July 2008 Archives

The increasing popularity of Charollais sheep was reinforced at their premier sale with averages up almost 50%.  There was plenty of interest from south of the border with breeders having to dig deep to secure their purchases.

Leading the way was the Carnew flock of Jonathan Aiken who took the championship in the pre-sale show and then went on to receive the top price of 2800gns for a Loaningfoot Highlander son.  Purchasing this stylish ram for their Doughery Flock were Robert and Stuart Cromie.

 The first prize December born ram lamb was also a son of Loaningfoot Highlander and sold for 1900gns to R Hall and Son, Carlisle. Demand was high for stock  from Highlander who was purchased at Lanark in 2007 from Ben Radley. Local breeder George Hammond buying for his Ballymaguire flock took one home at 1400gns, Gordon Nicholson bought at 1100gns and Kenny Malcomson took another at the same price.

There were cattle in plenty to suit all systems at the annual Top 10% seasonality sale of Holsteins and Jerseys held at Sedgemoor Auction Centre in Somerset where bidding reached 2850gns.

The entry of 170 head included consignments of high-genetic, commercial and organic cows and heifers, but the day's top price of 2850gns came for one of three bulls from the West Country's leading Beneknowle herd.

Well known Yorkshire dairy farmer Geoff Bean dispersed his Ugthorpegrange Holstein herd to a top price of 1600gns on a day that saw a huge crowd compete for cattle descended from many fashionable black-and-white cow families.

Whitby-based milk producers Richard and Heather Thompson made the highest bid to secure Aliann Manat Kitty to add to their Grinkle herd. She gave 9300kg as a heifer and traces back to the successful Canadian import CRF Birch Kitty Ex95.

Upthorpegrange Bordeaux Beatle, due in October with her second, made 1400gns to David Ritchie and Son who rarely miss a sale of cattle in the county. Beatle hails from the influential cow family developed by the late Miss Sybil Edwards in her famous Hemble herd. (Norton and Brooksbank with Cundalls).

A fierce demand for young stock - with 25 deals over 1500gns - off-set the impact of being in a bluetongue surveillance zone when David and Rosemary Fox dispersed their Alvintone Holstein herd based near York.

The highest priced animal of the sale was a British Blue bull. Ridge Dean Acajou - a son of top easy-calving sire Hazelwood Freshman - made 3700gns to H Garside and Son, Huddersfield.

Best of the Holstein trade was a 2200gns call for a smart daughter of Guided-Path Tomahawk from the herd's Frances family which traces back to the best of the Eranda breeding from Ascott Farms. This third calver was giving almost 50kg after eight weeks into her lactation having given over 11,200kg with her second. Buyer was Peter Stone from Stone, Staffordshire who took home a wagonload of cattle.

Local buyers J Liversidge and Sons paid 2020gns for the fresh heifer Alvintone Ford Sylvesty while W J Fox and Sons, Sheffield, accounted for 13 milkers paying up to 2000gns for a fresh second calver.

Averages: 106 cows and heifers £1215; 20 served heifers £1547 and 41 maiden heifers £855. (Norton and Brooksbank with Stephenson and Son).

Southdown breeders returned to Maidstone last weekend for their annual Premier Show and Sale, having suffered the disappointment of a last minute cancellation last year due to foot-and-mouth.

Topping the trade was Tunbridge wells-based Messrs Crundwell's shearling ram from their Ladywell flock which had stood second in the shearling ram class, sired by East Dean 03/0016 and out of a homebred ewe, this one sold for 550gns to Dennis Jenkins' Heathgate flock, Thetford, Norfolk.

Next top went to the pre-sale champion, another sheep bred by the Crundwell's, but this time forward from Jim and Patsy Cresswell's Wattisfield flock at diss, Norfolk. This two shear, again by the East Dean sire, took a call of 450gns and joins Moira Williams' Pindale flock in Derbyshire.

Leading the way among the local buyers was Udimore-based Frank Langrish when he bid 360gns for Jonathan Long's French sired entry from his Chaileybrook flock. Mr Long was also prominent among the ram lambs, trading one by the French sire at 300gns to join Richard Bulmer's newly established flock at Great Habton, North Yorkshire.

Female trade was led by Messrs Wakeham Dawson and Harmer's shearling ewe which stood female champion, this one is by Steepdown A2 and sold at 220gns, with Philip and Rosemary Whitcombe's Australian-type shearling making 205gns to join Messrs Cresswell (Lambert and Foster).

A good entry of lambs for Ashford Market's first Friday sale of the season saw several pens of prime lambs on offer as well as strong store prices. The best stores went at about £38 a head, while medium sorts went to £34 to £36. A pen of smart Texel lambs topped store trade at £41.50 from Hugh and Pauline Skinner while Suffolk x Mules made £40.90 from I T Henshaw and Suffolk x Romney's were up to £38.80 a head from M J Ashworth. Texel crosses topped at £38 from A A Palmar and Son.

Finished lambs topped at £49.90 from A A Palmar and Son, £49.50 from J M and H J Stuart-Smith, £47.20 from M J Ashworth, £46.80 from Peter Wickham and £46.50 from J E C Farrant (Hobbs Parker).

Steeton husband and wife farmers George and Gladys Emmott followed up their inaugural championship success at last month's Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart by winning their second show this month. (Mon, July 28)

The Emmotts, Steeton, landed title number two with a freshly calved pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer by Avenham Westminster, the same sire as their June champion and later sold to show judge Wick Williams, Wrenbury, Cheshire for £2300.  

Carhall Lyster Elizabeth and her daughter Carhall Jordan Elizabeth from father and son Ian and Mark Mallinson, Armathwaite, Carlisle, have been announced as recipients of Holstein UK's 2007 All-Britain awards.

Holstein UK National show grand champion, Lyster Elizabeth, is no stranger to success having been awarded All-Britain status on 2005 as a heifer and has this time been given the junior second calved cow title.

Harrison and Hetherington auctioneer Glyn Lucas who has shown both animals at the National Holstein Show says Elizabeth is an exceptional animal and truly represents the best in terms of breeding that Britain has to offer.

One of the headliner animals already entered in Europe's most prestigious cattle sale is a Braedale Goldwyn daughter of Lyster Elizabeth. The Borderway Black and White Sale takes place on November 29 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

"We are aiming for 80-100 elite pedigree animals and anticipate several Red and White Holstein and Jersey heifers again being featured as part of the sale.

Anyone interested in offering sale animals should contact Glyn Lucas on 01228 640924.  

Chris and Fiona Jerman of Glangwden Limousins have received an award for the most progressive Welsh herd based on performance.

Presented by HCC Meat Promotion Wales, this will become an annual award for a Signet performance recording herd which has shown most improvement in growth and muscle figures over the previous year. Commenting, Dewi Hughes, Project Officer with HCC said: "This award comes on the back of the Welsh Beef Quality Initiative (BQI) Scheme which has funded 350 mainly commercial herds with grants of up to £2,500 to buy in stock bulls with good performance figures."

 Demonstrating that high index animals can also be successful in the ring, the Jermans' Glangwden Barbara was awarded best Limousin female at the 2008 Royal Welsh Show. With a Beef Value of LM+33, this places her easily within the Top 10% of breed.

Having now come to an end of one chapter, the BQI Scheme will continue in a new format with funding available towards performance recording for new and existing entrants.

I've been fortunate to have one or two cattle judging jobs fall my way this year and this weekend was the last of them. I had the lovely task of judging the commercial beef classes at the Border Union Show in Kelso along with the beef interbreed class later on in the day.

The commercials were strong although a little light on numbers. It was nice to have cow and calf classes to sort out as well and I ended up settling on a Limousin x Blue cow with a cracking Angus calf at foot - that will certainly be a native fatstocker to keep an eye on!

In the interbreed championship things are done a little differently than some shows, as I was asked to judge a pair, rather than an individual champion. I had six pairs in front of me - Blondes, Herefords, Angus, Shorthorns, Limousins and Galloways.

And it was the Galloways that did it for me on the day (although those that know me won't be suprised as I have a soft spot for the breed anyway) - it was a cracking pair of working females with good calves at foot from the Drysdale family. Coming in reserve were the Limousin pair, made up by a bull from Robert Neill and a very stylish heifer from Stuart Renton.

I had a cracking time - the weather was incredibly hot - too hot really and my stewards looked after me very well indeed. It was the first time I'd been to the show and although it's a fair treck from Kent, I'm sure I'll be back.  

But the highlight of the show was seeing a very proud eight year old Andrew Neill from Upper Nisbet lead his dad's Robert's Limousin bull Basil round the ring in the young handlers competition. Andrew did very well indeed seeing as it was his first time in competition and took home a second prize rosette for his efforts. He'll be one to keep an eye on in the future - you mark my words!!!! - well done Andrew!      

Myfyr Evans' Rhaeadr flock put itself on the map again earlier with a top sale of 11,000gns for his first entry, a Thurston Calzaghe sired lamb out of a dam by Plasllewelyn Prince Of Wales. This one sold to Chris Holmes for his Rookery flock.

Next top for Myfyr was an 8000gns call from Hazel Martindale for a Baileys Blockbuster son out of a Whitestone Washington sired dam.

In at 5000gns was an Isle of Man buyer claiming another Calzaghe son, this time out of a Cairness First Flight daughter. A 4800gns bid secured the fourth best price for Rhaeadr, when another Calzaghe son went under the auctioneer's gavel

 Bidding went crazy a few moments ago when Iain Barbour entered then ring with his Solwaybank entries.

Irish breeder Tom Bailey was determined to take home the first lamb from Solwaybank and held of a fierce bidding challenge to take home the Baileys Bugatti sired lamb at today's top price so far of 32,000gns.

Shortly afterwards, the reserve champion lamb from the Northern Area from George Stuart, Birness, made 7000gns. This is a son of Castlewellan Eyecatcher and out of a dam by Auchrinraith A-One.

Moments before the 32,000gns sale, young Mark Priestley from Northern Ireland sod his best lamb to Mr Stuart for 7500gns. This was a Cairness Destiny son out of a ewe by Castlewellan Tonto.

Strathisla's Robbie Wilson has been spending some of the earnings he netted earlier in the day, making a 15,000gns bid for Gary Beacom's best lamb, a Shannagh Shergar son out of a Strathisla Kingsway daughter from Mr Beacom's Lakeview flock, Co Fermanagh.

Jimmy Douglas' Cairness flock has collected the second top call of the day with a 20,000gns bid coming from Claude Vanwijnsberge for the first lamb in the ring from the flock. By Cairness Renovator and out of a Stockton Stardust daughter, this one now heads for Belgium.

Robbie Wilson's Strathisla ram lamb which stood champion in the pre-sale show yesterday has just taken the day's top call so far, earning a 25,000gns bid from Mr Robinson, Northern Ireland.

The Campbell family of Thrunton, Alnwick have just claimed Gordon Mackie's best lamb by Thurston Chieftan at 2000gns on a trade which has slowed markedly after the flying start given by the Conveth pen. No doubt it will take off again later, but David Leggat is working hard for his commission at the moment

The first pen of sheep offered through the ring at the Suffolk sale at Edinburgh from Charles Proctor's Conveth pen has certainly lived up to expectations with a raft of four figure bids coming from the ringside to claim the best of them.

Going at 5000gns was the second sheep sold, a son of the now legendary sire Strathisla Schumacher and out of a dam by Castlewellan Nutcracker.

And not to be outdone was the third entry, a Deveronside Whistleblower son, this one also made 5000gns when selling to Mr Leggat (not the auctioneer).

Next up at 4000gns was the fourth lamb in, another Schumacher son out of a Roseden Rock Star sired dam. This one went to Mr Walsh of Ireland.

There is a palpable buzz building around the building here in Edinburgh with just over half an hour to go before the sale kicks into action.

I've not heard many rumours yet this morning of where the big money will be spent, but suffice to say I can sense several five figure bids coming later in the day. With both Tom Bailey's and Angus Wilson late in the sale there could be a splurge of spending towards the end of trading.

We'll be keeping you up to date with the sale throughout the day, so come back later for more news from our ringsdie vantage point.

The Taking Stock team has now hit Edinburgh and arrived in time to take a look at the Suffolk tup lambs penned for sale tomorrow before hitting the bar. Suffice to say after the drive from Builth to Carlisle last night and on here today we feel we've earned a beer and will be making sure we sample a full range in the interests of quality assurance!

I can report that Robbie Wilson of Strathisla took the championship with the same tup lamb he won the Highland with. To my mind the lamb is a touch short in the loin and lacks some flesh on top, but it's only my opinion and the general concensus is that he's the best lamb in the shed. I'm not going to try and predict a price, but the mood up at the showground was bouyant and I sense all is set well for a fair sale tomorrow.

The champion is by homebred sire Strathisla Speed, a son of the top breeding Stathisla ewe FNV X48, and is out of a homebred dam by Glenho Gurka who's ET brother was sold at Edinburgh in 2006 for 9000gns.

Standing reserve was a lamb from Willie Tait's Burnview flock from Northern Ireland and I'm probably less keen on this sheep than I am the champion, but again I'm sure the big money spenders will be in action fighting for him tomorrow. This lamb is by Eire-bred sire Baileys Invincible and out of a ewe by Sitlow Sensation. He carries an index of 1.52.

I'm minded to say that Conveth have a strong entry of lambs and being the first pen in the sale they may not be too dear either. A lot of their entry are by Strathisla Schumacher, so they have good lines behind them and were I in the market I may just be tempted, now where did I leave that cheque book?!

We'll be live at the ringside tomorrow to bring you all the action, so check in once selling starts at 10am.

Well after a hectic three days that's it from the Royal Welsh for the Taking Stock team (well not much of team as there's only two of us).

It's been a cracking show with some excellent stock on parade in all sections, notably the sheep and I was particularly delighted to see Roland Williams pick up the reserve interbreed sheep title with his Southdown shearling tup. Many moons ago in a previous career I helped Roland buy some of his original ewes, so it was particularly pleasing to see him do so well.

Now we're heading off, but unfortunately its not homeward bound, we've a day in Cumbria tomorrow and then we head north of the border to Edinburgh for the Suffolk sale, so keep an eye here on Friday for a full live report from ringside.

There was an air of anticipation around the sheep judging rings late on Wednesday afternoon when noted breeder David Matthews of Bridgend stepped into the ring to assess the 44 individual breed champions in front of him.

Having collected the interbreed title for the last two years at the Royal Welsh and with an exceptional tup as their breed champion the Charollais were hotly tipped to make it a hat trick of Builth Wells wins. And Mr Matthews didn't disappoint breed supporters when he tapped out Charles Sercombe's tup Rockvilla Golden Promise as the overall winner.

Golden Promise was bred in David Mawhinney's Northern Irish flock and was purchased for 4000gns from the breed's Worcester sale two years ago as a lamb and has already sired sons to 4000gns at this year's Welshpool sale.

As tension mounts here at the Royal Welsh ahead of the sheep interbreed competition this afternoon, the judging of the interbreed pairs this morning put judge Dai Davies to the test with 44 pairs in front of him.

But in just over an hour Mr Davies made his selection in the form of the Bluefaced Leicester pairing from Phil May and Messrs Roberts.

Reserve spot went to the Charollais duo from Geoff Watson and Carol Grain and Charles Sercombe. Judge Dai Davies said both pairs were exceptionally well matched and balanced, but the Bluefaced team had that bit of extra showring sparkle which made them stand out from the crowd when he assessed them.

Legendary Holstein cow Dalesend Storm Maude from Hefyn Wilson has just taken her fourth Royal Welsh interbreed dairy title, having last won it two years ago.

Maude, who calved in March and is now in her sixth lactation is currently giving 60 litres a day and has given a massive 106t of milk so far in her lifetime. Judge Andrew Jones of Wrexham praised Maude for her longevity, but said it was essential for cows not just to live a long time, but to milk well in that lifetime too. "This cow is an excellent example of a cow doing just that. She just keeps on giving milk year in year out and still has a womnderful udder and moves amazingly well, being as smooth as a train in her locomotion."

An early start in the pig rings this morning at the Royal Welsh Show has seen legendary Welsh pig breeder Phil Fowlie take top honours in the interbreed championship with his Welsh sow Braemor Nina 4.

Having already won the interbreed at the Royal Show just two weeks ago, Nina 4 has made it a memorable season for Mr Fowlie. Not only has Nina 4 won both the Royal and Royal Welsh interbreed titles in the same season, she has done two memorable doubles, taking two Royal and Royal Welsh championships on the bounce.

In addition she has also earned Mr Fowlie the Queen's Cup which is awarded to a different native Welsh breed each year. "With so many Welsh sheep breeds it rarely gets to the pig section and this is the first time I've won it in 30 years of showing at the Royal Welsh," a delighted Mr Fowlie told Taking Stock.

The third - and our final day - of this year's Royal Welsh Show has dawned and its currently overcast and a tad misty here in Builth Wells, but it promises to be a warm one later, possibly too warm for some, but we're not complaining atfer the rain here last year!

There's a veritable feast of judging for us to get our teeth into today, including the sheep interbreed pairs and singles and the dairy interbreed and dairy and beef pairs awards. the pig rings will also see the climax of judging, with both pairs and single championships decided.

Unfortunately, its also FW press day, so I'm going to be manicly writing copy for the magazine, this may mean Taking Stock isn't updated too regularly, but I promise to bring you all the main results and pictures by the end of the day.

With more than 60,000 people through the gates today the Royal Welsh is well on its way to retaining its place as the most popular farming show in the UK, more than 110,000 people have been here in the first two days, an incredible number of people for any event.

As the second day draws to a close its safe to say from a stock point of view its been a major success with the judging rings thronged from start to finish and plenty of quality stock to see.

Tomorrow see's the dairy, pig and sheep interbreeds awards decided, so they'll be plenty for me to comment on throughout the day.

In the meantime once again I've updated the picture gallery, so take a look and see what you've missed by not being here in person. I recommend the trip to Builth to anyone, but be sure to book your hotel early!

Sheep judging has been gathering pace throughout today at the Royal Welsh Show, with a number of the major breeds taking there turn in the judging rings.

Among the first to decide their champion today were the Beltex with David and Diane Findlay taking the breed championship with their homebred shearling ewe. This one is by Cookstown Jim and out of a homebred ewe and is one of 100 Beltex ewes run by the Findlay's at home in Yorkshire. Reserve here went to Michael Owens' shearling ram.

Among the Charollais it was a win for Charles Sercombe with his two shear ram Rockvilla Golden Promise from his Leicestershire-based flock. Golden Promise was bred in David Mawhinney's Northern Irish flock and was purchased for 4000gns from the breed's Worcester sale two years ago as a lamb and has already sired sons to 4000gns.

Taking the reserve award were Geoff Watson and Carol Grain with their aged ewe which took the female championship having stood as interbreed champion at the Great Yorkshire Show two weeks ago.

With bluetongue restrictions making it hard for Stockton-on-Teme Suffolk breeder John Sinnett to attend any society sales this year his decision to hold an on-farm sale last weekend proved right with a top of 1600gns achieved twice.

First at this price was the third lot into the ring which sold to Caroline Rootes, Castle Douglas, for her Trolliloes flock.

Taking the second top priced lamb was Jimmy Douglas, Cairness, when he bid for and claimed the 13^th lot under auctioneer David Leggat's gavel.

Other leading prices included a brace of 750gns bids, one from Chris Holmes, buying for his Rookery flock, and another from Messrs Thorne, when adding a stock sire to their Upperholme flock, Herefordshire.

In at 650gns were J A D and P M Owens of Leominster when buying the first of two purchases on the day for their 20 ewe flock.

Overall Mr Sinnett was pleased with the sale having sold 17 ram lambs to average £652.85. Speaking to Farmers Weekly he said with the sheep industry reeling from a number of shocks in recent years and costs on the increase the trade represented what he expected.

Dairy judging took centre stage in the cattle rings here at the Royal Welsh today and Hefyn Wilson's 60 litre yielding Holstein, Dalesend Storm Maude, took the breed championship for the fourth year in a row at the Royal Welsh. In Reserve was Gwion Holsteins with Herdstown Rachel.

Jersey Champion was Arywn Wilson's  40 litre yielding cow, Bluegrass Jazzman. This five year old has also been Interbreed Heifer Champion at the Dairy Event.

Lifting the junior interbreed bull championship this morning was Gareth Jones with his Thrunton Virginian-sired Charolais Esgob Campbell.

A Burradon Talisman grandson, Campbell is one of the first crop of bulls of Virginian from the 30-cows herd Mr Jones runs. He is likely to head to Perth this autumn for the bull sales, so a certain well known Charolais and Simmental breeder who moonlights in bread delivery may take a keen interest.

Tecwyn Jones has just added the Royal Welsh commercial title to the reserve interbreed championship he won yesterday.

Taking top honours for Mr Jones was his British Blue cross heifer Black Beauty. Bred by Trefor Jones, Black Beauty weighed in at 477kg on the day and was what judge David Cormack described as the perfect commercial show beast.

This was Mr Jones' first commercial title at Builth and he held of a stif challenge from last year's winner Tudur Edwards with his baby beef champion, Duffy, a Limousin cross heifer.

Pictures will follow shortly....

Here are a selection of the sheep results from the Royal Welsh

Welsh Mountain pedigree B J Robert's ewe; res, A Euros Jones' Ram.

Welsh Mountain Hill flock D Jones' Shearling ewe; res, E Owen a' I Feibion's shearling ewe.

Badger Faced Welsh Mountain sheep (Torddu) E Eagles' shearling ewe; res, T G King's ram lamb.

Badger Faced Welsh Mountain Sheep (Torwen) H William's shearling ewe; res, G Isaac-Burrow's ram shearling.

Welsh Hill Speckled Face E Lloyd and Co's ram; res, R T Richards's ram.

Hill Radnor Sheep K L and R E Jones' ram.

Llanwenog H Evan's ram; res, H Evan's shearling ewe.

Lleyn H M Well's shearling ram; res, A W Davies' ram.

Here are the full beef results from yesterday's judging at the Interbreed E D Griffith's Limousin bull, Rhonllwyn Vandal; res, G Jones' Welsh Black bull, Seisiog Bedwyr 129.                         

Welsh Black G Jones' bull Seisiog Bedwyr 129; res, G and M Phillip's heifer Dancoed Ceridwen.

Hereford D E, E D and A L Jones' bull Dendor 1 Dusk; res, R and G Morgan's heifer Llwynrose Model.

Blonde C Boden's heifer Hackleton Aimee; res, R G davies' bull Fronfedw Virgil.

Limousin E D Griffith's Limousin bull Rhonllwyn Vandal; res, M J Gray and Son's bull Fleethill Captain.

Simmental R W Jenkin's cow Penwern Rachel; res, N and N Gwynne's bull Chestermann Varney.

British Blue A William's heifer Solway View Blossom; res, D W and L E Morgan's heifer Ty Isaf Cointreau

Aberdeen Angus J K and I Evan's bull Wedderlie Kentucky Excel; res, John Bigg's bull Blackacre Jack Eric.

Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt reported strong trade at the dispersal of Tim and Mandy Reed's milking and heifer calf portion of their Culverhayes herd which topped at 8000gns for one of the family's favourites.

As expected it was their son Christopher's 'Culverhayes Talent Lydia' (VG86-2yr) from the same family as the Ex95 'Idee Lustre' that stole the show selling for 8000gns to Gatrog and Alltar Holsteins of Wales.

The Ex94-4E 'Wedgewood Royalty Storm' sixth Calver from four generations of VG or Ex sold for 4400 gns to a West Country Partnership.

A fantastic bunch of calved heifers topped at 3,800 gns for the June calved 'Culverhayes Convincer Rolls ET' from five generations of Ex dams she joins the Thomas Family in Wales.

The Outside daughter from the 'Holepark Lena 35th Ex90-2' dam sold for 3000 gns as did the GP83 'Rill Lucente Mason Lea' that was due in August to her second. 

Heifer calves sold to 820gns for the 'Sinatra Marbella' born in April and out of the VG88 Hatwell bred dam.  Younger calves were also in demand selling to 650 gns for the July born 'Amos Cherry' whose dam sold for 2250 gns.

A well represented selection of breed enthusiasts and new breeders packed Perth Auction Mart on Friday to see the spring calving portion of Hector Mackaskill's Woodhall herd, gross over £200,000 for the 92 animals sold.

The sale peaked half way through when when Northern Irish breeder Leslie Weatherup bought Woodhall Sonata for 8000gns. By Woodhall Porter, a son of Mackney Hector and out of Woodhall Pixie, she sold with her March heifer calf by Camus Brandy. She had been running with Annick Talisker, a bull bought from Lachlan Quarm's Annick Herd at Perth in the spring for 20,000gns.

The judges have been announced for this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair and I think you'll agree it's a pretty impressive list!

Donald MacPherson, Castlehills Farm, Berwick-upon-Tweed, will be placing the Continental cross beef cattle and judging the overall champions. Donald is no stranger to the main ring at this event, having won the championship no less than five times and reserve at least three.                .

Donald farms about 150 acres half in Scotland and half in England, as well as being involved with his father and brother, both Ewen, in buying and showing commercial cattle from the home farm of Mill, Barcaldine, near Oban.

In charge of the sheep classes this year is the current President of the Royal Smithfield Club, Brian Glaves from Scarborough. He said, "It is always a great honour to be invited to Scotland to judge." He last judged the Winter Fair in 1987 and has judged Smithfield and the Welsh Winter Fair several times.

Brian, his wife, Doreen and two sons, Anthony and James have a small 200 acre farm where they run 800 Suffolk and Texel cross ewes and small pedigree flocks of Suffolks, Texels and Southdowns. They kill most of their lambs in their own abattoir to supply their butcher shop in Brompton, B W and D J Glaves and Sons.

Carlisle butcher, Jimmy Mulholland of Mid Town Farm, Great Orton, will have the tough job of placing the butchers cattle on Wednesday but he will have the chance to get his eye in on Tuesday evening when he will judge the Caledonian Marts commercial calf competition.

Another well-known face at the Winter Fair is Scott Watson, formerly of Balhousie at Carnoustie. Scott will be judging the native classes and the popular Aberdeen Angus and AK Stoddart Angus Calf Show.

The Marks and Spenxcer Premier Meat Exhibition takes place unusually this year before the event at Ingliston. The live judging at Perth Agricultural Centre is on Wednesday 19^th November when Tom Stevenson, Balmacolly, Bankfoot, will make all the decisions in the cattle section and Richard Colegrave of Guardswell, Abernyte, will select the lamb winners.

Its the end of day one here at Builth for the Royal Welsh and myself and the trusty Taking Stock photographer are heading back to the hotel for a well earned beer and a sit down.

But before we go, we've uploaded lots more pictures into the gallery, so be sure to take a look and see what's been going on down here today.

Til tomorrow, that's all folks.....

Today's sheep judging concludes with the Suffolk, Texel and Welsh Hill Speckled face champions.

Dominating the Suffolk champions was Myfyr A Evans, winning male, female and overall Suffolk champion. Overall Suffolk Champion was for his homebred ram lamb, bred for sale, with his shearling ewe bagging female champion.

Ellis Lloyd and Co dominated the Welsh Hill Speckled Face section, winning, male, female and overall champion. Overall champion was his ram shearling chosen for his good body and bone, by judge Susan Watkins.

Finally in the Texel section winning overall champion was Heulwen Thomas with her homebred ewe, which had just finished rearing twins up to a month ago.  Reserve champion was a ram lamb by R and E Owen.

Here are the remaining breed champions from beef judging at today's Royal Welsh Show.

Taking the Charolais championship was Gareth Jones with his young bull Esgob Campbell, this one is by Thrunton Virginian, which I believe is a Talisman son, and out of homebred cow Esgob Vanilla. This bull is full of flesh and moves well too and stood in the final short lite of four for the interbreed this afternoon.

In the Aberdeen Angus it was a first Royal Welsh breed title for Keith Evans with his Scots bred bull Wedderlie Kentucky Excel from the Campbell family. Excel is by Wedderlie Exriexad and out of Wedderlie Kensue.

The British White championship went to F W Cook and Son's with their heifer Albany Pristine, by Dallyashes Heart of Oak and out of Albany Penelope.

Beef Shorthorn leader was E T and J R Gethin's cow with calf at foot Maxton Cinderella 2. This one is by Chapelton Provost and out of Maxton Barrington Cinderella 7.

Taking the Highland championship were Messrs Russell and Rowlands with their heifer Frangag Millicent 2 of the May.

The Limousin champion, Rhonllwyn Vandal from Eddie and Jane Griffiths, Mynach, Powys, took has just clinched the Royal Welsh interbreed beef award ahead of the Welsh Black leader from Tecwyn Jones.

Vandal is by Hartside Hessingham and out of Fleethill Popular and had earlier stood breed champion under judge Brian Jones, Bailea.

Interbreed judge Terry Coghill praised Vandal for his exceptional fleshing and locomotion, proclaiming him an excellent mover for his flesh and backend. "He was fluid every time I looked at him and carried a great topline too."

North Yorkshire sheep dog supremo John Bell smashed the world record price paid at an official sale for a young dog under one-year-old at Skipton Auction Mart's summer sale of working sheepdogs (Friday, July 17).

John, of Parks Farm, Howden, near Selby, achieved the feat with Bob, an 11-month-old black and white dog, which made 4000gns.

Bob was bought by an undisclosed Scottish purchaser. Earlier, soon after the sale began, the same buyer just failed in his attempt to secure another John Bell entry as the under bidder on a 12-month-old black and white bitch "Gwen."

This dog achieved the second highest price of the day at 3000gns when snapped up by another Scottish dog handler, who also requested anonymity.

John Bell was topping the prices for the third seasonal Skipton working dogs sale in succession  - and for a record-breaking 12th time in the past seven years.

Robin Booth, Feizor, sold his October, 2006, dog Spike for 2600gns to yet another buyer from north of the Border, Iain Wilson, of Knoydart in Invernesshire.

Wisp, a September, 2005-born dog from James Burrows, of Carnforth, made 2000gns when purchased by Lowther Park Farms, Penrith.

A total of 68 dogs were entered in the sale. Broken dogs sold to 4,000gns (av £1,618), part-broken dogs to 950gns (£555), pups to 140gns (£79).

Taking the Simmental championship at today's Royal Welsh was Penwern Rachel from R W Jenkins, this powerful, well fleshed cow is by Curlieu Kong and out of Parcytrap Alice.

With the original entry considerably reduced by bluetonge movement restrictions, the Oxford Down Association Show and Sale at Worcester nevertheless found buyers in buoyant mood with a total clearance of the eleven females forward and a record top price for this centre of  565gns for the pre sale show champion, judged by breed president Philip Quick.  

This shearling ram, consigned by J W Hook (Witney, Oxfordshire) sold to Mr S W James of Pershore, Worcestershire who also took GC Watson's (Kettering, Northants) second prize shearling ram at 320gns and the female champion, a ewe lamb from J W Hook at 260gns.  

S Bateman (Chesham, Buckinghamshire) claimed the first prize shearling ewe from R G T & S A Banks (Norfolk) at 260gns.

Sheep judging has been progressing well too at the Royal Welsh this morning and I managed to spend a little time there too in between the beef judging.

In the Hampshire Down classes Devon-based Jean Ritchie had the task of selecting the winners and found her champion in the form of John Davies shearling ewe, while Mr Davies also took the reserve spot with his reserve female champion, the ewe lamb.

In the Border Leicesters it was a win for the Evans family with their shearling ewe in Mr Evans' 48th year showing at the Royal Welsh, with the reserve award going to R D and J M Philips' powerful old ram.

Taking the champion ticket in the British Blue classes at today's Royal Welsh was Adrian Williams with his heifer Lukeroyal Bimbo, bred by M J Lucas. This one is by Twning Ash Vaughan and out of Lukeroyal Valentine.

Reserve were the Morgan family with their heifer Ty Isaf Cointreau, she is by Danseur D'Embise and out of Ty Isaf Rhiwhelen.

Charolais breeders turned out an outstanding entry of quality cattle at the Scottish and Northern Charolais Breeders' National Show staged at the New Deer Show on Saturday 19 July which was led by the five year old Dunesk Unesta, bred and exhibited by Jimmy and Margaret McMillan, Farnell, Brechin. Not only did Unesta claim the supreme female and overall Charolais event award, but she went on to secure the overall beef interbreed award on the field. 

"This show attracted an outstanding entry, in particular there was great strength and depth in some large classes exhibited by the younger generation which confirmed the future of the Charolais breed is in good hands," commented judge, Stuart Wood, of Garston, Orkney. "However, Unesta was the firm winner - there was nothing to touch her. She is truly feminine and demonstrates all the attributes of the breed; strength, depth and mobility, and those were reflected in her calf at foot which is already showing a great deal of potential."

Unesta who claimed her fourth beef interbreed title on Saturday in as many outings this season including the Royal Highland, has got to be the best ever turned out from the McMillan's six cow herd. A rising five year old Oldstone Egbert daughter and out of a homebred Perth female champion, she began her show ring career back in 2005 by securing the Royal Highland breed title. Her promising six month old bull calf is by the 12,000gns reserve intermediate Perth champion, Brampton Albert.

There was near unanimous ringside approval for the Welsh Black champion here at thew Royal Welsh when Tecwyn Jones took the overall title with his senior bull Seisiog Bedwyr 129.

Bedwyr is an impressive sight with plenty of stretch and loin about him and a backend that's full of flesh too. By Mynydd Morgan and out of Seisiog Bet 94, he is stock bull for the Jones' herd, but will be sold next spring as a number of his daughters are now coming into the herd. He's got a fair chance in the interbreed later today for what my opinions worth.

Reserve here was the heifer Dancoed Ceridwen 3 from Gwynfryn and Marian Phillips. She is by Seisiog Cymru and out of Seisiog Awena, making it a one-two double for Seisiog breeding.

For those of you eagerly waiting on cattle results and I know there are at least three of you out there, here is the Limousin result.

Senior bull Rhonllwyn Vandal from Messrs Griffiths clinched the Royal Welsh Limousin title under judge Brian Jones of Bailea ahead of the junior bull Fleethill Captain from the Gray family.

Vandal is by Hartside Hensingham and out of Fleethill Popular and was bred by the Ingrams before being purchased by the Griffiths at Brecon two years ago.

Captain meanwhile is by Shire Pentason and out of Fleethill Oboe.

Vandal look's a good shout for this afternoon's interbreed title, but there's a strong Welsh Black bull who will take some getting past on home soil, more of which later.

Pictures will follow shortly.....

Judging is underway in both the beef and sheep sections of the Royal Welsh Show, with reasonably strong entries in all sections. No champions have been decided yet, but the rings are thronged with spectators on what look's set to be a glorious day in Builth.

I'll keep you up to date with the results as they happen, in the meantime I've started the gallery so take a look there to see photos of what's been going on today....

Well at the end of a long show season the Taking Stock team has hit the home straight with its arrival in Wales for the Royal Welsh.

As always there look's to be a tremendous show of stock here and the crowds are already building. I'll be taking a keen interest in all the judging over the next three days so check back regularly to find out who's been doing the winning.

Sheep and beef are the main features today, with the interbreed beef championship decided just after 4pm today.

The team are now heading off for a bite of breakfast before setting to for the day

Champion Nethervalley Rotate Jed Darlene VG85 from Robbie Scott's highly reflected stock crowned another good day, not just for him and the buyer but for the entire consignment of 130 milking heifer and young cows and the Glenconner youngstock dispersal at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Darlene, by Jed from a VG88 Rubens daughter of Kepculloch, attracted much serious interest from breeders. So did all the better heifers in the sale, especially the £3000 reserve champion from the Hodgson family's Wormanby herd.

As with Champion, this smart two year old fresh heifer carried a classy pedigree, being from the quality Sher Canadian family. She now joins Messrs Sanderson's herd near Brampton. 

Sad as it may seem I've just spent a good half an hour perusing the catalogue for the Northern Area Suffolk sale at Edinburgh next Friday. Having recently ceased breeding Suffolks I've still got a keen interest in the breed after a lifetime of involvment and find sale catalogues fascinating.

However, there is one striking feature about the catalogue for me this year. Despite all the Suffolk Sheep Society's publicity about peformance recording and the breed having "Figures to kill for" just 36 ram lambs out of 252 entered have any performance recording figures published in the catalogue. That, for a breed which could claim to be the second most popular terminal sire, is a shameful 14% of the sheep entered for sale.

This leaves anyone wanting a recorded sheep a limited choice and anyone wanting specific traits even more stuck. What's really baffling me though is that Suffolk breeders are offered basic level recording as part of the membership package, so why aren't they taking it up?

In the modern world anyone not making use of recording risks being left a long way behind the rest of the industry.

However, true to form many breeders have waxed lyrical in the notes about their entries about the power certain sheep offfer and the wonderful heads and bone they offer. Now call me a cynic, but these are all things of no use to anyone, barring the butcher's dog that is! Its high time for a reality check for many I suspect. 

Sadly, Royal Smithfield Club vice president and stalwart exhibitor David Sinclair of Inchture, Perth, passed away yesterday aged 86.

David was a familiar figure at the Royal Smithfield Show, Earls Court, for more than 40 years, having first exhibited cattle there in 1959 and returing most years since with a team of about 20 cattle each time.

Having won the supreme championship in 1963, 1968 and 1971, David also served on the Club's council from 1966 and was elected a vice president in 1988 and was Club president in 2000, which was also the last show he exhibited at.

As well as the overall champion ticket, he also won the carcass section in 1986, 1989 and 200 and the combined livee/dead cattle award in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 2000 and the Kings Cup for the besr beast bred by exhibitor on five separate occaisions.

The Taking Stock team pass their condolences to David's family.

Demand remained good for a large entry of cattle at Exeter market, despite easing of the finished trade over the past weeks.

It was continentals taking the top price, with a two year old continental selling for £870. He was the property of E H and J A Dennis, North Taunton. Success continued for the Dennis family, with a group of four Simmental cross also making £840 each.

Also sharing top price was a Belgian Blue steer from H and M Thorne, Umberleigh. There were several strong finishing animals in the £650 to £780 range, with best meat heifers on offer to £738 for a Limousin from K Partridge, Dawlish.

A useful entry of cows and calves also sold well with single suckled bull calf outfits to £835 and heifer couples to £790. In-calf Charolais cows sold to £835 for A Barrow, Newton Abbot.

There was plenty of choice for lamb buyers at Hexham and Northern Marts this week, with 1854 lambs forward.

Competition was hot as another buyer was forward to compete for the best lambs. And paying top price in the end was Messrs A Wright and Son, Meat Wholesalers from Lincolnshire.  163.9p/kg was paid for a pen of Charollais cross Texel lambs with superb conformation from Middle Horsleyhope.

Heavy lambs were slightly easier on the week selling to £68 for Texel cross from Prospect Hill. Suffolk crosses also topped above the £60 barrier at £61.50 from Thornton Tower.

A maiden heifer by Lumbylaw Penandpaper with a Beef Value of 22 topped this week's sale for the South Western Limousin Cattle Breeders Club held at Bristol when she made 3000gns.

Consigned by M M Gollop and Sons, Cullompton, Devon, Sloughpool Babs is out of the herd's best cow by Strathallan Diplomat and traces back to some of the breed's earliest and most influential UK sires  such as MMB Fanfaron. She was part of the Gollop's herd reduction sale and heads north to Derbyshire with Ashbourne-based buyer D Wright.

Well after an early morning flight, a spell watching the pre-sale judging and decent lunch in the market cafe, we joined Charollais breeders ringside to catch the action at today's sale at Lanark.

Arwel and Amanda Owen picked up at Lanark where they left off last week at Welshpool, collecting the top call of 3000gns for a full ET brother to their breed record holder.

Buyer this time was last week's under bidders, Willie and Carol Ingram, Logie Durno, Aberdeenshire. By Foulrice Eurostar their tup lamb had stood reserve champion earlier in the day in the pre-sale show.

Tup lambs from two leading Welsh flocks took the top honours in the pre-sale show at Lanark Charollais sale today.

Taking the overall championship was Bryan Evans' first entry from his Penrhos flock. This one, which will be the first lamb through the ring this afternoon is by Foulrice Eurostar, sire of the new breed record holder, and out of a homebred dam.

Reserve champion went to another Eurostar son, this time from Arwel and Amanda Owen's Banwy flock which set the new 10,500gns breed top price last week.

A full sale report and pictures will follow as the action happens this afternoon.....

 50 years of dairy farming comes to an end on Friday for John and Eileen Gittins with their dispersal sale at Nant farm, Morda, near Oswestry.

Building up a small commercial herd of considerable note, Nant Farm has been in the top 10 farms in the Wiseman Milk Quality awards for the past three years.

The 89-head Holstein Friesian herd comprises 56 cows and heifers in milk, 13 in-calf heifers, four bulling heifers and 16 heifer calves. The herd has current annual averages of 8835kg of milk with 4.17% butterfat, 3.34% protein, 81 cell count and hygiene 15.

Mr Gittins who took over the 60-acre dairy farm from his parents in 1981, says "farming is the only thing that I've ever known. "We are proud to have provided food for the British nation and we've done the best we can."

Sales director of Halls Auctioneers, says "This is a sale not to be missed. The quality and milkiness of the cows will obviously be prevalent in the excellent young stock."

The sale begins at 10:30 on Friday

.......is to get down on the floor and whisper sweet nothings in their ear while feeding them!

A Limousin cross steer from Barming, Maidstone-based Pat Gallagher took top place among the commercial cattle at last weekend's Kent Show, Detling. The May 2006-born steer Patrick stood ahead of Thorndean Farms' February 2007-born purebred Limousin heifer Cheeky.

Here are the full results from last weekend's Kent Show.

BEEF

Interbreed P Gooderham's Limousin heifer Sundale Bon Bon; res, R Taylor's Charolais bull Rumsden Cruiserweight.

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

Blonde P A De Giles' heifer Bilsington Brightly; res, P A De Giles' bull Bilsington Cibourne.

Charolais R Taylor's bull Rumsden Cruiserweight; res, R Taylor's heifer Rumsden Bianca.

Simmental R J Grenham's bull Boars Head Volcano; res, D A Sapsed's heifer Heathbrow Treasure.

Hereford P Noel and R Snelling's bull Sarabande Huggy Bear; res, P Noel and R Snelling's heifer Sarabande Rose 70.

Limousin P Gooderham's heifer Sundale Bon Bon; res, W J and M Mash's bull Brockhurst Venture.

Longhorn S E Coleman's heifer Chalkney Mynah; res, A K Clark and Sons' heifer Wenham Glitch.

Sussex C E and W S Millson's heifer Trottenden Terpsichore 91; res, L Stevens and Sons heifer Boxted Finch 59.

AOB Native P C Stovold's Aberdeen Angus heifer Rosemead Ekim

Commercial Gallagher Farms' Limousin cross steer Patrick; res, Thorndean Farms Limousin heifer Cheeky.

Records were smashed last Wednesday at Harrison & Hetherington's weekly sale of calves, with all calves meeting a firm trade, a Borderway Mart record was broken for a month old tremendous ¾ bred British Blue bull.  The calf was bred by A & J M Riley, Underhelm, Grasmere, and sold for £700.

It was a memorable day in the beef cattle rings at Kent Show for Suffolk-based Limousin breeder Peter Gooderham as he notched up a hat trick of interbreed wins this season with his heifer Sundale Bon Bon. 

Having already clinched the top title at both East of England and Norfolk, Bon Bon picked up her third title when pipping Rupert Taylor's Charolais bull Rumsden Crusierweight to top spot.

By Broadmeadows Canon and out of homebred cow Sundale Tansy, Bon Bon is believed to be in calf to noted sire Samy and is one of a herd of 50 Limousins run by Mr Gooderham at Gislingham, Eye. Cruiserweight, meanwhile, is an April 2007-born son of Roundhill Rocky and is out of Rumsden Tatania. 

Sale topper was from heifer rearer, Susan Whitwell, Lancashire, selling to N W and J M Coulthurst and Son, Preston.

A newly calved heifer, Broholme Kite Clair also made a good price selling for £2220 to an undisclosed buyer and consigned by R M Shackleton, Skipton. 

Leading the incalf heifers section was a heifer sired by Picton Shottle and due late August. She formed part of a small herd dispersal of commercial in-calf heifers from Michael Makinson, Clitheroe, who is ceasing milk production.  She was purchased by J Shuttleworth nd Son, Skipton, who went on to buy another three heifers from the same vendor at £1700, £1630 and £1540.

Five incalf cattle from Mr Makinson selling for £1920, £1910, £1780 and £1480 join the herd of W Moffat and Co, Dumfries  

Exceptional trade was seen at the dispersal of the Roe Family's Willstock dairy herd, with all lots making more than 2000gns.

Producing no less that 16 lots, the sale was topped by an April calved heifer, Willstock Weston 80^th, by Pagen-Emwood. Giving 29.8kg daily she sold for 2520gns and heads to Kent.

The top priced cow was also from the Weston family- Willstock Weston 76^th, a March second calver by Sandel. Selling for 2250gns, she also heads to Kent.

Interbreed S Loveless' Large White sow Port Bredy Jean 1802; res, D Beeby's British Saddleback sow Brydges Babble 159.

AOB Traditonal M Nicholas' Oxford Sandy and Black sow Dukes Claire; res, M Nicholas' Oxford Sandy and Black gilt Dukes Dutchess.

Berkshire F Fieldhouse and Son's sow Grange Farm Royal Sapphire 205; res, C T Impey's boar Fairoaks Peterlad 2.

British Saddleback D Beeby's sow Brydges Babble 159; res, K and K Matthews boar Low Park Rajah 244.

Gloucestershire Old Spots M V Hicks' sow Windmill Princess 11; res, M V Hicks' boar Windmill Gerald 33.

Large Black K and K Matthews' boar Low Park Majestic 136; res, K and K Matthews' sow Low Park Grandeur 140.

Large White S J S Loveless' Port Bredy 1802; res, J Newth's boar Prestleigh Viking 4.

Middle White C H Robinson's sow Aggett's Woodlands Lady 2; res, M Paddock's sow Eaves Yootha.

Welsh C D Vaughan's sow Vinery Willing; res, C D Vaughan's boar Vinery Ivor.

Local sheep farmer, Michael Parker, Winterburn once again achieved back-to-back-wins with his store lambs at Skipton.

Taking the honours with a 40 strong pen of Suffolk-cross lambs, they sold for £43.50 a head to Messrs Lea and Son, Barnsley. The lambs caught the eye of judge Tony England, who is also a regular buyer of both store and ewe lambs at Skipton.

Mr England went on to buy second prize Continental-cross lambs from M J and P J Campbell, Arncliffe, bought for £36.80 each. The third prize pen of Texel-cross lambs from J W Hall, Malham Moor, sold to Staffordshire buyer for £39 a head.

The 2500 plus store lambs forward saw huge demand, with total clearance achieving an average of £34.83 a head.

Here are the full sheep results from the Great Yorkshrire Show.

Interbreed G Watson and C Grain's Charollais ewe; res, R Field's Wensleydale ewe.

Interbreed Longwool male A J Fisher's Teeswater ram; res, A E and B W Glaves' Leicester Longwool ram.

Interbreed Longwool female R Field's Wensleydale ewe; res, A J Fisher's Bleufaced Leicester shearling ewe.

Interbreed Hill male M J Wilson and Sons' Dalebred ram; res, M Warburton's North Country Cheviot ram.

Interbreed Hill female N J Bell's Swaledale ewe; res, C A Crowther's lonk shearling.

Interbreed Shortwool male J E Pocock's Poll Dorset ram lamb; res, M A Bishop's Ryeland ram.

Interbreed Shortwool female J F Redfern's Rouge shearling ewe; res, A R and J Smith's Jacob shearling ewe.

Interbreed E T Tomlinson and Sons Ayrshire cow Sandyford clover 10; res, Pavenham Jerseys' Pavenham Iben 9.

Interbreed Pairs Jerseys; res, Holstein.

Interbreed Groups Jerrsey; res, Holstein.

Holstein Messrs Baty and Williamson's senior cow Goostrey Coll 225; res, P J Waring's intermediate cow Cleeton Jordon Glenna.

Dairy Shorthorn I R G Collins and Partners' cow Churchroyd Heather 24; res, I R G Collins and Partners' cow Churchroys Peggy 6.

Ayrshire E T Tomlinson and Son's cow Sandyford Clover 10; res, E T tomlinson's cow Sandyford Mayflower 5.

Jersey Pavenham Jersey's Pavenham Iben 9; Pavenham Jersey's Pavenham Iben 12.

Beef

Interbreed M Holmes' Shorthorn bull Cairnsmore Thrasher; res, J Weatherill's Limousin cow Millington Tangerine.

Interbreed Pairs Limousin; res, British Blue.  

Beef Shorthorn M Holmes' bull Cairnsmore Thrasher; res, R S Johnson's heifer Bilsdale Saphire Zanna.

Aberdeen Angus J B Swires' cow Cragg Minneaplolis Belle; res, D and P A Evans' bull Tree Bridge Pelton.

A great entry of 175 head at Beeston Castle Auction mid month sale of pedigree and commercial dairy cattle was greeted by large crowds of buyers present from as far as Cumbria and Pembrokeshire.

Fierce trade saw prices topping £2550 for a fresh heifer from Fred Schofield, Acton Bridge who consigned three heifers to the sale averaging £2276. All three were purchased by F and N Brunt and Sons, Stone.

Messrs Brunt also purchased the second highest priced heifer, Manorside Reece Beatrice by Askew Reece, at £2380 from E V and B Boughey and Son, Tarporley. Messrs Boughey also had the next top selling at £2320, the homebred Tarporley Primate Delight 2^nd by Sterndale Primate. She sold to Messrs J N and L P Bate, Great Budworth.

Cows also topped at £2180 for a fresh non pedigree 3^rd calver from H Darlington and Co, Farndon selling to Robin Arden. A further eight animals made £2000 or more.

The Commercial Showcattle Society has been officially launched at this week's Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate.

Explaining its intentions the Society's new chairman Jim Hollingsworth said an opportunity had been identified to form a new society to develop and protect the interests of all involved in showing commercial cattle, along with those breeding animals suitable for exhibition and others who organise and stage such events throughout the UK.

"The new society is intended to be a 'breed society' for the commercials and will seek to improve their lot whenever the opportunity presents itelf." The principles of the organisation revolve around the introduction of a recognised format and standard of etiquette for those both judging and exhibiting at commercial events.  

Charollais x Texel lambs took first prize in the continental class at Skipton Auction Mart for father and son duo Richard and Robert Greenwood.

The Greenwoods of Marton Scar Farm took home the prime lambs title for the first time. Their 37kg charges sold for £56 a head to John Penny, Leeds.

The best of Suffolk's came from Andrew Taylor, Broughton. His 45kg pen of five lambs went to show judge, James Dewhirst, of Skipton based Stanforths Butchers for £61 each. Mr Dewhirst also bought second prize a 48kg pen from Bobby Turner, Draughton for £65 each.

Wharfedale dairy farmers A Lawson and Son won their first Craven dairy Auction Championship at Skipton Auction Mart as well as taking home reserve champion.

Securing the title for the Lawson's was a newly calven home-bred pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer, which had produced 10 days before the show and was giving 34 litres.

The champion by the Genus sire Sinatra, registered the day's top price of £2000 acquired by the show's judge, Richard Wood, Keighley.

The first ever recorded export of pedigree Hereford cattle into Belgium, follows recent sales of Herefords into France, Holland, Denmark and Germany.

The six in calf heifers born in spring 2006 and in calf to Ruckmans 1 Cardinel and Ruckman's Casino and seven maiden heifers born Autumn 2006 and spring 2007, were sold by Ruckman's Limited to Belgian farmer, Mr J Devlieghere.  

Delighted with the sale was farm manager Harry Hewlett who said "he was pleased to see the shipment go off without a hitch, following the disappointment of sales falling through due to export restrictions in 2007/08."

Among the pigs it was a worthwhile trip north from Dorset for Steve Loveless and his daughter Hayley when they took the interbreed title with their Large White sow Port Bredy Jean 1802.

One of 40 sows the family keep at Skilling, Bridport, Jean 1802 is by Port Bredy Valiant 1457 and was born in August 2007. Mr Lovesless last won the interbreed title at Great Yorkshire in 2006, but said the sow hadn't had a successful season as she had been beaten by her sister at many shows.

"Unfortunately, with the way feed prices have been going we've had to cut back sow numbers from 60, but if pig prices rise and feed prices fall as predicted we'll put numbers back up again."

Sheep numbers at this week's Great Yorkshire Show may have been affected by bluetongue, but with more than 1000 sheep penned it will undoubtedly be the largest show of sheep in England this year.

And with classes of 20 or more the Charollais breed was one of the best represented at Harrogate and it was their female champion, an aged ewe from Geoff Watson and Carol Grain, Kettering, Northamptonshire, which took the overall championship. The ewe, Solwood Gracious Lady, had earlier in the day taken the terminal sire breeds female championship.

By Castlelow Freelander and out of a ewe bred by David Reynolds, Telford, Gracious Lady had stood female champion and reserve breed champion in the Charollais, but due to the judging format at Great Yorkshire had come through to the interbreed to overturn the previous day's result. She is one of 60 Charollais ewes run by the couple alongside their flock of Oxford Downs.

Adding to his silverware collection obtained yesterday, Mark Holmes' Shorthorn bull Cairnsmore Thrasher has taken the native interbreed competition this morning under Limousin and Charolais breeder Archie McGregor, Kilsyth. Following a close reserve here was the Aberdeen-Angus cow and calf Cragg Minneapolis Belle from Mrs Squires.

In the junior overall interbreed Millington Grange took top spot with their Limousin heifer Millington Choice, by Mas du Clo, while reserve went to the young Charolais bull Holstead Cracker from F and J Andrews.

Breed development manager and type classifier Myrig Raymond took centre stage to select his interbreed dairy champion this morning and after close inspection he tapped out the Ayrshire cow Sandyford Clover 10 from Blaze and Deborah Tomlinson.

Having taken the interbreed title at last year's Royal Show and heifer titles here and at the Dairy Event in 2006, Clover was a comfortable choice for Mr Raymond.

Speaking to the crowds he said she oozed dairy characteristics, style and strength. "She has an excellent top line, hind legs and a mammary system to dream of." Clover is currently giving 42kg a day having calved on May 10 with her third. Her next outing for Loughborough, Leicestershire-based Mr Tomlinson will be the Dairy Event in September.

Taking the reserve spot was the Jersey champion from young Milly Shipley with her mother Synthia at the lead. The EX92 Pavenham Iben 9 is by Curtsey Duncan Jude and out of a homebred dam. Again another show winner, she has taken tickets at Berkshire, Lincoln and East of England and as a third calver is currently giving 32kg a day.

The Boston, Lincolnshire-based Shipley family had double success as they went on to take the interbreed junior title with daughter of the reserve overall Pavenham Iben 12, while the reserve ticket went to the Ayrshire Liverton Ke Horn from Messrs Stevenson, Saltburn by Sea, Cleveland.

Its the end of a long day here at the Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate, but the weather has been kind to us, so we have to be grateful for that.

We've enjoyed the day and the trusty Taking Stock photographer has been hard at work snapping the champions which are now available to see in the gallery, enjoy......

The bar is calling, so its pints all round tonight!

After a lengthy five and a half hours judging and fresh from his championship win at the Royal Show Kevin Ludgate and his commercial show team were back in action at the Great Yorkshire Show to take the overall ticket.

Having shone through the female championship Wilemina, his British Blue cross heifer with helper Ben Maskell at the lead took the championship under butcher and judge Stuarty Clatworthy.

Mr Clatworthy described his champion as being a heifer bang on 12 o'clock. She had everything he wanted in a butchers animal and would proudly hang her in his shop. "You could just keep cutting and cutting meat off this heifer - she's fantastic," he told a massive crowd round the ring side.

Having stood reserve female champion, Neil Slack's Limousin cross hiefer Rhianna followed through to take the overall reserve spot with Ben Richardson at the lead, while Neil was in charge of his champion male steer Fernando.

Rhianna is no stranger to the show ring, having taken the reserve champion ticket as a calf at last year's Agri-Expo at Carlsile. She now heads for show retirement as Neil is currently in a clean bluetongue zone.    

Kevin Ludgate was also on hand to take the overall male championship with his homebred 12 month old Limousin cross steer James.

Mark Holmes' Beef Shorthorn bull Cairnsmore Thrasher has taken the interbreed award this afternoon at the Great Yorkshire Show, after standing reserve at last week's Royal Show.

Led out by Carol and Richard Rettie, Thrasher looked an easy champion from the moment he stepped into the interbreed ring and found favour with the panel of breed judges which awarded him the best points score of the champions present.

Standing reserve to him was the Limousin champion Millington Tangerine from John Weatherill's Millington herd. By Woodhouse Prince, Tangerine was shown by Mark Philips and Helen Burton, with her calf at foot.

As always judging has continued apace this afternoon in the sheep rings at the Great Yorkshire Show and I've been contently watching plenty of the action wondering if its a sensible idea to head back next year with some sheep in tow.

First to conclude this afternoon were the Beltex, where the champion was R G Findlay's aged ewe.

Next out of the blocks were the Bluefaced Leicesters where A J Fisher took the overall award with his shearling ewe.

Meanwhile, among the Hampshire Downs, it was the fleshy shearling ewe from L M Chasney which took the top spot ahead of the ram lamb from the same exhibitor.

Today has seen breed judging in the dairy classes, with the Holsteins and Dairy Shorthorns completed so far.

Heading up the Holstein line-up was Messrs Baty and Williamson's senior cow Goostrey Coll 225, an Ex93 rated, 2000-born cow by Kemview Vanetas Vision.

Standing champion in the Dairy Shorthorn lines was I R G Collins and Partner's cow Churchroyd Heather 24. This 2002-born cow is by Jerome and out of Churchyard Heather 11.

It's been busy in the beef rings too, with a number of breeds completing breed judging ahead of this afternoon's interbreed competition.

Leading the way were the Beef Shorthorn breeders whose champion came in the shape of Mark Holmes senior bull Cairnsmore Thrasher which stood reserve interbreed at the Royal Show last week.

Simmental champion, meanwhile, was T Hill's bull Jaegergard Uniq, a March 2003-born senior bull.

In the Limousins it was Millington Tangerine, from Millington Estates which stood top, with S and G A Potter's heifer Westside Alanis reserve.

Photographs and more results will follow as the happen.......

It's been a hectic first morning in the sheep rings here at the Great Yorkshire show, Harrogate, with judges working through a number of breeds in good time.

Despite some breeders being unable to attend due to bluetongue there is still a good show of sheep in the sheds, so well done to all concerned for getting them here.

So, here goes for the results so far;

In the Any Other Native section judged by John Thorley the champion ticket went to J E Pocock's Poll Dorset ram lamb with reserve taken by the female champion, E P R Lambert's Hill Radnor ewe.

The Any Other Continental section, also judged by Mr Thorley, went to the Vendeen ram of G P Pannett, with the Rouge shearling ewe from J F Redfern standing reserve.

Among the Charollais it was the senior tup from T S Hunter which caught judge David Roberts' eye, with Carol Grain and Geoff Watson's stylish shearling ewe in second spot.

Noted Yorkshire butcher Brian Glaves had success in the Leicester Longwool classes, taking the overall ticket with his shearling ram ahead of Mrs Goodman's shearling ewe.

In the Mashams it was C Douthwaite's pen of two shearling ewes which took champion spot, with A J Fisher's single shearling ewe following up in reserve.

Across in the Suffolks Chris Holmes, Worcester, found his top sheep in the form of G L Rigby's shearling ram and reserve here went to I D Briggs' shearling ewe.

Nicola Bell, daughter of Kirkby Stephen auctioneer Stuart, took the championship in the Swaledales with a ewe, while J H and J Ryder and Sons' ram stood reserve.

Texel champion was S and S Richardson's ewe lamb, with reserve here going to P C Longdin's ewe.

More results from this afternoon's judging will follow later, as will a selection of pictures of the champions.........

Well here we are in Harrogate for the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show and so far so good on the weather front. Its clear, bright and dry depsite the previously pessimistic forecasts of torrential downpours.

Judging is yet to get uinderway, but it soon will and all credit must go to GYS for their organisation. With many entries unable to attend due to bluetongue the show organisers have kindly listed details in the back of the catalogues of those exhibitors unable to attend - a small but well executed show of solidarity.

So, with judging soon to be underway we're heading out to the rings, we'll bring you results and photographs from all sections throughout the day.......

Bidding for Charollais ram lambs scaled new heights to reach a record price of 10,5000gns at the breed society's sale at Welshpool on Monday for a lamb bred in a flock of just six ewes that was only in its third season of selling.

But Arwel and Amanda Owen, who scooped the jackpot with the ram lamb Banwy Immense, are no newcomers to the livestock scene. Although they only recently established their Charollais flock, Arwel has also been well known for his wins with Charolais cattle produced from the family's farm near Welshpool.

Immense is by the good producer Foulrice Eurostar - who progeny were among the most sought after - and out of a ewe by Southam-A-One. He stood champion under judge John Geldard who mounted a determined spate of bidding, partnered by eldest son Richard, to secure the ram for the family's Wraycastle flock of 130 ewes at Levens, Cumbria.

Well Taking stock arrived in a very wet Yorkshire, for this year's Great Yorkshire Show. I'd like to say fresh from the Royal Show, but having stayed 5 nights in a caravan we're not feeling very fresh.

As predicted the weather isn't on our side and it's about to get worse according to the forecast.

Neither Jonathan or I have covered Yorkshire before so we're looking forward to what the next two days will bring. The gallery is up and ready and of course we'll be keeping you up to date on here with the show winners. I just hope livestock entries aren't as badly affected due to bluetongue zoning as they were at the Royal - surely not!!! 

Just had the trusty Taking Stock photographer on the phone to tell me trade has gone through the roof at the Charollais sheep sale in Welshpool as the champion has just sold for 10,500gns.

Having selected it as his champion, John Geldard later backed his judgement and dug deep to secure the ram.

More on this sale to follow along with pictures.....

One of Scotland's leading stockmen, Iain Millar, of Port of Menteith, Stirling has been elected chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society's council of management. He succeeds Steven Nesbitt, of Winston, Darlington who is stepping down after completing his term of office.

Iain Millar has had an involvement breeding pedigree Charolais cattle for more than 15 years establishing the Lochend pedigree Charolais herd which he manages with his wife, Rhona and family, John and Katreen.

Since then, the herd has grown to 20 cows, it is a member of the Hi Health Scheme accredited for BVD and Johne's, and it has bred scores of bulls for commercial suckler producers throughout the UK. Apart from collecting countless tickets in the show ring, Iain also knows what it takes to breed the Perth champion. A Brigadoon Ulsterman son stood in pole place in 2002, while the previous year his full brother secured the junior championship and made 11,000gns, Lochend's highest ever price.

Martin Donaghy, Dungannon is the society's newly elected vice chairman, the latest member elected to BCCS Council is Mike Atkinson, Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire and Peter Vasey, Wetheral, Carlisle is the new president.

Following the pattern of yesterday's Burke pair outcome, the Limousins have taken the interbreed team of five award this afternoon at the Royal Show, followed by the Hereford team, judged by Norman Smith.

So that's it for this year's Royal Show. Fortuantely the rain has managed to stay away for most of the afternoon, so I'm off for a little retail therapy before we hit the road for the Yorkshire Show.

There will be more pictures uploaded in the morning to finish off and of course we shall bring you all the news from next week. I just hope these wagons get loaded in time to be at Yorkshire for midnight tonight!

Here at the end of a long and weary Royal Show are the full sheep and pig results, we wait with interest to see what if anything happens to reinvigorate the event before next year.

One thing is for sure there are a lot of livestock exhibitors who will need convincing its worth their while heading back to Stoneleigh next year.

SHEEP

Interbreed D Roberts Charollais ewe; res, R Powell's Kerry Hill shearling ram.

Interbreed Pairs Charollais; res, Kerry Hill.

Interbreed Group of Three P Tait's Rouge; res, D Dishop's Beltex.

Dairy results

Burke pairs Jerseys; res, Holsteins.

Interbreed heifer G A Madely's Shorthorn Rodway Samantha 9; res, A Whittaker's Holstein Knowlesmere Gibson Starlight.

Team of Five Jerseys; res, Dairy shorthorns.

Interbreed S Murray's Jersey cow Whiteoaks Julian Flower; res, A Whittaker's cow Knowlesmere Leduc Papoose.

Dairy Shorthorn G A Madely's cow Rodway Marie 62; res, N Madely's cow Nejay Princess.

Dexter S Hunt's cow Seamer Supreme Aailyah; res, S Hunt's cow Northbrook Clarissa.

Guernsey R J Cole's cow Summerhill Dancer 17; res, not awarded.

Holstein A Whittaker's cow Knowlesmere Leduc Papoose; res, A Whittaker's heifer Knowlesmere Gibson Starlight.

Jersey S Murray's cow Whiteoaks Julian Flower; res, S Murray's cow Fourcrosses Centurion Pine.

The judging of the interbreed pairs championship earlier today left both ringside observers and exhbitors dumfounded and enraged after Peter Dixon Smith contradicted his own earlier judgement in awarding the reserve award to the Kerry Hill duo which had earlier only stood reserve in the Crossing sire section.

Having placed the Charollais pair from David Roberts and Messrs Daffurn and Curtis as champions, Mr Dixon Smith was left with three other sections champions and the reserve terminal sire champions the Hampshire Down pair to pick his reserve from.

But he chose to ignore all showring etiquette and logic by then placing the Kerry Hill pairing reserve.

Rouge exhibitor David Jane was understandably left fuming by the decision and I'm sure this won't be end of the story!!

For pictures of these champions and more from the ringside check out our Royal Show picture gallery.

Beef results

Burke pairs Limousin; res, Hereford.

Junior interbreed M D McMillan's Shorthorn bull Colnvalley Aladdin; res, E D Marshall's Charolais heifer Cotehouse Cockenzie.

Interbreed R Crawford's Limousin cow Victorieous; res, M Holmes' Shorthorn bull Cairnsmore Thrasher.

Team of Five

Aberdeen-Angus P C Stovold's cow Rosemead Karlotta C341; res, P C Stovold's heifer Rosemead Bellmaid G718.

Beef Shorthorn M Holmes' bull Cairnsmore thrasher; res, M d McMillan's bull Colnvalley Aladdin.

Well suprise, suprise - it's another wet day at the Royal Show!

They've already judged the Beefbreeder competition and it loos like (from the comfort of the Farmers Weekly office window) that Douglas McMillan's Shorthorn overall junior champion Colnvalley Aladin has taken the top spot.

Later on today we have the sheep pairs and the young handlers competition, of which Jonathan has the job of sorting out the sheep young handlers. The group fo five beef team is also on this afternoon at 3.20pm - then it will be a mad dash for the off!  

Again, we've been busy today uploading the Royal Show picture gallery to bring you more pictures from the ringside. Tim as a whole load more so they will go up tomorrow morning!

The weather has now turned for the worse, having managed to escape a couple of nasty showers today - so we're off for a pint!

I'll leave you with a very happy Raymond Crawford!!!!!

Taking the dairy pairs title were the Jersey exhibits from Emma Murray, consiting of the champion Jersey Fourcrosses Centurion Pine and the reserve champion Whiteoaks Julian flower. Taking the reserve spot were the Holstein pair from Andrew Whittaker.

For the second year running the Limousin pair has taken the Burke trophy at the Royal Show. Taking the silverware back home to Northern Ireland and making it a double for them were bothers Raymond and Stephen Crawford with the interbreed champion Victorieous and her matching partner Vigot.

A strong punch in the air from both brothers showed just how delighted they were to win the double!

Taking the reserve spot were the Herefords, consisting of the champion exhibit bull and overall breed champion Greenyards 1 Archie from P and A Allman and the reserve overall and female champion Phocle Dowager from David Jones.  

Phil Fowlie took this year's Royal Show pig interbreed title with a four year Welsh sow from his Anglesey-based herd.

Braemor Nina 4 has had seven litters to date and is due with her seventh in mid-August. By Blencathra James and out of Soundville Nina 77, Nina was repeating her 2006 interbreed win at the Royal, making it the first time a pig had won the Royal interbreed title twice.

Standing reserve was Tracey Bretherton's Middle White boar Gracebank Rajah. This 2007-born boar is by Ferrylane Rajah 2 and out of Gracebank Woodlands Lady 01. This was Mrs Brethertron's most succesful Royal Show to date.

Pictures to follow later.......

The Rouge group of three from Percy Tait took the interbreed team of three award this afternoon in the sheep rings of the Royal Show, with the Beltex trio from David Bishop taking the reserve spot.

Mr Tait's team consisted of a shearling ram, a shearling ewe and a two-shear ewe, all homebred from his flock of 20 Rouge ewes.

Bill Quick lived up to his name when judging this year's Royal Show sheep interbreed championship this morning, taking just 40 minutes to assess the 29 champions forward.

Taking the overall title was the hotly tipped Charollais ewe from David Roberts, Shrewsbury, which had stood breed champion yesterday under breed judge Charles Sercombe.

Standing reserve was veteran showman Dick Powell, Welshpool, with his Kerry Hill shearling ram, part of Mr Powell's English show team which has been kept out of Wales to enable the flock to show this side of Offah's Dyke.

 Click on our gallery for more pictures from the Royal Show

Having dominated the Limousin rings yesterday, Raymond and Stephen Crawford took the overall beef top spot this morning under interbreed judge Seven Bailey.

Victorieous is a three and half year old female bred by Gaec Lagrafeuil and is sired by romeo and out of Paloma, she is in calf to a French AI bull. This is her first outing this year and will remain on a farm close to Stoneleigh until she can go back home to Northern Ireland due to bluetongue movement restrictions. 

Taking the reserve ticket was the senior Beef Shorthorn bull Cairnsmore Thrasher from Mark Holmes and shown by Richard Rettie.

Thrasher was bought back in the spring last year in a private deal and has won breed champion tickets at the Highland and Ayr show this year and was beef interbreed at Drummond and Fife last year. He now heads to Yorkshire before being turned out to work.

He is by Cairnsmore Nike sportsman and out of Notrellot Milly.   

The first of the Royal Show beef interbreed classes have got underway with Charolais breeder Steven Bailey taking on the tough task of deciding his junior champions.

Taking the lead in the native class first thing was the shorthornjunior bull Colnvalley Archibald from Doulas McMillan. Homebred on both sides this March 2007 born bull is by Colnvalley Titanic. Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus heifer Rosemead Bellmaid from Angus Stovold.

In the Continental calsses, the young Charolais came through to take the lead. From the Marshall famil, Cotehouse Cockenzie is by the Irish bull doonally New and is out of a homebred dam. Taking the reserve ticket was the British Blone exhibit Kinaston Carlos from R E Kinnish. Homebred on both sides he is by Kinnaston Utah.

Pictures to follow shortly.....

We've updated the Royal Show gallery to include today's champions from the beef, dairy and sheep rings as well as some cracking generals.

See if you can pick the new breed of man come Highland cow!!!

Dairy entries may be severely reduced at this year's Royal Show but this didn't stop Emma Murray and her team of Jerseys conquering all in the interbreed class with Whiteoaks Julian Flower.

Standing a close reserve and helping to pay back some of the £1000 cost of exhibiting at the show was Andrew Whittaker's Holstein cow Knowlesmere Leduc Papoose.

Taking reserve spot in the Holstein ring was Knowlesmere Gibson Starlight, while the reserve Jersey was Fourcrosses Centurion Pride again from the Murray family.

In the Dairy Shorthorn rings, G A Madely took the top spot with Rodway Marie 62, while N Madely's Nejay Princess took reserve spot.   

The South Devon cattle breeders had a welcome visit at the Royal Show from HRH Prince Charles this morning as he presented the champion exhibit with the silverware.

Taking top honours was David Smallcombe's senior bull Grove Brutus. Bred by the Scott famaily, he is by grove Hadrian and out of Grove Buttercup.

And the Scott's were back in the championship line up with their own animal, the female champion Grove Celandine 81 who stood overall reserve champion.

The Hereford breed was probably one of the strongest classes of cattle today with strong numbers in all of the classes. Taking the top spot this morning under Northern Irish judge R Irvine, P and A Allman's bull Greenywards Archie, a Doonbiddie Husteler son out of a Dendor female.

Taking reserve spot was the homebred female champion Phocle Dowager from David Jones.

Hot footing fresh from the British Blonde ring where judge Andy Ryder selected regular Royal Show winner Marstonmill Penelope Pitstop from Ain and Sue Archer as his champion, he then took on the task of judging the British Blues.

Taking the lead in the male section before going on to take the overall ticket was Danny and Jane Wyllie's bull Ballygrange Alex. Bred by Jim Sloan, the Woodview Solo son out of Ballygrange Roxy took the title ahead Adam Neachall's cow.

No stranger to the limelight either Tamhorn Uptown Girl was fresh from her win at Cheshire. Bred by the Wyllie family she is by Baron Du Bois Bauyloye and is out of Tamhorn Milly.

Taking the reserve title in the blondes was R E Kinnish's heifer Kinaston Badoncia, sired by Hadens Platinum.

Pictures to follow shortly......  

Tom Cox's Tomcroft flock has lifted the Suffolk crown for this year's Royal with a homebred tup lamb, with his homebred ewe lamb standing reserve too.

Despite short entries the Suffolk entries forward are a fair representation of the breed.

In the Hampshire Down lines it was a double win for Charles and Sally Horrell with their entries from their Pode Hole flock, Peterborough.

Taking the championship for the couple, was their shearling ewe which is homebred on both sides, while the reserve champion was their well fleshed ram lamb by an Owlesbury sire bought at last year's breed society sale, Stratford, for 800gns.

The Charollais rings were the busiest among the sheep lines this morning with more than 40 sheep forward for judge Charles Sercombe to place.

And while numbers may have been only half what they have been in previous years, the quality remained high.

Taking the championship was David Roberts with his aged ewe, with his shearling standing reserve, netting David a well deserved double - probably not the last he'll enjoy today!

The champion is a ewe bred by John Scott, Kendal, and purchased at Builth. She is by Chestnut Park Dumbledore and was previously interbreed champion at Shrops and West Mids.

David's reserve, the shearling ewe, is homebred and by Logie Durno Emperor.

Well it's the second day of the Royal Show and I have to say things are just as quiet int he livestock rings, in fact they haven't even started judging yet!

Today sees the dairy cattle take to the rings, as well as the rest of the beef cattle including the British Blues, Herefords, British Blondes, British Whites, Highlands, Lincoln Reds, Red Polls, South Devons and Sussex.

In the sheep rings, the terminal sires are in action including the Texels, Suffolks, Charollais, Beltex and Hampshire Downs.

We'll keep you up to date with all the action as well as the picture gallery which will be updated later today as and when it happens........ 

We've put the Royal Show gallery up of show winners from today and a few piccies that might make you giglle - see if you can spot the one thing missing in one of the pics!!!

We'll add more obvioulsy as the days go on.

With sheep classes split between today and tomorrow here's a list of championship results so far from today.

Jacob

Champion Jerry Strong's shearling ram; res, Vicotira Fairley's shearlign ram.

Leicester Longwool

D Stanhope's shearling ram; res, D Stanhope's shearling ram.

Lleyn

R and J Gunn's ram; res, R and J Gunn's shearling ewe.

Shetland

Christine Ringrose's ewe lamb; res, Christine Ringrose's ram.

Wiltshire Horn

Iolo Owen's ram; res, J Bradley and p Middleton's shearling ewe.

Zwartbles

Clay Farm Partership's shearling ewe; res, Clay Farm Partnership's ram lamb.

Any Other Oure Breed (MV Accredited)

S E Farquhar's Shropshire ewe; res, A D Bishop's shearling ram.   

Although the Aberdeen-Angus classes weren't the most hotly contended of classes this morning, Angus Stovold's cattle shone through to do the double, taking both champion and reserve spots.

His leader was the January 2003 cow Rosemead Karlotta with calf at foot. Sired by Lockerley Mere Boy out of a homebred dam, she took the title ahead of Rosemead Bellmaid, a Janaury 2007 heifer.  

Taking the silverware home in the Simmental rings at the Royal Show was David Bell's cow Crackley Cornelia. Fullbred on both sides Cornelia is by Crackley Klassik and out of Crackley Cornelia 33.

Standing reserve to her was Michael barlow's cow Denzies Melody 2.

In the Charolais classes it was February's Perth champion Killadeas Barney. Bred by S and D Bothwell he is by Dunlon Ulick and out of a homebred cow, the 2006 born bull took the lead ahead of a stylish heifer from Gaynor McDowell and David Cormack, Marwood Beaumont. she is by Inverlochy Passport and out of Mowbraypark Jessica.

The long trip over from Northern Ireland was certainly worthwhile for the Crawford Brothers as they took the Limousin title in thejudging rings earlier this morning.

Having taken the feamle championship ahead of recent reserve interbreed Highland Show winner Brockhurst Batik from Doug Mash, the French bred Victorieous later went on to take the overall title. Sired by Romeo she is out of Paloma. Batik had to settle for overall spot.

Taking the male championship spot was Gaynor McDowell and David Cormack with the 2004-born Nenuphur son Grennhill Viper, shown by Paul Walker. Takign the reserve male spot was Vigot, another full French bloodline from the Crawford Brothers.

Pictures to follow shortly.......  

Following a successful show season all summer Kevin Ludgate has done the double in the Royal Show rings under judge and butcher Michael Alford, Somerset.

 The champion ticket went to the British Blue heifer Wilemina, led out by Kevin's partner Dawn, while the reserve ticket went to Kevin's other successful show animal and British Blue cross Big Bum, who has notched up a collection of winning tickets this year, she was shown by Ben Maskell.

Taking the steer class was Richard Naylor's Limousin steer Mr Mallarky, a steer who won early on in the season at Newark.

Well having arrived at the Royal Show late yesterday afternoon I took a wander through the sheep lines yesterday evening and have to say the place is a shambles. Putting Rugby Market in the building was always a questionable move, but in practice its a disaster. Concrete panel walls obstruct the view of the rings from the buildings - so even if the shed was full no one would know it because they can't see in!

Entries are as expected well below normal levels and as yet we're not sure in what order the judging will happen, so it really is a question of watching this space to see what happens next.

Of those breeds with a good show of stock, the Hampshire Downs look to have reasonable numbers (enough to make a show anyway, but apart from that the mainstream breeds are poorly represented.

Well it's the first day of the Royal Show and...well I'm not sure what to say! The talk of three buildings is true - it's very strange to walk through from Gate 5 and be greated by closed doors onthe livestock buildings.

Judging is kicking off today at 10am and then again at 2pm, with some judges taking care of multiple breeds. Overall I would say the Limousins have a good number with cattle down from Scotland from Robert Graham and a wagon over from Raymond Crawford in Ireland. Doug Mash is also in residence.

There are a half tidy number of Charolais as well, along with Herefords. Shorthorns and Aberdeen-Angus are lacking and the dairy cattle look similar.

It's such a shame bluetongue has cast it's spell on this show, as I really feel they needed all the help they can get this year! But there we go - DEFRA were never going to change course for a show!

We'll keep you posted with cattle results as and when and hope to build a gallery as soon as possible.....oh and it's raining - there's a suprise!

Well it won't be long before the Taking Stock team depart for this week's Royal Show and I have to be honest I don't have a clue what to expect. Numbers this year are drastically lacking due to bluetongue restrictions, which is a big shame for all involved. 

For those of you familiar with the Royal set-up I'm told only the top three sheds are being used to hold cattle.

However, the organisers have only put signs up for those exhibitors in the surveillance zone. So, one or two exhibitors have had blood test results back in time and have turned up to find they don't have any stall space - great start! Apparently this is happening in the sheep lines as well.

We've heard rumours of merging classes, but until we get there and see what the format is for the next four days - who knows!

We plan to bring you as much live coverage as possible from the show rings and it wouldn't be the Royal if we didn't have a little bit of gossip!!  

So keep checking to see what the news is and we'll have a gallery up and running as soon as the first animals walk in the ring!

For those of you coming up on judging days - come and find us! See you there!  

Prime cattle hit a high at Ashford Market in Kent this week when David Tilley put forward a homebred British Blue steer for a charity bid to raise money for a secondary school in Tanzania.

The animal was generously bought by Anglo Dutch Meats, Charing for 239.5p/kg.

A British Blue heifer from the same holding also met a solid trade selling for 185.5p/kg with trade for other well fleshed sorts going for between 160-171p/kg.

Although there were fewer sheep on offer than previous weeks, several consignments of well fleshed lambs attracted premium prices in excess of £60 and up to £72.50 for heavyweight Continental crosses from Caroline Worley.  

Setting a new Bentham Mart record at £7000 was a British Blue bull sold in as part of the dispersal of the entire suckler herd for H Morphet and Son, following the death of the late Henry Morphet.

Tamhorn Venture, a five year old son of Royal Show and Royal Highland Show champion Tamhorn Oriana. Venture was purchased in 2005 for 5000 gns. Now a proven stock bull, putting his quality stamp on all youngstock present at the Sale, he smashed the Bentham Mart record and sold to to J E and M Frankland and Sons, Rathmell.

Some 37 cows and heifers with calves averaged £1290 an outfit and sold to a top of £2020 for a three-quarter bred Limousin cow with a British Blue heifer calf at foot, selling to J H and S M Mason, Clapham.

The 12 In Calf Cows sold to a top of £1000 to Newhouse Bros, Settle and averaged £790 (Richard Turner & Son).

Splitting the venues for the Western Holstein Club's monthly fixture in Cheshire is having little effect on the trade which continues to spiral upwards. Top call at the home-venue of Beeston Castle was 2750gns with a best of 2500gns reached at Chelford.

A shortage of dairy cattle on the market continues to have an impact and with just 39 entries at Beeston Castle the trade quickly moved into top gear taking 24 lots to over 2000gns. The highest call of 2750gns, paid by an undisclosed Cheshire buyer, came for Tynyreithin Talent Lucy from Preston-based Enchanted Holsteins.

The Boss Iron daughter - Ewloegreen Iron Doris - from J Evans and Son, Deeside was one of two 2500gns bids. She was claimed by Norman Tomkinson, Gnosall, Staffordshire. Matching the bid was the day's champion Delwin Reunion Amy - an Ards Reunion daughter consigned by club chairman David Rutter, Northwich. The buyers were Shutt and Mansell, Newport, Shropshire.

Leading cow trade at 2000gns was a second calver by Modesto from Alastair Dobson, Cholmondeley, Cheshire. The heifer average of £2191 at Beeston Castle was a record for this market.

Late entries boosted the turnout at Chelford where Leesemanor Modesto Bang from Wilf Lomas, Middlewich took the championship and made the top price of 2500gns to D Hulme, Leek. He also took the day's most expensive cow - Bidlea Enforcer Faith at 2450gns. She was consigned by Ray Brown and Partners, Holmes Chapel.

Two more second calvers made 2300gns - one from Bidlea and the other from the Moorhead herd of John Dale, Sandbach (Wright Manley and Frank Marshall).

The British Charollais Sheep Society's premier sale at Worcester last weekend - the first of the season's terminal sire ram sales - boosted the confidence of a sheep sector beleaguered by bluetongue zoning restrictions as bidding reached a top of 5000gns and saw over 20 rams sell at over four figures.

Sheep from Tim Prichard's Castellau flock at Llantrisant, Glamorgan has long been a force to be reckoned with in both the show and sale rings and it was some skilful breeding based on the flock's most successful bloodlines that paid off earning him the day's top call of 5000gns.

The early December-born ram lamb Castellau Ieuan is an ET-bred son of Flashy Lady who took the 2006 Royal Welsh Show's inter-breed championship. Ieuan was secured by new breeder John Davies from Stoke-on-Trent.

Another ram lamb from the same flush - Castellau Iestyn - made 3700gns to Gloucestershire breeder L M Buckland who runs the Stonebow flock.

No one could deny the depth of quality in the pen of Herefordshire breeder Peter Vaughan who presented an impressive string of ram lambs from his Kings Land flock. The six lambs averaged £2677.

His top price of 3700gns was paid for the overall champion - Kings Land Invincible - bought by Jonathan and Carroll Barber for their Crogham flock in Norfolk.