April 2008 Archives

A mouth-watering catalogue of Holstein cattle from one of the UK’s leading herds, offered in a blue-tongue free zone to a massive crowd of buyers committed to spending plenty of cash. It doesn’t get much better.

So it was no surprise that the second sale to disperse the milking portion of the Weeton herd in Lancashire netted £670,000, produced a top bid of 38,000gns and levelled 153 lots at £4370.

Herd owners John and Doreen Loftus witnessed a phenomenal trade for their cattle at Weeton, near Kirkham with 11 deals over 10,000gns including 41 over 4000gns – a clear indication of the depth of the demand.

Weeton Oralie Talent Very-Good-87 2yr, a November calved heifer out of a 10,274kg Canyon-Breeze Allen, has a PLI+£144. AI’d in March to Emerald-Acr-SA T-Baxter, she was on everyone’s wish-list and realised 38,000gns to one of the UK’s top herd’s – although the owners wish to remain anonymous.

The top three bids came for members of the Oralie family and it was Anthony Wills who made the day’s second highest call of 25,500gns to add yet another gem to the family’s breath taking collection of Holstein genetics in its Willsbro herd in Cornwall.

He secured Weeton Talent Oralie Very-Good-87 2yr (PLI+£137) who had given 9700kg with her first calf and was sold dry to calve in June to Nor Bert Calypso.

Potential cattle buyers from Poland will be visiting next month's Balmoral Show, Belfast, at the invitation of the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC).

LMC has invited Konrad, an international cattle and genetics business to Balmoral show this year to showcase the quality and variety of cattle breeds available in Northern Ireland.

Jelmer Hania LMC’s Export Development Executive explains, “I met representatives from Konrad in Poland last year at the Farma Agricultural show and they were impressed by the Northern Ireland cattle industry’s profile as well as the traits and characteristics of the livestock.

"Konrad is a significant player in the Polish market and there is no better way for them to research opportunities and develop contacts in Northern Ireland, than to visit the Balmoral show, where all the cattle breeds will be represented.”

He added, “There are export opportunities in Europe for NI pedigree livestock and genetics, which in sharp contrast with the majority of beef and sheep production in Northern Ireland, can be profitable. There are also spin-off benefits in terms of improving the genetic quality of our livestock remaining in Northern Ireland.”

The representatives from Konrad are looking for a variety of breeds including; Simmentals, Angus, Charolais and Herefords. LMC will be introducing the buyers to the breed societies at Balmoral show on Wednesday 14 May

Trade for pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows topped at £940 at Ashford market on Tuesday for a 2000-born Perryville Nimrod daughter with heifer calf at foot.

Forward from a dispersal from the Wetland Trust, Fisher Pinky Pride, bred by R J Hutchings sold to Maggie Howie, Wrotham. Mrs Howie also bought one from the same holding, this time a TLA Northern Samurai daughter again with a heifer calf at foot for £640.

Buying on behalf of Gallagher Farms, Maidstone, Kent, Geoff Pearson bought Fisher Beauty Lass, a Tegsnose Karman 2004-born daughter and in calf to Rosemead Bill for £840, while at £800, Essex-based Edward Hull bought the Wetland Trust’s afore mentioned stock bull Rosemead Bill.

The best of an offering from Paul Clements, Suffolk, went to John Hall, Headcorn, Maidstone at £770. Cambric Esmerelda is by Bert Star of Auchetrforfar and out of a Wingfield cow.

Averages: 22 cows and calves £659; 8 in-calf females £568; 12 maiden heifers £504 (Hobbs Parker).

A single consignment of 100 Charolais cross steers, from Duncan Urquhart, Buckie sold in Huntley on Thursday for a centre store ring record average of £1,078. The steers averaged 644.80kg and 167.39p/kg. The top lot made £1,250.

“This was a very, very strong run of steers which are currently in short supply,” commented UA auctioneer, Donald Young. “They were sold in lots of up to five, to buyers from Aberdeenshire to Yorkshire."

Taking the championship at the Border British Blue club's primestock show and sale at Carlisle was W T McMiken, Nether Ernambrie with a heifer weighing 547kg and selling for 177.5p (£970.93) to Mike Atkinson

Taking the reserve championship was M and J Cowen, East Curthwaite Farm with another heifer this time weighing 661kg and selling for 174.5p (£1153) purchased by Charles Kirkaptrick.

For more class results and prices go to the British Blue website.

The Longhorn Cattle Society's Spring Show and Sale at Worcester enjoyed continuing success again this year with a total clearance and a top price of 2000gns on two occasions.

The champion on the day Three Bridges Galileo, a two year old son of Blackbrook Masquerade from R J Sheppy and Son sold to the joint top price of 2000gns to J Newby, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Females were all very strongly supported with the reserve champion, an unserved heifer Wilford Georgina from Leicestershire breeder John Warner hitting the 2000gns mark to P V and J M Robinson, Crewe, Cheshire.

David and Angela Blockley's long trip from Yorkshire was well worthwhile with the top of their consignment making 1850gns for a second prize In calf heifer Southfield Genie to established breeders Bell Farming, Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Cows and calves were well supported with Eric Wood's Bollin French with a heifer calf at foot levelling at 1200gns to P V and J M Robinson, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.

Averages: 10 cows with calves or in calf £981.75; 2 Served Heifers £1548.75; 16 unserved heifers £883.96; 2 bulls £1601.25.

The Welsh Black Cattle Society’s Spring Sale at Dolgellau was characterised by brisk trade and good prices.

Nearly 200 pedigree store steers and heifers went under the hammer and saw prices exceed those previously recorded at the sale.

The highest priced pen of four or more steers were bred and sold by Messrs I I Hughes, Pentre Piod, Llanuwchlyn near Bala. The seven steers aged 25-26 months weighed 596kg and were sold for £775 a head.

The highest priced pair of steers went to a pair of steers aged 22 and 24 months which were bred and sold by Messrs G Roberts, Llwynbeuno, Efailnewydd. Weighing 680kg the steers were sold for £818 a head.

A strong line up of Limousin cattle on behalf of the South West Limousin Club saw a fantastic trade with over 300 potential purchasers standing around the packed sale ring at Holsworthy Market for the 2008 South West Regional Sale.

The Show and Sale took place at the Devon market for the first time and both vendors and purchasers went home delighted with the day's business. Martyn Baker of Bampton judged the impressive line-up of bulls and cows and selected Loosebear Beefy from the Quick family as champion.

After relentless bidding the hammer came down for the highest priced bull at 4000gns and was purchased by Messrs C J and J C Dursdon, Mark, Highbridge.

A joint top price of 3600gns was achieved for the champion (judged by Andy Ryder) Simmental at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday. Chesterman Titan, from N and N Gwynne sold to D J A Davies, Wales. Chesterman Titan is sired by Gretna House Supersonic and out of Rosten Julie.

At the same price was Derwentwood Tornado from N and A Hunter and knocked down to Mssrs G and L White, Howden. Derwentwood Tornado is sired by Drumsleed Kelso and out of Derwentwood Duchess.

Causing a stir and applause round the ring side, one of the two Lincoln Red bulls forward for Newark's multi breed sale today has just matched the top price of the day met earlier by a Charolais.

Forward from Mr and Mrs R H Grace, Solebay John, a Market Stainton Esquire son has just been knocked down at 5000gns to Michael Winterbotham, Derbyshire. This is the first bull to have been bred by the couple and is the first one to have been sold. Coupled with that I'd say the long journey up from Cornwall was worth it!

They sold their other entry - another Esquire son - minutes before at 2100gns to Riseholme Park Farms, Lincoln.

Topping Charolais trade so far this afternoon at Newark was Brampton Big Wig from G W Turner. Having taken 3rd prize in this morning's judging, this Kelton Valent son knocked down under United Auctions auctioneer David Leggat at 5000gns to A T Richardson and Son, Ashbourne, Derby.

Just before that, another from the same stable, this time Brampton Bonzo went at 3500gns to Messrs Garthwaite, Wakefield.

The first lot in to the ring, Newroddige Adonis from Danny and Jane Wyllie went at 3200gns to Burling Bros, Cambridgeshire, while the reserve champion Mortimers Barracuda went at the same money to P Sherratt, Derbyshire.

Judging has now finished at Newark Livestock Market for the multi-breed pedigree show and sale. Entries were lower than expected with one or two breeders subjected to TB.

Taking the first championship of the day under judge for all breeds Peter Donger was a Charolais from Chris Turney, Glos. Hamilton Braveheart is by Mortimers Robroy and out of a homebred cow.

Reserve to him was Mortimers Barracuda, a Mortimers Upstart son with a calving value of 3.5.

Taking the Charolais female championship was S T Best's Yorkies Beyonce, with W R J Everall's Shraden Beryl taking reserve spot.

Topping Charolais trade at Brecon earlier in the week was Maerdy Beduin from Mold-based Esmor Evans. He sold at 3000gns.

Full report to follow shortly..........

Bluetongue restrictions did not prevent a large turnout at the dispersal of David and Frank Legge commercial herd of Holstein Friesians, Leominster.

Strong competition saw top price of 2000gns seen for a second calver giving 35kgs daily and recording 7081kgs as a heifer. She was sold to M Lower and Son, Withington, Hereford.

A Mandel Bombay daughter, due with her third calf in two weeks time, sold for 1900gns having recorded 7918kgs as a 2nd calver. She was purchased along with two other heifers carrying May calves by J C and R A Meredith, Ullingswick, Herford.

A call of 1820gns secured a 6828kg heifer due in June with a calf by Miklin Luke Glenn. She was sold to ET Morris and Sons, Orcop, Hereford, along with an 8328kg heifer due in June bought for 1800gns.

The four year old non pedigree stock bull was sold for 1800gns to P P Adams and Sons, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.

Overall £1027.44 was the average cost made for cows and heifers in milk and/or with no calf. Served heifers made on average £874.12.

Warmer temperatures and the likely availability of vaccine in the next few weeks mean bluetongue is once again top of the agenda for livestock farmers.

With that in mind Farmers Weekly have put together three short videos to help everyone understand what the disease is and how to prevent and treat it, vaccine gun choice and finally everything you need to know about vaccination.

The videos can be watched anytime you fancy.

In the meantime, we're expecting the first doses of vaccine to be available in the high risk areas early next week, although we have no firm date yet.

This weeks Native breed sale attracted a strong offering of Hereford bulls to the Farmers Mart in Dungannon.

The show prior to the sale produced a tense tussle as always, with top honours going to current society president, Robin Irvine from Whitecross, Co. Armagh.

His 18 month old Graceland Dessie took the eye of judge Sean Mc Kiernan from Cavan. Dessie is the first offering from the current Graceland herd sire, Udel 1 WWW dot and he impressed onlookers with his style and carcass qualities.

The reserve champion came from the Lisrace herd of David Wilson from Magheraveely. Lisrace Lumberjack is a well muscled young bull with a successful show season behind him - notable achievements included winning the reserve junior championship at last years Balmoral Show.

Lumberjack sold for 1800gns and this proved to be the top price of the day. Other prices included 1500gns paid to Robin Irvine for the second prize winning bull Graceland 1 Carlo.

One of the best herds of Pedigree Holstein cattle in the North of England went under the hammer on the 17th April at Almonds Farm, Preston. The Almondene herd was bred and owned by Frank Lawson who over the years had developed a fantastic herd of Holsteins mainly by the use of herd sires bred from some of the top cows and families in the breed.

Topping the sale was a youthful two year old from the much admired Biddy family who sold to Eire breeder Ivan Robinson owner of the Ravara Herd for 4000gns. After the sale Mr Robinson said “… we are trying to build on our recent success in the show ring and this young two year old will fit in perfect with our other champions.”

For the first time this year pig exhibitors at Cheshire Show will be showing commercial pigs alongside the traditional pedigree pig classes.

With classes split on weight, all breeds are able to enter and pigs judged purely on their commercial merits.

Entries close on 9 May and the show takes place on 17 and 18 June. For more information call 07712 653 817.

Becoming part of the bluetongue surveillance zone has paid off handsomely for Bishop Thornton farmers M Baul and Partners when they landed a debut April Craven Dairy Auction championship success on Monday.

Before the move, the Bauls, of Watergate Farm, which falls within the surveillance zone, would have been prevented from trading at Skipton as the mart is in a clear area less than 6km outside the boundary.

It now means that previously excluded stock from Nidderdale and West Yorkshire, including Calderdale and Kirklees, can again be sold at Skipton alongside clear area livestock, as the mart makes a concerted effort to boost both entry numbers and choice.

The Craven Dairy Auction champion, a freshly calved heifer is a product of the Bauls’ Ravensgate pedigree Holstein Friesian herd, being by the Genus bull Roylane Jordan, out of a home-bred cow. She sold for £1500 to Calderdale buyer Ian Dodson, Ripponden.

Mr Dodson's other acquisitions included the first prize newly-calven cow at £1,280 from Robert Crisp, of Calton, Skipton, and a freshly calved heifer from Raymond and Robert Johnson, Harrogate, at £1900 – top price of the day.

Maiden heifers sold to a top price of £660, this entry from G R Bretherton, Preston, bought by Stephen Abbott, Harrogate.

It’s no wonder I get excited when the catalogue for the Carlisle Limousin sale comes out…..there are some fantastic entries for next month’s sale.

I will be rather interested to see the first crop of the record breaking Haltcliffe Vermount (100,000gns bull) sons, with Procters Farms and Messrs Ridley both offering some. On paper the best one of those is from the Ridley’s out of Haltcliffe Upperity and with a breed value of +40.

Sticking with figures – and at a very quick glance I might add – I reckon the best figured bull is from Robert Graham. Lot 270, Grahams Colossus is a January son of Grahams Unbeatable with a breed value of +44.

Store trade is continuing in leaps and bounds and Knighton Market, Powys was no exception last week.

Prices hit the 280.5p/kg mark for heifers and averaged just over 147p/kg, while steers topped at 230.7p/kg and averaged 167p/kg.

Keep an eye out for more pictures on the Under the Hammer page of Friday's issue.

A strong gathering for a solid trade of Limousin males and females at Newark Livestock Market saw prices head in to the 8000gns region for a young heifer forward from Millington Grange Estates.

By Samy and out of Sarkley Nellie (sold in February at the Cormack's dispersal for 10,000gns), Millington Carly went at 8000gns to Messrs E Blenkhorn and Son, Goole.

The 1999 born Pelotte from Millington went at 3100gns with a strong bull calf at foot to show calf producer Frank Page, Rugby.

Topping bull trade was a call of 4500gns for Coachouse Bentley (by Haltcliffe Picasson) from Gill and Barry Heald sold to Rob and Sue Scott, Oakham.

The Heald's also sold another at 3900gns - Caochouse Baliff (by Bailea Ulsterman), this one went to commercial finishers Bob and Hayden Williams.

A packed gallery and ringside at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Monday evening witnessed an excellent trade for all classes of stock at the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders Club annual Spring Show and Sale.

A quality entry of bulls saw prices peak at 5000gns paid for the reserve supreme champion, Ashland Teviot, from the father and son team of Pat and Frank Kelly, Tempo. An October 2006 born son of Raceview Nigel, the herd’s stock bull with the dam, Corlesmore Clodagh being female champion at an Elite sale in Naas, some years ago, Teviot sold to F Watson, Cloughey, Newtownards.

The 15 month old Corrick Vanguard, having lifted the red ticket from class three fetched 2900gns for his breeders, Cecil and Neil McIlwaine. Bred from the popular AI sire Kilbride Farm Newry and the homebred Carnkern Titan dam, Corrick Limelight, Vanguard was keeping the Newtownstewart based Corrick herd to the forefront having bred the 2007 sale champion.

The Welsh Black Cattle Society enjoyed a buoyant store sale at Llandovery on Friday where entries and prices exceeded the 2007 sale.

Some 94 pedigree Welsh Black steers and heifers were sold as part of the Society’s spring store sale sponsored by Blue Merle Ltd.

Of the consignment 74 animals were of strong and mature cattle with the highest price pence per kg recorded at £1.27kg for two separate lots.

Despite only 27 lots, the Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ spring show and sale of dairy cattle saw a top bid of 3000gns for the champion.

The overall championship went to Thainstone exhibitor Stephen Moar, Maud with the February 2005-born Cluny Ace Glenna, an Oseeana Integrity Ace sired heifer in milk yielding 34kg a day. She led trade at 3000gns to judge Callum Innes, Nairn.

Taking the overall championship and top price at the Charolais sale at Welshpool was Castellmawr Bleddyn from Mr A Williams, Pwllheli, Gwynedd. He sold for 5600gns.

Full report to follow shortly......

Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ mid-week multi-breed show and sale of pedigree bulls attracted the crowds to Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre this week, which saw a Limousin lead trade at 5200gns.

The sale leader came from Michael Massie, Auchnagatt whose April 2006-born Elrick Baptist by Croftlimousin Spencer sold to E Robertson, Bixter.

As you will see in today's Farmers Weekly, I had the pleasure of a guided tour round the new Burytown herd of organic Simmentals.

Those of you that follow the Simmental sector will know that David and Nikky Field have been on a spending spree over the last year securing some of the best Simmental heifers at Society sales, not to mention a certain 22,000gns bull from Perth.

Stock certainly looks well and I was incredibly impressed with Dave's building design. They have some great bloodlines down there and will certainly be a herd to keep an eye on in the future.

The couple tell me they have plans to show, but will start very low key at a local level - and with their own bloodlines once they are born - which is nice to hear!

Anyway, here's a few more pictures for you to look at.........but Blair Tiffany (reserve champ from Perth 2008) still remians my favourite!

A quality display of freshly calved pedigree cows and heifers from Holstein, Ayrshire and the Jersey breeds dominated proceedings at Borderway Mart.

Trade reflected the current shortage of milking animals within the UK with a record average of £2238.

Top price went to the reserve champion, selling for 3800gns to the Logan herd owned by the Yates family. Kellywell Outside Doll consigned by David Robinson descends from the famous Doll family developed at Crudwell. She came from four generations of high scoring Ex cows.

Judge for the day was Richard Baynes from the Marleycote herd, who found his champion in the form of a heifer in milk from the Davidson family. Errolston Fordson Sheilah was sired by Bilsrow Fordson a young sire from Cogent and sold for 2800gns going to A and B Bargh, Woodclose, Skelton, Penrith.

The Seward families first home sale at Pithayes Farm, Whimple, Devon on Tuesday drew 22 different purchasers from Cornwall to Wiltshire to witness a top price of 2380gs.

No less than 15 lots sold for 2000gns with top price being paid for Shermans Frederik Mandy 19, a February calved heifer by Lymatra Cody Frederik that was giving 37kg with an SCC of 34. Close behind at 2300gns was the highest priced cow of the day Shermans Webster Wallen 22, a March second calver by Delta Webster that was giving just over 50kg.

Another strong entry of prime cattle dominated proceedings at Colchester market where a pen of heifers from local producer R Partridge and Son averaged £859.28 a head and topped at 157.5p/kg selling to H G Blake.

In the medium weight heifers J W G Dunt and Sons fetched a top call of 156p/kg selling to J W F Hughes and Co and averaging at £703.56 a head.

Steers topped at 155.5p/kg for a pen of heavy weights from G M K and I J Smith bought by H G Blake.

Averages: Steers 137.81p/kg; heifers 135.57p/kg (Colchester Livestock Market).

The first batch of spring lambs sold well at Hexham this week, topping at £74.50 for a 42kg Suffolk cross from Lunns House.

A limited selection of hoggs saw trade top at £77 ahead for a Suffolk cross weighing 53kg. One run of 70 well fleshed Suffolk and Charollais cross hoggs averaged £70.80 a head.

In the cattle rings, the 65 prime cattle averaged 152.1p/kg with a top price of 167.5p/kg paid for a pen of Blonde cross heifers. Limousin cross heifers met a top trade of 163.5p/kg, while British Blue cross steers sold to a top of 158.5p/kg.

Last week’s Limousin sale at Leyburn, held on behalf of the North East Limousin Breeders Club, included a consignment of good quality heifers from Margaret Suddes Farming, Wolsingham which topped at 1360gns.

The 12-month old Towdypotts Cora is by Papin and was bought by Mark Simpson, Witton Le Wear. Other heifers by Papin in the same bunch sold for 930gns and 900gns.

Heifers from the same home by Oddacres Vip sold to a top of 1280gns and heifers by Cornsay Taras topped at 1050gns.

Andrew and Clare Mason’s Oddacres herd sold two bulls by Saphir for 2000gns and 1500gns.

Another solid day’s trading of store cattle took place at Lanark this week where 431 steers averaged 144.1p/kg and sold to a top pf 182.3p/kg for a batch of Aberdeen-Angus crosses from T J Noble, Lindenlea.

The 381 heifers averaged 138.7p/kg and topped at 197p/kg for a pen of Limousin crosses from R Bell, Hardgatehead.

Of the 42 breeding cattle forward on the same day, top price went to M S Woodside, Biggar, for a heifer with calf at foot selling for £1100 (Lawrie and Symington).

Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre attracted a good entry of store cattle at the latest show and sale.

The overall show and bullock champion consigner was A and J Nairn, Glenlivet with a 14-month-old Limousin selling for £810 to W and B Hamilton and Sons, Eyemouth.

Liskeard saw an optimistic sale this week with a superb entry of 167 cattle. Topping the trade was a pen of Charolais steers from Messrs J P selling for £880.

Messrs Mathews took top honours in the heifer section with a premium at £715. A dairy type cull cow in from Mr Rowe, Menheniot, saw a top of £674. The market average was £585.

Sheep trade was also strong with an entry of 104 cull ewes. Top price was £52 for a pen of ewes from Markwell Farm, Landrake.

Prime hoggs saw plenty of interest with a premium of £67 given to Mr J Couch, Cuttapitt Farm.

Strong bidding saw prices top £120 for some doubles in from Messrs N and J Pearce, Lower Rosecraddoc.

Strong trade was seen at the Walker family's Aylesford disposal sale, Melton Mowbray, with non pedigree milk recorded Holsteins going under the hammer. Purchasers flocked from as far field as Shropshire and Norfolk as well as local counties.

Top price was £2300 for fresh calved daughter of Isidorus Kermit sold with her second calf giving 42kg out of a 13,000 kg dam. She was bought by Messrs Swift, Staffordshire.

Llandovery saw an end of an era last week as the last breeding animal from the Pengelli herd went under the hammer at the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s sale of pedigree cattle.

The two year-old home bred bull Pengelli Cassius was sold by 81 year-old Mrs Jean Edwards of Dolau Ganol, Ffarmers, Llanwrda in Carmarthenshire for 3500gns to her neighbour J A Jones.

Taking the overall male championship was Rhuddel Kracker, a 19 month old polled bull from Colin and Rhian Evans Nant– y –Moch Gwynfe, and was bought by David Sands, Pencader for 2000gns.

The British Blonde Cattle Society's Spring Show & Sale held for the first time at Worcester recorded a resounding success with a 90% clearance and a top price of 3600gns.

Top price went to the male and overall champion Hackleton Achiever, a Hadley Hank son whose EBV included him in the top 10% of the breed from Hackleton Farms' herd at Northampton. He levelled at 3600gns, selling to H J and B J Read and Sons, Bromyard, Herefordshire.

Hackleton Farms had a successful day with a younger bull Hackleton Blenheim having won first in his class levelling at 3500gns to A T Turner, Hahon, Derby.

Store cattle trade at Hexham has hit truly crazy levels today, with a Limousin cross steer making £1180.

And it wasn't just a one off either, with tow more from the same farm, Highwood, making £1060 and £1000 apiece too. These three were past 23 months, so likely to be heading for the kill line fairly soon.

Meanwhile among the heifers, trade topped at £870 for Limousin cross entries from Longfield House Farm's entries aged between 17 and 22 months.

High prices continued at Wright Manley mid month sale, despite split of the sale due to bluetongue into Beestson and Chelford Market.

Beeston saw 16 animals making more than £1700 with top price of £2220 being achieved for heifer Preston Goddess. Consigned by EV and B Boughey and Son she sold to Messrs D J Guy, Middlewich.

£2060 was achieved for fresh calved heifer, sold by Messrs WJ Lewis and Co to Messrs P and A Howard, Darnhall.

Young stock sold well with bulling heifer, Delwin Dugan Sheila consigned by Messrs RC Rutter and son selling for £920 to an undisclosed buyer.

A super consignment of well grown heifers from Messrs HA Challoner and Sons, sired in main by Deslacs Milkstar of Summershade Igniter, were keenly sought selling for £1000 to Messrs D B Beech.

Having sold the adult portion of the Ridgefield Holstein herd in March 2006, John Barker's farm at Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire is now up for sale.

Our Business Editor Andrew Shirley was fortunate enough to take a look round the farm with John. Take a look at the video footage from this impressive dairy farm......and if you're really good see if you can spot a spec of dirt!

Local farmers Ken Fawcett & Sons were again in championship-winning form at the store cattle with show potential fixture at Skipton Auction Mart, yesterday.

A ten-month old British Blue-cross white-faced heifer from the Fawcetts, of Dale Head Farm, Barden, landed the spoils, just two weeks after the family had sent out the title winner – another British Blue-cross ten-week-old – at Skipton’s annual Spring show and sale of young feeding bulls.

Both their home-bred champions are by the BB Society-registered Brookfield Vaughan, bought from Thirsk-based Stephen Potter – and now in its third year as a sire on the Fawcett suckler herd.

Exhibited by John Fawcett, the April victor sold for £910 to Jeff Burrow, of Hanlith, Kirkby Malham.

The reserve champion, a Limousin bullock from Chris Akrigg, of Cray, went on to make the day’s top price of £935 when acquired by Matt Townsend, of Laneshawbridge, who also bought a British Blue heifer from the Fawcett family for £900.

Calling all progressive livestock farmers...........the deadline to enter this year's Farmers Weekly Awards is fast approaching.

We're looking for beef, sheep, dairy and pig producers who want to stand up and be counted for simply doing a good job! Whether you are pedigree or commercial, intensive or extensive, indoor or outdoor - we want to hear from you.

Entering couldn't be easier simply call 0208 652 4916 for an entry form or enter yourself on the website. You may even like to nominate your partner, a friend or neighbour who you think is doing a good job.

Go on give it a go.......it's great publicity for your business, an excellent opportunity to get leading experts round your farm and if you're lucky to be one of the top three it's a fantastic night out in one of London's top hotels with all the great and good of the farming industry!

I look forward to reading your entry soon! Entries close at the end of this month.

The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association will be holding its annual May Fair on Tuesday, 6th May and Wednesday, 7th May at Exeter Livestock Centre, Devon.

The first day will see the show classes judged by three judges selected from the breed’s national panel. This will include male and female entries from all over the UK, both at lamb and shearling levels. At the end of the day an overall Champion for each section will have been decided. The male champion at last years event was a ram lamb from Mr J Dufosee’s Blackhill Flock.

Due to bluetongue zoning among other reasons, the X Factor Holstein fixture due to take place at Borderway Mart has been cancelled and the relevant dairy sales have been merged in to one sale on the 16th April.

That day will see 53 pedigree Holsteins forward followed by a spring sale of coloured dairy cattle including 6 red and whites and 16 Jerseys.

Judging takes place at 10am followed by the sale at 11am.

Prime cattle were in short supply at Colchester Market, which helped push prices in to the 163p/kg region.

Steers averaged 128.94p/kg, with the best bunch coming from weekly local supplier Gerald Ketley, whose batch of 17 medium weight steers topped at 163.5p/kg selling to J Coleman.

Heifers averaged 132.75p/kg and topped at 159.5p/kg for one from a batch of 57 from S J R and P Herwin, buyer here were H G Blake.

The catalogue for the Simmental sale at Carlisle is now available. Although there are only 17 entered for the sale on the 25th April, there are one or two good milk figures bulls entered.

The first one that jumps out at me is one from Charles Bruce, Bemersyde Thistle. This bull has a +5 milk figure nad Self Replacing Index of +34.

The other one that might be worth a look is Swingletree Terminator from J A Tallentire. By Salisbury Challenger, this bull is a grandson (on the dam side) of Balmano Hitman. He sells with a +6 figure for milk.

Caithness Livestock Centre hosted its annual April show and sale of store cattle this week, which saw the overall championship go to an April 2007-born 402kg yearling cross Charolais heifer from Stainland and Sibmister Farms, Castleton which was purchased by Carrie Mcadie, Bowertower for £710.

The champion animal will make a return appearance in the ring at Caithness in December. Buyer Carrie Mcadie purchased the heifer as her forthcoming entry in the Young Farmers’ Competition which will be judged at the annual Christmas show and sale.

More than 900 animals made their way to Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre for a show and sale of Aberdeen-Angus sired store cattle on Friday.

Stepping up to the challenge of judging was David Jackson, Mains of Melgund, Brechin. He selected his champion in the form of a 622kg June 2006-born steer from W Barnetson and Sons, Lynegar, Watten, which realised £940 to D and V Buchan, Savoch, Longside.

The Watson family’s long established Muirston Ayrshire herd offered a selection of spring calving heifers at Ayr market where a solid trade peaked at 2800gns for a daughter of McCornick Nelson.

The leading bid came for Muirston Clover 34, a 75% pure Ayrshire out of a cow by the red Holstein Horizon Ranger that topped 11,200kg in her third lactation. Buyer was George Templeton, Auchinleck, Ayrshire.

Messrs Watson, Stranraer paid 2600gns for another heifer from the Clover family, this time sired by Muirston Brightlight, while a 2550gns call from Messrs Morgan and Hughes, Cumnock, Ayrshire secured a Brightlight daughter from the herd’s Denise family.

Muirston Carol 55 – by West Mossgiel Lord of the Ring and out of a dam by Horizon Ranger – realised 2400gns to Messrs Gemmel, Brownsfield, Dumfries with a bid of 2250gns from Messrs Miller, Airdrie claiming a Brightlight heifer from the Pan family.

Averages: 33 in-calf heifers £1595. (Craig Wilson Ltd).

Trade for quality prime cattle continues to suprise beef producers at St Boswells today as prices for steers rose by 2p/kg to average 157.1p/kg for 111 sold, with heifers averaging 153.4p/kg for 102 sold.

Steers topped at a massive 183p/kg for one from Ramrig selling to Messrs Gilmour. The same buyer bought the top priced heifer from Pathhead at 174p/kg.

Trade for young bulls was also pretty fierce, up 6.6p/kg on last week's trade to average 140.7p/kg.

Some 2727 hoggs were forward and topped at 178.6 p (£83 a head) and averaged 146.1p/kg.

Cull cow trade also remained firm selling to a top price of 149p/kg and averaging 123.4p/kg.

A dispersal sale of an entire South Shropshire dairy herd planned for Friday has been postponed to later this year.

Shropshire auctioneers Halls were due to hold the sale of a herd of 269 Holstein Friesian dairy cattle at Poplars Farm, Brockton, Much Wenlock on behalf of Messrs E G Brown and Sons following a decision to dissolve the farming partnership.

Halls' director David Giles said a decision had been taken at short notice to postpone the auction to a future date.

The first part of the Molton herd’s dispersal sale kicked off with a flying start taking just two and half hours to sell the 211 heifers. Buyers from many parts of the South West were joined by others from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.

Sale leader was one and a half year old Molton Home Gretal 56, a served heifer and daughter of Moet Nansen. She was sold for 1650gns to Wales Scott Holsteins, Taunton, Somerset.

Wales Scott Holstein also went on to purchase Molton Park Elf for 1520gns, a one and a half year recently served heifer, daughter of Hanno ET.

Charolais bulls met a keen demand from commercial producers selling to a top of 2550gns in Holsworthy on Wednesday 2 April at the South West Charolais Club’s official spring show and sale.

Leading the trade at 2550gns was the day’s champion, Pengwedna Buster, a 21 month old Maerdy USA son and out of a Maerdy bred cow going back to Maerdy Grimaldi. Bred and exhibited by Mrs and Miss A E Pascoe, Helston, Cornwall he was knocked down sold to K C and J C Heard, Okehampton, Devon.

Next at 2050gns was the two year old Littlebovey Bart from Henry and Emma Vooght, Bovey Tracey, Devon to C Morrish, Barnstaple, Devon. A Balthayock Tomahawk son, he was out of a Bassingbourn bred cow bred from Glenleary lines.

A bid of 2000gns secured Lovistone Baron for AS Tamblyn and Son, Liskeard, Cornwall. This two year old bred by B R Nancekivell, Okehampton, Devon was by Penhole Samaritan and out of a Clayknight bred cow.

Tuesday's Continental Breeding Day at Ashford market, Kent saw a top price achieved for a Blonde bull from the Bowden family, Henley-on-Thames. The 2006 homebred Barabus for £1500 to local stockmen John and Richard Baker.

Tom and Rita Evans offered four Limousin bulls from their Fenrose herd, but only one sold at £1400 to new buyers J W Watt, Dorking.

Local breeders E Beeney and Sons sold two pedigree Limousin bulls at £1200 to A Husk, Dover and a Limousin cross at £1120 to Burden Bros, Isle of Sheppey.

Trade was remarkably good this week at the Western Holstein Club sale despite the split of Beeston Castle Auction for the sale of animals in the clean zone and Chelford Market, for animals in the surveillance zone.

Beeston saw 12 cows and 17 heifers on sale, all selling, with seven breaking the 2000gns barrier. Top price on the day was 2450gns for Milwr Igniter S Julie, a fresh heifer consigned by Graham Pierce, Chester, to C E Walley, Chester. Only two out of six bulls sold for a top of 780gns.

Champion was Danevalley Roy Posh 4 a second calved cow by Roylane Jordan, selling for 2400gns. Consigned by A L Moore and Partners of Byley she sold to Aubrey Greenhalgh, Preston on behalf of a client.

Chelford saw a similar number of animals on offer. Champion was two year old Styche Rubens Laura Red, selling for 2300gns to Rob Bell, Knutsford by Seaton Farms of Audlem.

Reserve champion Bidlea Albertson Lively, from Ray Brown and Partners, Holmes Chapel, was also purchased by Rob Bell for 1900gns.

Phil Wynn of Ashacres Holsteins, Whitchurch, purchased two tops priced heifers. Sterndale Jordan Barb from WJ Nadin and Co, Buxton made 2100gns and Saxelby September Marie sold for 1900gns.

Disappointing prices were reached at Ludlow Simmental sale this week, as the bluetongue restriction zone diminished buyers and sellers. As culling out prices remain consistently high, low numbers of breeding bulls and heifers were being sold.

Topping the sale, which saw only five of 15 forward sell, was a call of 2400gns for the champion, Sterling Tomahawk, son of Corskie Principal. Consigned from S R Hitchins, Boddington Estates and shown by their stock man Jimmy McMillan, he sold to C M Mercer, Leominster.

Prime trade continues at a pace at Hexham and Northern Marts where the 61 cattle on offer topped 156.5p/kg.

Blonde cross heifers were the favour of the day reaching the top price with Charolais steers hitting 154.5p/kg, Limousin cross heifers selling to 152.5p/kg and Charolais heifers at the 147.5p/kg mark.

In the over 30 months section, British Blue cross cows came out on top grossing just shy of £1000 a head and Limousin cross cows topping at £968.

A mixed selection of prime hoggs were also on offer this week, wit the best coming from a batch of Texel crosses weighing 40kg from Langley House, Lancaster. These sold for 176.3p/kg.

Generous bidding and plenty of buyers created a strong trade for cattle at the North West Limousin Club’s special show and sale of store cattle at Ulverston, Cumbria where a steer produced the top price of £935.

Consigned by local vendors E and I Shuttleworth, the steer stayed in south Cumbria with buyer John Phizackerly. Strong stores had no trouble making well in the £800-plus range with overall prices reckoned to be up by over £100 a head on the year.

Leading the heifers and taking the overall championship was an entry from David Hoggartt, Broughton-in-Furness and claimed at £710 by John Bowling, Wigan, Lancashire. The reserve championship went to a pedigree bull from Alan Myerscough, Ulverston. It realised £1920 to Michael Irving, Grizedale, Cumbria. There was total clearance of the 573 head on offer.

An extra sale for the Welsh Blacks Cattle Society has been added to the diary for the 12th April at Llandovery market. The additional sale will benefit young bulls which qualify for the Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Project funded by Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC). Six bulls that are eligible for HCC funding are entered into the sale.

Some 27 heifers will go under the hammer including two in-calf heifers, 11 maiden heifers and 14 yearling heifers.

Leading breeders from across Wales will be selling at the sale says Andrew James, society chief executive. “The choice is excellent with nine organic animals, three naturally polled bulls and 27 of the animals being certified free of Johne’s disease. Eights animals for sale are also from an elite health status herd, certified free of Johne’s disease, BVD, IBR and leptospirosis”.

A reduction sale of Mr and Mrs Bateman Orielton herd, Pembrokshire will go under the hammer. This comprises of 48 in-calf cows, due to calf between May and July.

Prime hoggets hit the dizzy heights of £100 aty John Swan Ltd's St Boswell’s market this week when 52kg Cheviots from Ludenlaw, Kelso, while the top price/kg was claimed by 41kg Beltex from Little Forgue and Nether Auchrine at 200p/kg.

Other leading prices among the hoggets saw plenty of pens topping £80/head mark, a significant shift in prices from where they stood in the early part of the year.

Cull ewes and rams also met exceptional demand, with a top of £101/head for Texels from Newton of Budgate Nairn and many more past £75 apiece.

Among the finished cattle coming through the ring the top call was £1.77/kg for a steer from Smailholm Mains, with the top priced heifer coming in at £1.74/kg for one from Quixwood. Cull cows also met firm demand topping at £1.45p/kg and grossing £1297 for Skelfhill.

A third calving cow from the Norman family topped last week’s Annual Spring Fever sale at Sedgemoor Auction Centre selling for 2350gns.

David and Valerie Norman’s Chavenage ASP Queen, a December calved third lactation cow giving 40kg sold to R down, Taunton. Close behind at 2100gns was Ciderhouse Deb Seaspray from D J Norman, Sherborne. This March second calver by Ciderhouse Debonair sold to Mr Searle, Axminster.

Derek and Jeremy Dennis’ Dinnaton Bart Out Odette, having calved her second in March sold for 2020gns to an undisclosed buyer.

Eight heifer calves from the Sandyhill herd of J N R and D Norris generated tremendous interest showing the shortage of youngstock currently available. A three month old heifer Sandyhill Gaiety 158 by Doolhof December and out of a 10,000kg dam sold for 780gns to Mr symms, Sherborne.

Holstein Bulls sold to Messrs Thomas, Umberleigh at 1300gns for the Dennis’ 20 month old Dinnaton Macmillan by Roylan Jordan.

A first for Sedgemoor was a consignment of 40 Gurnsey youngsters from Maurice and Philip Durbin’s Bickfield herd. In-calf heifers sold to 1000gns for Bickfield Rainbow 51 with a PLI of +£56. By Slindon Posies Ambionic and due in September to Bickfield Venus Stargazer, she sold to Blandford-based chettle Guernsey Cream.

Averages: Holstein calved cows £2019; calved heifers £1680; bulls £1141; calves £720; Guernsey in-calf heifers £808; served heifers £647 (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).