifers shown by McKenna Bros; while the runner-up award went to James Alexander, Randalstown, for a Charolais heifer and bullock duo.

The Charolais championship went to a heifer calf owned by Gerry Law, Kesh. Standing in reserve position was a heifer calf exhibited by McKenna Bros.

Sarah and Sam Matchett, Portadown, had a clean sweep in the Aberdeen Angus line-up, claiming both the champion and reserve prizes.

The reserve Limousin leader was a lightweight steer shown by McKenna Bros. Lauren McKenna has affectionately named this steer 'Spooks Junior'', after last year's overall champion, 'Spooks' - he has scooped numerous championship awards in southern Ireland for new owners, Connell Bros, County Meath.

The British Blue championship was secured by a heifer owned by James Alexander, Randalstown; while the reserve championship went to heifer brought out by brothers, Derek and Alan McCrea, Strabane.

Snapping up the British Blonde championship was a heavy heifer shown by Allister Crawford and Richard Beattie from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone. Standing in reserve position was a heifer exhibited by John Killen, and daughters, Shauna and Katrina, Crossgar.

A bullock exhibited by Robert Simpson, Aughnacloy, claimed the Beef Shorthorn championship, with the runner-up ribbons presented to a bullock brought out by Jack Smyth, Strabane.

The any other breed champion was a Simmental heifer shown by Gerry Law, Kesh.

The young handlers' competition was judged by Tom Stevenson from Scotland. He awarded first prize in the under 12-year-old class to Aaron Campbell from Lisburn. The winner of the 12 to 16-year-old class was Louise Breen from Clogher.