A Scottish commercial beef producer has paid a record price for a pedigree Blonde bull.

Islay cattleman James Porter paid 10,000gns for the bull to Fife pedigree Blonde breeder Bill Laird in a private deal brokered through Carlisle-based Harrison & Hetherington pedigree auctioneer David Thomlinson.

The breed's previous UK record price was 8500gns paid by James Weightman, of Easington, Co Durham, at the March 2007 Blonde Society Carlisle sale for Blackwater Ainsley from I R Calderbank from Maldon, Essex.

The five year old Freefield Upaggie was bought by Mr Laird as stock bull for his 28-cow Lochhead Blonde herd at Lochhead Farm, East Wemyss, and after using him he has sold him on to Mr Porter who runs 90-plus suckler cows at Cragebus, Port Ellen, Islay, breaking the mould for the island's breeders who predominantly use the Limousin as a terminal sire.

Picture by Andrew Aitken

Bill Laird and his brother Donald have been breeding pedigree Blondes since buying their first bull in 1995 which gave them trouble-free calvings for three years on heifers from their flying herd of 70 milking cows.

Store cattle and stirks at Sedgemoor saw the average price break the £600 barrier at £623 a head for the 596 stores and stirks offered, with the top price being £1040 for a Charolais steer from Mr A P Parris of Taunton.

Stirks topped at £665 for a British Blue steer with Limousins to £630. Calves also rocketed as British Blue heifers averaged £190 and topped at £285 for a 10-day old heifer (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).

A good quality entry of 180 cattle went under the hammer at Bishops Castle Auction last week when steers averaged £632 a head and 153p/kg, with highs of £950 for a 660kg Charolais steer from W K Watkin, Kerry and 188p/kg for three 250kg steers from G E Balmer and Son, Snailbeach.

Heifers averaged £576 a head and 143.5p/kg to a maximum of £810 for a Charolais again from Mr Watkin and 167.9p/kg for a 405 kg Limousin from A Bloor and Sons, Bishops Castle.

Another good entry of eight cows and calves averaged £1100, with the top price of £1300 going to S H Hillage, Marshbrook (Halls).

Crowds gathered from as far as Lancashire and Staffordshire for the dispersal of David and Rosemary Fox's first class Alvinstone herd near York.

Being in the Bluetongue surveillance zone meant trade was less buoyant on the better milking cattle. However, young stock saw great trade with 25 individuals making over 1500gns.

Topping the sale was the Belgian Blue stock bull, Ridge Dean Acajou, making 3700gns to Messrs H Garside and Son, Huddersfield. Acajou is by the top rated Hazelwood Freshman, having excellent EBV and calving ease figures.

Tuesday saw the best calf trade at Shrewsbury Auction Centre for four years, Auctioneers told.  

Fierce bidding coupled with high quality calves resulted in an overall market average of £161 a head, including Friesian bulls, said auctioneer Tom Jones.  

"Tuesday's overall trade is certainly the best since I started selling calves four years ago and more calves are needed to satisfy the demand, with buyers travelling to Shrewsbury from across Shropshire and surrounding counties.

"The improving beef market has resulted in a strong demand for Friesian bull calves, which are selling at up to £106." 

Leading British Lop breeder Brian Upchurch took top honours at the Royal Norfolk Show yesterday with his successful show sow Greenway Harmony.

Having won the White Breeds section, Harmony went head to head with another show great, the Saddleback sow Victoria Lottie 168 who won the coloured breeds section. The two sows are no stranger to battle as the Saddleback has beaten its rival twice and vice versa.

Commenting on both exhibits judge and noted breeder John Millard from Cambridgeshire said: "Both sows were of a high quality and looked well on the day. Both had great underlines and moved exceptionally well, the only thing that tipped it for me was the British Lop was slightly longer."

Well yesterday was the first time I have been to the Royal Norfolk Show and I have to say I was more than impressed! With more than 600 livestock entered - an amazing result in terms of this year's bluetongue problems - the stock looked great. I'm a beef girl at heart and I have to say that was the best show of beef cattle I've seen this summer.

Taking the silverware home was no stranger to success this year Peter Gooderham and his two year old Limousin heifer Sundale Bon Bon. fresh from her interbreed win at East of England, the Broadmeadows Cannon daughter will now head to the Kent County Show.

Standing reserve to her was the Hereford cow and calf Primrose Gay Maid 1st from B Wyand.

The dairy championships were decided on the Wednesday which means unfortunately we can't bring you any pictures. Leading the way was the Holstein from Robert Paterson's Airfield herd in the hands of Ken Proctor.

Airfield CC Beth is by Calbrett -1HH Champion and out of a homebred cow. Giving 37kg at 112 days into her second lactation, she has currently given 4612kg.

Taking reserve was the Guernsey from Jason and Katharine Salisbury. On Sharnford Marigold's second ever outing, this was the best the couple have ever done int he four years the herd has been established. Running just 30 cows they roduce milk for thier Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses company.   

HRH Prince Harry was at hand briefly at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday and he took some time out to meet one or two of the exhibitors.....I just hope this particular one behaved himself!!!

Take a look at our Norfolk picture gallery

Full show results to follow shortly.........

A small entry of cattle met a firm trade at Lanark market with 38 store cattle being sold. Of the 15 bullocks put forward prices ranged from 145.8p to 171.3p/kg for a pen of 324kg Simmental crosses from A Muirhead, Netherfauld House. A 646kg Limousin cross from T & E Lorimer, Birkwood Mains topped at £948.

Heifers, 23 of which were put forward averaged 145.3p to 163.6p/kg for a pen of 428kg Limousin cross from W Russell and Son, Bankhead. A 604kg Limousin cross topped the heifer trade at £938 from T & E Lorimer, Birkwood

An inadequate entry but some quality entries sparked a flying trade at Colchester Market. Plenty of cattle were over 190pkg and 16 cattle over the £1000 barrier.  The average included all sorts from Dexters to E Grade steers and heifers.  All steers averaged 169.15, all heifers 155.19, all bulls 126.05, and all cattle 156.58.

Top price for the day was a heavy steer selling for £1242.14 to J Lennox consigned by R Partridge and Son. Lighter steers topped at £1024.10 for A W bentall selling to J Coleman.

A small entry of bulls were on offer topping at £987.28 for P A Evans selling to M Newman. Over thirty months saw prices reaching £919.88 from F Pickford selling to M Newman.

Ashford market saw a disappointing trade with a 20p/kg drop in one week, which was a bitter blow for many. Prices however are 30p above the same week last year with the increase just about covering the extra feed and other costs.

Several buyers remarked that overall quality was less than expected, with best well shaped well fleshed sheep gaining 10-15p per kg over the plainer sorts. The bulk of better lambs were shown by Tom Masters, G H Dean & Co and I Henshaw.

Topping the sale at £68, 152.22p/kg was I Henshaw for his 45kg lamb. Not far behind was G H Dean and Co at £54 150p/kg for a 36kg lamb.

Ewes were in plentiful with demand similar. Top ewes selling to a top of £59.80 for strong Suffolks from Lydden Court and £58.20 from Dan Mackleden while the pick of the Romneys sold to £44.80 from G R & A J Weller.

Medium weight fleshed ewes were sold in the £38-£45 bracket and plain ewes again all £25-£32 for anything healthy. Cull rams again a fair shot to £47 per head.

It look slike the worst fears have now been confirmed in that the Royal Show will remain in the bluetongue surveillance zone.

Farmers Weekly's news team has learnt this morning from Simon Frere-Cook, Royal Show director, that livestock entries would be "considerably lower than expected" as a result and predicted that only a quarter of the usual number of livestock entries would be eligible to take part.

Only livestock that has been fully vaccinated and conforms to DEFRA movement restrictions will be allowed to enter the Stoneleigh showground in Warwickshire.

Taking Stock will of course be ringside at the Show bringing you latest results, news and views, although I fear we will have considerably less work to do at the event compared to most years!  

There may have some caution in terms of bluetongue zoning around the sale ring at Little Bovey Farm, Devon this week, but that didn't stop Henry and Emma Vooght putting on a good display for their pedigree Charolais production sale.

No stranger to show ring success the herd was founded in 1987 and has won various championship tickets including the Royal Show. The decision has been taken to maintain a herd of 50 pedigree cows and introduce a herd of 100 Holstein Friesians.

And it was one of the herd's show winners and catalogue's cover girl that led trade on the day. Littlebovey Tee is by Maerdy Naser and out of Maerdy Oye and has a self replacing index of +34 and milk figure of +11. She knocked down at 4200gns to an undisclosed buyer.

   A small entry but top quality cows greeted buyers at the Border and Lakeland show and sale. Topping the sale at 2450gns was Cormick Gibson Whiskey from the Whiskey family, consigned by D McCormick, Dalbeattie. She joins the herd of N Nicolson and Son, Newhouse Farm, Dumfries.

Attracting the attention of some discerning breeders was second top price and reserve champion the Red and White by Baileys RL Matrix Red from a VG86 Faber followed by an excellent grand dam.  Consigned by David McCormick, the 2400gns, Comick Matrix RL Scarlet Red now joins J Reay and Son, Carlisle. Equalling at 2400gns was RH Cater and Son, Wigton, selling to N Nicolson and Son, Dumfries.

The non pedigree cows and heifers also met a high demand with a top price of £2550. Consigned by Tony Scott, Lockerbie the heifer sold to Alan Blair, Brampton. Other leading prices saw heifers and cows selling over £2000 reinforcing the under supply of dairy cattle in the UK.

On the show side of things the winning cow was Gerrard Gibson Princess. Sired by Silky Gibson from an Excellent classified Maughlin Storm with five lactations over 11,000kgs.  She sold for 1780gns to A E Johnston and Son, Carlisle from R H Carter and Son, Wigton. Second place cow was a Wa-Del Convincer from W M Hutchinson giving 47kg and selling for 1700gns to S J Baird, Wigton.

The heifer class was won by Gerrard Kendall Jewell, sold by R H Cater and Son for 2400gns, she now joins the herd of N Nicolson and Son, Dumfries.

Breed enthusiasts from as far a field as Norfolk and Cornwall packed the sale ring for the dispersal of Peter Burton's herd of pure Guernsey's and Guernsey crosses at Newent, Gloucestershire.

Topping trade at 1500gns was the 5^th calver Hampton Lily 485^th, a daughter of Shalford Yette. She joins the herd of R J Smith Dereham, Norfolk.

Unregistered Monica, a February calved forth calver served in May by the Herford stock bull and giving 30,2kgs daily, sold for 1450gns to Dallyns Dairy, Barnstable.

St Bowells summer show and sale of prime stock saw some quality animals, with the top price for the day going to reserve champion at £2.60/kg £1534. The homebred bullock consigned by S J Withers, Wester Ulston sold to M/s W T S Forsyth and Sons, Peebles.

The champion, a Belgian Blue cross heifer from M/s W Fleming, Mosstower also realising a good price, sold at £2.50/kg £1375 to the shows judge, Mr G Moor.

High prices were also seen on the cow front, with £1433.70 being made for Over Whitlaw and £1201.5 for Wester Ulster. On the show side Wester Ulston scaled 590kg and made 2.60 selling to W T S Forsyth and Sons. Second place was Ramrig which scaled 555kg and made 2.00 selling to M/s Cropper.

Lambs also saw a good sale with Suffolk crosses topping at £80 for Smailholm Mains. Texels topped at £79 from Birkenside and Beltex's at £65.50.

It's been a while, but I've finally sorted out the results from Lincolnshire Show.

Beef Interbreed Smiths of Bloxham's Limousin heifer Bavier; res R Dawson's Charolais bull Lamberpark Challenger. 

Lincoln Red H M and J M Needler's cow Walmer Lobelia; res, Trehudreth Farm's heifer Trehudreth Beth.

British Blue Barwood and Padfield's cow Ridge Dean Sherry; res, Barwood and Padfield's bull Piggots Artful Dodger.

British Charolais R Dawson's bull Lamberpark Challenger; res, J R and V A Webb's bull Newroddige Bruno.

British Limousin Smiths of Bloxham's heifer Bavier; res, H C Burton's cow Spage Tess.

British Simmental P D Thurston's heifer Ferrylane Lottie Victoria; res, R W Hopkinson's bull Hollingwood Vulcan.

Longhorn G S Thomas' heifer Barlings Greta; res, C G Burton and Son's Charnwood Gladiator.

Any Other Pure Breed C Fox's Salers cow Coland Tansy; res, C Fox's Salers bull Manor Lane Apollo.  

Commercial Beef S B Show Cattle's Limousin cross steer Samson; res, K Ludgate's British Blue cross heifer Big Bum.

Dexter C A Raybould's heifer Welland View Blossom; res, C A Raybould's bull Welland View William.

Dairy interbreed

J and S Arrowsmith's Jersey Warninglidgold Lemvig Autumn 3; res, J and S Arrowsmith's Holstein Pasturesnew SS Golden Rose.

Holstein J and S Arrowsmith's cow Pasturesnew SS Golden Rose; res, R V winter and Sons' cow Corringham Astre Echo.

Jersey J and S Arrowsmith's cow Warninglidgold Lemvig Autumn 3; res, Pavenham Jerseys' cow Pavenham Iben 9.

It doesn't seem moments ago that the Taking Stock team left for Lincoln and then the Highland Show, but we're back in the office now.

I've just been going through some more East of England pictures so thought I'd put those up for you. check out one or two of those cute young handlers I had the pleasure to judge!

Also if anyone knows this mad stockperson pictured below.....let me know!

It was the Holstein that took the top honours in the dairy rings earlier ahead of the Ayrshire.

Show leader was Almond Silky Avis, the Silky Gibson daughter from Almond Holsteins and Longfordhall Holsteins.

Shown by Paul Rawcliffe of Almond Holsteins, the eight days calved eight year old is currently giving 45kg after her last lactation of 15,400kg. No stranger to the show ring she has won two reserve championships at the Royal Show along with top honours at the National Holstein Show in 2003. Her next outing will be the Royal Welsh Show.

Taking reserve spot was the Ayrshire from Laurence and Keith Davidson. Shown by Keith's daughter Katie who is pedigree dairy assistant at Harrison and Hetherington, Halmyre Urr Louise is currently giving 40kg and has already won interbreed at Ayr this year, as well as champion Ayrshire Calf in 2005. The plan is to now show her locally.

Both exhibits were complemented by judge John Loftus, Lancashire. "The Holstein has a super udder and looks fantastically well for her age, while the Ayrshire is much stronger than most Ayrshires showing a super udder and legs."  

Jimmy and Willie Thomson, Hownam Grange, Morebattle, Kelso, have just clinched their second sheep interbreed championship in a row at the Highland Show with a North Country Cheviot gimmer from their 250-ewe flock of Park-type sheep.

  By a homebred tup which is in turn by Erikstane The Laird which the Thomsons sold as a shearling last year at Lanark, the gimmer is out of a homebred ewe and she will now head home before going to the Border Union Show at Kelso in July.

Standing reserve to the North Country Cheviot was the Texel champion a three crop ewe from Stephen Renwick, Selkirk. This one was bred in the Warnock family's Watchknowe flock and is by a Watchknowe tup. Mr Renwick was in his first year of exhibiting at the Highland and runs just 20 Texel ewes. This ewe stood reserve at Border Union last year.

Well my prediction was right.......Jimmy and Margaret McMillan have taken the beef interbreed championship at this year's Royal Highland Show with his homebred 2003-born Charolais cow Dunesk Unesta.

By Oldstone Edbert and out of a homebred dam, Unesta has already stood interbreed champion at the Angus Show for the second year running and at Alyth last weekend. Shown by Jimmy's son Gordon, with Jimmy on the five month old bull calf, they plan to take her to the National Charolais show.

Taking the reserve spot was Buckinghamshire-based Doug Mash's two year old Limousin heifer Brockhurst Batik. Shown by Sarah-Jane Jessop and Dougie McBeath, the heifer has been at residence with the couple since March.

She is an embryo bred heifer out of a successful flush of Grahams Samson and Ronick McAinsi and will next head to the Royal Show.

Speaking about his champions David Leggat said the cow was an outstanding animal in a solid working condition with good bull calf at foot. "She moves well, looks good for her age and has a star appeal when she walked in the room.

"The Limousin equally had presence and a great carcass shape. She is a great example of the breed."  

For more pictures from the Royal Highland see our picture gallery 

Having tapped out a hsort lead consisting of the Aberdeen-Angus, Galloways, Charolais, Simmentals, Limousin and Salers, David Leggat has selected the Limousin team to take this year's Royal Highland Interbreed Team award.

The team was led by Harry Emslie's bull Hartsideanew Argos, Bernard Mairs' cow Ronick Money and two heifers from Doug Mash, which are embryo heifers by Grahams Samson out of Ronick McAinsi born a day apart from each other.

The Aberdeen-Angus group took the reserve spot.

David Leggat's next job will be to select the overall interbreed champion of the show.

Fresh from their win yesterday in the M&S Beefbreeder championships, Swalesmoor Charolais led by stockman Iain Campbell were in the winning line up this morning for the junior interbreed.

Under the eye of Ronald Sinclair, Orkney, Swalesmoor Cupid was tapped out ahead of the Simmental.

 By Goldies Uppermost out of Blelack Una, Cupid took the title in front of the Simmental exhibit from Iain Green's Corskie Valiant 2, by Strathisla Nuggat (a bull due out in the beef interbreed later this morning).

Following the completion of the breed classes yesterday, today will see John Morison take centre stage as he officiates in the interbreed sheep judging at 1230.

Having not seen all the breed champions out of their pens yet its difficult to make any predictions, but of those I have seen I doubt the Charollais and Texel will be far away from the top spot and the outside bet would be on the Hampshire Down ewe lamb to come close.

I'll keep you updated as the judging takes place, but in the meantime Chrissie will be keeping you up to date with the beed and dairy interbreed championships as they progress through this morning.

Results and pictures to follow and don't foget to check the gallery to see pictures of many of the breed champions....

Beef interbreed judging is well underway this morning, with United Auctions leading man David Leggat ready for action as judge.

We start with the junior championships followed by the teams and then the overall championships. I haven't seen all the champions but my initial guess would be the Charolais cow from Jimmy McMillan won't be too far away. I've not seen the Simmental bull as yet, but the word is he could be in for a shout as well.

We'll keep you posted................

If you've missed any pictures so far - check out our Highland gallery.  

Taking the Ayrshire title at this year's Highland is L Davidson and Son's cow in milk Halmyre urr louise. She is by Badenheath Sir Lawrence and is homebred.

Standing reserve to her was M W and A Stevenson's Buttercup 50.

In the Jersey lines, J and I Wilson's Goodtime Paragon Folly took the title.

In the Holstein lines the championship went to Almond Silky Avis, a 2000-born cow owned jointly by Almond Holsteins and Longfordhall Holsteins.

While Almond Holsteins also had a hand in the reserve championship with Weeton Brandy Reba, a cow they own jointly with J Loftus, taking the honours.

For more pictures from the cattle and sheep lines click here.  

Another full day of judging at the Royal Highland Show has seen the remainder of the sheep championships resolved before interbreed judging tomorrow.

A chunk of my morning was spent happily watching my old friend Derek Ritchie judging the Hampshire Downs, thankfully we agreed on the results!

Leading the way in this breed was the ewe lamb winner, a showy, stylish and well fleshed entry from Messrs Fletcher, Northern Ireland. In my eye she'd be in for a shout in tomorrow's interbreed under John Morison.

Meanwhile, the Texels also spent much of the morning in the ring with their champion going to the female leader.

In the Charollais it was Herbie Kennedy's shearling ewe which took top honours ahead of the Paterson family's tup.

More pictures have been loaded into the Royal Highland gallery, so go and take a look and see where you're money's going for tomorrow's interbreed awards.

Texel S Renwick's ewe; res, Douganhill Farms' shearling ewe.

Charollais F H Kennedy and Son's shearling ewe; res, R and M Paterson's ram.

Shetland G E and J Meikle's ram; res, R Douglas' ewe.

British Rouge S Wilkinson's ram lamb; res, R Imlah's shearling ewe.

Beltex J L McMillan's shearling ram; res, J W Cowan's ewe.

Hebridean J Wilson's ram; res, A Martin and L Dunlop's shearling ewe.

Bluefaced Leicester D and J Cruikshank's shearling ram; res, A Brown's gimmer.

Scotch Mule J M Kerr's ewe; res, N and J McQuistin's ewe lamb.

Bleu du Maine W Baillie's ewe; res, W Baillie's ram.

Swaledale A Slack's ewe; res, J Bradley's ram.

Hampshire Down J and A Flectcher's ewe lamb; res, A McCarthy's shearling ewe.

Zwartbles M Campbell's ewe; res, C Scott's ram.

He's usually seen on the other end of the camera - Not quite first prize Wayne - but we're proud of you!

The Directors of Premier Livestock Auctions have reluctantly decided that

Yeovil Market will be closing at the end of June. 

The market has been held in Yeovil for 156 years but the continuing uncertainties created by a diminishing national herd by Foot and Mouth and, more recently, Blue Tongue Disease and increasing regulation in many areas of our industry combined with all of the difficulties that come from operating a livestock market on a restricted town site centre has made it impossible to run Yeovil Market as a viable business.

Frome is already a regional centre and as a modern, purpose built market has the space and facilities to increase stock numbers and to service more clients.

Buyers and vendors both benefit from larger quantities and PLA are keen to include their existing client base, formerly at Yeovil and particularly from Dorset, in their plans to expand their influence over an even wider area.. 

The weekly market at Frome will continue to operate each Wednesday for all classes of stock and Yeovil's special Candlemas Sale will continue to be run in February. 

For the second year running Ruby Wright took the young handler championship at this year's East of England show having just received her NVQ equivalent award for Animal Husbandry from the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society's 2007 Youth Development Programme.

I had the great pleasure of judging Ruby in the young handlers competition and she is definately one to keep an eye on in the future.

 The quality of the young handlers at the East of England was very impressive and gave me a really difficult job, but Ruby caught my eye the minute she came in the ring. She and her animal were immaculately turned out and she presented her heifer incredibly well showing great knowledge as I talked to her.

Click here for more pictures of champions and judging shots from the Royal Highland Show.  

Beef results

Native Groups Aberdeen Angus; res, Belted Galloway.

M&S Beefbreeder Swalesmoor Charolais' Swalesmoor Cannon; res, R Dick's Limousin Grahams Bonzo.  

Beef Shorthorn A C Holmes' bull Cairnsmore Thrasher; res, Major JPO Gibb and C M Gibb's cow Glenisla Carnation Rouge.

Aberdeen Angus M and S Wilson and Sons' bull Moncur Jacob Eric; res, J Russell Taylor GC Taylor Farms' bull Moncur Emperor G0888.

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

Belted Galloway T Rennie's bull Mosstonmuir Puzzle; res, C S Fletcher's cow Barwise Maggie May.

Highland C Cubbertson's heifer Kate 1^st Jedderfield; res, A A McIntyre and Son's heifer Morag Buide of Sair.

Hereford J A Cameron and Son's bull Baldinnie 1 Cranmore; res, J M Cant and Partners' cow Panmure 1 Plum.

British Charolais J A and M F McMillan's cow Dunesk Unesta; res, A B Hornall's bull Fallenich Bigboy.

British Simmental W and G Strachan's bull Strathisla Nuggat; res, W Young's cow Skerrington Rebecca 18.

British Limousin W J and M Mash's heifer Brockhurst Batik; res, H Emslie's bull Hartsideanew Argos.

British Blonde A J and C D Scott's bull Shapfell Bongo; res, J and H Clark's heifer Garngour Amanda.

British Blue K Watret's cow Broomfield Viven; res, M Telfer and H Claxton's heifer Newton Blues Candice.

Salers W Davidson's bull Polden Uri; res, G S McClymont's cow Cuil Shona.

Longhorn J Close and Son's cow Fishwick Donna; res, N Luckett's heifer Wellhead Gertrude.  

Here are the sheep results from yesterday's judging at the Royal Highland.

Among the Blackface, the Ramsay family, Milnmark, Dalry, led the way, taking both the champion and reserve ticket, while the Thomson's last year's interbreed winners with their North Country Cheviot took the breed title again with a stylish shearling ewe.

Among the Suffolk's Robbie Wilson, Strathisla took the top prize with a tup lamb which no doubt is heading for the breed's sale back here at Ingliston in July.

Meanwhile, Robert Graham, of Graham's Dairies fame took the Berichon Du Cher championship.

Judging today includes the Swaledales which are already underway, we'll bring you the results as we get them.

For all those of you wanting to see what the champions look like, we've uploaded photos of all those we have into the Royal Highland gallery, more will follow as we get them....

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

North Country Cheviot W and J Thomson's shearling ewe; res, Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust's ewe lamb.

North Country Cheviot Hill W and J Thomson's ewe; res, C J and J M Symons tup.

Border Leicester W Young's ewe; res, J W Brown and Others' tup.

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

Cheviot T G O Douglas and Co's shearling ewe; res, J Common and Son's tup.

Jacob W Crowe's shearling ewe; res, M Leithead's tup.

Ryeland A Hunter Blair's shearling ewe; res, S P and J Maddock's tup.

Berrichon Du Cher R and J Graham's ewe; res, I D Johnston's tup.

Lleyn N Lawrence's ram; res, N Lawrence's shearling ewe.

Commercial Sheep A Leggate's gimmer; res, J T Whiteford's prime lambs.

 More results and pictures to follow later as more judging is completed.......................

Well its a hectic week for the Taking Stock team, after a short day at Lincoln Show yesterday, we hot footed it north to Edinburgh for the Royal Highland and have pitched in here this morning to bring you all the latest news from the show.

For all those of you wanting to see what won we've created two picture galleries, one from Lincoln and one from the Royal Highland.

Results from both shows will follow shortly.......

United Auctions has announced today their plans to amalgamate the Perth and Stirling sales to operate from a single site at the new Stirling Agricultural Centre.

The amalgamation is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company and will take effect from June next year when the construction of the new mart at Hill of Drip in Stirling is complete, at which point the Perth and Kildean mart sites will close.

In the meantime, the existing marts will continue to operate as usual, with no disruption to scheduled auction sales.

The announcement is part of the company's corporate strategy under the MBO team, who completed a buy-back of the livestock operation from property developer Elphinstone in February 2007.

David Leggat, Executive Chairman of United Auctions said: "This decision has not been taken lightly. We are responding to the changes in the sector and the challenges we're facing and believe we're taking the necessary action to ensure a sustainable future.

"Our staff and customers are our utmost priority and we're confident the amalgamation will create a very exciting set of sales in a single location that will benefit our customers. We are pleased to reassure them that there will be no personnel changes so they can rely on the same staff being at their service in the new location."

"We are incredibly proud of our history in Perth and at Kildean and will ensure that special Perth and Stirling sales, such as the Bull Sales, will continue to have their own identity."

For all you show enthusiasts out there, there is a rather interesting forum thread of FWi Space regarding whether showing has its place. Take a look and see what you think - as you can imagine Jonathan has made his thoughts heard!!

Here are the full sheep and pig results from the East of England Show

SHEEP

Interbreed P Kettle's Hampshire Down shearling ram; res, B Cooper's Southdown shearling ram.

Charollais H A Ashley's shearling ewe; res, J Bury's shearling ram.

Hampshire Down P Kettle's shearling ram.

Jacob J C Dixon's ram; res, R Beecher's shearling ram.

Kerry Hill S A Hill's shearling ram; res, S A Hill's shearling ewe.

AOB Longwool HMP North Sea Camp's ram; res, F M Baldacchino's shearling ewe.

Shropshire M E Webb's ewe lamb; res, L Newman's ewe.

Suffolk R J Woolway's shearling ewe; res, T Blunt's ram lamb.

Texel R Kellet's shearling ram; res, H S Ashley's shearling ewe.

White Faced Woodland C Steel's shearling ewe; res, C Steel's shearling ram.

AOB Continental G and N Pamplin's Beltex shearling ram; res, G and N Pamplin's shearling ewe.

AOB Down B Cooper's Southdown shearling ram; res, H Middleditch's Oxford Down ewe lamb.

AOB Native J Whybrow's Balwen ram; res, L Rollason's Norfolk Horn ewe.

PIGS

Interbreed P E Churchyard's Large Black boar Breckles Majestic 20; res, M J Kiddy and Son's Large White sow Withersfield Blackberry 151.

British Lop B Upchurch's gilt Greenway Harmony 125; res, M and E Edgar's gilt Bakers Actress 7.

Welsh  Brooksby Melton College's boar Brooksby Earl 188; res, Brooksby Melton College's gilt Brooksby Empress 17.

AOB White Pig M J Kiddy and Son's Large White sow Withersfield Blackberry 151; res, M J Kiddy and Son's Large White boar Withersfield Alpine 15.

Gloucestershire Old Spots C Knights' sow Alsa Princess 688; res, C Knights' gilt Alsa Princess 901.

Large Black  P E Churchyard's boar Breckles Majestic 20; res, B Upchurch's sow Crane Maid 321.

British Saddleback J R and M L Wreakes' sow Victoria Lottie 168; res, A Burwell's gilt Stokedoyle Babble 152.

AOB Coloured S Ashcroft's Berkshire gilt Barlings Stonebow 122; res, M J Kiddy and Son's Tamworth gilt Balsham Melody 4.

The summer sale of Limousin bulls and females at Carlisle met a solid trade which saw averages up £500 on last year and a top price of 5500gns and six bulls of 2900gns or more.

Sale leader was Liscon Braveheart, an April 2006 born bull bred by Jimmy Mulholland, Great Orton, Cumbria. Sired by Cloughhead Titanic - a bull bought in a half share deal with Robert and Mike Scott, Thirlwall Castle, Carlisle - and out of a homebred dam, he was purchased by commercial buyers Messrs Graham, Gilsland, Cumbria.

Buying for his Kathray herd, Ray Bird, Sutton on the Hill, derby, purchased Castleden Bede at 4600gns. Forward from G D and J Clark, Castle Eden, Cleveland, this November2006 born bull is by Otan and out of a Greensons Gigolo sired dam and carried figures of +5 for milk and an overall beef value of +35.

Last week's show and sale of Texel prime lambs at Thainstone attracted a strong entry of 55 pairs.

Judge and butcher Paul Smith of Mason Lodge, Skene, Westhill, selected his overall champion in the form of Ellon-based G L Stuart's 52kg pair of pure Texels. These sold for £120/head (230p/kg) to the judge.

Meanwhile the reserve champions were exhibited by Brian Buchan, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh and these 48kg cross Texels were bought by the Broadstraik Inn, Elrick, Westhill for £120/head (250p/kg).

Averages: pure Texel light - 179.7p; pure Texel heavy - 190p; cross Texel light - 179.5p; cross Texel heavy - 185.5p (Aberdeen and Northern Marts).

Here are the full cattle results from last weekend's East of England Show

BEEF

Interbreed P Gooderham's Limousin heifer Sundale Bonbon; res, R Hopkinson's Simmental bull Hollingwood Vulcan.

Aberdeen Angus D K Jeary's cow Briston Echo; res, A J Brown's bull Hawstead Lodge Eurevine.

Beef Shorthorn H Horrell's cow Pode Hole Scarlet; res, H Horrell's heifer Pode Hole Beauty Ava.

British Blue Barwood and Padfield's bull Piggot's Artful Dodger; res, J and W Laight's bull Witham Bank Boyd.

Charolais J R and V A Webb's bull Newroddige Bruno; res, W H Robinson's cow Balmullo Veronica.

Simmental R Hopkinson's bull Hollingwood Vulcan; res, T and S Morter's heifer Horsford Manor Treasure.

British White Rotac Farms heifer Woodbastwick Doubtful Sound; res, Delamore Farms' bull Leverington Chicago.

Hereford A G Wright and Son's heifer Badlingham Blossom 138; res, P T English bull Churchlands Estate 1 Batvia.

Limousin P Gooderham's heifer Sundale Bonbon; res, Smiths of Bloxham's bull Ironstone Boneparte.

Longhorn J W Stanley's bull Blackbrook Philosopher; res, J W Stanley's heifer Blackbrook Rhyme.

Red Poll Heath Farm Foods' bull Beasthorpe Major; res, I N Thomson's heifer Lavenham Virtue.

South Devon M E Broome's bull Welland Valley Crusader; res, M E Broome's cow Welland Valley Ethel 2.

AOB Beef Barwood and Padfield's Lincoln Red cow Brambles Hot Lips; res, G B Sewell and Partners' Lincoln Red cow Meadow Abigail.

Commercial beef S B Cattle's Limousin cross steer Samson; res, K W Ludgate's British Blue cross heifer Big Bum.

DAIRY

Interbreed J R A Steeples' Holstein heifer Cramar Leader Gibson Lulu; res, Pavenham Jersey's Jersey cow Pavenham Iben 9.

Holstein  J R A Steeples' heifer Cramar Leader Gibson Lulu; res, J R A Steeples' cow Cramar Aeroline Cutie.

Jersey Pavenham Jerseys' cow Pavenham Iben 9; res, C R Cawston's heifer Poringlad Dreamgirl 9.

British Friesian Messrs Burroughs' cow Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34; res, Messrs Burroughs' heifer Oakalby Venue S Ruth 55.

Dexter W H Robinson and Sons' cow Belvoir Treacle; res, W H Robinson and Sons' bull Apple Coda.

A superb entry of beef cows and calves saw buyers travelling to Hallworthy market, Cornwall, from as far away as Linconshire. Trade topped at £1200 for some smart outfits from Messrs Ellis, Lelant, St Ives.

The best store cattle sold to £880 from Messrs Kendall, St Just In Roseland. Prime cattle saw best steers to 165p/kg from Eddy Cowling, while cull cows saw trade steady set at 116.5p/kg and £718 from Messrs Williams. Some 400 sheep saw seven buyers for cull ewes with the best at £64.50 and a market average of £48.34. Prime lambs topped at £70 for Mr Ellis, Poundstock.

British Texel Society chief executive Steve McLean is to leave the breed society for a career on the other side of the fence with Marks and Spencer.

According to the Society Steve will leave in September and the search for his replacement is already in hand, although any suggestions that candidates will be subject to an Apprentice-style recruitment process appear to be spurious!

The Society's statement from President Tim Heally is below:

"Our CEO and Company Secretary, Steven McLean, will be leaving us in September to take up a position with Marks and Spencer. We are obviously sad to see him go, but clearly this is a tremendous opportunity for him, and we all wish him the best of luck.

The search for Steve's replacement is already under way, and it is the Boards intention to make an appointment as soon as possible. I know that Steve will be doing his utmost to ensure a smooth transition, and in the meantime it is very much business as usual for Steve and for the Society.

The Board is committed to giving the best possible service to all our members and to continue the development and expansion of services that will ensure the Society remains at the forefront of the UK Sheep Industry.

We will inform you as soon as Steve's successor is appointed."

For all those of you wanting to take a look at the champions from the East of England and Three Counties shows this weekend I've now uploaded them all to galleries for you to look through.

Thankfully for both show the sun shone and entries were reasonably strong despite bluetongue restrictions

Here are the full show results from last week's Three Counties Show, Malvern.

BEEF CATTLE

Interbreed C Turney's Charolais cow Hamilton Vogue; res, W Scott's South Devon cow Grove Willowherb 21.

Interbreed (Continental) C Turney's Charolais cow Hamilton Vogue; res, Boddinghton Estates' Simmental bull Sterling Viking 2.

Interbreed (Native) W Scott's South Devon cow Grove Willowherb 21; res, Ford Abbey Farm Business's Hereford bull Ford Abbey 1 Dartania.

Interbreed Pairs Simmental; res, Charolais.

Hereford Ford Farm Business's bull Ford Abbey 1 Dartania; res, M & H Timmis's heifer Shraden 1 Alice.

Aberdeen Angus N & B Pittams' bull Dark Lane Romeo; res, N & B Pittams heifer Dark Lane Esme.

Blonde I & S Archer's cow Marstonmill Penelope Pitstop; res, R Kinnish's bull Kinaston Carlos.

British Blue A Neachell's bull Solway View Antonio; res, A Neachell's cow Tamhorn Uptown Girl.

Charolais C Turney's cow Hamilton Vogue; res, Brailes Livestock's Brailes Butterfly.

Simmental Boddington Estates' bull Sterling Viking 2; res, Boddington Estates' cow Sterling Michelle's Rhapsody.

Devon C Hutchings and Sons' heifer Polgrain Amithis; res, S Farquar's cow Burwood Beauty 39.

Highland P Knuaff-Dexter's cow Lesley of Thistle; res, A Perkins' bull Hector of Thistle.

Longhorn E Hallifield's heifer Dunstall Gypsy; res, E Hallifield's heifer Dunstall Hanna.

South Devon W Scott's cow Grove Willowherd 21; res, Bredon School's bull Bredon Ajax.

Commercial Beef G Brooke's Limousin X heifer; res, A Bishop's Limousin X steer.      

The future of the Three Counties Show's dairy classes must be in doubt after no adult Holsteins were forward this year and only one Jersey breeder exhibited.

Entries have been in decline for several years, with organisers blaming fears about bovine TB and the pressures faced by smaller farm labour forces.

Potential exhibitors visiting the 2008 event could have been forgiven for wondering what kudos there might be in making an effort to enter dairy cattle next year. Messrs Murray's Jersey cow Fourcrosses Centurian Pine took the overall dairy award.

Roger and Diane Steeples Holstein champion Cramar Leader Gibson Lulu took the interbreed dairy title at the East of England Show, Peterborough ahead of the Jersey leader.

Cramar Leader Gibson Lulu was the couples' 50th Holstein champion and 47th homebred champion produced from their Cramar herd and is a ninth generation VG or EX cow from her family line.

Having calved in August Lulu is now giving 36 litres a day having given 9600 litres so far.

Reserve interbreed was Pavenham Jersey's cow Pavenham Iben 9 a VG87 rated 2003 cow in her second lactation.

Well its been a busy day for the Taking Stock Team, Chrissie has been up in Scotland at Alyth judging the interbreed beed championships at Alyth Show, Perthshire, where she awarded the overall title to Jimmy MacMillan's Charolais cow and calf and the reserve title to the Limousin bull from the McLaren family.

I meanwhile was judging Southdowns at Aberystwyth Show, Wales, and this afternoon made the trip across from there to this weekend's East of England Show, Peterborough, from where I can now bring you the main championship winners.

In the sheep lines it was the turn of Henry Derryman, Devon, to officiate in the interbreed and he found his champion in Phil Kettle's Hampshire Down shearling ram, with Basil Cooper's Southdown shearling ram taking the reserve spot.

Among the beef cattle Danny Wyllie, Tamworth, Shrops, had the task of picking out the interbreed champion and his choice was Peter Gooderham's Limousin heifer Sundale Bonbon.

Reserve spot here went to Mrs Clarke's Simmental bull Williams Voldemort. Dairy interbreed judging takes place tomorrow, but the pig classes were judged today and the interbreed here went to P E Churchyard's Large Black boar Breckles Majestic 20.

Pictures will follow tomorrow, providing my laptop battery lasts that long.....

Following the sucess of Borderway Mart's first Agri-Expo last November, plans are now well ahead for this year's event on Friday October 31.  

Once again this year's event will feature a national suckled calf and primestock show with a total prize fund of £7000 up for grabs, with classes for both Continental and native bred steers and heifers.

Other key livestock shows on the day will include an english national Aberdeen-Angus calf show and a Border British Blue calf show.

Cattle judge is well known showman John Peckitt, Thirsk and judging sheep will be Paul Barker of Woodhead bros, Colne.

For livestock enquiries contact Harrison and Hetherington's Robert Addison 07714 215 627.   

Hexham and Northen Marts had 74 cattle forward this week, including six young bulls and 47 OTMS cattle, however, the auctioneers report a plainer show of cattle than previous weeks.

Top price/kg among the steers was a Limousin cross from Nunwick at 170.5p, while top price/head went to a Charolais steer at £1178.71 from Twizell Hall.

Among the OTMS cattle, the top price was £1187.63 for a Limousin cross cow from Brooms Farm, while a Charolais from Hepscott Manor made £1134.14.

Prime lambs also met a good trade and topped at £80/head twice for three-quarter Texel lambs from Aydonshields, Steel, which were purchased by Thompson Wholesale Meat.

Topping the ranks on pence/kg were a pen of Texel crosses from Highwood which made 191p/kg.

More than 140 prime cattle met a keen demand from buyers at Colchester this week, with plenty of quality cattle making more than 170p/kg and a total of seven grossing more than £1000/head.

Top price in the market went to A and W Bentall's medium heifer which made 175.5p/kg when selling to R Lennox. Highest price among the steers was R Thorrnton's entry which made 173.5p/kg and sold to J H Lambert.

Prime lambs, meanwhile, also met a ready trade, with all buyers reportedly short of numbers .

Top among the lambs were J Waspe's Suffolk Show first prize winners which made 224p/kg (£74/head) selling to Peter Hollingsworth, Chelmodiston, for his own shop.

Among the rest of the lambs there were plenty of pens making more than 200p/kg and £80/head.

The North West Limousin Club held a successful open calf show at Borderway Mart on Wednesday.

Entries were up on the inaugural Show held last year with several entries travelling down from Scotland to compete.

Chris Pennie of the Sarkley herd, Powys made an excellent job of judging the Limousin sired stock.

The Young Handlers class was popular with seven year old Callum Hunter winning  best calf with Dave, a crossbred and 10 year old John Grisedale winning Best Handler in the Under 11 years class

Over 11 years old best calf was Thomas Illingworth with Glenrock Caprice, a pedigree heifer, while Best Handler was Edward Hird from an entry of nine in this class.

Overall Best Young Handler was Edward Hird who was presented with the Capontree Veterinary Practice Silver Salver.

The partnership document for the new company which will run the 2008 Royal Highland Winter Fair was signed by key members of the Scottish National Stock Club and the Royal Highland Agricultural Society this week.

The new board consists of John Dykes, James Cullens and David Dunsmuir from RHASS and Jim Meikle and Gavin Scott from SNFSC and will be led by chairman Bruce Lang.

The partners have been allocated different responsibilities according to their area of expertise, working to keep the successful shop window for prime cattle and sheep.

There were plenty of new investors backing the future of Hereford cattle at the dispersal of the Llancillo Hall herd at Pandy in south Herefordshire last week where the strong family lines behind this herd were bought both as foundation stock and to enhance new herds on a day that took bidding to 3600gns.

 And buyers weren't cherry picking. Nigel Hooper, relatively new to white-faced ranks, claimed eight lots for his Hooper Hereford herd at Suckley, Worcester paying up to 2200gns.

But it was the four-year-old cow Llancillo Hall Beatrice 3 - suckling her autumn-born heifer calf - that proved to be the most fancied lot. She topped the trade and heads for Oxfordshire with M Ludgate who runs the Rempstone herd at Thame.

He was a keen bidder determined to fill his wagon and bought another further four lots including the six-year-old cow Llancillo Hall Beatrice 11taken at 1600gns. She was carrying an ET-bred calf out of the sale topper.

Here's the sheep and pig listings from the Royal Cornwall Show.

Sheep

Interbreed

Mr J Creeper's Suffolk shearling ewe; res, Mr P Cornelius's Scotch Black-Faced yearling ewe.

Interbreed Pairs

Texel; res, Charollais.

Grey Face Dartmoor

Mrs M Osborne's ram; res, Mrs M Osborne's yearling ewe.

Devon & Cornwall Longwool

Mrs P Coulter-Smith's yearling ewe; res, Mrs P Coulter-Smith's ram.

Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset

WL & E Sandercock's ram lamb; res, Mr AJ & Mrs AC Kingdon's shearling ewe.

A Holstein calf, Holmland Elayo Rachel Red, from Steven and Patricia Bell's Penrith, Cumbria-based Holmland herd will be offered for sale at the prestigious Holland Masters Sale on Friday 27 June at the All Holland Dairy Show.

Elayo Rachel Red is bred from the renowned August family, that has produced internationally proven bulls such as KHW Kite Advent Red, and is out of Holmland PS Rachel Red a VG87 two year old daughter of September Storm. PS Rachel Red is heavily contracted for embryos and has a Elayo sired bull calf which will enter into AI.

Grand dam to Elayo Rachel Red is Indianhead Durham Roxan an Excellent 93 rated cow. Meanwhile, Elayo Rachel Red will sell with contracts for embrryos and bulls, with both major UK AI studs expressing interest.

The calf has been exported to Holland ahead of the sale along with another from Smiddiehill Holsteins, Shropshire, by Diamond Genetics which organises the Holland Masters Sale.

The Bilston Charolais herd and the Regency Simmental herd owned by the late Les Owen from Wolverhampton was dispersed at Bridgnorth, Shropshire last week where bidding reached 2300gns.

The top call came for the Charolais cow Bilston Tanya who was suckling a heifer calf at foot by Ballindalloch UFU. Buyers were L and A Jones, Painscastle, Builth Wells.

The 2003-bred Charolais cow Bilston Utrexy, suckling two bull calves by UFO, made 1780gns to W J Skipper Ltd., Burton-on-Trent. Stock bull Bilston Athlete, by Mortimers Speedy and with a pedigree going back to some good Maerdy breeding, made 2000gns to E J Stokes, Stratford.

Leading the Simmentals at 2000gns was the well-bred cow Darshams Nita bred by the Clements family from Norfolk. By Darshams Haddon this 2003-bred cow had a heifer calf at foot and sold to H Brown, Clifton-on-Teme, Worcestershire.

Herdmate Regency Lilly, a five-year-old cow with a heifer calf at foot by Wroxall Teenybopper, made 1850gns to Mr Winnington, Stafford.

Simmental maiden heifers sold well with 22 averaging 855gns and reaching 1850gns. Other averages: 20 Charolais cows and calves 1298gns; 17 Simmental cows and calves 1350gns. (Knock Deighton).

Here's a full list of results from the beef and dairy rings at the Royal Cornwall Show

Beef Interbreed

Boddington Estates' Simmental cow Sterling Michelle's Rhapsody; res, M J Collings' Aberdeen Angus cow Trewavas Joy Erica C101.

Interbreed Pair

Lincoln Red; res, South Devon.

Devon

Mr I J Rowe's heifer Goldings Snowdrop 85; res, Mr I J Rowe's bull Cutcombe Jubilee.

South Devon

Mr P S Rowe's bull Trewint Tornado; res, Mr W H D Scott's female Grove Celandine 81.

Hereford

Messrs F G, F J and R P Hawke's bull Hustyn Scotty; res, Messrs F G, F J and R P Hawke's heifer Breock Lively Lady 70.

Aberdeen Angus

M J Collins' cow Trewavas Joy Erica C101; res, Lynher Valley Aberdeen Angus's heifer Lynher Valley Elmariposa F044.

Dexter

F T and L I Pooley's heifer Chytrene Regatta; res, F T and L I Pooley's heifer Trewithian Holly.

Any Other Pure Breed

J T Rowe's Shorthorn female Cargenwen Fillpail 12; res, Messrs A and M Austin's Salers bull Morwenstow Vulcan.

British Blue

E A and D A Ellis' bull Richpill Thomas; res, D and J Wyllie's bull Ballygrange Alex.

British Charolais

D and J Wyllie's bull Gretnahouse Archangel; res, W Palmer's heifer Trenestral Beach.

British Limousin

G W Hollow's heifer Chytodden Crème Caramel; res, C R, I E and A M White's cow Bowers Rachael.

British Simmental

Boddington Estates Ltd's cow Sterling Michelle's Rhapsody; res, J and V Hall's heifer Chegwidden Tilly.

Commercial

E A and D A Ellis's British Blue x Limousin heifer Whoopee Do; res, E A and D A Ellis's Limousin X Copper Topper. 

The beef industry is today mourning the loss of one the country's leading cattle finishers, Harry Emslie, Brae of Coynach, Mintlaw, after an accident at his farm yesterday.

Mr Emslie, 67, is believed to have been crushed to death by a loader, but it is understood no one else was involved in the accident.

Having won Smithfield's supreme championship on two occaisions, including clinching both the championship and reserve awards in 1994, Mr Emslie was a well known and respected figure on the primestock show circuit and a renowned finisher of cattle on his Aberdeenshire unit.

As a judge Mr Emslie had officated across the UK and Ireland, sharing his knowledge and skill with likeminded folk and passing on the wisdom he had gained through his many years in the beef industry.

He leaves a wife, Kay, and a son, Harry jnr, and daughter, Jacqueline. The Taking Stock team pass their condolences to the family. 

Charolais females met a solid demand from a crowded ringside, selling to 5500gns in Dungannon Farmers' Mart on Friday 6 June when Gilbert Crawford, offered 110 head from his Coolnaslee herd based at Maghera, County Derry.

Sale leader at 5500gns was Shoyswell Upperclass, a 2003 born cow bred by R Barnes (Farms) and sold with her six month old bull, Coolnaslee Clifton by the herd's current senior sire, the 14,000gns Allanfauld Superscot. The buyer was Gordon Cutler, Florencourt, Enniskillen.

More to follow shortly........

Here are the full sheep and pig results from last week's South of England Show

SHEEP

Interbreed T D and S M Butcher's Vendeen ram lamb; res, Wakeham Dawson and Harmer's Southdown shearling ewe.

Southdown Wakeham Dawson and Harmer's shearling ewe; res, J Long's shearling ram.

Suffolk K and K Manning's ram lamb; res, K and K Manning's shearling ewe.

Texel Poppinghole Farm's ewe lamb; res, J Horn's shearling ewe.

AOB Foreign T D and S M Butcher's Vendeen ram lamb; res, D J Morphett's Charollais shearling ewe.

AOB Heath and Hill G Smith's Clun Forest ram; res, Messrs Spice's Clun Forest ewe lamb.

AOB Shortwool D and J Masters' Hampshire Down shearling ram; res, D Clarry's Oxford Down shearling ewe.

Lleyn A J and A C Cheesmur's shearling ewe; res, Trinidad Investments' shearling ram.

Butchers' Lambs S W Curran's Texel cross lambs; res, S W Curran's Suffolk cross lambs.

PIGS

Interbreed C and D Bull's Berkshire boar Ardilaun Orlando; res, B Upchurch's British Lop sow Grenway Harmony.

Coloured Breeds C and D Bull's Berkshire boar Ardilaun Orlando; res, D Overton and A Nicholls' Gloucester Old Spot sow Exfold Josephine 135.

White Breeds B Upchurch's British Lop sow Greenway Harmony; res, M and E Edgar's British Lop gilt Bakers Actress 4.

Now I'm back in the office and been able to draw breath after last week's South of England Show I can now bring you full cattle results from the show.

BEEF

Interbreed Messrs White's Charolais heifer Balbithan Brio; res, R Grenham's Simmental bull Boars Head Volcano.

Aberdeen Angus P C Stovold and Son's heifer Rosemead Ekim; res, P C Stovold and Son's heifer Rosemead Bellmaid.

Sussex M K D Hind's bull Mayflower Major 6; res, C E and W S Milson's heifer Trottenden Terpischore 91.

Hereford P Noel and R Snelling's bull Sarabande Huggy Bear; res, R J Hutchings' heifer Fisher 1 Pansy.

British Charolais Messrs White's heifer Balbithan Brio; res, R Taylor's bull Rumsden Cruiserweight.

British Simmental A Jukes' heifer Swallowhill Tallulah; res, R Grenham's heifer Boars Head Grace 2.

British Limousin Morris Farms' cow Blounts Virtuous; res, Morris Farms' bull Blounts Cannon.

British White G J and M P Scotcher's bull Bridge Homestead Marala; res, Delamore Farms' cow Gunton Angelica.

Beef Shorthorn B F White's heifer Althorne Lancaster Zola; res,

Highland M Poland's heifer Tanya of Mottistone; res, N P Harrison's bull Calum Dubh 1 of Frith.

AOB Beef Messrs Jones and Garratt's British Blonde cow Egerton Pandora; res, J and S Wareham's British Blue bull Wareham's Billy.

Commercial M and J Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Sausage; res, K Ludgate's British Blue cross steer.

DAIRY

Interbreed S Warren's Jersey cow Henniker's Jude Milki; res, M D M Howie's Ayshire cow Douglas's Ice Blue.

Ayrshire M D M Howie's  cow Douglas's Ice Blue; res, R Mellish's cow Douglas's Corasam.

Holstein M W Goddard's heifer Guston Hillcrest Hope; res, Plumpton College's cow Copywood Stormatic Sara.

Jersey S Warren's cow Hennicker's Jude Milki; res, Hickson Brothers' cow Winkland Annastasia 10.

Dexter J A Knight's bull Sollershope Tippet; res, J A Knight's heifer Knightsway Briony.

AOB Dairy H Guinness' Guernsey heifer White Ladies Ruby 93; res, S Dean's Brown Swiss heifer Brundish Louis Yvonne.

Well judging by the pictures it looks like Royal Cornwall Show had some glorious sunshine for judging and a visit from HRH Princess Anne.

I've not had the complete list of results yet, the pictures have been uploaded and I'll fill in the details later.

John Swan limited saw 90 breeding and feeding cattle sold at the dispersal of Edgerston Home Farm herd of spring calving Limousin x cows and calves.

Prices topped at £2300 for a nine year old Limousin bull. Cows and caves sold to £1480 and averaged £967.

A successful dispersal sale of the Cruckberry herd of pedigree Holstein dairy cattle at Shewsbury Auction mart saw prices exceeding all expectations topping at 2300 guineas. 

The herd, bred by Geoff Fletcher over 35 years used top quality sires for type and production, attracting a large company of buyers from a wide area.

Top price was paid for Cruckbury Win Cookie, a March calved heifer, which went to Mr Nutter, Stafford. He also took second top price at 2250 guineas for Cruckbury Forbidden Pandora 3.

Ten animals exceeded the 2000 guineas mark, including Cruckbury James Bonusia II and in calf heifer to Richfield Convincer Lawson, selling for 2200 guineas to Mr Fenton, Stafford.

A sixth-calved Jersey cow from Sunny Warren's six cow Hennikers Jersey herd clinched the interbreed dairy title at today's South of England Show.

Currently giving 51 litres a day, the champion Hennikers Jude Milki runs with Mike Goddard's Gusston Holstein herd which is managed by Sunny's father Trevor.

Taking the sheep interbreed title at this year's South of England Show were Edenbridge-based Tim and Sue Butcher with their Vendeen ram lamb from their Tiramsu flock.

The lamb is fully homebred, being by Tiramasu Exorcet and out of Tiramasu RQ, this was a first interbreed win for the flock which numbers 55 ewes and runs alongside a small flock of Texels and a 30 head strong herd of Aberdeen Angus.

Mike and Jean Dickens, Milton Keynes, took the commercial beef title earlier today at the South of England show with a 670kg Limousin cross heifer named Sausage.

She was bred by the Scotts of Thirwell Castle and was originally purchased through Carlisle market.

Judge Stuart Clatworthy, Somerset, said  the champion displayed everything he wanted in a beef animal, being full of flesh on the loin and backend without being overdone.

The Charolais female and overall champion, Balbithan Brio, from Andrew White, Dorset, and led out by Jane Hoare romped to the interbeed beef title under judge Jim Buchanan at today's South of England Show, Ardingly.

By Inverlochy Topsire and out of homebred cow Balbithan Sunbeam, Brio had stood breed champion yesterday under judge Gruffyd Morris, Carmarthenshire. 

Kivells auctioneers of Holsworthy saw a blistering trade for the 400 cull ewes forward with a top of £66.50 for a run of Suffolk x Mule ewes bought by Willy Cleave of Highampton.

A nice run of Dorset ewes from Frank Grills saw plenty of attraction with the top end of his run selling well over the £60 mark. In the lamb pens a good entry of over 900 saw a slight reduction in trade, however, plenty of lambs sold between £65-£70.

Leading lamb trade were three smart pens of cross breed lambs from regular vendors Messrs Bellew of Abbotts Bickington and purchased by Hatherleigh based West Devon Meat Ltd for £75.

A strong commercial strong trade for Charolais bulls led bidding to peak at 6,000gns and achieve near clearance in Dungannon, on Monday 2 June at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club's June show and sale.

The day's leader at 6000gns was the champion, Kiltybane Best, an 18 month old Maerdy Impeccable son and out of a homebred cow from S and A Bellew, Newry. The buyer was John Causey, Cookstown.

The overall reserve champion, Mullaghbane Classic was next in the price stakes at 4700gns to commercial producer, Arthur Devlin, Ballycastle. Bred and exhibited by Fred Elliott, Florencecourt, Classic was a March 2006 born Doonally New son and out of a homebred cow going back to Beechmount Charles.

The Western Holstein Club's split sale at Beeston and Chelford saw trade top at 4100gns for heifers, while cows met a top price of 4000gns.

The leading heifer at Chelford was the reserve champion, Painley James Fran 9, who sold having calved in April and now giving 33kg a day. She was purchased by Martin Monkton, Nantwich. He also bought the red and white heifer Whartonspool CD Gen Red for 2600gns.  

Leading cow trade at 4000gns was Hunday Jackson Roxy, a second calver giving 52kg a day from Geoff Willis and Graham Bell. She knocked down to an undisclosed Cheshire-based client.

Beeston topped at 2450gns for Leachfield Leader Nicola from D Haworth, Chorley. She was bought by Messrs Vaughan, Pembrokeshire, who purchased the top four lots at Beeston.

Averages: Beeston 11 cows £1725.82; 23 heifers £1966.24. Chelford 6 cows £1802.50; 18 heifers £2298.33 (Wright Manley).

Renowned for its good quality finsihed cattle, St Boswells had yet another scorcher of a trade this week as steers hit the 193p/kg mark for one from Trapain selling to Messrs Cropper. Overall the 140 steers forward averaged 159.3p/kg - up 5.9p/kg on last week.

Heifers topped at 189p/kg as Robert Neill, Upper Nisbet, sold a Limousin cross to local butchers J Gilmour and Co. The 135 heifers averaged 157.1p/kg, up 3.3p/kg on last week's trade.

In the sheep rings 449 hoggs averaged 130p/kg and topped at 152p/kg (£80.50), while 911 spring lambs averaged a massive 182.3p/kg and topped at 195.2p/kg (£90).

British Blue calves were in hot deamnd this week at Gisburn Auction Mart when Geoff Blezard, Preston sold his champion nine week old calf for £400 to Ian Harrison, Cumbria.

Overall bull calves averaged £312 and heifer calves averaged £239.

A good number of entries and quality animals were put forward in all classes at this years Rutland show,

Beef

Interbreed

S B Show Cattle's commercial Limousin Cross, Samson; res, Smiths of Bloxham's British Limousin heifer, Vaviere.

Aberdeen Angus

Andrew Brown's, Hawstead Lodge Eurevine; res, Andrew Brown's Hawstread Lodge Ebonn.

Hereford

 Peter Cobley's Kinglee Dakota; res, Peter Cobley's Kinglee I Duffy

Limousin

 Smiths of Bloxham's baviere; res, Miss H C Burton's Rempstone beauty.

Charolais

 J R and V A Webb's Newruddige Brund; res, J R and VA Webb's, Rushfield Crackerjack

Beef Shorthorn

 Mr and Mrs T C Brown's Chapletan Waverley;res, Mr and Mrs T C Brown's Tarrant Xerodraba,

Belgian Blue

 A J and L M Geary's Midas Bedazzled; res, D H Plested's Cronwell Classy Bird.

Highland

 R Ogbourne and S Shaw's Caitin of Glen Nevis; res, R Ogbourne and S Shaw's Coland Tansy.

Salers

 Carolyn Fox's Manor Lane Apollo; res Carolyn Fox's Coland Tansy

Commercial Cattle

 S B Show Cattle's Sanson; res, M J Dicken's sausage.

South Devon

 M E and T E Broome's Welland Valley Crusader; res G R Fountaine's Portman Burtley Flame.

Longhorns

Miss R E Heard's Gorse Morrison; res, G S Thomas's Barlings Greta.

Overall Beef Champion

N Slack's Limousin cross steer, Fernando; res, Redpath farm's Limousin heifer, Redpaths Bronwyn.

Supreme pedigree beef champion

Redpath farm's Limousin heifer, Redpaths Bronwyn; res, DG Lucas's Aberdeen Angus heifer, Cheeklaw Evie.

 Aberdeen Angus

 Female Champion

D G Lucas's, Cheeklaw Era; res, DG Lucas's Aberdeen Angus heifer, Cheeklaw Evie.

 Male Champion

J M Hayward's Flodden James Erica.

 Limousin

 Breed Champion

Redpaths Farm's heifer Redpaths Bronwyn; res, D T and M Stobart's, Cracrop Casanova.

United Auctions, Stirling, saw breed record prices paid for a pen of Blackface ewe hoggs from Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Muthill, selling for £425 a head.

The pen of 30 sold to John McIrvine surpassing Dalchirla's previous record of £405 a head paid last year. Overall Mr Hunter sold 150 Blackface ewe hoggs to an average £163.80.

Dry Scotch Mule ewe hoggs were also in demand with a new centre record of £88 a head made for a pen of 24 from David Henderson, Banton, purchased by Messrs Hunter, Luckenburn.

It was ladies day through and through at Llandovery this week for Welsh Blacks when trade topped at 2500gns for the champion maiden heifer.

Sale leader was Castell Meg 217 from Gareth and Jane Davies, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. The 25-month old by Penryhn-Newydd Glyndwr, out of a homebred cow sold to L G Roberts, Abergele, Denbighshire.

Mr Roberts also bought the female champion Castell Fanny 153, by the same sire, but in calf to Castell Deionol 24. She sold for 1400gns.

Organic heifers topped at 1600gns for the 24-month old Gellideg Gwenllian 2 from J W lewis, Boncath, Pembrokeshire. By Waunlwyd Siencyn and out of a homebred cow she was bought by Mr Roberts.  

At 1500gns , Neuadd Caran Ddu 321 from William Jenkins, Machynlleth, sold to Glyn Thomas, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire.