June 2007 Archives

A record breaking number of cattle, sheep and pigs are entered for the Great Yorkshire Show, organisers have announced.

With the region’s leading agricultural event only weeks away, entries total some 1,122 cattle, 1,738 sheep which are both all time highs, and 350 pigs – one of the highest figures in the last decade. The Show, which is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July and is held at Harrogate.

In the cattle there are individual records in no fewer than five sections - Belgian Blue (61 entries), Charolais (95), Dexters (45), Hereford (81) and Commercial Beef which stand at 157 compared with the 2005 record of 132.

There will be extra prize money in the Charolais section as the Show has been selected as a Breed Promotion Show for the Charolais Cattle Society – the Northern Area Premier Charolais Event of 2007 organised by the Yorkshire & North East Charolais Cattle Breeders Club. Prize money in the Commercial Beef section has increased, and the Championship is the highest it offered at any agricultural show.

In the sheep section, there are record entries in 7 breeds, and the overall total tops the previous record established in 2005 by almost 100 entries (1,738 this year compared with 1,655 two years ago).

Greenslade Taylor Hunt conducted their first on farm suckler dispersal of the year last week at Townsend Farm, Yeovil for Robert Mead and family which saw a Charolais cow with August born twin calves top at £1610 for the outfit, although the cow remained in the locality with the calves being bought by store buyer Mr Vincent from Wincanton.

Of the summer calvers, it was a 2002 Aberdeen Angus cross cow with June born twin bull calves that made £945, selling to a producer in Wick, Glastonbury.

In-calf cows sold to £775 for a six year old Simmental cross cow, bought by a dealer on behalf of a client in Berkely, Gloucestershire. Buyers were also prepared to travel for the stores on offer, with one buyer having travelled from Cumbria to buy a 20 month old Limousin cross heifer at £605 and a Gloucester-based buyer paying £570 for a 12 month old Charolais steer.

Averages: 10 cows with autumn born calves £1106; 26 cows with spring calves at foot £790; 3 in calf cows £732; 5 store steers £528; 12 store heifers (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).

One of the largest crowds seen at any dispersal this year descended on Beeston Castle Auction for the sale of the entire milking portion John Wynn’s Ashacres herd, together with Komet Holsteins, a small herd based on pure import bloodlines set up by its partners Phil Wynn and Graham Brindley.

Buyers travelled to acquire members of this high type herd which featured cows with great udders, durability and a herd average of 9390kg.

And with buyers present from Northern Ireland, Cumbria, Herefordshire and North and South Wales, it was the top priced lot that had to travel the furthest. Buying Kormet Jordan Roxy (VG87) for 4500gns was David and Mimi McClurg, county Down. A milking heifer by Roylane Jordan and bred from seven successive VG/EC cows, she traces back to the show winning Aitkenbrae Warden Roxy (Ex90).

Taking the next three top sellers was Richard Edwards Tilstock, Whitchurch. For 2900gns he bought Ashacres Esquimau Gwenda (VG88) due with her third calf in November to Jordan. At 2700gns the VG86 and 10,000kg heifer Ashacres Capri Patsy joins his herd and at 2300gns Ashacres James Jenny 2, another fresh second calver also made the journey.

Looks like the Dorset Downs should have a good sale on the 14th July with entries to date including 67 females; 39 breeding ewes, 19 shearlings, 9 ewe lambs and 22 rams/ram lambs.

For those of you wanting to attend the breed's annual sale at Ston Easton, Somerset contact the breed secretary for a catalogue 01579 320273

The south west is now leading the way for dairy cattle prices. Since foot-and-mouth stronger prices in the north and Wales has seen a flood of dairy cattle migrating out of the west. Now the roles are reversed with west country farmers being forced to travel north and east to source replacements.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt who conduct the weekly dairy sales at Taunton Livestock Centre report an average weekly entry of 52 milkers in the last month from various regular vendors achieving record prices and averages. Non-pedigree non recorded heifers have sold to £1600 and £1560 with non recorded second calvers at £1580.

Last Saturday the calved pedigree and non-pedigree heifers (22) averaged a record £1136 a head. At a recent dispersal sale 283 non recorded cows averaged over £1000.

Interbreed juding in the sheep and beef classes at last week’s Royal Norfolk Show, was the subject of some debate after results differed from the norm.

In the sheep classes the panel of breed judges joined together to select their overall champion on a points basis. After much deliberation it was Sue Holdich’s Wensleydale shearling ewe which took the honours, having already stood champion AOB Longwool and champion Rare Breed.

This one is by a Princethorpe sire and out of a homebred ewe from Mrs Holdich’s 26 ewe flock based at Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Last year’s Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year Robert Neill keeps on going from strength to strength. Last week’s summer show and sale at St Boswells Mart, saw him take the championship ticket for his 15 month old homebred Limousin cross steer.

The steer from his 300-cow suckler herd at Upper Nisbet weighed 510kg and sold for the day’s top price of 280p/kg, netting £1428, bought by the show's judge Gordon Newlands from Helliwell Butchers, Selkirk, a regular buying of Robert’s cattle.

Reserve champion ticket went to a Limousin cross heifer from Messrs S and J Allen, Longnewton, weighing 545kg and selling for 190p/kg to Craig Douglas, St Boswells.

Pics from the show and sale will be in Farmers Weekly next Friday on the back page, but here’s a sneak preview………….

When it comes to active YFC clubs encouraging school children to start showing livestock, I don't think any county does it quite like Kent, and Angley School YFC in Cranbrook is no exception to the rule.

When it comes to showing livestock you have to give it to Angley, they've already made a big impact this summer winning various red tickets at local shows in the south east, including Essex, Heathfield and South of England. Last year they even made the journey down to the south west to be the only school club to compete at the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair.

Here's a few highlights from their show season so far............

Heather Graham and her calf Rook, placed fourth in a strong class of 12 at the South of England Show. The calf is one of many in the show team sponsored by West Sussex beef producers Ralph and Anji Dixon.

Hannah Catt and her steer calf Rowan were placed third at the South of England and were pipped to the post in that class by the reserve and overall champion from Mike and Jean Dickens, Milton Keynes.

Bewildered stockmen could not believe their eyes when they realised that the West Mid Show's beef interbreed championships were being judged from the front seat of a car parked at the ringside.

Because of illness Brian Draper, a former show president assessed the quality of the entries without putting a hand on them.

Under his direction, his son Robert told exhibitors how to parade and line up. But Mr Draper did take the microphone to praise the overall quality of the entries and, in particular, the teams of five.

These he described as "perhaps the best show of beef cattle he had ever seen".

Roger Birch, the breeder of the interbreed supreme champion, said he was astonished to see the way judging was done, but even more astounded to win.

He claimed he had only entered New Trend Samantha, his May 2005 born Simmental heifer, to give her some showring experience before parading her in more suitable classes at the Royal Show.

"There was no section for Simmentals here and I was gobsmacked when she took the any other pure beef breed championship," said Mr Birch.

Full results from the Lincolnshire Show.

Beef
Interbreed Mortimers Farms' Charolais cow Mortimers Racey; res, J M and S P Cooper's Limousin bull Tomschoice Brigadier Bob
Lincoln Red H M and J M Needler's bull Walmer Everest ; res, Barwood and Padfield's heifer Brambles Hot Lips
British Belgian Blue Barwood and Padfield's cow Ridge Dean Sherry 2; res, Barwood and Padfield's bull Piggots Artful Dodger
Charolais Mortimers Farms' cow Mortimers Racey; res, C H and G McDowell's bull Ugie Agent
Limousin J M and S P Cooper's bull Tomschoice Brigadier Bob; res, Smiths of Bloxham's cow Ironstone Vouge
Simmental T Hill's heifer Scotland Denise; res, J T Mitchell and Sons' bull Blair Rory
Longhorn J A Warner's bull Charnwood Gladiator; res, G S Thomas' heifer Barlings Greta
Blonde W and M Seels' cow Burghwallis Star; res, L Hawker's cow Millend Vanilla
Aberdeen Angus V F Dobson's bull The Moss Mr Essen; res, T A and P Johnson's bull Yearsley Maestro Boy
Dexter M and J Oliphant's heifer Pointon Tulip; res, I J Woolerton's cow Willowbrook Velvet
Other pure breeds C Fox's Salers bull Manor Lane Phoenix; res, C Fox's cow Coland Tansky
Commercial B E Williams' Limousin heifer Miss Money Penny; res, K W Ludgate's Belgian Blue steer Bob's Boy

Dairy
Interbreed P J and H J Rhodes' Holstein cow Bilsthorpe Sue 23; res, J and S Arrowsmith's Jersey cow Warninglid Gold Lemig Autumn 3
Holstein P J and H J Rhodes' cow Bilsthorpe Sue 23; res, R V Wilson and P J and H J Winter and Sons' cow Cleevale Juror Jewel EX91
Jersey J and S Arrowsmith's cow Warninglid Gold Lemig Autumn 3; res, Pavenham Jerseys' cow Pavenham Iben 9

Brilliant sunshine amidst threatening black clouds formed the backdrop for the 123rd Lincolnshire show and another interbreed win for Mortimers Farms' cow Mortimers Racey.

After convincing breed and overall wins at both the South of England and the Royal Bath and West, she will now go on to compete at the Royal Show, next week.

Taking the reserve title was James Cooper's Limousin bull Tomschoice Brigadier Bob, a home-bred bull out of Tomschoice Unison to Sarkley Topknot.

Shining at the Northern Limousin Extravaganza earlier in the year and taking reserve male champion, Brigadier Bob will also go on to compete at the Royal, in total notching up 16 show appearances this year, before being offered at the Carlisle bull sales in October.

In the dairy lines, it was Philip Rhodes' third time breed winner and second-time interbreed champion, Holstein cow Bilsthorpe Sue 23 who caught the judges eye for the overall dairy champion.

Shown by herdsman Clive Shepherd and giving 54 litres/day at 4.21 BF and 3.21 Protein, Sue is in her fifth lactation and in calf to New World Empire.

Jersey leader Wellhead Rocket Boo from the Wilson family, Cupar, Fife, took this year's Royal Highland Show interbeed dairy title making it a double, having clinched the same title last year.

Second calver Boo (VG89) is by Wellhead Remake Rocket and gave 5913 litres in her first lactation at 4% protein and 5.11% butterfat.

Standing reserve to Boo was the Holstein leader, fifth calved Herdstown Rachel 388 from Almond Holsteins and Aubrey Patterson.

Sired by Parker Aero Wade, Rachel has given 10,240 litres in 218 days of her fifth lactation at 4.7% butterfat and 2.98% protein, having given 12,866 litres in her previous lactation at 3.96% butterfat and 2.98% protein.

This year's Royal Highland Show interbreed sheep championship went the way of the North Country Cheviot three crop ewe from Jimmy and Willie Thomson, Hownham Grange, Kelso.

This ewe, from the family's 200-ewe flock of Park-type North Countrys is by Crookston Fine Star and out of a homebred ewe which is one of 130 Hownham Grange-bred ewes bought back in after they lost their entire flock to foot-and-mouth in 2001.

I would say there will be some celebrating in the Limousin lines this afternoon after the conclusion of this year's Royal Highland Show interbreed beef championship.

Having stepped out in a down pour of rain, judge Alan Fotheringham selected six fine animals for his initial interbeed draw, consiting of the Shorthorn, Charolais, Belgain Blue, Limousin, Commerical and Hereford.

Having paid plenty of attention to the Commercial, Limousin and Shorthorn, he finally tapped out James and Audrey Forsyth's Limouisn cross heifer Fancy This. Sired by Baillea Oberon and out of a homebred Limousin cross cow and was bought out of Thainstone Young Farmers overwintering sale and bred by Andrew Anderson of Smallburn Farms for £1700.

Having stood second in her class at Ayr, the Forsyths are unsure as to where Fancy This will be heading next.

Speaking about his champion, Alan Fotheringham told Farmers Weekly she was packed solid full of meat with a good loin and expertly presented in front of him today - "perfection on four legs!"

As promised a full list of this year's winners in the sheep sections from the Royal Highland Show...........

Sheep results

Blackface A Macgregor's shearling ewe; res, W Ramsay and Sons' ewe.

North Country Sheep W and J Thomson's ewe; res, J Runciman and Sons' shearling ewe.

North Country Cheviot Hill Sheep Nicholson Farms Clebrig's shearling ewe; res, North Loch Naver Estates.

Border Leicester H Guthrie and Sons' ewe; res, J W Brown and Others' ewe lamb.

Suffolk S G Mair and Sons' shearling ewe; res, R H Wilson's shearling tup.

Cheviot A T Elliot's tup; res, J E Irving's tup.

Bluefaced Leicester J Thomson and Sons' ewe; res, A Fotheringham's tup lamb.

Jacob W Crowe's shearling ewe; res S Dodsworth's shearling tup.

Texel J Forsyth's ewe; res, J Forsyth's shearling ewe.

For all you beef enthusiasts out there wanting to know the full list of results from the Royal Highland Show see below.......Interbreed results will follow shortly.

Beef results

Beef Shorthorn M A Holmes' bull Holmeere Alastair; res, Messrs Playfair Farms' cow Tofts Beauty Princess.

Aberdeen Angus A R Grieve's cowCarlhurlie Gainsay; res, C Davidson's heifer Skaill Diana.

Galloway J and A Finlay's heifer Finmac Libby; res, W MacLean's bull Blackcraig Kodiac.

Belted Galloway M Arbib's bull Howemill Indigo; res, C Fletcher's cow Barwise Maggie May.

Highland A and H Kirkpatrick's cow Claggorn 6 of Glengarnock; res, S and M O'Hara's bull Brogach 1 of Culfoich.

This morning sees the interbreed championships judged in all three of the major sections, beef, dairy and sheep at this year's Royal Highland Show and already exhibitors are out and about preparing their breed champions for the judges.

Interbreed competitions this year will be placed by Alan Fotheringham. Forgandenny, (beef), Ian Thomson, Peebles (sheep) and Andrew Dunlop Castle Douglas (dairy).

Few are willing to place money on where the championships will go and I'm not about to stick my head on the block either, but with three such experienced judges on parade this morning one thing is for sure, all entries will receieve a thorough inspection.

A grey Friday at the Royal Highland Show saw the conclusion of the sheep judging and the dairy classes take centre stage among the cattle lines.

Topping the line in the Holstein classes was Herdstown Rachael from Almond Holsteins and Aubrey Paterson. This 1998-born cow is by Parker Aero Wade.

Meanwhile, the Ayrshire's were led by the Templeton family's 2003-born cow Knowe Brown Kate, this homebred entry is by Brieryside Centurian.

The senior bull class in this year's Limousin section at this year's Royal Highland Show was an eagerly awaited contest, pitting two of the breed's heavyweights against it other for the first time.

Having followed the success of the Crawford Brothers' bull Sauvignon earlier this year at Paris' SIMA Show, this was a result I was keen to find out on arrival in Edinburgh. Had he managed to uphold his reputation as the finest Limousin bull in Europe, or had Scotland's own giant, Robert Graham's Samy, pipped him to the post.

Sadly and, some may say mistakenly, the French-bred Samy beat his fellow countryman to top spot in the class, but it must have been a close run thing which would have left Co Down-based judge Jim Quail scratching his head for a good few minutes.

Samy though couldn't hold his own in the breed championship when faced with competition from his own daughter, Grahams Butterfly.

Out of Grahams Trendy, Butterfly is a January 2006-born heifer who must have a fair chance in tomorrow's interbreed contest.

Further judging in the cattle classes at this year's Royal Highland Show saw the Belgian Blue's judged by Tim Walwin of Shepton Mallet. Heading up his line was heifer Croft End Black Beauty from the Bellas family, this January 2006 born heifer is by Dafydd D'Ochain and out of Lismannan Sally.

Next up were the Belted Galloway's judged by John Hodge, Okehampton, Devon, making it a day for the south west judges!

Top spot here was Howemill Indigo, a September 2004-born bull from Sir Martyn Arbir.

This year's Royal Highland Show kicked off earlier today, with judging in the beef and sheep lines dominating proceedings. First to the post in terms of championship judging were Scotland's leading native sheep and cattle breeds, the Blackface and the Aberdeen Angus.

Topping the line up in the Blackface was Archie and John MacGregor's shearling ewe from their Allanfauld flock.This one is byMcTavish and stood champion at Stirling Show.

The Angus meanwhile, were led by A Grieve's Carhulie Gainsay, a 2003-born cow by Better Star Auchtoforfar.

Elsewhere in the beef lines, the commercial champion was a Limousin cross heifer, Fancy This, from the Forsyth family, bred by Smallburn Farms, by Bailea Oberon.

At the opening seasonal sale for prime sheep, Scots Gap Auction Mart had forward 78 lambs and five ewes.

Lambs met a good trade to return an overall average of 120.8p. Top price per head was £58 from A J and H Gordon and Son, Old Deanham. Top price per kilo was 125p from W A and M Robson, High Baulk.

Leading prices:

Texel x

£58 Old Deanham(x2), £56.80 and £52.50 High Baulk, £52 Old Deanham and Lyneup Hill

125p High Baulk, 123.4p & 120.9p Old Deanham, 120.9p High Baulk, 120.8p Old Deanham, 120.5p Lyneup Hill

Blackface Ewes

£27.20 Coldwell

Rupert Taylor Ltd have announced the death, last week in Ireland, of influential Charolais sire Doonally New, from heart failure.

Born in France in January 1997, a son of Hermes, he was selected by Cormac Monaghan, then bull buyer for the North Western Cattle Breeding Centre in Sligo. New stood successfully in Sligo until their merger with Progressive Genetics in 2002, when he moved to Enfield. During the five years that he stood at Enfield NCBC collected and sold close to 100,000 straws from New on the Irish market.

The event of the Summer took place at Borderway Sales Centre with the World Wide Sires Ex-Factor Sale, attended by breeders from all over the British Isles and Main Land Europe.

Top price was paid for Acecroft Goldwyn Zulu at 28,000gns. This September born bull is a son of the Million Dollar Durham, Lylehaven Lila-Z. The bull's new owners The Z Syndicate managed by Dan Hovden, Iowa, in the US are excited about the tremendous opportunities this young sire brings to their business.

Although the bull wasn't actually present for the sale, his 20% ownership share was greated with great interest.

Second top price of the day was paid for a first choice Advent heifer from Windy-Knoll View Pledge EX92. Consigned by David Robinson of Kellywell Holsteins, this amazing money making opportunity was purchased by Michael Booth Snr and Michael Booth Jnr, Beechrow Holsteins, Co. Lois, Republic of Ireland for 10,000gns.

Incidentally Mr Booth purchased the Mr Sam daughter from Pledge's full sister the night before in Oldenburg for 15,000 euro.

Riverdane Shottie Sara sold for 6000gns to Jason Pollock, Garrick Holsteins, Northern Ireland. This beautiful Shottle daughter was consigned by Riverdane Holsteins and was a grand-daughter of the All Britain Copywood Integrity Sara EX93.

Numbers at the June Border and Lakeland Club Show and Sale were similar to last month with the quality shining through.

Judge Neil Brough from Carrock Holsteins, Dalston tapped forward Messrs Armstrong's, Wolfa Outside Favori 2 as Champion. An awesome VG85 3yr, old still giving 43kg daily in her second lactation. She was purchased for top price of the day at 2100gns by Mr AM Dixon, Smallthwaite House, Penrith.

Reserve champion of the day and second top price was Ingleview Kate 26 from R and E Butterfield, a recently fresh heifer by Pursuit September Storm. She was purchased by Mr J Heuchan, Gerranton, Castle Douglas for 1800gns.

The Butterfield's sold another fresh heifer for 1800gns; Ingleview Sept Storm Kimo was purchased by Mr C Cochrane of Nether Craig.

B and V Davidson sold a well balanced heifer by Lucente for 1700gns, purchased by Messrs H and G Mair, Townhead Farm, Mouswald. Messrs Mair also purchased Gerrard Roman Princess 36 from R and H Carter, Gerrard House for 1600gns.

North-East Lancashire father-and-son dairy farmers Philip and John Bowen hit the bulls eye when landing their first Craven Dairy Auction championship at the June show at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday.

The Bowens, who trade as J Bowen and Son at Park Farm, Barrow, Whalley, clinched the title with a newly-calven Holstein Friesian commercial heifer.

Judge Robin Boothman, of Fence, said he could find very few faults with the victor - "a good heifer that will last a long time."

The reserve champion was a newly-calven commercial cow from L Simpson and Sons, of Red House Farm, Sutton Grange, Ripon. Giving 40 litres, the second calver sold for £1100 to G Parker, of Emley, Huddersfield.

Mr Parker also paid the day's top price of £1310 for the second prize newly-calven heifer from the Whinhill Holstein Friesian commercial herd of father-and-son dairy farmers Malcolm and Robert Swires, of Haverah Park, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.

The Swires had a good day in general, entering a total of ten cattle in the show, which sold to an average of £1082.

Best of the in-calf heifers from Malcolm Wood, of Wakefield, went to Josh Lancaster, of Horton-in-Craven, for £860, while regular exhibitor Robert Johnson, of Felliscliffe, Harrogate, paid £660 for the first prize maiden heifer from F Fryer and Sons, of Middleton, Ilkley.

Two newly-calven Shorthorn heifers from George and Gladys Emmott, of Steeton, also proved popular, the better of the duo selling at £900.

The next Craven Dairy Auction, a sale only, takes place on Monday, July 9, with the main monthly show and sale scheduled for Monday, July 30.

Charolais cattle captured both the individual and pairs interbreed championships at the rain affected Three Counties Show.

Conditions were so bad that interbreed cattle judging was moved inside, where judge Jim Goldie found himself assessing a Limousin bull he bred.

Having made Shamleys Victoria, an outstandingly well grown Charolais heifer from Mrs Jamilla Robinson's herd at nearby Tenbury Wells, his champion, he called on independent referee Martin Jones to decide whether Goldies Trophy should be reserve champion. The bull he sold to Somerset breeder Colin Hutchings three years ago for 6000gns, was given the nod.

Females dominated proceedings at last weekend's East of England Show, clinching the overall interbreed beef title, the commercial beef championship, the interbreed sheep championship and the interbreed pig silverware.

Leading the way was Doug Mash's French bred Limousin cow Segala from his family's Brockhurst herd. Imported just over a year a go and shown with her November 2006-born calf at foot, Segala now heads to the Royal and Royal Welsh.

Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus champion, Briston Echo, from Duncan Jeary's 60-cow herd. By Tegnose Pensboy and out of Briston Briarthorn, Echo was also shown with her March-born calf at foot.

Heading up the commercial classes was the Limousin cross heifer Miss Moneypenny from Sennybridge-based Elfed Williams. Brought out by Neil and Sally Lloyd of Black and Blue Show Team, Miss Moneypenny was bred by Andrew Davies and cost Mr Williams £7100.

Among the juniors it was the turn of another Limousin, Ironstone Brandy, from Smtihs of Bloxham's Ironstone herd which led the way. By Unesco, Brandy is out of record price Limousin female Bailea Umandy.

Narrowly pipped into reserve spot was Mike and Jean Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Splash, this one was bred by the Skidmore family.

The Republic of Ireland's final Limousin pedigree sale of the season proved to be a flying trade for the females on offer.

The majority of the heifers on offer were young maiden heifers which sold to an average price of €2421 (£1646) each, down €210 (£142) on corresponding sale last year, at an 82% clearance rate.

Commenting on the sale, Irish Limousin Cattle Society secretary, Ger Ryan, said: ``Another terrific sale for females with numerous new breeders snapping up the heifers on offer. The overall quality of bulls on offer was down on other society sales which were reflected in the prices achieved.''

The sale topper, at €4600 (£3128), was Curraghree Butterfly, from Pat Phelan, Drumree, County Meath. Pat had an excellent evening in Granard also achieving the third highest heifer price.

This stylish young heifer was crowned female champion after winning her class. A mid-April 2006 daughter of Espoir, she is out of Lisnacrann Sasha, a Domino daughter.

The final bidder was the well-known pedigree father and son duo of Stanley and Mark Richardson, Newtowngore, County Leitrim, to join their pedigree herd.

Next highest, at €3500 (£2380), was Ohill Blossom, from Patrick Beirne, Mohill, County Leitrim, with his late March 2006 heifer. A daughter of Nenuphar, she was out of a homebred dam, Ohill Teresa, a Mount Scott PJ son. A fourth prize winner in the show she now heads to the herd of Gerry Ryan, Aughrim, County Wicklow, who is purchasing some nice heifers for a new pedigree herd for son, Luke.

The third highest price of €3000 (£2040) went to Curraghree Amour from Pat Phelan to complete an excellent day's trading for him. An October 2005-born heifer, she is out of Lino and a homebred cow, Curraghree Matilda, a Jongleur daughter. A first prize-winner in the pre-sale show, she was sold to Sean Brady, Aughavas, County Leitrim.

Other leading prices were:
€2700 (£1836), to Philip Dunne, Bailieboro, for a daughter of Ionesco.
€2500 (£1700), to Stephen O'Grady, for a daughter of Louxor.
€2400 (£1632), to Joseph Lynch, for a daughter of Lino.
€2400, to Philip Dunne, for a daughter of Cornamundy Tino.

The summer sale of Limousin bulls at Borderway Mart met with a strong demand resulting in a 100% clearance of the 24 bulls offered and led by a top price of 5500gns.

Eight bulls in all made over 2500gns at this traditional final fixture of the summer round of official Limousin bull sales. The average for the bulls sold leveled at £2,372 which was up by £468 on the year.

Leading the trade was the well muscled Fieldson Andrew from East Midlands breeders J & M Fieldson, Poplar Farm, Lincolnshire. This December 2005 born bull by Fieldson Ultimate is out of the Greenwell Mike sired Fieldson Sugar. With a Beef Value of LM+25, Fieldson Sugar went to Aberdeenshire buyer W J Morrison and Sons, Banff.

Good quality beef cows and calved continue to meet a strong trade, with last Wednesday's sale at Newport Market topping at £1160 for a Belgian Blue cross cow and her March born Limousin sired heifer calf.

Meanwhile, native crosses traded at a top off just under £1000, with a smart 2003-born Hereford cross cow and her April-born Limousin cross steer calf making £910.

A flying trade was also seen for in-calf cows and they topped at £780 for a Belgian Blue cross, while Hereford cows peaked at £770.

A pedigree Limousin bull had drawn a large number of admirers and was finally knocked down at £2050 after some fierce bidding.

Averages: 29 cows and calves - £825; 2 in-calf cows - £720; 1 stock bull - £2,050.

The dispersal of the late John Spalton's Sutton herd of Longhorn cattle at Worcester market last weekend drew a packed ringside of breeders who maintained the upbeat demand for Longhorn cattle that has been a feature of recent fixtures. And it was cows with calves at foot that pushed bidding into top gear establishing a strong trade that peaked at 2100gns.

The call came for a seven-year-old cow by the home-bred bull Bejon Boris and suckling a bull calf. The outfit was claimed by Reading Agricultural Consultants buying for a client in the Home Counties who is establishing a new herd.

And the same buyers made sure they secured several of the best on offer. They bought a total of five animals and paid the top price of 2500gns for the stock bull Gorse Moonman. Tow other cows with heifer calves at foot, also by Boris, realised 1900gns.

Northern Ireland breeder Pat Melvin was at the ringside and paid 1500gns for a served heifer while unserved heifers sold to 2200gns for an 18-month-old daughter of Bejon Dickie - a well known show winning bull that took the reserve breed title at Newark in 2005. Buyer was Mrs J D Botham, Brough, East Yorkshire.

Averages: 13 cows with heifer calves £1608; eight served heifers £1176 and 18 unserved heifers £1097.

Mid-summer can often be a cautious time for dairy stock prices, but there's no sign of that happening this year. You only had to be in Herefordshire last week to see how buyers are still clamouring for cows. At the dispersal of the Vedw Holstein herd, held on behalf of D J Farr, the 105 cows averaged £1080 an achieved a top price of 1600gns.

This was a day of solid trading for genuine cattle with plenty of milk behind them. Prices of £1000 and over were recorded for 54 lots with 11 others making over £900.

But the highpoint at Mr Farr's Pontrilas-based farm was the top call given for the calved heifer Vedw Cousteau Kitty. This Silky Cousteau daughter is due in December to Comestar Lee and is out of a 10,280kg dam by AV Solid Gold. Buyer was H E Hosken, Helston, Cornwall.

And he made the trip worthwhile with a 1450gns call to secure another calved heifer, Vedw Lee Honour. She is also by Lee and out of a 12,157kg dam by Southland Marker and is in-calf for August to Comestar Outside.

A cow and calf outfit that netted vendors Mike and Chris Candy a total of 4000gns topped the recent dispersal of the Highlight herd of 182 Brown Swiss cattle at Beeston Castle mart, Cheshire.

At 2400gns the dam Highlight Honeysuckle Florence (VG88) was buyers' clear favourite. Sired by R Hart TC Denmark and out of a Ensign dam she'd shown early promise on the regional show circuit. Now with her third calf - born in October 2006 - and giving 33kg milk she was taken by established Brown Swiss supporter Kevin Thomas for his Allstar herd based at Tavernspite, Whitland, South Wales.

Mr Thomas couldn't match local support for the next lot to enter the ring when Wem, Shropshire-based dairy farmer David Burden took Florence's calf, Highlight Dalton Honeysuckle 2, sired by Hilltop Acres PT Dalton for 1600gns.

However, Mr Thomas was not to be out-done quickly following his initial purchase with a further three of the top ten-priced cows at 1700gns, 1500gns and 1400gns all journeying across the border to Whitland.

Colin Hutchings was back on top at the Royal Cornwall Show last week, sweeping the board with his Limousin and Aberdeen Angus cattle.

After last year's tremendous successes - he won 15 interbreed championships - Colin returned to the top with his Limousin bull Goldies Trophy. By Leo and out of Giroflee, this six-year old bull now heads to the Three Counties Show.

Colin also scooped the Aberdeen Angus champion and reserve spots, with the familiar pairing that is Logie Daredevil and Kingsbrompton Miss Ethel. as well as the interbreed pairs. "I'm chuffed to bits and am very excited to be judging the Angus classes at the Highland Show later this month."

Reserve interbreed champion was Boddington Estates' Simmental bull Sterling Rochester. Shown by stockman Jimmy McMillan, this three year-old heads to the Highland, Royal, Yorkshire and Royal Welsh Shows later in the year.

Last week's South of England show was a particularly good one for Taking Stock with both regular contributors invoved in bringing forward champions.

For my part I managed to clinch the interbreed sheep title for the second year in a row with a Southdown shearling ram, while Chrissie helped Thorndean Farms to the Limousin breed title with a two year old heifer, Thorndean At Last, sired by Sheelin Nato.

Elsewhere in the beef lines it was the turn of Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean to lead out the winner, Charolais cow Mortimers Racey. By Gretnahouse Napoleon and out of homebred cow Mortimers Madonna, Racey was shown with a Mortimers Upstart sired calf at foot and just the week before had stood interbreed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

Unshown since 2002 when she lifted the breed championship at the Highland as a heifer, Racey beat the Angus champion, Andrew Brown's heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela into reserve.

Pamela, who stood native champion at last week's Suffolk Show, is by Blelack Black Beret and was led out by Kevin Byford.

Cameron Baty, the well known cattle fitter and showman assembled a wonderful array of quality Holsteins for his first invited collective sale of high flyer Holsteins at Beeston Castle Auction under the gavel of Wright Manley.

The sale attracted buyers from all over, particularly from Northern Ireland, but the brilliant day undoubtedly affected attendance from the areas where silage has not yet been completed. However there were many great pedigrees and the very best individuals sold at good prices.

Top price was 9000 gns paid for the true red and white Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red from Ridgefield Farm Partnership of Loughborough. This November 2006 daughter of Rosedale-L Rampage Red is out of the recently scored (VG88-2yr) heifer Ridgefield Talent Sara Red, a daughter of the former RASE Champion and 30000 gns seller Copywood Integrity Sara Red (Ex93-2E) (Ex94-MS). She now goes across the water to join Mark Truesdale herd at Newcastle, Nr. Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

The sale of 500 cows and heifers with spring-born calves at foot and 180 in-calf cows and heifers with autumn born calves, along with 20 stock bulls, on behalf of brothers, Philip and Symon Simmers, Backmuir, Keith, Banffshire, was the biggest sale of breeding stock from a single consignor ever handled by Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

The packed ringside of buyers from all over the UK saw Allanton Farming, Darvel, Ayrshire, pay the top price for the five year old bull, Bailea Tyson, by Marron, bred by M T Jones of the Bailea, Senny, Sennybridge, Brecon, Powys.

The top quality offering of females sold to a top of £2900 (twice) for a Belgian Blue cow and her autumn-born bull calf to Gordon Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle, Argyll, and a Limousin cow and bull calf to K D Millar, Crookholm, Canonbie, Dumfries.

Local herd owners G and B Bell from Tarporley topped the Western Holstein Club's fixture at Beeston at 2100gns with a calved heifer by Silky Gibson. Irthingvale Gibson Charity is out of a three-times 10,000kg-plus dam by Mason but that's where the records ended. It proved no deterrent and she was snapped up by Andrew Wilson for his Northshields herd at Cupar, Fife.

Smiddiehill Holsteins brought out a smart calved heifer by Ocean-View Zenith. Smiddiehill Zenith Ella is awash with VG and Excellent breeding and is out of an 11,300kg cow carrying the Primo prefix. She goes to south Wales with A Richards at 1650gns.

Averages: 13 cows £1165; 112 heifers £1259. (Wright Manley).

It's been a hard grind for two decades but Beef Shorthorn supporters are now reaping their just rewards for the massive improvements they've achieved in this breed. And in Cheshire last weekend the trade sizzled as 40 entries were snapped up at the Shorthorn Society's fixture at Chelford reaching a top price of 2800gns - a day that saw them overshadow their dairy cousins.

For vendors making their first visit to Chelford, like Northamptonshire breeder Trevor Brown, the occasion was made even sweeter, as his white heifer Grafton Xsara - by Tugby Lucky Fellow - was offered suckling a white heifer calf by the Canadian-bred Glenisla Senor Gus. This outfit met a flurry of bids but the determination of north Wales buyer H Clothier secured her for his farm in Corwen at 2800gns.

It was a case of second time lucky for father and daughter team Derrick Daffurn and Jennifer Curtis when they scooped the interbreed sheep championship at the Royal Bath and West Show last week.

Their homebred Charollais shearling ram, Elmwick G4, stepped up to take the prize after coming in the reserve spot at the Devon County Show three weeks ago. The couple will use him on some of their 120 pedigree Charollais and 1000 commercial North Country mules at Elm Farm, Wickham Ford, Worcestershire, before he goes to the Premier Sale in July.

Commenting on the prize winner, judge Hugh Veitch said this is a very correct sheep - it's full of character and flesh but not too much bone.

Taking the reserve prize was David Randall and Sarah Mitchell's Bluefaced Leicester ram, which will now head to the Royal Cornwall, Royal Welsh and Royal Show.

In the beef classes it was Mortimers Farm's Charolais cow Mortimers Racey with a five-month old calf at foot. Shown by stockman Charlie Maclean, this homebred cow by Gretna House Napoleon has not been shown since scooping the breed championship at the Highland Show in 2001. She now heads to the South of England, Lincoln and Royal Shows.

Reserve champion was Bill Sandford's South Devon bull Haughton S.A.S Joe Louis 1 by Trevowah Joe Louis 11. Shown by Richard Hartshorn, this three-year old has been selected by the South-Devon Herdbook Society for breed improvement and works with Mr Sandford's six cows at Haughton Holdings near Shrewsbury.

Another homebred, Brian Miller's Holstein cow Moorshard Outside Finesse 32, took the interbreed dairy championship. This second calver by Comestar Outside is giving 65kg a day and yielded 11,900kg as a two year-old. She will next be shown at the National and south-west Dairy Events.

Jersey veteran Sowden Juno Ceres 2, by Potterswalls Lord Juno, took the second place for Anthea and Jeff Daw. A six year-old fourth calver, she is giving 30kg and heads to the Royal Cornwall Show this week.

In the pig rings it was Steve Loveless's Landrace boar Sunrise Hampster, 1426, which took the top prize, closely followed by Caroline and Thomas Wheatley-Hubbard's Tamworth sow Berkswell Roseleaf 63.

Now the memory of expensive baby calves going through the ring isn't that much of a distant one, but I can't say I remember too many of this price!

Records were broken last week at Gisburn Auction Mart when an eight-week-old Belgian Blue bull calf sold for £428.

Out of a Friesian cow, it was sold by dairy farmer Jim Faud, of Great Harwood, to Ian Harrison of Cumbrian Quality Calves, Penrith.

Regular seller Geoff Blezard, of Ribchester, was also in the money with a pen of Belgian Blue bulls sired by the Irish bull, Chesnut Umpire, selling to £308.

A Belgian Blue bull, who took the breed sale record at Chelford in 2005, impressed judges and took the supreme interbreed beef championship at last weeks Staffordshire Show.

Purchased by Richard Wheelwright of the Upperfoot Herd, Halifax, for 11,800gns, Ballygrange Vinney currently weighs in at 1300kg and is out of Ballygrange Roxy and sired by Woodview Solo.

Having won the championship at the 2006 Royal Highland Show, Vinney has been prominent on the show circuit for the last two years and is to be shown at this years Royal Highland, Royal Lancashire, Royal Yorkshire and Royal Shows. "We are pleased with calves Vinney has on the ground this year and he is currently running with our pedigree cows."

Dairy supreme went to the Holstein Cleevale Charles Mania, in her seventh lactation for the Drointon Herd of Andrew and Debbie MacKellar. Out of Starbuck Mania and sired by Boulet Charles, Mania was bought from Andrew Beard three months ago and is currently yielding 37 litres/day at 4% butter fat and 3.2% protein.

"We didn't intend to show her and bought her more for her longevity rather than showing potential," commented Mr MacKellar. "This is her first time we have shown her and depending on how she calves in August we will go on to compete in the autumn."

Second lactation Jersey cow Windyridge Astronum Radience took the reserve supreme champion, owned and shown by Phil Manning as part of his Etfill Herd based near Shrewsbury. "We bought her as an in-calf heifer from a dispersal herd near Gloucester for £700 and this is the first time we have shown her," he explained, adding that they now plan to show her at the Royal Welsh in July.

Saddleback breeders John and Mary Wreakes took the pig championsip with their homebred gilt Victoria Lottie 286 from their herd based in Stainsforth near Doncaster. Sired by Belle Rose Guardsman 02 and out of Victoria Lottie 110, who took the breed championship at the Royal Yorkshire in 2005. She will go on to compete at East of England, Lincoln and Norfolk shows.

In the sheep lines, it was a Beltex who caught the judges eye for the title of champion. The shearling ewe, owned and bred by David Thornley.

Robert and Jeanette Gregory's two year old Charollais ewe took reserve on her first outing and will now go onto compete at the Royal Welsh and Shropshire shows. Her dam, Edstaston Dubai, is well known on the show circuit and will be flushed later this year.

The first major on farm production sale of Bazadaise cattle took place last weekend at J R Smith and Son's Grange Farm, Scalford - home of the Edmarc herd. Pedigree cows and calves topped at 2600gns to average £1471 an outfit.

Vendors Robin and Gill Smith with their son Marcus started the Edmarc herd after importing a female from France in 1989.

Top prices:

27 crossbred outfits top 1300gns (average £997)
20 pedigree outfits top 2600gns (average £1471)
5 pedigree in-calf cows top 2500gns (£1281)
12 in-calf or served heifers top 1080gns (average £914)
5 maiden heifers top 930gns (average £842)

Suffolk show as always proved its worth as a true farming show this week, with strong livestock entries in all sections and large farming crowds thronging the judging rings.

Continentals ruled the championship rings as a Charollais ram took top honours in the sheep rings and a Charolais cow rearing twins scooped the beef interbreed silverware.

The sheep leader cam from Jonathan and Carol Barber's Crogham flock of 120 ewes and was bought two years ago for 600gns in conjuction with Stuart Dudley of the Hyde flock.

Bred in Northern Ireland, the tup is by noted sire Southam Bob the Builder and out of a Mawhinney ewe, he previously stood interbreed at last year's Royal Norfolk Show and has been used extensively in both the Crogham and Hyde flocks.

Reserve spot in the sheep lines was taken by the Suffolk champion, a ram lamb from Gordon and Elizabeth Beddie's flock from Swaffham, Norfolk. This January-born lamb had stood first in a strong class under breed judge Helen Goldie before beating off stiff competition to clinch male and breed championship.

In the beef rings the leader was seven year old Charolais cow Moathall Roney from the Wicks family's 80-cow Moathall herd from Mellis, Eye, Suffolk. Roney who was shown with her twin calves at foot was described by judge John White, of Midlock, Biggar, as having an exceptional head and superb topline.

Standing second to Roney was the Limousin leader, Segala from Doug Mash's Brockhurst herd. Five year old Segala was imported from France last year and now heads on to Rutland, East of England, the Royal and the Royal Welsh.

And the Charolais also triumphed in the interbreed pairs competition, beating off stiff opposition from the Belgian Blue pairing to lift the title.


But the Blues did one better taking the group of three title - from the Barwood and Padfield team came Ridge Dean Sherry, Ridge Dean Wren (both with their two heifer calves) and the homebred bull Piggots Artful Dodger.

In the Native championship it was a win for the Aberdeen Angus heifer of Andrew Brown, Hawstead Lodge Pamela.

Meanwhile, the dairy championship was dominated by traditional breeds, with the Jersey leader standing champion ahead of the top British Friesian.

Bolderston and Partners' 2002-born cow Tetfor Hall Danni lead the way having calved in April and given 40kgs a day at the peak of her last lactation. Danni runs as part of the partnership's 80 cow mixed herd alongside Ayrshires and Holsteins.

Following closely behind was 2000-born British Friesian cow Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34 from the Burroughs family's Beccles-based herd.

Taking the Dexter title for the fourth year running was Roseamry and Stuart Creasey with their February 2005 born heifer Langley End Alison, a heifer that had taken the title the year before.

Among the pigs it was another interbreed success for Guy Kiddy's Withersfield herd of Large Whites. Taking the honours for Mr Kiddy this time was his July 2006 born gilt Withersfield Blackberry 151, shown by Shuttleworth college student Stuart Warby.

Reserve pig champion was Carol Knights' Gloucester Old Sow boar Also Sambo from Mrs Knights 12 sow herd.

Among the commercial pigs it was another win for Peter Reeder with a homebred gilt. His winner was a Maximus x Large White x Landrace.

Some 3600 head were forward at Borderway Mart, but it was an impressive Limousin cross heifer suckling a heifer calf consigned by Keswick farmer Keith Harryman that topped the sale at £4700.

Bought by Messrs Richardson, Ghyll House, she helped boost the Harryman family's average to £1691. A good run of Belgian Blue cross females from Mr Leggat, Broomelton Farm averaged £1990 and peaked at £3150 for a cow and calf taken by Messrs Butler, Ashford Hill.

Another Belgian Blue cross outfit from Keith Twentyman, made £3000. A great consignment of 20 Limousin cross heifers from Messrs Dodd, West View reached £1950.

A blistering trade for Beltex sheep at Worcester, despite the unseasonal timing of the sale, produced a top price of 660gns for a two-year-old ewe when Whatmore Court Farms dispersed its Whatmore flock.

Noted for its prime stock showing successes, the flock's dispersal attracted a big crowd but it was Carmarthenshire buyers D O Williams and Co who beat the competition to take the top priced ewe. She is by the Belgian sire Loot Van Biesheuval and had a ram lamb at foot.