After years importing Belgium Blue semen and cattle from their Belgium homeland, one of the UK's main 'Blue' genetics companies has reversed the trend.

This month, Norbreck Genetics saw their 10 month old British Blue bull, Norbreck Express depart for Belgium.

Express is a son of Bringlee Volkawagon out of Norbreck Baltimore - one of Norbreck's highest index, naturally calving brood cows. He was sold to the Belgium owned AI company, FABROCA whose team were impressed by the bull's pedigree and confirmation.

The British Blue is recognised globally for the functionality that UK breeders have introduced into this heavily muscled animal, says Philip Halhead, Norbreck Genetics MD.

"After successfully completing the rigorous health and genetic defect tests we finalised the sale and shipped our bull to Belgium."

Norbreck has been working with FABROCA for some time and have already exported two bulls on behalf of other breeders, but this is the first Norbreck bull out of a naturally calving cow to be exported.

"Whilst selling Blues to Belgium could be describes as selling snow to Eskimos, the UK is producing a more modern animal," says Mr Halhead.

"These early stages are just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few years, UK breeders must look at export markets to strengthen sales of the British Blue, particularly from high health herds."

As promised yesterday here is my pick of the bulls for this weekend's sale of Limousins at Carlisle. I've tried to keep it a real top end selection this time, so there are bound to some in the book that I don't mention which you feel are worthy of noting.

As usual feel free to comment below, adding your personal picks and in the meantime I'll dive for cover!

First to appear in my list is Moonleaze Doubledecker (lot 158) from the Comers of Swindon. This bull combines a number of top blood lines, being a son of Bernish Alfy, a Sympa son out of a Gigolo daughter, and out of Ronick Vienna, a Cannon daughter with Bailea Olympia in her back line. He has a beef value of +43.

Next up is one I'm really looking forward to seeing, Nebo Director (lot 160) from the Thomas family. This is by Dauphin and out of Nebo Roberta, dam of Nebo Viking, stock bull at Smiths of Bloxham. Roberta is by Gaulois and was also dam of 12,000gns Nebo Dynamite sold at Carlisle last May. My only concern here would be his mobility, I've not been a massive fan of Viking's movement, so we'll have to see what Director does himself.His beef value is +45.

I'm also intrigued by Rainbow Dunkirk (lot 171). This Springwood Vino son - a Gigolo son - is out of a full sister to Rainbow Simon, stock bull for the Quicks in Devon. Simon has been breeding consistently good sons which have sold readily at Carlisle in recent sales and I'll be looking to see what this line, combined with Gigolo breeding can offer.

And then I skip through the catalogue a bit, to Gronw Darnel (lot 234). This one is by Scordale Terry, but his interesting breeding is in his dam's side, with Gigolo and Djerk in his back pedigree, this should give him plenty of muscle. He has a beef value of +44.

A brace from John Weatherill's Millington herd are next to draw my eye. This first of these is Millington Diploma (lot 258) and is the pick of their entry for me. This is by Mas Du Clo and out of Gaich Pinup. This Djerk daughter is out of Gaich Nutcracker is a real muscle machine with a Royal Welsh breed championship to her name. His beef value is a little on the low side at +24.

The other from this herd is the first of a pair of ET brothers to 28,000gns heifer Millington Davina, Millington Dallas (lot 259). Now, its probably well remembered that I've not been Davina's biggest fan, she's just too masculine and slightly unbalanced for me, but you can't deny the way the dam, Brockhurst Option has been breeding, with another daughter Millington Choice selling for 10,000gns. Dallas has a beef value of +27, the next lot - Millington Dejavu is the other ET brother.

Last week's Bentham Super Two challenge show and sale of hoggets saw a total of 56 hoggs forward, with the championship going to Michael Fell, Clapham, with a pair off Beltex cross lambs. These tipped the scales at 40kg and sold for £155/hea (387p/kg) to Honby Butchers, Hornby, Lancaster.

Once again I'm about to put my neck on the line and bring you a snapshot of my picks from the Simmental catalogue for the forthcoming Stirling sale. So, heere goes, as always feel free to add your own comments and opinions on anything I've missed.....

First to earn a mark in my catalogue is Mayfield Woden, a Corskie Storm son out of Balmanno Lavinia from Whitehouse Farms. He comes with a terminal sire index of +30 (the simm average is +20) and a self replacing index of +35 (against an average of +23).

Then with an encouraging calving ease figue of +5 comes Banwy Wonderboy from the Jones family. This is by Camus Brandy and out of Banwy Sexygirl, a Starline New Yorker daughter. His sire line is a relatively old line, but with a TSI of +28 and an SRI of +35, he might be worth a peak.

And with an SRI of +36 is Starline Wizard from Henry Widdecombe. This is line bred being by Starline Klassik and out of Starline Karina 2, a Klassik daughter. Intriguingly he has an SRI of +36, but a calving value of -6.2.

Billy Robson and family have a strong team entered and first among these is Kilbride Farm Wisdom, a Cairnview Snazzy son out of a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter. He has a TSI of +29 and an SRI of +35.

With similar figures is Manor Park Wishful Thinking from Clive Houldley. This is an Ashland Perfect son out of Manor Park Susan. And his calving figure is in the positive - just at +0.1.

And then its back to the Robson's team for Kilbride Farm Woodsman. This is by Snazzy again and out of another Newry daughter, Kilbride Farm Jolly, dam of 13,000gns Kilbride Farm Tweed and Kilbride Farm Valour. This one has a TSI of +24 and an SRI of +29.

With more bumper figures is Corskie Windsor from Jimmy and Iain Green. This is by Celtic Rock and out of Corskie Dulcie, a Burghbridge Lane daughter. He has as TSI of +32 and an SRI of +38.

I've yet to confirm this with anyone at the RHWF, but the Scotsman is today reporting that this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair will be a free entry event.

This was being mooted as the case at Stirling earlier in the week, with somee suggesting it was as much of a cost cutting exercise as a move to tempt more visitors to the show - apparently is was costing nearly as much to collect the money as was being earned from charging an entry fee.

The question is will this be enough to draw more visitors to the show or has the rot set in too deep already? I'll be intrigued to hear your thoughts, but I fear that unless the event can draw more trade stands it may well already be too late......

Its amazing what can arrive in the post when you've been out for a few days. First up in the Taking Stock postbag today were the catalogues for the next round of Stirling sales - Charolais and Simmental sales are now just ten days away!

These will of course be studiously studied in the next few days and previews will appear here in due course...

Then there was something incredibly intriguing, a plain white envelope with an Aberdeenshire postmark. This envelope had absolutely nothing inside it, was posted on Monday and sent to me by name.

The interesting part was what was written on the back of the envelope, it read and I'll quote directly

"TIME FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO SOME D.O.B PERTH FEB - AS FOR CARLISLE!

CC BLCS

YOU WILL HAVE TO FACE UP THIS ISSUE"

following that there was what appeared to be an S scrubbed out - see the pic below!

All very mysterious, but I believe the Limousin society have received similar correspondence before, so I'm intrigued to investigate futher! Anyone here care to own up to sending it or able to shed any light on its origins??

After that the postbag was a tad empty - yep that's right no Carlisle catalogue on my desk yet, obviously the Cumbrian postal service is slacking this week, hopefully it will be here tomorrow for  abit of light reading over the weekend...

Topping trade for Saler females and matching a strong trade earlier for the bulls on offer was the champion Rigel Isis, a Sagitaire daughter out of a Crocodile Dundee daughter Rigel Ino. This one went at 3300gns.

They also sold Rigel Hosta, an Amazonien daughter out of Rigel Hostess, for 2300gns.

Leading the way for Saler bulls so far is the champion Saler from Alister Mackenzie, Whitebog Dunc, by Uni out of a Nixon-bred dam. This one went at 4200gns.

Before that a call of 3000gns secured Beeston Hall Beau from Beeston Hall Farms. This one is by Poldean Taffy out of a Rigel Iago daughter.

Previous to that, the first Saler in the ring and the reserve champion Rigel Haldor, by Sagitaire, went at 2700gns.

And just as we thought that was it, Alister Mackenzie then sold his second prize bull Whitebog Drew, a Uni bred bull for 4700gns to Mr Gillanders.

Leading trade for the British Blondes is the champion Hallfield Demon from James Weightman. This one is by Blackwater Ainsley out of Hallfield Vivacious, has gone at 4000gns.

Just before that the reserve champion Ardmore Diplomat from David Grant, went at 3500gns. This one is by Ardmore Principal out of a Ronald daughter.

The champion and first British Blue bull in the ring from Andrew Bellas, Croftends Dan, an ET bred son of Hazelwood Freshman out of Clonberton Petrinia, sells for 3500gns to Terry Coghill, Orkney.

The next, from Carrick Primestock, Lyonpark Dendermonde, by Widewath Ace out of Unthank Amy, sold for 3900gns, while from the Greens, Oxcroft Dragonslayer by Kisinger sold for 3300gns.

Leading a run of Black Limousin bulls from the Adam family, the second prize Newhouse Black Denver, a Boscastle son out of Newhouse Star with a beef value of +35 and muscle figure of +4.7 has gone at 12,000gns to Corrie Meats.

Their next, Newhouse Black Dakota, again by Boscastle, this time out of Newhouse Violet, has gone at 9000gns to Mr Marrs.

A little later on their next, Newhouse Black Drew, again by Boscastle, this time out of the Hewsons Golddust daughter Newhouse Sue, has gone at 6000gns.

From Kenny Gill, Craiglands Denver, a Normande Banzai son has gone at 7500gns, before Westhall Black Denboy by Boscastle out of Westhall Tango from Alan Fotheringham has gone at 6500gns.

From Ian and Wendy Callion, Lodge Drummer has gone at 6000gns. This one is by Sarkley Voltigeur out of Lodge Viola and has a beef value of +25.

Just after that Stuart Fotheringham sold Ballinloan Deluxe, a Haltcliffe Antler son out of Wilodge Purdy for 4000gns.  

A Samy son from Robert Graham, Grahams Dragon, out of a Grahams Poncho daughter, has gone at 4000gns.

Despite trade slowing for second class heifers at this month's Western Holstein Club's monthly show and sale, good quality milky heifers still met a fast trade.

It was a bid of 3100gns that topped the days trading for a Picston Shottle daughter, Ichthus Shottle Spottie for P J White and J Hill, Wingerworth, Derbyshire. She sold giving 30kg to Bixley Farms, Norwich.

Next best at 2750gns was Peelane Orville Christy from Jim barber who also took the next top price of 2600gns for Budworth Lheros Gloria 2^nd who scored 82 points six days after calving. Both were purchased by Robbie Bell, Knutsford.

The only other heifer to break the 2500gns barrier was Fennshall Rsoberto Ethel from Neil Jones, Whitchurch who sold his Stardale Roberto heifer for 2520gns to D an H E Colclough and Son, Sandbach.

Cows reached 2300gns for the Champion female, a third calf Stormatic daughter Rowarton Stormatic Anna from the Sutton family, Congleton, Cheshire and selling to J and N Hull and Sons for their Fortland herd at Preston. Bulls sold to 1650gns for Aintree Roger Red from Aintree Holsteins, Wrexham.

Averages 17 cows £1751.03; 103 heifers £1901.42; 6 bulls £1312.50

(Wright Manley)

Many predicted this bull to sell well and perhaps take the overall championship earlier and he hasn't disappointed. The reserve junior champion Newhouse Black Dominator by Tamarvalley Boscastle out of Newhouse Teak with a beef value of +42 has gone to commercial producer MacGregor of The Binn. His half brother sold for 16,000gns last year.

Their next, Newhouse Black Desperardo by the same sire out of the Greenhaugh Utwo daughter Newhouse Betty has just gone at 5800gns.

The first from the judge Stephen Irvine, Anside Dynamo, by Frewstown Breakdance out of Anside Tessa, has gone at 4800gns.

The next from Newhouse, another black, Newhouse Black Dakar, by Boscastle out of a Mapleleaf Just So dam, has gone at 5800gns to Messrs MacFarlene.  

The junior and overall champion Grahams Defoe from Robert Graham, by Samy, out of the Ours daughter usurpation with a whopping muscle figure of +6.1 has just gone at 5500gns.

From the Goldie family, Goldies Black Detroit by Normande Arapaho and out of Goldies Veil, a daughter of SLVL Beef and half brother to last year's 12,000gns Goldies Black Denver, has gone at 8000gns.

Just after that Ian Nimmo sold Maraiscote Dakota, a Virginia Andy son at 4500gns, while another from the Goldies, Goldies Delta, by Terence out of an Ideal daughter has gone at 4500gns.

After another sticky run, the intermediate champion Brims Dozer, by Ballynahone, a Cloughhead Lord son, out of Brims Visable, has knocked down at 7500gns to Orkney-based Keith Eunson, buyer of last year's champion.

The first from the Ridley's, Haltcliffe Daytona, by Sympa out of Cloughhead Rowan, with a beef value of +33 has gone at 4500gns. This one is full brother to the 12,500gns Viper and 30,000gns Haltcliffe Banker.