Improved demand for Hereford bulls at the society's spring show and sale in Hereford on Saturday led to three bulls topping 5000gns and a record average of £2705.50.
The reserve champion, 16 month old Dendor 1 Cracker, by Topgen 1 Supremo and exhibited by Denis and Doris Jones of Dendor Herefords, Newtown, Powys, which sold for 5300gns purchased by H Weston and Sons, Bounds Herefords, Ledbury, Herefordshire.
The Jones family sold two further bulls by Supremo, 19 month old Dendor 1 Choctaw for 2550gns to G K Powell, Longtown, Herefordshire and the youngest bull in the sale, 13 month old Dendor 1 Cherokee for 1850gns to T G and E I Thorne of Glenvale Herefords, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
The second highest priced bull was 22 month old Broadfield Bellman by Broadfield Thomas Gore exhibited by Mrs P M Jones, Broadfield Herefords, Sarnsfield, Hereford, selling for 5200gns to Mrs P M Leake, Minton Herefords, Withington, Hereford.
Mrs Jones also sold 23 month old Broadfield P. 1 Banker, also by Thomas Gore, for 1750gns to Messrs Rowley and Partners of Hollowseal Herefords, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
Roy Johnson of Real Herefords, Burton Joyce, Nottingham, paraded the first bull through the ring, 24 month old Real 1 Baldric by Dendor 1 Tinker 2nd, selling for 5100gns to G Blandford and Son of Bosa Herefords, Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Taking the overall male championship was first-time exhibitor at a Society Sale, D P Jones Agricultural Contracting, Maxstoke Herefords, Coleshill, Birmingham. Their 23 month old Maxstoke 1 Lionheart, by Lynsore 1 Undaunted, sold for 2400gns to R B J Vincent of Snipelands Herefords, Wedmore, Somerset.
15 Bulls sold for £40,582.50 to average £2,705.50.
The continuing demand for breeding females led to an almost total clearance, with only one not finding a home.
In the show section all 19 on offer sold to average £1477.00, with the female championship going to the 19 month old incalf Romany 1 Julia R5 C11 by Crickley 1 Figurehead exhibited by the Wilsons and selling for 2400gns to M Jenkins, Appleridge Herefords, Berkeley, Gloucester.
The Wilson family also sold a second heifer for the top price of the day of 2800gns for the 13 month old maiden heifer, Romany 1 Mink R22 C42, also by Figurehead to the Browns of Bosolo Herefords, Carstairs Junction, Lanark.
The reserve championship went to the 25 month old incalf heifer, Cleland 1 Lady 4th, by Dendor 1 Upbeat exhibited by A E Nesbitt Farms Ltd., Cleland Herefords, Hungerford, Berkshire, which sold for 2600gns to S W Clarke, Scotchhills Herefords, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
Auctioneers - Brightwells, Leominster, Herefordshire - Tel: 01568 611166