May 2007 Archives

A two year old Beef Shorthorn bull, Pode Hole Yeti, from Charles and Sally Horrell, took the beef inter-breed championship at Surrey County Show at Guildford.

Reserve in the beef lines was the Hereford heifer, Hawkesbury 1 Marigold, shown by Messrs Edwards and Elliott.

The Holstein champion from Ken Freeman and Son led the way in the dairy inter-breed line-up, standing ahead of the Ayrshire winner from Maggie Howie.

The sheep section was headed by the Southdown breed champion from Hannah Turner, with the Border Leicester from Philip and Rosemary Whitcombe reserve.

Leading breeders were to the fore at last weekend's Hampshire Down sale, Stratford, where the top bid of 850gns was taken by Tiverton, Devon-based Chris and Kay Westlake for their ram lamb by Parkstock Royal. With dam lines going back to Moybrick, he was sold to breed president Sally Horrell and her husband Charles' Podehole flock, Thorney, Peterborough.

Next top of 640gns was for the leading shearling from Kevin and Anna McCarthy, Comber, Co Down. Their shearling, by Ballyvester Apollo had previously stood second at the Balmoral show and joins Andrew and Caroline Ivinson's new flock at Martindale, Penrith. Also heading for the same Cumbrian home was the top priced shearling ewe at 460gns from the Banks and Green partnership, Norfolk.

Two more rams topped 500gns, firstly a two shear from Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith, Market Rasen which made 560gns to Francis and Sian Wigram, Lewdown, Okehampton, and secondly, a shearling from Henry and Hilary Derryman which saw the Atkinson and Smith partnership reinvest most of their earnings, spending 520gns on this Yarcombe Highjack son.

Top price in the ewe lambs was 400gns for John and Sue Davies' first prize winner by Kelsey Achilles. This one headed to Lanarkshire, with two other entries to form the foundation of a new flock for Alan Jackson, Covington Mill.

Averages: 12 ram lambs £319.17; shearling rams £381.43; 1 aged ram £588.13; ewe lambs £205.67; 12 shearling ewes £235.67.

The May Sale of Limousin bulls and heifers organised by the NI Limousin Club at Ballymena Livestock Mart on 28th May 2007 proved to be a very satisfactory day for sellers and buyers alike.

There was plenty of good quality stock on offer with buyers from right across the Province as well as from the mainland. Trade was good with a near total clearance - just two bulls and two heifers remaining unsold - and resulted in 33 bulls averaging £1936 with 22 heifers going under the hammer at an average of £1658.

Top price on the day came from Robert and Doreen Campbell, who sold Ashmore Alladin for 4800gns to Matthew Workman, Larne.

For more from this sale report go to the British Limouisn Cattle Society website.

As always a blustery day was had by all at Fife Show, but through the wind and rain came a Limouisn bull from David Orr, Crossgates to take most of the silverware home.

The five-year-old stock bull Dyfri Target, bred by Aled Edwards, is by the French-bred bull Jockey and out of Dyfri Nadia and is no stranger to the Fife showground having picked up an interbreed title in 2005 and the champion of champions at Central and West Fife last year.

Standing reserve in the beef section was Jim Muirhead with a Charolais cow. The three-year-old, with calf at foot, was breed champion at Fife last year and also at Kirriemuir and Perth. she is by Moyness Statesman and out of a Firhills dam.

Mosston Muir's Tom Rennie headed a strong Aberdeen Angus team to take the beef groups title, consisting of stock bull Emperor, reserve breed champion Mosston Muir Jennifer and a heifer, Mosston Muir Etta.

In the sheep lines brothers Keith, Allan and Roy Campbell, Drimsynie, Argyll, took their first ever overall championship at Fife with a Texel gimmer from their Cowal flock.

The reserve champion sheep came from Ainslie Smith, Ladybank, who won with a Half Bred ewe shown with a tup lamb at foot.

Taking top honours at Otley Show was Jim Hollingsworth with a commerical champion. In the dairy lines the Holstein from messrs Jennings took the red tickets home while a Texel from Peter Longdin took the silverware in the sheep rings.

See results below........

Having taken the Simmental breed section under judge Paul Clements of Darshams Charolais and Simmental fame, it was no suprise that the Gunther family then went on to take the overall beef title with Thursford Georgina 4 at Hadleigh Show.

Results

Beef
Interbreed P and L Gunther's Thursford Georgina; res, S Coleman's Longhorn Chalkney Luna.

Hereford D C Smith and Sons' Laxfield Rugby; res, F W Cook and Son's Albany Graceful 20.

Simmental P and L Gunther's Thursford Georgina 4; res, P and L Gunther's Fircovert Honeysuckle.

Commercial G and H Blythe's Kyles Double; res, G and M Blythe's Molly.

Rare and Native Breed S E Coleman's Longhorn Chalkney Luna; res, A V and A K M St Joseph's British White Smarden Trinity.

Any other breed J A Wicks' Charolais Moathall Roney; res, J Rix's Charolais Rumsden Aussie.

Sheep
Interbreed S Banks' Hampshire Down; res, I M Appleyard's Suffolk.

Suffolk I M Appleyard; res, R Partridge and Son.

Commercial R Partridge and Son; res, S Manning.

Rare Breed E J Cresswell; res, B Lugsden.

Any other breed S Banks' Hampshire Down; res, N and E Pamplin's Texel.

A female record price was set at the annual Society spring show and sale of Aberdeen Angus Cattle on Friday 25th May 2007.

Selling for 10,000gns was the days female and supreme champion an incalf heifer, Rawburn Black Cherry, shown by Borders breeder John Elliot of Kelso.

Sired by the highest performance proven sire in the breed, Rawburn Transformer, and out of a Tofts Laird bred mother, Black Cherry sold in calf to the 30,000gn Netherton Figo. Successful buyers were GR & SC Brooke of Malton, N.Yorkshire.

Hexham and Northern marts had forward an entry of 105 beef breeding cattle at their second special May sale.

Althogh heifers with calves at foot were a mixed selection with quality outfits short of requirements, the sale was topped at £1500 for an outstanding Limousin x Friesian heifer with a three quarter bred Limousin bull calf from Morrow Edge.

Cows with calves sold to £1150 for a Limousin cross 5th calver with a three quarter bred Limousin bull calf from Warden Law.

Bulling heifers were a useful selection selling to £790 for Limousin x Friesian heifers from Oaktree Farm, Bedale.

Taking the suckler championship at Skipton's suckler breeding day on Wednesday was a Limousin-cross cow with a Limousin heifer calf at foot from Ken Browes, Clough Head, Sutton-in-Craven, Keighley, at a show and sale of breeding cattle with calves at foot, which ran alongside Skipton Auction Mart's Spring Pedigree Event.

Of the offering forward as part of the annual youngstock Limouisn sale at Carlisle, Andrew Roberts' May 2006 heifer Hafodlas Beren topped the sale, selling for 4200gns to an undisclosed buyer.

By Saphir, a bull in joint ownership with Harry Emslie, and out of a homebred cow Seren, Beren sells with a breeding value of LM+31. The Hafodlas herd also had the third highest price on the day selling a Ryedale Paragon son, Balnacraig Buzzbee, a May 2006 bull bought last June at the Balncraig dispersal as a young calf at foot. Buzzbee, with another breeding value of LM+31, changed hands at 2600gns to Northern Ireland breeders J and S Allen.

And he's done it again.........west Yorkshire Limousin cattleman Steven Priestley landed an unprecedented third successive championship success - and saw his victor sell for a new mart record price - at the annual multi-breeds show and sale of pedigree beef breeding cattle at Skipton Auction Mart.

Steven, of J M and S M Priestley, Hill Top Farm, Denholme, Bradford, notched his first championship win in 2005, following up by sending out both the champion and reserve champion last year. This time around, it was another excellent young bull from the Priestley's Brontemoor herd that stole the show on his debut in the exhibition arena.

The September, 2005, bull - Brontemoor Apenzeller - by the AI sire Sarkley Panther, out of the home-bred Brontemoor Romance, also made a lasting impression in the ring, selling for the day's top price of 3100gns, a new mart record for a pedigree bull, to E & M A Procter & Son, of Kirkby Stephen.

As he prepares to embark on an antipodean adventure, young Ceredigion farmer Cennydd Eynon is next month putting his herd of pedigree Welsh Black cattle up for sale.

The 23 year-old who farms at Golygfa, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, established the Dyffryn Herd in 2000 with Castell, Cennen, Iwrch, Trefaes and Neuadd bloodlines forming the females, and the Iwrch herd forming the bulls.

His decision to sell the majority of his herd has resulted from his plans to take a year out to visit Australia and New Zealand.

The sale on June 2nd at Llandovery at 11am will consist of approximately 90 females and the senior stock bull Iwrch Banner.

Auctioneers Brown & Co and machinery agents Peacock and Binnington celebrated 25 years of their Annual Collective Machinery auction at Brigg with a dinner at the Courtyard Barn Restaurant at Elsham Hall.

Donning on their glad rags were 120 local farmers and machinery dealers attended the charity fund raising dinner, which raised £940 for the Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support. Guests included Geoff Harrison the first auctioneers at this popular annual collective sale.

After dinner speakers Martin Robinson and Michael Hansard, both seasoned auction goers, kept guests amused with stories of early auctions. Guest speaker Peter Slack, a farmer in the heart of the Peak District, recounted hilarious tales about the challenges of farming in a national park.

And as ever the annual collective auction continues to prove a popular event in the national farming calendar. This year's sale drew in local farmers and machinery dealers as well as attracting interest from as far as field as Northumberland, Shropshire, Wales and Ireland.

After competitive bidding, a 2004 Massey Ferguson 5465 tractor fell to the hammer for £18,400 while a 2002 Massey Ferguson 4355 model fetched £16,800.

Just had the prices in for Hexham and Northern Marts weekly sale...yet another good day's trading with 59 cattle forward including 3 young bulls and 29 over thirty month animals.

Prime:

Charolais heifers; 121.5p and 117.5p(x2) Flotterton

Limousin heifers; 118.5p & 117.5p Stotsfold

Limousin steers; 114.5p Peacock House

Charolais steers; £788.67 High Warden, £784.13 Nunwick

Limousin steers; £747.57 Nunwick, £746.54 Peacock House, £744.13 Hallington New Houses

Charolais heifers; £739.94 Flotterton

A 14-year-old Holstein cow has taken the dairy interbreed title at The Royal Ulster Balmoral Show, championing the shift in emphasis away from high yields and towards longevity in the dairy herd.

Medway Supreme Maude, owned by Sam McCormick and shown by son John, is currently
in her 12th lactation and is sired by Startmore Supreme and out of Medway Matta Marlie.

"Considering she will be 15 in August, this is quite an achievement." Maude has given
more than 147,000kg in her lifetime and is currently yielding 48kg/day at 4.46% BF and 3.25% Protein.

The much coveted beef interbreed title was clinched by Peter Smyth's three-year-old Limousin heifer Carmorn Vonex, sired by Rubis and out of Carmorn Lizzie. Purchased from Francis Mc-Cauley and now four-and-a-half months in-calf to bull Abracadabra - bought by Mr Smyth as part of a syndicate at Carlisle in February for £29,000 - Carmorn Vonex will appear again at the Royal Highland Show in June.

Yorkshire Dales dairy farmer Robert Crisp, exhibiting on behalf of his mother Sheila, bagged a debut Craven Dairy Auction championship success at the May show at Skipton Auction Mart.

The Crisps, from Nelson Farm, Calton, took the title with their newly-calven Holstein Friesian commercial cow, a second calver by the Cogent bull Jasper, out of a cow bred by Colin's sister Elsa Rushton, of Wigglesworth. Giving six-and-a-half gallons, the victor sold for £1220 to Alan Outram, of Bury.

March Craven Dairy Auction champion Robert Phillip, of Green Farm, Hellifield, had to be content with the runners-up slot this time around with his home-bred newly-calven pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer, giving 28 kilos. Awarded the BOCM Pauls Dairy Cup, the reserve champion sold for £970 to JH Bradley, of South Crossland, Hudderfield.

GB Jennings, of South Stainley, Ripon, had a newly-calven cow sell for £1,050.

The next Craven Dairy Auction takes place on Monday, June 18.

A Belgian Blue bull made history last week by becoming the first of its breed to win the supreme championship at the Devon County Show.

Richpill Thomas, a five-year old bull owned by Gail and David Ellis, took the breed championship at last year's Devon and Royal Cornwall Shows, and will head to the Royal Cornwall and Royal Show later this year.

Sired by Arlequin Du Pre Rosine, Tom was bought at 18 months old from Carlisle. He works on the Ellis's pedigree Limousins at Trevarrack Farm, Lelant, Cornwall, to produce commercial cross-breds. "He has great size and locomotion, which Belgian Blues don't often have," said interbreed judge and suckler producer John Jeffrey.

Well after a rather long drive back from Carlisle - I bring good news from the Belgain Blue sale. I knew when I announced on here there was going to be a few gems from the Wilodge herd entered in the sale, that the sale would see a few history makers, but at that time predications were on a certain bull to top the day's sale.

However, it was the Belgian bred cow Radieuse that caused a stir catching the eye of Northern Ireland Blue and Limouisn breeder Raymond Crawford. Bidding was electric and the dazed and confused look on Christine Williams' face said it all - 30,000gns - she couldn't beleive it!!

Neither could a few other faces round the ring, some of whom had seen the powerful cow knocked down to Wilodge in the same ring back in the autumn!!

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society's 139th annual Balmoral Show was the usual mix of rain and sunshine. High numbers of stock entries, particularly in the sheep categories mean that judging rings had to be expanded to accommodate the extra numbers.

Here are some judging shots from the day......

Marks and Spencer Beef Champion of Champions Judging

Winning Cattle Parade

Northern Bank Group Championship

If only all of us could have caught a few winks!

Taking the overall championship at the annual show and sale of Suffolk prime lambs at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, was Messrs Stuart & Sons of Davishill.

The event - which attracted an entry of 55 pairs - was held in conjunction with the North East of Scotland Suffolk Sheep Club was judged by Inverurie butcher John Davidson, who also bought the overall champions - a 47kg pair of pure bred Suffolks which realised £160 per head (320p/kg).

The reserve champions were exhibited by G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon and these 56kg purebreds were bought by the Waterwheel Inn, Milltimber for £110 per head (196p/kg).

Finally we're being proved right..........after having a chat with Iain Kerr and Richard Saunders on the Limousin stand at Beef Expo, I'm glad to report that bulls with superior EBVs are proving to sell to a premium, obtaining higher prices and clearance rates.

The number of Limousin breeders recording with Signet's Beefbreeder service is at an all time high and results from the recent Carlisle Limousin bull sale show that 22 bulls were sold in the Top 1% for breeding value, averaging £7130 and those 55 bulls sold in the top 10% averaged £4411.

"Buyers from Northern Ireland and Wales are continuing to look for bulls with high EBVs to fill a demand for grant funded cattle. Projects such as the welsh Beef Quality initiative and EBLEX Better returns Programme are providing increasing levels of technical support to producers seeking to enhance the efficiency of their enterprises."

Carlisle Bull Sale - May 2007

No sold Average price (£)
Top 1% 22 7130
Top 10% 55 4411
Top 25% 53 4136
Above average+ 19 2846

Beef Expo may be the technical event of the beef industry, but once again it was the show of suckled calves which drew the crowds.

Judge for the day was Hugh Dunlop and it was no surprise his task took him a little longer than expected, with a wealth of quality calves before him.

Having caught the eye of noted Smithfield champion exhibitor Mr Dunlop the minute she walked in the ring, the Belgian Blue x Limousin heifer Black Beauty from Tecwyn Jones sparkled in the lightweight heifer class, to go on and take the Continental heifer championship and overall title.

Described as being in just the right condition for this time of the show season, Mr Dunlop told Taking Stock he had no hesitation in selecting the animal as his champion. "I came here not knowing whether I would place a suckled calf or a well fleshed animal, but she had my attention right from the start, oozing great style, ring presence and fantastic locomotion."

The 402kg, nine month old heifer from Carmarthenshire-based Mr Jones, who also runs 45 pedigree Welsh Black's under the Seisiog prefix, was bought privately for an undisclosed figure from noted show cattle producer Trefor Jones. Black Beauty next heads for the Royal Welsh and will ultimately end up at the Welsh Winter Fair.

Today saw the second day of the Balmoral Show, and while the weather wasn't as sunny as it could have been, the Belgian Blue classes were well attended.

Farmer Focus writer Victor Chestnutt's daughter, Zara Chestnutt of Bushmills with Clougher Wilma, her Supreme Champion Belgian Blue.

Basil Dougherty, Kircubbin with Greenfield Amazon his Belgian Blue Male Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion.

Belgian Blue Judge, Michelle Wilde from Bedfordshire looks over one of Sam Miliken's cattle during judging.

Farmers Weekly have heard through the grapevine that the Queen's 180 cow pedigree Ayrshire herd is to be dispersed through the Ayrshire Cattle Society over the coming months.

Established by King George VI in 1951, the Windsor-based herd was passed to Queen Elizabeth II shortly after his death and has been run by the Royal household ever since.

This news has great pertinence to me, as I learnt most of my dairying knowledge milking this high profile herd.

Whether the dispersal of such a prominant herd is a result of the state of the industry remains to be seen, however it does bring home that no one is immune to the pressure faced by the dairy sector at the present time.

Watch this space as to how the story develops.......

An outstanding show of cattle at the British Simmental Society sale, which included the dispersal of the Shellthorn Herd on behalf of Andy and Dianne Grossey, attracted a packed sale ring at the Bristol Sales Centre on Saturday.

The eagerly awaited dispersal of the Ilminster-based herd did not disappoint the expectant crowd, when a string of outstanding females entered the ring following a parade of the well known base cow Heywood Hannadante 28th.

The highlight of the sale, however, was a Sterling Flint daughter, Shellthorn Hannadante 6th when a keen bidding war including two telephone bidders, saw her finally knocked down for 8000gns to Messrs L J & A J Curry, Lowerdown Farm, West Lane, Felton, Somerset, to join their well known Winford Herd.

A stylish young cow born in 2003, she already has an impressive show career behind her and sold with her heifer calf Hannadante 19th, a daughter of Quanrose Kellog. She had been immediately preceded by Shellthorn Hannadante 5th another Kellog daughter also with an outstanding heifer calf at foot, Hannadante 17th, this time by Starline Pompous from the Blackford Hawk line.

Again from an outstanding show line, both she and her calf will no doubt bring further success to her new owner, Mr. Webster, Whittakers Barn Farm, Cracoe, Skipton, who paid 3600gns for the privilege.

Prices reached 1200gns on two occasions and another 15 made over 1000gns at the dispersal of the non-recorded herd of commercial Holstein Friesians for Steven and Sarah Higginson at Kinnersley, Hereford.

E Newton of Malvern, Worcestershire, paid 1200gns for a second calver dried off for calving again next month. The same buyer paid 1180gns for a third calver giving 37.5kg daily after calving five weeks ago.

Matching the 1200gns top price was a January third calver giving 38kg daily purchased by Tack Farms Ltd of Bromyard, Worcestershire.

In-calf heifers sold to 920gns to Kent buyers PHR Farms of Ashford, and a recently served heifer made 700gns with heifer calves reaching 440gns.

Averages:
49 cows (no calves) £851.57
11 unwarranted cows £421.91
7 in-calf heifers £861.00
1 served heifer £735.00
3 bulling heifers £539.00
3 heifer calves £402.50
74 head £756.14

For more info check out Gwilym Richards & Co

Although bull buyers picked their way carefully through the entry of Blonde bulls at the breed society's Carlisle fixture last week the outcome of a 5000gns top call and an average of £2638 for 24 deals left most vendors well satisfied.

And it was for a new name in the frame - both at the top of the bidding and figuring high in the awards - when the May 2005-bred Droit Ash realised 5000gns for owner Richard Mowbray who'd made the trip over from Co Tyrone.

Now that I have finally thawed and dried out from a rather miserable wet day at Newark and Notts Show I can bring you some results and pics from the show.

I was particualry pleased to see a stronger than usual entry of beef cattle, both pedigree and commercial, at the show, it's just a shame the dairy cattle can't follow suit.

David and Mary Cormack (with a little help from Charlie Collison and Paul Walker), took the overall beef title with their Limousin bull Grenhill Viper, under interbreed judge and Limousin and Angus breeder Colin Hutchings, Somerset.

A top call of 17,000gns and an average of £3441 marked a solid demand for Charolais bulls at Saturday's Charolais sale, Carlisle.

Leading the way was Alsnow Almighty from Alan Jackson, Hallington, Newcastle on Tyne. Almighty, with a breeding value of CH21 and by 18,000gns sire Derryharney Outstanding, sold to join Bob Roberts Brynffanigl herd, Abergele, Clwyd.

This was the first time Mr Jackson had taken a five figure bid in 20 years of Charolais breeding.

Second top call was 10,000gns made for Caylers Boomerang, a 15 month old from the Barker family's Caylers herd, Royston, Hertfordshire. By Maerdy Uniroyal, Boomerang has a breeding value of CH32 and goes back to Maerdy on his dam's side too. Mkaing the final bid were P Cooper and Son, Kilcadrum, Forfar.

Now I know how you all love the under the hammer section of the magazine and I have been promising these pics, so here's the rest of the pics from the Hexham and Northern Marts store sale............................

Some 1700 cattle were forward, with one or two show potential calves hidden in the mixes as well. Trade was solid with older steers hitting the £755 mark and older heifers reaching £600. Heifers in the 16-22 month bracket were topping £750 (so not sure how you finisher boys will get your money back on those) and younger stores were in the £555-£640 range.

This Charolais cross was sure to keep an eye on the action.........

Putting your best foot forward........

And my buyers on the rail ladies and gentleman.......

Ermmmm....will I....won't I? Best not........

Some 2146 store cattle and suckled calves were forward at Hexham and Northern Marts special May show and sale.

A packed ring of buyers witnessed a strong show of cattle of all classes. Although trade in general was easier on the week, demand remained strong for quality sorts and despite a late finish, steady trade maintained to the end of the sale.

Sale topper on the day came from Ted Fox with his Belgian Blue heifer, which sold for £910. He also sold the top priced steer, a strong Charolais for £880.

Prior to the sale, Brendan Kelly from Ballymena, Co Antrim awarded the overall championship to Alan and John Dixon, Chairdon with their Belgian Blue cross heifer, which later sold for £750.

The reserve ticket was taken by regular Hexham goer John Smith Jackson, who sold his Limousin steer for £720.

For more sale highlights check out Hexham and Northern Marts website.

Although a heifer from the fold run by Glasgow City Council collected the female and overall championship at the annual sale of Highland cattle at Perth last week, it was a two-year-old bull from the Tiretigan fold owned by Tiretigan Farms that topped the trade at 1200gns after standing reserve for the supreme ticket.

The champion heifer, judged by Perthshire breeder Elizabeth Tosh of the Tullach Ard fold, made 850gns to T Gilmartin, Fife, but the ringside's favourite was Orran of Tiretigan. By Seamus of Drummygar, he was bought by P Gunn, Lairg.

A three-year-old bull from Mr Garrick, Banffshire sired by Fergus 1st of Heatherhills, made 950gns to T Day, Preston, Lancashire.

Commercial steers and heifers sold well with a pen of five Highland x Beef Shorthorn heifers from Major Gibb, Blairgowrie making £640 apiece. The buyer was A McElroy, Northern Ireland.

Averages: 6 pedigree bulls £708; 27 females £312 and eight females and calves £359. Commercial - 57 steers £271; 45 heifers £346; 11 females and calves £322; 14 females £162 and nine bulls £225. (United Auctions).

A first-ever visit to Skipton Auction Mart by Nottinghamshire-based Limousin cattle breeders Barry and Jill Heald and their son Matthew paid rich dividends when the family landed championship spoils at Skipton's annual "Red Pedigree Event."

The Healds, from Home Farm, Grove, Retford, saw their 20-month-old home-bred bull Coachhouse Agreeable awarded the title by show judge Stephen Wilde, of Bradfield, Sheffield, who runs the Ewden Vale herd of pedigree Limousins.

Agreeable is by Fedneyhouse Nelson, out of Coachhouse Sillhouette, herself a product of Haltcliffe Picasso, the Heald's main stock bull, who won the East Midlands Limousin Breeders Best Stock Bull and Progeny 2006. Agreeable went on to sell for 2400gns to a North Yorkshire purchaser.

Local exhibitors clinched both the cattle and sheep titles at last week's Leicestershire Show, with Charolais heifer Thrunton Agatha lifting the interbreed beef award for Gaynor McDowell and father Colin, under judge Richard Bartle.

Agatha was purchased from the Campbell family's Thrunton herd as a calf and is one of 12 Charolais owned by the family. Standing reserve overall beef was Aberdeen Angus heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela from Bury St Edmunds-based Andrew Brown.

Among the sheep it was the turn of Mary Tulloch to collect the silverware with her Charollais shearling ewe which had earlier led its breed classes. By homebred sire Rutland Ensign, the ewe was on its first outing of the season for Mrs Tulloch.

Second spot here was clinched by the Jacob champion from Alan and June Smith, with their homebred ewe Ewecote Lottie.

At the sale of beef breeding cattle at Bakewell yesterday a new record price of £3000 was achieved for a Stock Bull.

The 24 month old Belgian Blue (non pedigree) came from Henry Critchlow of Alstonefield and sold to Mr Heathcote of Grangemill.

The animal was presented at a sale of breeding cattle which also included a number of suckler cows with calves these also sold exceptionally well with a top of £1100 and no fewer than seven outfits exceeding £1000.

Trade was consistently strong from start to finish at the dispersal sale of the Boarstall herd of pedigree Holstein Friesians for Alan and John Read at Brill, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, with half of the milking section making four figure prices conducted by Gwilym Richards.

Top price was 1180gns for the freshly calved heifer Boarstall Finley Winnie, a daughter of Opsal Finley and out of a 9498kg Moet Elsas Contest cow. Buyers were Stockbridge Farms, Henlow, Bedfordshire.

Hampshire buyers, Newton Valance Farms, Alton, purchased 20 cattle including second calver Boarstall Meadow Satin sired by Eastview Meadowlord. She had recorded 8115kgs as a heifer and was six weeks into her second lactation giving 45.8kg daily. Her dam was a 10,897kg Carousel Amos daughter.

With "supportive" major retailers currently promoting New Zealand lamb, and high numbers of both Spring and Old Season Lamb coming onto the market, trade levels have stayed low over the last couple of weeks, reports Frank Marshall auctioneers.

Only the very best spring lambs came to over 125p/kg, most well finished sorts from 115p to 130p/kg.

Messrs Brough topped the most recent trade with two pens of Texel crosses, with several other regular vendors being rewarded for fresh coated, well finished lambs of superior quality. There were several runs of lambs that were over the top, and too heavy, possibly having been kept a week or two long in the hope of improved prices.

A consistent trade averaged £1150 and twice topped at 3000gns for the 191 head of dairy cattle forward at Messrs Pyle and Sons' Hemburyfort herd dispersal sale last week.

Fresh calved animals and those due in the summer were in great demand with almost none failing to achieve four-figure prices, with some 23 lots making 1500gns or more.

These included two cows bred by David and Paul Andrews from Plymouth; Beneknowle Blackjack Satin 11 PI EX-93 a 2000gns purchase in 2004 made the sales top price to Messrs F H Chave and Sons for their Peacehay herd near Wellington in Somerset.

The Vaakje family is a great feature of the Beneknowle herd and an EX93 Convincer, also purchased in 2004 for 2000gs by Mr Pyle, fetched 3000gns selling to Messrs C Thomas and Son for their Cliftures herd near Penryn in Cornwall. Vaakje is the ninth generation to be scored EX or VG and sold four months calved giving 47kg a day.

A contingent of buyers from west Wales were in determined form and included Kevin Thomas of Allstar Holsteins who purchased 14 cows including the much admired Barrina Integrity Rosalie EX93 at 2700gns and Hemburyfort Ermyntrude 26 VG86 two-year old at 2200gns - the top priced milking heifer. Messrs T I Pritchard and Son from Llandybie in Carmarthenshire secured 17 head and other major buyers included Parkham Farms from North Devon and Mr R J Goaman from Okehampton.

Averages: 137 cows £1182; 43 calved heifers £1252; 7 served heifers £1008 (Norton and Brooksbank with Greenslade, Taylor Hunt).

Having taken Paris' SIMA show by storm earlier this year, Limousin bull Sauvignon, owned by the Crawford Brothers is set to have a star role at this year's Beef Expo, Skipton on 17 May.

Sauvignon will take pride of place on a stand booked by the Crawfords to promote semen from their stock bulls to the export market.

Earlier this year Sauvignon and herdmate Vigot became the first Limousin bulls in the UK to have sexed semen available. Later this year Sauvignon will appear at the Royal Highland, Royal and Royal Welsh shows.

The only other breeder taking space at is Phil Hallhead of Norbreck Genetics who will be exhibiting pedigree Belgian Blue cattle by sires from which he has semen available.

West Yorkshire Suffolk sheep breeder Mark Evans again stamped his authority on the May prime lambs show at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday when taking championship honours for the third year in succession.

Mark, of Tower Gate Farm, Steeton, was victorious with a pen of three 43-kg Suffolk ewe lambs, which caught the practised eye of judge Ian Hewitt, of I & J Hewitt Butchers in Riddlesden, Keighley.

They also proved eye-catching in the ring when selling for the day's top price of £72 per head (167p per kilo) to Leeds butcher Dan Woodend, who has bought past Skipton prime lamb champions for appreciative customers at his Woodends Butchers shop in Adel.

Reserve champions were the first prize pen of Continentals, a trio of Charollais-x-Beltex gimmer lambs from Robert Towers, of J,D & V Towers & Son, Camp House Farm, Farleton, Lancaster. They made £60.80 each when selling to Paul Watson, of Hellifield.

There was no way herd manager David Jones was going to let anyone get in his way when he went on a spending spree to add even more jewels to the Sheikha Alkhalifa's Sahara Holstein herd. At last weekend's dispersal of Andrew Hodge's noted Cheviotview herd at Borderway Mart, he claimed the three most sought after lots paying a total of 32,800gns to include the day's highest priced lot at 14,000gns.

Moved from its home at Duns, Berwickshire, the Cheviotview herd presented 289 head to both colour factions of Holstein aficionados. And it was the March-calved heifer Cheviotview Talent August - bred out of the red-and-white Kepculloch Rubens August Red - that stirred the ringside into action late in the day.

Despite a battery of determined bids from many of her admirers who had seen this heifer head the junior heifer in-milk class at the National Holstein Show this year, David Jones maintained his resolve and secured her for the Sheikha Alkhalifa's herd in Monmouthshire. She had been recorded giving 38.8kg after 29 days; her dam had topped 12,200kg with her third.

Re-stocked after foot-and-mouth, the Cheviotview herd had assembled a wealth of exciting cows from deeply bred families which offered many showmen the chance to snap-up sure-fire winners for the coming season.

Following an outstanding trade for Simmental cross breeding cattle the previous Friday, a good show of Simmental bulls at the United Auctions Perth Multi Breed sale on Monday held in conjunction with the British Simmental Society, attracted a huge interest from buyers from early in the day.

The interest in the judging, conducted by Caroline Greenhill, Craighill Farm, Duntrune By Dundee, Angus, continued to the lines and onto the sale ring where all but two of the 25 bulls forward found new homes.

Top price of 4200gns was reached twice, both times by Henry and Susan Widdicome who justified their long journey from Ashprington Court, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon, when Starline Shakespeare led their string from the Starline Herd.

A Blackford Hawk son, out of a home bred cow by Wroxall Field Marshall, he stood second in his class earlier in the day and sold to Messrs K M Fraser, Pitcairlie, Wester Lumbennie, Newburgh, Fife.

Two lots later, Starline Summit also made 4200gns when he sold to Messrs G Wealleans and Son, Angel Row, Greenlaw, Duns. A 17 month old son of the famous Blackford Northern Light and this time out of the home bred Starline Karissa 6th, a daughter of Starline Decision he stood third in his class earlier.

Having recovered from the lengthy journey from Kent to Carlisle for the Limousin sale at the weekend, I can now grace you with some of the pics of the money makers from the sale.

Overall, enthusiasm wasn't as manic as I have seen it, but trade was steady with plenty of interest in bulls with good breeding values and health status. Readers of this blog will be aware how "health status" is proving to be my two buzz words of the year, and the Limousin society's step to promoting breeders' health declerations in the front of the catalogue is a huge progressive step in my book.

I would, however, like to see the Northern Irish breeders follow suit, as most of theirs simply stated TB testing intervals.

Now down to business............topping the day's trade was the intermediate and reserve overall champion from Martin Conway, who sold Craigatoke Apache for 30,000gns to Paul Dawes, Dinmore Manor Estate, with Richard Bartle doing the bidding.

Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt held their largest collective sale ever at Taunton Livestock Centre on Tuesday. The pedigree entry which included two dispersal sales saw a total clearance with 110 head from cows to calves averaging £1029.

Joint top price of the day was 1600gns, firstly from Les and Karen Bennett's Lillylane Herd being an April calved heifer "Lillylane Meagson Baby 30th" by the homebred "Lillylane Magason" bull and out of a VG88 dam and secondly from David and Valerie Norman's Ciderhouse herd "Ciderhouse Stormatic Lou Etta" a VG85 April calved heifer out of an Ex90 10,000kgs dam.

The hard work and efforts of Phil Nicholls and family paid off at their Dairy Dispersal conducted by auctionners Greenslade Taylor Hunt at Cricklake Farm, Wedmore on Tuesday.

No less than 20 cows and heifers sold for 1000gns plus to top at 1300gns for the March calved Duncan Progress daughter that was giving 35 kg with an scc of 28. Cows sold well with a March second calver and an April third calver both selling to 1200gns.

The recent strong incalf heifer trade continued with the three catalogued averaging £955.50. Two pedigree bulling heifers that were purchased as calves for the children to show topped their section at 670gns for "Luccombe Principal Doreen 2nd" a Crichel Principal daughter with a PLI of +£22.

Yearling heifers reached 490gns for daughters of the "Townlaw Shergar" bull.

A well supported day generated the following excellent averages:-

Dairy cows and heifers (inc A lots) £909.40
Calved heifers £1218.00
Incalf heifers £955.50
Bulling heifers £571.38
Yearling and younger heifers £388.50
Heifer calves £227.06

The news this week that the Elphinstone Group has been given the green light by Stirling council to build a new market at Hill of Drip, Stirling must be welcomed as a victory for common sense.

The mart, which will be operated by United Auctions, is badly needed as a replacement for the current UA premises at Kildean, Stirling. The Kildean site, which draws stock and buyers from all of Scotland, is in need of major works to make it serviceable and comply with a raft of environmental legislation, something which would be wholly uneconomic.

Buyers from as far a field as Kent, Cheshire and Lancashire, as well as a strong crowd of local farmers gathered at Derby Market for the dispersal of the highly productive Intwood herd property of Intwood Farms Ltd, Norwich.

Bidding was aggressive throughout the day for this high yielding herd with 17 individuals breaking the four figure mark. Top price of the day was 1250gns for Intwood Ena GP-84 (lot 44), a tall and stylish young cow, sired by Boss Iron.

Having given over 10,000kg as a heifer, she was sold currently giving over 40kg/day in her second lactation. Successful buyers were E Morley & Sons of Kirk Langley, Derby.

The same buyers also took the joint next high price, paying 1140gns for Intwood Echo GP-82 (lot 52). Being a daughter of the great Roylane Jordan, this young cow sold dry and due with her second calf in early June.

Milk was not the only thing in demand on the day with all ages of youngstock attracting keen interest. Topping the trade for in-calf heifers was a daughter of Avenham Westminster, selling for 980gns. Due in June, she makes her way down to her Kent based new owners.

Younger calves were again in demand selling up to 500gns for a September born daughter of Modesto.

This successful sale brings about the end of milk production at Intwood Farms and the closing chapter of one of Norfolks oldest established herds.

Averages:116 lots £828 (Norton and Brooksbank)

A great crowd of breeders and commercial milk producers descended on Rackery Farm, Burton, Nr. Rossett, Wrexham for the sale of the entire milking portion of Andrew and Jenny Jones' noted Rossett Herd, auctioned by Wright Manley.

Renowned followers of the Canadian breeding philosophy, they decided to sell their cows and start again with the in-calf heifers. This generally young herd calved all year round and averaged over 9400 kg, 4.18% butterfat and 3.28% protein combined with some 80 EX or VG animals catalogued.

Buyers gathered from all over the country and cattle were distributed from southern Scotland to South Wales and Northern Ireland. Top price was 3800gns for Rossett Stormatic Maria (VG88 3yr), a young cow, bred from four generations of EX homebred dams, who calved her second last September and is due again in August to Gillette Final Cut. She was purchased by Cameron Baty on behalf of a client.

British Charolais genetics are proving to be in demand down under. Palgrove Desire 101, a 13 month old heifer by Seawell Offshore sold for a new Australian female breed record of $40,000, while Palgrove Estella 224, a 13 month old heifer calf by the 25,000gns Perth champion, Goldies Unbeatable made $19,000.

The two heifers were among 210 female lots and embryos to feature in David and Prue Bondfield's biennial sale of females from their Palgrove herd which comprises more than 800 purebred Charolais cows based in Queensland. The Saturday 17th March fixture achieved 100% clearance and an average of $6650.

Some 420 adult head will be at Thainstone Centre next Wednesday (May 9th) for a show and sale of commercial beef breeding cattle.

The event will be judged by Gordon Kemp, Waterside of Forbes, Alford. Included in the entry is a selection of 270 Simmental, Limousin and Belgian Blue cross heifers with spring-born mainly Limousin cross calves at foot, with some of the calves likely to be contenders for future show potential stock.

In addition are 50 calving heifers, including 30 strong Simmental crosses which will be calving from June onwards to Limousin bulls. There will also be 100 cows with calves at foot including the reduction sale of 30 mostly young, pure Simmental cows from Delfur Farms, Dundurcas, Rothes. These have September to December-born Simmental calves and are confirmed as in-calf again to Simmental bulls.

The show will being at 9am and the sale will take place from 10.30am. For further information, contact Aberdeen & Northern Marts on (01467) 623700.

I see Doonally New dominated Monday's Charolais sale at Dungannon, where bidding peaked at 7000gns and 22 entries sold to average £2314 .

Sale leader at 7000gns was the day's overall male and supreme champion, Dartonhall Amazon, a superior carcass bull by Major from John Erskine, Armagh. Amazon sold to the judge, Danny McKay, of Ballymena.

Next to go at 3400gns was Cecil McIlwaine's (Newtownstewart), Corrick Aristocrat, the first of the top priced Doonally New sons, rated superior for both carcass and maternal traits. He was knocked down sold to Sean Small, Dungannon.

Caldwell McAskie, Omagh took the reserve senior male with Mountjoy Amulet, a superior carcass bull by Tullgarley Superman. He was bid to 3000gns by Malcolm Fleming, Magherafelt.

Selling at 2900gns was Tullygirvan Gondolier, an Elite bull from Cecil Robinson, Ballygowan. Again a Doonally New son and out of an Oscar daughter and went home with R Kennedy, Claudy.

Two lots shared a bid of 2700gns. First to go was Dernaseer Archie, another Doonally New son, this time from Dominic Arthur, Dungannnon to Fred Hanna, Ballymoney. Also making 2700gns was Ballyvaddy Braveheart, the event's junior male champion and overall reserve champion exhibited by William McVey, Carnlough. A Roundshill Ohoh grandson, he went home with Tony Brady, Galway.

The female section was led at 3300gns by Drumlone Anna, a Brampton Embark daughter exhibited by Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw. The buyer was John McMordie, Ballygowan. The same exhibitor took the female championship with Drumlone Abba, a Simpsons Gregg daughter and out of the NI National Charolais Show junior female champion, Drumlone Tarka. Abba made 2900gns to James McCurdy, Broughshane.

Averages: 22 bulls £2,314

Hoggs with lambs at foot met a scorching trade at yesterday's sale at Skipton.

Leading the trade was the day's champion pen of Mules from Arthur Maude, College Farm, Bradley. His pen of five with single lambs at foot sold for a bank breaking £420 a head to Les Thackray.

Following Mr Maude's entry in the price ranks was Thomas Whiteford, Brampton, Cumbria whose pen of five with twins at foot sold for £200 each to Stephen Breare, Silsden.

January 2006-born bulls topped the trade for Simmentals at last week's Carlisle sale, with the pre-sale champion, Hockenhull Tonga, leading prices at 3200gns.

Forward from Hugo Arnold, Chester, Tonga is by Lynfield Pointer and out of homebred dam Hockenhull Deborah 4. With a terminal sire index of 18, Tonga goes on to join pre-sale judge Sandy McDowall's herd at Culquhasen Newton Stewart.

Following Tonga through the classes to reserve championship was the Loud family's January 2006-born entry Taurus Topic. Topic claimed the second highest price of the day, being knocked down at 2800gns to the MacAuley Land Use Research Institute, Lanarkshire.

Taurus, with an impressive terminal sire index of 24, is by Scotland Hooray Henry and out of Brinkton Brilliant sired Taurus Jade.

Demand for top quality, well bred Holsteins is still high and in some cases exceptional and this month's Western Holstein Club sale at Beeston was no exception. Trade was even stronger than last month levelling 60 heifers at £1252 and producing a top price of 1600gns.

Once again it was Shrewsbury-based breeders Mick and Jean Gould who topped the entry with the calved heifer Woodmarsh Jackson Akregloss 135 after taking the reserve championship under judge Jeremy Platt of the Lachstone herd. By Weeton Jackson and out of a 15,200kg dam by Rudolph, she stays in the Midlands with Mike Heath, Newport.

Collecting the tricolour were Wem herd owners Brian and Leonora Whitfield with Alderbarrow Storm Cortje - a fresh second calver by Maughlin Storm. She realised 1500gns to Aubrey Greenhalgh buying for a Fife-based client.

Matching the bid at 1500gns was Doveland Talisman Trixy from G and A E Smith and Sons, Preston. Buyer was E M Gregory, Glossop. A third 1500gns call secured Woodmarsh Lucente Dorothy 7 taken by J Hocknell, Holmes Chapel.

A consignment from Peter Rutter's Bardell herd at Nantwich reached 1700gns for a fifth calver by Outside taken by local bidders M and J Hassall and Sons,

Averages: 60 heifers £1252; 15 cows £1107 and 16 bulls £1112. (Wright Manley).

A tremendous support from commercial buyers meant a packed ringside at Brecon last week saw bidding peak at 5700gns for Charolais bulls and 17 lots sold to average £2477.

Commenting on the sale McCartney's auctioneer Chris Thomas said it was the first time a pedigree Charolais sale in Brecon attracted so much interest from suckler breeders seeking bulls, particularly those eligible for the HCC's Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Scheme.

Sale leader at 5700gns was the day's champion Cargriff Apex, a 21 month old within the breed's top 10% with a beef value of CH31. A Roundshill Sarcous son and out of a homebred cow going back to Lecreuse lines, Apex was bred and exhibited by Carmarthen-based Griff and Carolyn Morris. He sold to E R Thomas, Holyhead.

The dispersal of Jones family's noted Newfailand Holstein herd at Bristol - following two major herd reductions over the last seven years - produced a top price of 3000gns for a third calver from the herd's well known Carol family.

The need to completely refurbish the farm's dairy accommodation prompted the dispersal which followed the sale of 80 cows in 2000 and another 98 cows in 2001 to re-stock the Bridge End herd after foot and mouth.

The sale topper was from the herd's well known Carol family. Newfailand Rubens Val Carol gave 11,000kg as a heifer and is out of a 13,600kg dam by Formation. In-calf to Regancrest Dolman - and described by the vendors as "a dream of a cow" - she heads for Carmarthen with buyer Mr Thomas.

Two of the Holstein breed's latest high-profile buyers battled it out for the most sought after entry at the Springtime Showcase sale at Bristol but it was determined phone bidding from Cornwall-based Wills Brothers that finally secured Morsan Allen Breeze Doris at 27,000gns.

This partnership, which has made a huge investment in black-and-white genetics for its Willsbro herd, beat stiff competition from Middle-East owned Sahara Holsteins following a bidding duel that saw several breeders in contention up to the 20,000gns mark.

Consigned by Tony Reed form Alcester, Warwickshire, this massive November 2005-bred daughter of Ocean-View Durham Doris has the great Snow-N Denises Dellia as fourth dam.

Whether its bulls to Bristol, cows to Cheshire or rams to Rutland, by January of next year anyone moving animals more th 65km (40 miles) will need to hold a Certicificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals.

Qualifications are few and far between in the livestock industry, but this is one few of us will be able to avoid. So, it was with a mild amount of trepidation that I sat the test, administered by NPTC, required to gain the qualification last week.

It may only be needed for moving animals more than 40 miles and many farmers may suggest they don't move stock this far, but every so often most do, so better to be qualified than get caught. I for one had little choice, every show bar one I exhibit at is more than 40 miles from home, so without the qualification I wouldn't be going too far in search of silverware!

And there's always the sale you go to not planning to buy anything and end up heading home with the one you couldn't afford to let get away - my particular weakness!

Having hauled stock for as long as I've been driving I'd like to think I know what I'm doing, but as always you're never quite sure until someone challenges you. After all how many of us know which peice of paperwork is needed to transport casualty stock - the answer apparently is a schedule 18.