Lancashire breeders Alan and Deidre Wilkinson led a keen demand for Beef Shorthorns at Borderway Mart when their 2011-bred heifer Outrawcliffe Emilly led the trade at 3400gns. By LS Zeus and out of a dam by Tamhorn Zip, she took the reserve female title from the show classes and goes to Dumfriesshire. She was knocked down to Thomson, Roddick and Laurie.

Ballard Tansy, a Cairnsmore Xtreme maiden heifer from F J Hugill, Middlesbrough, made 3100gns to I H Warden, Hawick while I and C Ivinson's served heifer Sandwick Broadhooks Dinky from their herd at Penrith made 2600gns. This Winalot Rodney heifer - in-calf to Holmeere Hulk - goes to Newport, Shropshire with John Gough.

The reserve male champion, L S Duke from Nord Vue Farms, Penrith, led the bull trade at 3200gns. By the Winalot sire, he was out of a Northern Legend cow and goes to Berwickshire with A O Bell.

Mold, north Wales buyers E G and L A Parry-Jones paid 3000gns for Stonehills Transformer - a son of Elliot Bodacious from R L Cooke, Wrexham.

Cumbria breeders A and H Tomkins took the male title with Hallsford Spartan Warrior - a Chapelton Warrior son. He realised 3000gns to J C Bellerby , Huby, West Yorkshire.

Also at 3000gns was Playfair Farms' Tofts Antaeus, a Tofts Atlas son with a Terminal Sire Index of +14. Buyer was J Drinkall, Chorley, Lancashire.

Bound for Ulverston in south Cumbria was Dunsyre Dante from Lanarkshire vendor Carey Coombs. By Dunsyre Asterix, he also made 3000gns after standing second in his class. Buyer was D T Woods.

The day's fourth 3000gns deal came for Thirsk, North Yorkshire breeder Gerald Turton's Engineer of Upsall, a son of Loch Awe Lysander with a Terminal Sire Index of +22. This bull brings in Canadian genetics from his dam's breeding. Buyers were A and C Ivinson, Penrith,

Averages: 15 bulls £2558; 25 served and maiden heifers £2034; three cows and heifers served and/or suckling £1382.

(Harrison and Hetherington)

Hereford females enjoyed good trade at the breed society's spring fixture at Carlisle where bidding reached 4100gns

The top call came for Mosston Muir 1 Diana, a second calver on offer as part of the dispersal of Forfar-based breeder T Rennie's herd. By Barwise 1 Wellington she was suckling a bull calf by Solpoll Ferrari and was claimed by I Skea, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

Mosston Muir 1 Glenda, by FS 1 Calypso King, was sold with her first calf at foot - a heifer by Mosston Muir Glen. She had stood reserve champion in the show classes and made 3600gns to A J Miller and Co, North Berwick, East Lothian.

Mosston Muir 1 Brenda, a 2010-bred daughter of Barwise 1 Wellington, heads for Shrewsbury with buyer R Allcock at 3000gns.

Heading the bulls at 3100gns was J R B Wilson and Sons' Romany 1 Hooligan, a 2010-bred son of Romany 1 Emperor. He has a Terminal Sire Index and Self Replacing Index rating placing him in the breed's top 10%. Buyers were Messrs Riley, Leek, Staffordshire.

Taking the overall championship were Harvey Brothers of Balfron, Glasgow with Harveybros 1 Harry. This Graceland 1 Aussie son is out of Harveybros Crocus B2 - winner of the reserve female championship at the 2009 Royal Highland Show. The bull goes to A and S Robley, Armathwaite, Carlisle.

Averages: seven bulls £2220; four females £1758; Mosston Muir dispersal - four females £3123.

(Harrison and Hetherington)

The first lot in the ring set a cracking pace at the dispersal of Northumberland breeders E J and A M Fox's College Valley British Blue herd when Journaliste De Fooz sold for 4500gns.

This served heifer by Diademe ET De Fooz had been served by Tweeddale Discovery, an Empire D'Ochain son bought in the Carlisle ring two years ago for 4000gns. Paying the top price was J C Innes, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Staying in Cumbria with S Nelson at Penrith was the served heifer College Valley Emilie. By Bringlee Volkawagon and out of a Dafydd D'Ochain dam, she had been served by Mountjoy Utopia and made 4200gns.

West Midlands buyers A E Neachell and Son, Aldridge took two of the highest priced served heifers. They paid 3500gns for Berenice de Bierwa and 3400gns for College Valley Delilah. Berenice is by Occupant  ET Du Fond De Bois and in-calf to the Tweeddale sire while Delilah is by Tamhorn Sumo and in-calf to Utopia.

College Valley Emerald, a served heifer by Serum D'Anloy and in-calf to Utopia, made 3200gns to North Yorkshire buyers J Allinson and Sons, Richmond.

Averages: 17 served Heifers £3106; 18 maiden heifers £2415.

(Harrison and Hetherington)

Four bulls topped the trade at 6500gns each at the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society's show and sale at Carlisle.

Newton Stewart breeder Martin McCornick's McCornick Blumenthal was first to hit the day's high note. By Netherton Mr American and out of a Rawburn El Cid dam, he goes to J W Forde Livestock, Kelso.

J Gilmour Ltd, Penston, Macmerry took the championship with their Hoff Limited Edition son Belhaven Beckenbaur. He also made 6500gns to L Jones, Corwen, north Wales.

Two buyers split the 6500gns investment in Oakchurch Domino from J and A Price, Hereford. He's by Abberton Dazzle and out of a Rawburn Transformer dam and goes to W and R Dunlop, Carnwath, Lanark and T A and R Laird, Biggar.

Ross Farms Co Ltd, Midlothian also made 6500gns for Roscoe Elton. This Flodden Warden son heads just across the border to Hawick with buyer A R Bell.

Sunderland buyer R Richardson paid 6000gns for Roscoe Front Runner another Warden son from Ross Farm Co Ltd while J M and L M Forbes, Nairn gave 5700gns for Messrs Price's Dazzle son Oakchurch Dynamo.

Averages: 49 bulls £3436.

(Harrison and Hetherington).

Despite the perfect silage making and maize drilling weather quality cattle were still in demand at the Jubilee Collective held at Sedgemoor yesterday.

Regular consigners Roland and Simon Bugler from Dorset topped the day at 2,150gns for Bettiscombe Tennyson Tilly 161^st, a Shottle granddaughter giving 32 kgs having calved in May.

A Ricki, Enid Eden and Dagmar from Bettiscombe all broke the 2,000gns barrier, as did Poynings L Baxter Adelaide which was consigned by Ashlea Farm Services, Bristol.

Cows topped 2,100gns for first time consigners R and S A Manley for their organic 2nd calver Primehill DI 2nd by Shottle. His consignment of 10 1st -5th lactation organic cows averaged £1,834 - well worth the trip down from High Wycombe.

This was followed at 2,080 gns by A R, S R and R D Smith's 43kg 2nd calver by Crichel Matchmaker which was part of their herd dispersal. In-calf heifers from the Smiths sold to 1,620gns for daughters of Chalclyffe Shrapnel, due to a Beef Shorthorn.

This was matched by J and A Redman's Nuthatch Dragon Ally 8^th, due in October to the Angus. Two Jersey in-calf heifers from R and J Mann sold to 1,110gns for IJB Excitations Portia by Bridon Excitation.

Bulling heifers from B G and R M Coombes sold to 1,140 gns for Baxter daughters. First time consigners E W, S J T W Scolding travelled from Gloucestershire with their consignment of organic heifers born October 2010 by Derek and Mr Samuelo from their Betty and Cherry families. They sold to 1,020gns. April 2011 born daughters of Aintree Norberto from Avery and Co sold to 850gns.

The Dairy Shorthorn breed sales record was smashed by the Rodway herd dispersal of Graham and Shirley Madeley last week.

A top call of 5,300gns overtook the existing record of 3,600gns which was passed three times in total and equalled upon two further occasions,

The sale attracted Red and White enthusiasts from all over the UK and Ireland bidding fiercely for the cattle on offer.

The Rodway Herd has long been at the forefront of innovative breeding in the Red and White world, blending Dairy Shorthorn genetics with, principally Danish Red and influenced by Graham Madeley's trips around the world to study Red and White breeding.

The top call of the day of 5,300gns came early in the sale, when Edward Crank beat off several other determined bidders to take home the great show cow Rodway Sonnschein 15^th. 

This VG 89 Kingsdale Libby's Rebel daughter was Champion Dairy Shorthorn at the Royal Highland in 2010, and part of the winning Interbreed Progeny Group, as well as Champion at other local shows.  Having calved on 15 April, she was in great form, giving 44 kilos at the time of sale and now joins the Earls Gift Herd, at Ince near Chester.

Shortly afterwards, another Kingsdale Libby's Rebel daughter, this time the EX 91 classified Rodway Rose 36^th, was the subject of further fierce competition.  Having calved in January, and recently served again to Drisgol Madonnas Prince, she stayed within the family, being bought by Neil Madeley for his Nejay Herd, Bridgenorth, Shropshire.  Her dam, the great show cow Red Rose 19^th EX 93, also produced the outstanding Red Rose 42^nd, a May 2010 heifer by the Australian bull Treeton Pimp.  She was sold as confirmed in calf to Nejay Amadeus and also attracted huge interest, before Robert Boote beat off all, at 4,600 gns to add her to his Dunham Herd, near Chester.

Two further heifers equalled the previous breed record of 3,600 gns.  First up was another Treeton Pimp daughter, this time Rodway Marie 76^th, with 3 generations of EX cows behind her.  Having run with Nejay Amadeus to calve in the Autumn, she was secured by Alan Wright, buying for his Yewtree Herd near Tarporley.  Shortly after the Nejay Ernie daughter, Rodway Lady Barrington 34^th, who was successfully shown at local shows and at the Dairy Event last year, made the same price to Stephen Booth from Stewartstown in Northern Ireland.

Irish buyers from both sides of the border, were out in force with minibuses having been dispatched to both Manchester and Birmingham Airport to collect those flying in on the morning of sale.

Glen Carter from Tipperary bid strongly to take home Rodway Jenna 2^nd, a VG 88 2006 born daughter of Kingsdale Libby's Rebel, at 3,400 gns.  Due in June to Nejay Amadeus, she was  Reserve Heifer Champion at the Royal Show in 2008 and South West Dairy Champion in 2010.  Two other animals sold at 3,300 gns.  Firstly, the EX 90 Rodway Lisbet 2^nd, due in July to Churchroyd Pluto, having given over 10,000 kilograms in her current lactation, and Interbreed Heifer Champion at the Royal Show in 2008, went to Messrs Malkin from Stone, Staffordshire; later in the sale, another Nejay Ernie daughter, this time Rodway Lady Barrington 101^st, a February 2010 born heifer due to calve in the Autumn also went to Northern Ireland with Mr Booth, Stewartstown.

Averages: 50 Cows in-milk, £2,212.35; 9 Dry Cows, £2,131.50; 26 Heifers in-milk, £2,366.54; 17 Served Heifers, £2,294.56; 38 Maiden Heifers, £1,250.88; 28 Heifer Calves-'A' lots, £ 886.87; 4 Young Bulls, £853.12; 2 Bull Calves, £630.00 (Frank Marshall & Company)

A top call of 4,000gns was achieved at Skipton Auction Mart's annual spring sale of working sheep dogs.

Shaun Richards, of Watson Laithe Farm, Hapton, Burnley, achieved top price honours with his 13-month-old black and white bitch Gin. The buyer was Eddie Thornalley, of Mildenhall in Suffolk, who is shepherd for Andrew Foulds at Elveden, Thetford.

Mr Richards also had the third highest price on the day of 2,850gns with his two-year-old black and white dog Barfield Nap, by Alec Baines' Tan Hill Taz, out of Wenndale Roz, bred by Richard Briggs in Wennington, Bentham. He sold to a regular buyer from Wales.

Skipton has for long been a happy hunting ground for John Bell, of Parks Farm Howden, Selby, who has frequently headed the  prices with quality broken dogs.

At the latest renewal, he achieved second top price of 3,250gns with his 15-month-old Scottish-bred tri-coloured bitch Tess, by Caithness-based MA Cook's Spot (by D McDonald's Dave), out of Dot, from Jock Sutherland, of Sangormore, Durness, in the Scottish Highlands.

Tess found a new home with Keith Fawcett, of Argill House, South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, who was making his first-ever acquisition at an official sale. She will be used solely as a working dog and for breeding purposes, replacing an older bitch, Nip, now eight-years-old and "ready to wind down."

Mr Bell also sold two further dogs, including a younger entry, Omega Moss, a 12-month-old son of Welshman Aled Owen's International Supreme and World Trials champion Roy, out of DG Lightfoot's Nell, for 2,500gns. He also achieved 1,950gns for Omega Kate, a litter sister of Omega Moss, who became another Jock Sutherland acquisition.

With younger dogs coming through at home, Welshman Meirion Williams, of Llwyn Onn, Brooks, Welshpool, performed well with two well-proven fully home-bred October, 2010-born entries, both by the same parents, Rob and Fizz, who have also been responsible for other high price Skipton performers from Mr Williams. First up at 2,600gns was Zac, while the black and white bitch Gwen made 2,400gns.

Irishman Willie Torrens, of Killen, Castlederg, in Co Tyrone, achieved 2,500gns for his August, 2010-born, tri-coloured bitch Fly, by the 2011 brace champion Wenndale Roy, out of Homeland Jan. He also sold his November, 2009-born black and white bitch Meg for 2,000gns.

The leading performer early in the day at 2,400gns in the hands of Irishman Ivan Stevenson, of Broughshane, County Antrim, was Jess, a September, 2010-born, black and white bitch by D Brady's multiple open trials winner Bob, out of C McNaughton's Fly, who is himself by Aled Owen's International Supreme and World Trials champion Roy.

Thomas Longton, of Quermore, Lancaster, also performed well at 2,500gns with his December, 2009-born black, white and mottled dog Drift, a son of England team member E Baxter's Cap, out of Jenny, bred by J Stott. Drift had already won many nursery prizes, also amassing open points.

Cowlow Joe, a 25-month-old bitch handled by Wayne Allen, of The Old Chapel, Butterton, Derbyshire, on behalf of Steven Allen, sold for 2,100gns. She is by Ian Ibbotson's Zac, out of I Hulme's Mo.

A June 2010 born bull took the top price of 4,000gns at the Blonde Society Sale at Beeston last weekend (Saturday 19 May).

Taking the top price on the day was Fronfedw Faragorn from R.G. Davies, Ciliau Aeron, Lampeter.  Sired by one of the Fronfedw herd's home-bred stock bulls Fronfedw Aragorn and is out of Fronfedw Blodyn Tatws. The buyer was the Atkin Brothers of Barrow on Trent, Derby.

The next leading price on the day was for the pre-sale show champion Fronfedw Fyrsil which sold for 3,300gns.  This was also one from R.G. Davies.  Sired by Fronfedw Virgil, he goes to the Aaron herd of the Rogers family, Broadheath, Presteigne, Powys.
 
Another of R.G.Davies' consignment of bulls, Fronfedw Ffodus, once again a Fronfedw Virgil son was knocked down to C R & L Starkey, Whitegate, Northwich, Cheshire for 2,500gns.

And going under the hammer for 2,000gns was Whitepeak Ferrari bred by C E Mycock. This bull is sired by Billingford Alberic and is out of Burneside Violet. He heads to R.W. Harper & Partners, Burland, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Another bull sold at 2,000gns was R.G. Davies' Fronfedw Ffrancon. This one sired by Fronfedw Cymro and out of Fronfedw Ceridwen was sold to W L Jones & Son, Hanmer, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

In the female classes, a January 2007 born cow with calf at foot by A Bailey went under the hammer for 2,000gns. Bilsington Camelia sired by Bilsington Uplate and out of Bilsington Rosetta heads to G E Jones, Mochdre, Newtown, Powys.

Another of A Bailey's consignment of cows, Broomley Opaque was knocked down to S Wilson, Morland, Penrith, Cumbria for 1,900gns. Sired by Hallfield Mitterand this cow is out of Whiteleys Ibella.

Averages:
5 Bulls: £2,898 / 2,760gns
2 Cows: £2,048 / 1,950gns

A top call of 15,000gns for the day's champion was the highlight of a strong demand for British Blue bulls at the breed society's show and sale at Borderway Mart.

Kent-based breeder Andrew Price earned the richest pickings with his black and white bull Bedgebury Flat Out that took the show title under judge Philip Halhead of Norbreck Genetics. Flatout, who stood third in his class at last summer's Royal Welsh Show despite his tender age, is by Balllygrange Alex and out of the show winning Wilodge Cover Girl. He was bought jointly by Aberdeenshire breeders Neil Barclay and J C Innes and Sons.

Richard Mowbray made the trip from Co Tyrone and achieved a best with Droit Franco (above) who made 14,000gns to J C and J White, Co Durham. From a successful family, he is by Mountjoy Utopia and out of a dam by Affute Du Ry Ossogne.

Crackley Bank Fanfare (above) from Paul Walker, Hunnington, West Midlands realised 12,000gns to R Neill and Partners, Jedburgh. He is by Crackley Bank Cannon and out of a Tamhorn Sumo dam.

Lancashire breeder J Townsend, Laneshawbridge, Colne gave 10,000gns for Cromwell Fantastic (above) consigned by A E Neachell and Son, Aldridge, Staffordshire. This black and white son of Colos Van Daisel is out of a Visconti cow from Ridge Dean.

Fellow Staffordshire breeders Danny and Jane Wyllie took the reserve bull title with Tamhorn Fernando (above), another Ballygrange Alex son who made 8000gns to Wainwright and Partners, Fife. 

Andrew Price also topped the female trade selling Bedgebury Glamorous at 6800gns (above). The June 2011-bred heifer by Bringlee Carlos goes to Anglesey with R J and K Tiplady.

Drumlone Fancypants, a 2010-bred heifer by Empire D'Ochain, has already notched up some good show wins and produced some strong bidding to settle at 6600gns. She goes to Aberdeenshire with J S Youngson.

Averages: 125 bulls £4563 - up £184 on the year (Harrison and Hetherington)

Topping the breed society offering of Simmental bulls at the Welshpool multi-breed sale was Crackley Blackjack from Messrs Booth and Bell, Kenilworth. This Holm Danni son made 5200gns.

Scarthingwell Comet, a Kilbride Farm Newry son from Mr and Mrs R and L Storer-Smith, Uttoxeter made 4000gns.

Averages: six bulls £3623.

(Welshpool Livestock Sales)

The five Saler bulls offered at the breed society's show and sale - part of the multi-breed beef fixture at Welshpool Livestock Market - averaged 3300gns. Two heifers averaged 2500gns.

Show champion Glynne Hall Dynamite made 3000gns for breeder T T Jones and Son, Powys. He is by Mock Arwyn and out of Cuil Vixen. Sale topper was a bull from Peter Donger, Towcester that made 3600gns. His Seawell Faroh is by Trafalgar and out of Viennoise.

Two heifers were offered from the Pye family's Rigel herd based at Yarm, North Yorkshire. Rigel Ballerina and Rigel Babette were both by Sagitaire and stay together heading home with Dorset breeders Steve and Carol Simmons.

(Welshpool Livestock Sales)

The two-year-old Limousin bull, Twemlows Fanfare, consigned by W L and J A Forrester, Whitchurch, Shropshire secured the leading price of 6,000gns to lead a very solid commercial trade for the North West Midlands and North Wales Limousin Club held at Welshpool Livestock Market.

A total of 18 bulls went under the hammer to average £3,552 - an increase of £634 on the year.

Sale leader Twemlows Fanfare, a son of the prolific 42,000gns Wilodge Vantastic, is out of the homebred dam Twemlows Banjo who goes back to one of the herd's foundation females, Winnington Jazz. The Twemlows herd registered its first pedigree calves in 1996 and now numbers 100 pedigree cows.

Judge Mr Wynn Jones, Caereinion had earlier put up Twemlows Fanfare as his supreme champion in the pre-sale show describing him as: "A good, hard-muscled bull with a big back end, good legs and full of breed character."

Twemlows Fanfare carries a Beef Value of LM+29 and was purchased by J J Price and Co, Llanidloes, Powys. Another bull from the same home, that had stood second in his class to the champion, got the sale off to a flying start with a final bid of 3,800gns. Twemlows Firenze, by Sympa and out of Twemlows Cherry - a Scorboro Universe daughter - had a Beef Value of LM+36 and was bought by P H Holloway and Son, Berriew, Welshpool.

Reserve overall champion Dolcorsllwyn Freud made the second leading price of 5,400gns for vendor G P Vaughan, Machynlleth, Powys. Sired by the 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount and out of the Domino daughter Dolcorsllwyn Awel, the September 2010 born Freud weighed 995kg and was bought by R J Roberts, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

At 4,300gns D G and K J Evans' first prize winner Brynglas Frankie - from their high health status holding at Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd - is by the French sire Thetis and out of a Jockey daughter. He has a Beef Value of LM+ 30. New owners are T and M Jones & Son, Tymawr, Pont Robert, Meifod, Powys.

Another from a herd with high health status was Cowin Federer brought out by W D D and C James, Elfed, Carmarthenshire. By the Kype Orkney-sired Cowin Benboyr and out of Cowin Branwen, the October-born 2010 born Federer has a Beef Value of LM+27 and was purchased at 4,000gns by T D Evans and Co, Mochnant, Oswestry. 

Other Leading Prices:

Alwen Ffrancwr              3,600gns T L L and C P Wynne to D W Jones, Arbennig, Welshpool

Ellesmere Floyd              3,400gns A H M Lea and Son to J R Phillips and Son, Bank Farm, Dolfor, Newtown

Tynllwyn Felix                3,000gns A Rees to D I Lewis, Mochnant Farm, Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant

Tynllwyn Fabio               3,000gns A Rees to F Jackson and Son, Pentreshannel Farm, Coed-Y-Goe

Garyvaughan Flick        3,000gns C V and E M Lewis to Messrs Broster, Clay Lane, Winsford

Garyvaughan Genius      3,000gns C V and E M Lewis to Llysfasi College, Ruthin, Denbighshire

Vaenol Fergason                        3,000gns D R Owen and Sons to J M Lewis, Tynfach, Abergynolwyn, Tywyn

Averages: 18 Bulls £3,552.50.

(Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Guernsey

M J and C E Greenslade's cow in-milk, Greensfield Icy Phylis; res, I and D Crouch's heifer in-milk, Blacknor Cracker Banger Margret.

Jersey

Mr B and Mrs J Ravenhill-White's cow, Whitenhill Fusions Windswept; res, Mr M Davis's cow Bluegrass Sargeants Snowqueen.

Holstein

W H Ley and Partners' cow, Thuborough Modesto Jessabell; res, W H Ley and Partners' cow Thuborough Shottle Lekania 2.

Ayrshire

T and R C Martin's cow in-milk, Hilltown Violet 231; res, East Church Ayrshire's, East Church Admirals Blissful.