August 2008 Archives

Here's some more pictures from last weekend's Edenbridge and Oxted Show.

Take a look at the gallery.

Topping a rather damp day at Lancaster last week was Peter Waring's Holstein Winton Rudolph Rox. This fresh heifer with eight generations of VG/EX dams behind her sold over the phone to Kevin Thomas of Allstar Holsteins.

The Winton herd also celebrated a good day in tterms of collecting the silverware as they their champion heifer Winton Champion Olou made 2200gns to Messrs Wallbank, Longridge and their reserve Frankham Lyster Lizzie made 2000gns to R M Lucas' Meinspride herd.

Averages: 4 cows £1830; 38 heifers £1863 (Norton and Brooksbank).  

The judges have been announced for this year's Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair and it's a pretty strong line up all round!

Cattle championships: James Quail, Co Down, N Ireland.

Native cattle: Colin Davidson, Orkney.

Continental cattle: R. Arfon Jones, Anglesey.

Suckled calf and YFC: Michael Scott, Carlisle.

Bob Rickatson Stock Presentation Award: Gerald David, Somerset.

YFC presentation: Peter Dickens, Lincoln.

Sheep championships: Paul Slater, Cheshire.

Pen of two sheep and YFC: Alex Brown, Lancashire.

Butchers Live/Dead: David Albutt, Bridlington, E Yorks.

YFC sheep stock presentation: Mrs Alex Long, Ashford, Kent.

Butchers Live/Dead Carcasses: John Heal, Milton Keynes.

Beef Ribs competition: Alan Davies, Newtown, Powys.

Livestock schedules and entry forms are available from the Royal Smithfield club, Brierley House, Summer Lane, Combe Down, Bath BA2 5LE. Tel 01225 837 904; fax 01225 834 741; emial sally@royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk. Entires close October 3.  

Today's English National Sale of Texels at Worceester has seen a less exciting trade so far than last week's bumper sale at Lanark.

Topping the day so far is John Forsyth, Glenside with his entry which stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show under judge Andrew Clark of Lesmahagow, Lanark.

This one, by Midlock Nimrod and out of a homebred dam which is by Claybury Invader sold at 4000gns

Mammoth cattle entries of close to 600 saw Edenbridge and Oxted Show rank third in terms of cattle entries in England and organisers predicting more next year.

Leading the way in the beef rings was the Charolais winner Mortimers Urovision, a giant of a five year old cow shown by Southampton-based Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean. Having taken the supreme title at New Forest Show, Urovision will next make an appearance at Newbury and Romsey before calving in October to the farm's stock bull Ravensworth Alder.  

In the commercial beef ring it was time for Leighton Buzzard-based Kevin Ludgate to continue his reign at the top. Having won the heifer section, his Limousin cross British Blue heifer Lady Lou went on to take the overall commercial title under judge Richard Wright. This 18 month old heifer will be next shown at Bucks County, Thame, Newbury and Moreton-in-the-Marsh.

Demand for hardy, native cattle with an attractive show record saw a strong trade for pedigree Longhorn cattle top at 3600gns at Carlisle last weekend.

As part of a guest consignment alongside the Wellhead herd reduction, Aberdeen City Council's Aberdeen herd's sale leader was Aberdeen Granite, an April 2006 born bull by Fishwick Chauvinist out of a homebred cow. He sold for 3600gns to Peters Finger Farm, Launceston, Cornwall.

The second top price on the day was Aberdeen Dora, a July 2003 cow with twin calves at foot. By Fishwick Rebbrandt out of Linton Primula, she sold to B M and M P D Llewellyn, Llandeilo, Carmarthen for 3200gns having ran with Aberdeen Granite.

Marion and Aubrey Webb from Usher Farm, Gilmorton, Lutterworth, are the first British farmers to export pedigree Shropshire Down sheep to France, specifically for use in commercial fruit tree cultures.

A consignment of 27 animals left the Webb's farm at the end of July and was delivered to Herve Duclos, a cider and calvados producer based in St Michel D'Halescourt, Rouen, north west France

The sheep will be used to control weeds and herbage between Monsieur Duclos' apple trees. This is a new use for Shropshire sheep which recently came to light following a trial at a fruit growing research centre in Germany. 

The trial showed that, unlike other breeds of sheep, Shropshires will not damage fruit trees by stripping bark.

They are suitable for environmentally-friendly weed control and can help farmers reduce the need for herbicides and expensive mowing. The use of Shropshires in Christmas tree plantations is already well established and thousands of the sheep are kept for this task in northern European countries, such as Denmark, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The French buyer first made contact with the Webbs via e-mail, having searched the Internet for Shropshire sheep and found their contact details on the breed society's website, explains Marion: "Monsieur Duclos was interested in buying stock that had been vaccinated against bluetongue from one supplier.

This area was moved into a BT protection zone early in summer, so we could meet his requirements. Our farm is relatively close to East Midlands airport, so Herve was able to make a day trip to Leicestershire to select his own stock from the animals we had available."

The export consignment of 14 ewes, 11 ewe lambs and two ram lambs left Usher Farm, Gilmorton at 6am on 24 July and arrived 12 hours later at their destination in France.  Transport was arranged by Mike Adams from Gloucestershire, who specialises in international livestock haulage.

The Webbs' flock of 80 pedigree Shropshire sheep was established in 1996. The couple also run a dairy herd of 120 Holstein Friesians, a Charolais cross beef enterprise and grow around 100 acres of cereals.

Higher prime lamb prices are keeping the cash circulating as the sheep sector moves into its main sale season and there was plenty of confidence around the rings at the NSA's ram sale at Exeter where 700 head - both rams and females - came under the hammer to reach a top price of £1260 paid for a Texel shearling.

Sale averages were high in all sections but it was the Texel that came out on top leveling its shearling rams at £442. The leading bid came for a shearling from well known Dartmoor-based stockbreeders Robert and Rebecca Jordan. Buyer wars Rottensburg, South Molton, Devon. The Texels enjoyed a 90% clearance rate with aged rams selling to £441 for an entry form Frank Chave and Son, Wellington. Texel shearling ewes met a good trade with Chulmleigh, Devon breeder Mrs C Winkworth achieving the day's best of £483.

Tremendous trade was seen at NSA South west ram sale with more than 700 rams forward and reaching a top of £1260 for a Texel shearling.

The Shearling consigned by Messrs R and R Jordon, Gidleigh, Chagford sold to M R Rottensburg, South Molton. Texel shearling ewes topped at £483 for Mrs C Winkworth, Chulmleigh and averaged £442.13.

Suffolks sold to a top of £735 for a shearling consigned by Mrs J Romans, Exbourne, purchased by Messrs Strout of Launceston. Suffolk ram lambs sold to £399 fro P and C Osman, South Molton. Shearling rams and ram lambs averaged £353.50.

Charollais topped out at £630 for a ram lamb sold by Messrs C Hopper and Son, Tiverton selling to Mr V Pitt, Exminster. Shearling rams also made good money topping at £598.50 for Norman and Vile, Taunton. Shearling ewes also made £451.50 for A Pedrick, Buckfastleigh.  Ram lambs averaged £257, shearling rams £342 and shearling ewes £225.

On the Beltex front shearling rams sold top £525 for Marshall Farms, Watchet.

Overall sale averages were high with Texels selling 90%, Suffolks 82% and Charollais 80%.

Increasing numbers of dairy cows were forward at Gisburns weekly sale, with prices topping at £2360 and nine animals achieving more than £2000.

Sale leader was from H Parkinson and Sons, Preston, with a heifer 10 days calved, going to N W and J M Coulthurst and Son, Preston, who also picked up another freshly calved heifer for £2140.

Changes in bluetongue zones allowed Tom Watson, Ripon to sell his two and a half year old heifer, giving 26 litres for £2180 to Tom Pickup, Bolton.

Other vendors in the money were T Whitwell and Sons with a 10 days calved heifer, selling for £2100 to W A Blockley, Knutsford. M H and J Taylor also sold a heifer giving 28 litres for £2080 to K T, R and K G Wood, Bury.

Dairy young stock saw good bidding with Holstein Friesian heifer stirks selling for £650 to heifer rearer Peter Smith, Burnley.

Averages: newly calved heifers £1787, newly calved cows £1316, Heifer stirks £491

The Harrison and Hetherington August Pedigree All Breeds Dairy show and Sale comprised a variety of Holstein, Jersey and Ayrshire young cows and heifers.

Some caution was among the buyers due to recent bad weather and escalating feed costs and this meant trade was not quite as brisk as the last couple of club sale, although every animal was sold.

Sixteen animals made over £2000 with top price of the day going to Morwick Gwen 10, a two year old fresh Ayrshire heifer selling for 2800gns. Sired by the hombred Rubens son from Morwick Sand Queen, she was consigned by Messr Howie and now joins the herd of Bailey Farms, Howgill, Kendal.

In the Holstein section more than 12 heifers made 2200gns or more and these were fairly spread from six different breeders. Topping the lot at 2350gns was a smart, good bodied milky heifer from Messrs Mitchell of Drumdeel who now joins the herd of J T Crowther and Son, Lockerbie.

Top quality Limousin cattle were on show at the All-Ireland Bull and Heifer Derby at the Virginia Show, County Cavan.

Cumbrian Judge, Matt Ridley had his work cut out selecting his top cattle eventually choosing Fedneyhouse Callum as his champion, from  John and Margery Adams, Bainbridge. Callum is by Mr Adams stock bull, the Mas Du Clo sired 'Elite' French bull, Ulm and out of his homebred Opus cow, Fedneyhouse Sally.

The judge commented "My champion was a worthy winner-he has tremendous hind quarters and second thigh, good breed characteristics and would be an excellent choice as a breeding bull for either a pedigree or commercial herd."

Albert and George Howie, Knock, are no strangers to the higher echelons of the Texel world and this year proved no exception with their best lamb at Lanark trading at 20,000gns.

Mid-March born Knock Oregano carries an impressive index of 277, raking him in the top 5% of the breed and is by Hexus Lexus son Garngour Nobleman. Out of a dam by Anglezarke Krug, Oregano had a whopping gigot value of 5.34 and is a maternal brother to Knock Nugget, sold for 7000gns.

Texel breeders have continued to splash the cash at Lanark today, with a top price so far of 42,000gns for Malcolm Reid's ram lamb, Kelso Ozone.

This late February born lamb is by Garngour Nirvana which goes back to Hexel Lexus and out of a Glenside bred dam which cost Mr Reid 17,000gns in 2006. An embryo bred lamb, this one was full brother to a lamb three lots earlier in the sale.

Today's Texel sale at Lanark has got off to a flying start with Martin and Cyril Millar's pre-sale show champion Millar's Outstanding commanding a bid of 29,000gns. This February-born lamb is by Mellor Vale Masterpiece, the sire of the 12,000gns lamb at Dungannon last week and out of a homebred ewe by Corrie Lancelot. He stood first in the ram lamb class at Balmoral Show.

The Millar's also made another five figure sale from the pen of ram lambs, with Millar's Outsmart, a full brother to the 29,000gns lamb, selling just three lots later for 22,000gns.

And just five lots later Alistair Gault also enjoyed a cracking start to his trade, with Forkins One and Only selling for 24,000gns. This one is by Telgum Magnum and out of a Castlecairn Kennedy sired dam.

As a result of yesterday's announcement from DEFRA regarding the scheduled movement of the rest of England to move in to a bluetongue protection zone on or after September 1, Harrison and Hetherington have re-scheduled some of their major sales.

The annual Solway and Tyne Texel Club show and sale which has some 835 pedigree sheep entered, will now go ahead on Friday 29 August for females and Saturday 30 August for rams.

In addition to that the dispersal of almost 300 head of Holstein Friesian commercial and pedigree cattle from Highberries Farming, Kirlinton, will now go ahead on Saturday 30 August to maximise potential customers from free areas.

Speaking to Taking Stock, H&H operations director David Pritchard said: "The movement of the sales will help maximise sales opportunitites for both vendors and buyers and will mean we can retain the 450 sheep entered by Scottish vendors."   

For any more information contact Harrison and Hetherington on 01228 590 490.   

Next year's Royal Show will not be held from Tuesday 7 July to Friday 10 July and not Thursday 9 July to Sunday 12 July as previously announced.

The change, organisers say, has been made after consultation with exhibitors and visitors to the event and sees RASE abandon its much heralded policy of opening across a weekend to draw in more general public to the event.

Only time will tell if the move is succesful, but I have to say it does seem like we're now back where we started from several years ago when the show ran from Monday to Thursday. But all this shuffling of dates does beg the question whether the dates are as critical as show content?

Gisburn Auction Mart's first breeding sheep sale of the season took place last weekend with Continental shearling ewes much in demand. Leading the sale at £145 were the show champions, a pen of 10 three quarter bred Texel shearling ewes from Charlie Carter, Preston. Buyer was John Stephenson, Skipton, north Yorks.

Next in the money were regular vendors father and son team Richard and Mark ireland, Clitheroe with a pen of Texel shearlings selling for £108 to the pre-sale judge Michael Wynn, Glossop, Derbyshire

Strong competition for females and selected rams was seen at the Zwartbles Sheep Association's Show and Sale at Worcester.

Top price for the day went to overall champion from Rob and Vicki Grinnall's Beech Hay flock at Kidderminster. The ram Beech Hay Pied Piper had already won male champion at Three Counties Show and the Royal Show this summer. He was secured by S W James, Pershore.

Top price female was the reserve female champion, a ewe lamb from E and M McConkeys Barmoll flock and taken by A L Smith-Maxwell who also purchased the second prize ewe lamb at 260gns.

St Boswells weekly primestock sale saw top price bullock selling for 2.05p from Robert Neill and partners, Upper Nisbet to J Gimour. The 53 bullocks averaged 169.8p a kg, down 3.8p on the week and sold to 2.05p, gross £1219.

The top priced heifer sold for 1.94p from A Woodhead to J Gilmour. The 133 heifers averaged 163.3p a kg down 60p on the week and sold to a gross £1041.

The 21 young bulls forward averaged 151.3p a kg, down 7.9p on the week and sold to 177p, gross £1196.

The 76 beef type OTM averaged 120.3 p a kg and sold to 150p, gross £1638. The one dairy type OTM averaged 96p a kg and sold to 782p.

The 1195 ewes averaged £35.31 and sold to £60.51, up £1.71 on the week). The 3755 prime lambs averaged 133.7 p a kg and sold to 147.6 p, £68, up £6.50 on the week.

The mid-August Craven dairy Auction at Skipton was hailed one of the best ever in terms of both numbers and quality in the newly calven heifer class, with a 29-strong entry and total of 37 pedigree and commercial cattle.

Topping the sale and also achieving a sixth record-breaking Craven dairy Auction champion success was Jeremy Taylor with a homebred newly calven pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer from his Smellows herd.

The victor is by his homebred bull Smellows Magician, out of a home-bred cow, Smellows Buddleia 3- who remains a good milker. She sold to G Abbott and Sons, Dacre for £2100. Mr Taylor also exhibited the third prize newly calven heifer, acquired by R M and L J Throup, Bradley for £1880.

Roaring trade was seen at the British Texel Sheep Society's Northern Bank show and sale in Dungannon resulting in 90% clearance and a top ram price of 12,000gns.

The packed sale ring saw 40 lots on offer selling across the water to GB. And it was Cumbrian based breeder, G Wilkinson who bid to 12,000gns to secure Curley Orlando, the reserve champion, from John Trimple's flock at Newry. The lamb is by the successful sire, Mellor Vale Masterpiece which sired both champion and reserve. He is out of Carrowdore Highlite dam.

Selling at 9000gns to Paul Swindell, Banbridge was Leapoges Oscar a Muiresk Blondon son, exhibited by Stewart Ferris, Co. Down. The dam of this lamb, by Castlecairn L A Lover, was Texel champion and reserve supreme champion when exhibited by John Foster at the Royal Highland Show in 2007.

Richard Henderson sold his third prize ram lamb, Ballynahone Oscar for 8000gns to David Jones, Nutts Corner. This lamb is by Douganhill McFly, the sire of the top priced lamb, which sold for 28,000gns at last year's premier sale.

A top of 650gns was the highlight of the Rouge sale at Carlisle with J Gate, Northwhich, Cheshire, paying that sum for David Jane's Broadwood Gilbert. This January born shearling is by Broadwood Dynamo and out of a homebred dam by Broadwood Bashful and was make champion at the Royal and Royal Welsh shows earlier this year.

Next top was for the highest priced ram lamb, Bennachie Handyman from Patricia Imlah. This East of Eden Emperor son sold to join Messrs McCosh Brothers of Biggar, Lanarkshire, having stood second in the tup lamb class.

Also selling at 600gns was another from Mr Jane, Broadwood Governor. This one is by Broadwood Dynamo and is a quad-born son of Broadwood Blow Wave.

Averages: 10 shearling rams £408.45; 7 ram lambs £453.

Bleu du Maine breeders enjoyed a fair trade for the 93 sheep catalogued for their sale at Carlisle. Leading the trade was William Baillie, Thankerton, Biggar with his first in the ring Calla Elite. This Langley Cannon son is a triplet out of Calla Zola and sold at 800gns to I J Davies, Newcastle Emlyn, Dyfed.

Second top also went to Mr Baillie for his next in the sale, Calla Eddie. Again by Langley Cannon, this one sold at 600gns to Thomseen Estate, Cleator Moor, Cumbria.

Pulling in at third spot was Messrs Davidson's best entry, a Maunby Butch son out of an Ernford Trooper sired dam. This twin born tup which stood second to the champion sold to W F Neilson, Taynuilt, Argyll.

Top price among the Millenium Bleus on offer was 680gns for another from William Baillie. This one again sold to Wales, this time to join A Rees at Llanfair, Welshpool.

Averages: 13 Bleu du Maine shearling rams £370.73; 10 ram lambs £274.05; 17 Millenium Bleu shearling rams £402.88.

Beltex ram lambs have followed the strong trend set by their shearling counterparts earlier in the day, with the trade brisk and firm for the best lambs.

Topping trade so far is Colin Barnes with a 3000gns sale from his Beechtree flock. This one, an ET bred lamb is by Viagrow V/d Drie Musschen and out of Southolm Jinty and sold to join the Tiree flock of Alasdair MacLean.

Also in the money was Andrew Baillie when he sold the second lamb into the ring for 2000gns. This February-born entry is by Ardstewart Charles and out of Calla Helen and was second prize tup lamb at the Highland this year.

Selling at 1600gns was the vendor of the 10,000gns shearling, William Crabbe, his lamb the aptly named Ardstewart Mr Muscle sold at 1600gns, while another from the same home made 1300gns just afterwards.

Jimmy Douglas, Cairness, has topped today's Suffolk trade at Carlisle with 5000gns sale for the day's pre-sale show champion.

By Cairness Just the Best, this lamb is out of a ewe bred in the late Gordon Wilson's Strathisla flock.

More details and pictures to follow later

Allan Jackson, Headlind, has just sold what he describes as probably the finest tup he's ever bred for 5000gns. Headlind Lackey certainly lived up to star billing and caught the eye of many ringsiders before finally being knocked down to Messrs McAllister, Northern Ireland at 5000gns.

By Phenomenal V/H Groentenhof and out of Headlind Jill this ARR/ARR genotyped tup had everything to offer, flesh, style and length. Having been used last year Mr Jackson has also retained 25 straws of semen for his own use. Underbidder was commercial tup breeder James Whiteford, Tercrosset.

Mr Jackson also took 1300gns for Headlind Leo, a fully Belgian bred tup.

James McGarva's Horseclose run has just been through the ring and topping this pen was the flock's first entry, Horseclose Larger Than Life.

By Kinchyle Kinsman and out of Horseclose Gentle who is by Beachy Full Throttle, Larger than Life sold for 3000gns to the pre-sale judge Paul Slater, Cheshire.

The champion from last night's pre-sale show, Bonecastle Leonardo from Dermot Murray, has just been through the ring, selling to the show judge Paul Slater for 3800gns.

By Hardcastle Boy and out of a V/D Drie Musschen sired dam, Leonardo will doubtless go to work producing crossbred tups for Mr Slater at home in Cheshire.

The next best in the Bonecastle run was a 1550gns call for Bonecastle Logan, a Headlind Hectic son out of an Inishowen David sired dam.

Having topped the female sale last night Neale and Janet McQuistin have been back in the money this morning with their run of shearlings peaking at 4800gns. This Airyolland Great Scott son out of Airyolland Honor, a Coningswick Gadfly daughter. This one sold to Mr Owens.

Next top in the run was 3200gns for Airyolland Le Grand, a son of Airyolland Kingsize which is full brother to the gimmer sold for 6000gns last night. This one out of Gadfly daughter Airyolland Joy joins Paul Tippets at Shifnal Shropshire.

Also by Kingsize, Airyolland Loadsamoney lived up to his name, selling at 2500gns to Messrs Brakes.

A run of strong sheep have kicked the Beltex trade at Carlisle into top gear with a call of 10,00ogns for the first sheep in the ring from the Ardstewart flock of the McCabe family.

This Brickrow Jack of All Trades son, Ardstewart Lord Almighty had been much admired in the lines and joins Messrs Mair, Aberdeenshire after a tense bidding battle.

The next lot, Ardstewart Lightening Maqueen, also by Jack of All Trades made 3000gns, with the flock's final shearling netting a 2000gns sale, this one is by Quarrymount Jumper.

Before the McCabe run, Elizabeth McAllister, Northern Ireland, sold to a top of 3200gns for Artnagullion Lig, this one is by Ulysses and out of  a homebred dam and sold to Orkney

John McMillan's Clary flock has just re-ignited the trade here with a 3500gns call for his Royal Highland Show champion Clary Lion-heart, a Clary Kaiser Chief son out of a Headlind Ee By Gum sired daughter.

This one was second prize shearling in the pre-sale show and reserve male champion too and sold to Mr Rattery.

The flock's second in the ring sold for 2000gns, this one, Clary Lager-man was a Beachy Jack the Lad son, out of and Ee By Gum daughter.

And following hotly on his footsteps was his full ET brother, the third into the ring which also made 2000gns, while Clary Landcruiser the fourth from the flock made 1200gns.

Another ET brother to the 2000gns rams made 900gns, while Clary Locomotion, a Clary Kinsman son out of a Clary Galloway sired dam made 1600gns and at the same figure was a Cookstown Hamish son, Clary Landmark.

The Ryder family, Newton, has just enjoyed a sparkling trade early in the shearling sale for his first sheep in the ring, Newton Leo. This well muscled Newton Karate son sold at 3000gns to Kevin and Rachel Buckle for their pedigree flock after a protracted bidding battle.

But the remainder of the Newton entry were a more commercial trade, selling to a top of 1000gns for the flock's third shearling Newton Loaded, a Newton Kracker son.

H and H auctioneer David Tomlinson is in position and has kicked off trading for the day in the Beltex ring at Carlisle, with the aged rams first in the ring.

And trade has kicked off in strong form, with the first two lots in the ring making 1400gns and 1100gns, respectively. The first Sinclair's Kaiser's Chief from Messrs Sinclair, while the second was Brickro Kaka from the Buckle family.

Then four lots into the sale trade really got going with a 3000gns call from Mr Parry for Elizabeth McAllister's aged ram Clary King Pin, a son of Cookstown Hamish and out of a Ardent sired daughter.

The sale of Beltex females last night at Carlisle met a strong trade, topping at 6000gns for the pre-sale champion Airyolland Looby Lie from Neale and Janet McQuistin. This flashy gimmer is out of a homebred dam by Coningswick Gadfly.

A massive entry of 300 head at Wright Manley's Famous Mid-Month's collective sale of pedigree and commercial dairy cattle witnessed a great trade for almost all animals on offer.

This was the first sale to take place at Beeston since the market was placed within the Bluetongue protection zone. Most animals at the sale were from farms that had only just entered the protection zone or had only done one vaccination, but those from East Anglia and the South East who were vaccinated many weeks ago and therefore could go into Wales definitely benefited from being able to sell to a national audience.

Trade topped at £2350 for the fresh pedigree heifer Marshview Champion Mabel from Hollington Farms, Chelmsford, Essex purchased by Richard Thomas, Croesyceiliog, Carmarthen. Hollington Farms sold four other heifers at prices between £2130 and £2000, three of which were purchased by F and N Brunt and Sons, Stone. The highest priced cow was £1900 for a non pedigree second calver from A J Thompson and Sons, Ashford, Kent selling to J G Williams, Wrenbury.

Well folks tomorrow is set to be on the busiest days for pedigree sheep trading Carlisle market will see this year with more than 500 Beltex tups coming under the hammer along with more than 200 Suffolks, Rouge, Bleu du Maine and Vendeens on offer too.

So, to bring you all up to date coverage from the sale I'll be heading up there later today ready for an action packed day tomorrow. I've heard very few whispers of what the trade will be, but I supect the Beltex will be the pick of the trading having not had a sale yet this year. The Suffolks will fair reasonably well, but I suspect most breeders will have already sourced their main tups for this year.

The Rouge, Bleu and Vendeen sales are even harder to predict, but I can't see them going past 1000gns unless there's something really special in the catlogue which I haven't spotted.

Here's hoping the M6 is clear and the sun shines on Carlisle tomorrow.

There was something for everyone at Bristol Sales Centre last week as the 200 dairy cows on offer saw no less than 17 individuals top the 3000gns mark with an outstanding young cow from the famous Hanoverhill Marq I family leading the way at 12,000gns.

Duncan and Sarah Hunter from Hertfordshire provided the core of the sale with the dispersal of their very fine Ashlyns herd. It was fitting that the top price was in their consignment and their milking cattle averaged an impressive £2800.

Sale leader was Horwood Lee Meggie PI EX-90, jointly owned with her breeder Cynthia Hall selling 3 months calved giving 55kg. This exceptional young cow travels to Ty Mawr, Pembrokeshire, the home of Tom Phillips and family's noted Pedran herd. Mr Philips also claimed the "cover girl" Ashlyns Ford Vernon VG-89 at 7500gns. This beautiful and highly productive young cow had produced 11,500kg as a heifer and was well on the way to 14,000kg with her second and safely back in calf.

Peter Prior of Designer Holsteins had to go to 7500gns to secure the well bred Smartmove Atom Gail bred from 7 generations of EX dams, while Drointon Capri Stacey ET VG-85 SP sold to Pedran Holsteins with a 5800gns price tag.

Ashford Market, Kent, saw a much improved trade for finished lambs this week as trade for the 2270 sold topped at £67.80 for 48kg lambs from Stuart Mather.

Lean and well shaped Continental cross lambs attracted prices around the 130p/kg mark and smart light weight lambs grossed £44-£48 a head.

A shortage of cull ewes met a similar trade with the best crossbred ewes selling for about £50 a head. A pen of Texel ewes topped the market at £57.50 a head from Katie Potter, while Suffolk cross ewes from Tom Masters sold for £56 a head.  

Cattle numbers were up by 35% and strong sorts such as the 10 yarded 16-18 month suckled cattle from Tim Piper averaged 161.5p/kg, while another 10 similar types from Ian MacLean Livestock sold for 150.5p/kg.    

Having put 5269 stopre lambs through the ring at Quoybrae (Aberdeen and Northern Marts) this week, the sale which incorporated Dunbeath, Bettyhill, Forsinard and North West Sutherland saw an overall average of £32.34, an increase of £3.18 on last year.

Ewe lambs topped at £48 for Cheviots from Hilton, Latheron, while the 2391 whether lambs topped at £42. Suffolks led trade for cross sheep at £42.   

Longevity and production are well known traits of the long established Darklake Holstein herd and they were well to the fore in the minds of buyers as they competed for 420 head at the herd's dispersal in Cornwall this week where bidding reached £2520.

Owners Messrs Harvey Bros moved the herd from its home in Plymouth to Hallworthy Stockyard where Darklake Foxy Red led the trade. By Weeton Jackson and out of an eight lactation grand dam by Boulet Charles, this April-calved heifer goes to John Pollard and Pam Coryn of Treginegar Farms. Dry cows sold well averaging £1606 to peak at £2362. Averages: 152 in-milk cows £1436; 69 served heifers £1358; 88 young stock £938 and 39 dry cows £1606. (Kivells).

Ram buyers weren't reluctant to spend on tups at the second of the NSA's early ram sales at Worcester last weekend but there was a wide differential in values between the "best and the rest" with prices reaching 570gns for a Charollais shearling.

Bluetongue zoning forced this second event to be organised - following the traditional Builth Wells fixture two weeks ago - and it was leading Whenby, York, breeder Charles Marwood who led the trade with an impressive performance recorded ram from his Foulrice flock. The ram won the Signet recorded class and heads for Leominster, Herefordshire with R E Thomas.

The best Charollais sires are among the most sought after tups this season and all the 12 shearlings from the Foulrice pen were easily sold. It included the day's reserve champion which made 460gns to B and M Cornish, Tiverton, Devon.

Jacob sheep have certainly had a good week as last week's sale at Worcester saw a top price of 500gns and St Boswell went one better topping at 550gns.

The St Boswells leader was a ram lamb from Hope Farm, while the reserve champion, a two-crop ewe from A Reilly, sold to G Haworth, Skipton for 520gns.

Topping Worcester at 500gns was the champion, a shearling ram Webbery Lancelot from Mrs B M Wilson, Barnstaple, Devon. Buyer was R Chapman, Derbyshire.

A shearling ram from D J and M M Biggs' Dalewode flock sold at 440gns to B Parker, Staffs.

Females topped at 390gns for the female and overall reserve champion, a shearling ewe from Mrs H Baillie's Hyndshaw flock, Lanark selling to Ben Stanley, Leicester.

A packed ringside gathered at Hexham at the weekend with buyers forward from as far a field as Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Norfolk taking advantage of suckled calves.

Sale topper was a smart black Limousin cross heifer bred by John Smith Jackson, High Town, Melkridge. She was bought by by Alan Hall, Preston Tilery, for £2100.

The Smith Jackson's also had the second top price at £2000 with a British Blue cross heifer bred by the Browell's at Quarry House this was purchased by Mr Dickinson, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Prior to the sale judge Chris Bustance, Weston, Spalding, Lincs, placed a strong selection of show cattle in both the haltered and unhaltered classes.

The overall champion was awarded to a British Blue cross heifer from Alan Hall, Darlington which went on to make £1780 and was purchased by the judge.

The reserve went to Roy Coe, Tyne Green with a very well presented three quarter Limousin steer bred at Harwood Shield which realised £1180 and was purchased by Messrs R B Ingamells and Son, Grantham, Lincs.

A whopping 777 Beltex have been entered for this week's breed society sale at Carlisle, with a total of 594 tups catalogued alongside 203 shearling ewes.

Most leading breeders are represented, with John Cowan's Brickrow flock, Ayr, having a raft of entries, including 10 ram lambs by leading sires including imported sire Mustang and British bred Corstane Coulter.

A highlight from Brickrow will be Brickrow Mahogany Magic, a Mustang son out of a dam which stood breed champion at the Royal Highland last year. Also entered are ET brothers Brickrow Mysterious Myth and Brickrow Mausoleum Maybe, both out of a Cookstown Hasmish daughter which is full sister to the Highland champion last year.

Allan Jackson's Headlind flock also has some classy names among its back pedigrees and his entries will also be well worth a look, with one of his shearlings, Headlind Lackey, described as the best Beltex bred at Headlind.

The MacAllister family will also be over from Northern Ireland with a trailer load, while more local breeders Gavin Shanks, Lanarkshire, and Messrs Ryder, Dumfrieshire, will doubtless also be worth a look.

But much like the Suffolk sale at Edinburgh, there is a conspicuous lack of performance recording figures in the catalogue, with none of the massive entry having any data to back up their claims. Its a sad endictment on both the way performance recording is viewed by many breeders and the breed itself that the technology available has yet to be grasped.

Commercial farmers will doubtless still take plenty of sheep home with them, but one wonders how much longer this situation can persevere.

A top price of 8000gns and an average of £884 were the headline figures from Saturday's Suffolk Sheep Society sale at Shrewsbury.

Having been delayed due to bluetongue restrictions, the sale was combined with the Western Area Sale to help vendors offer the best selection of lambs possible. 

Leading the way in the pre-sale show and the sale itself was Derbyshire breeder, Steven Buckley of the Sitlow flock, Buxton, whose champion and first prize winner of the recorded ram lamb class, saw the top price realised just minutes before the end of the sale.

For a delighted Mr Buckley this was his third ram lamb by Perrinpit High Peak, to make top flight with High Peak siring his 7000gns Kelso ram lamb in 2005 and also his 9000gns Edinburgh ram lamb in 2006.

 He says: "High Peak has bred consistently well; also the dam's full sister both by Strathisla Sinatra bred Sitlow Sensation, winner of five interbreed championships - and he is now breeding well with his first three sons sold at Edinburgh in 2007, averaging 2200gns." The Sitlow ram was purchased by Jonathan Hayward of the Flodden flock of 120 ewes in Northumberland.

The eagerly awaited final of the inaugural NI Semex Cow of the Year Competition was held at Wednesday's Fermanagh County Show, with a huge turnout in attendance at the final judging ceremony.  Six year old Glaslough Charles Fancy, sired by Boulet Charles and owned by Ivan and Louise Robinson of Ballygowan, was named as Northern Ireland's top Semex animal by judge John Dennison.

 A total of 20 qualifying animals in total were judged at the final, all of which had been classed as the top two Semex animals at qualifying shows throughout the summer.  Inch Astronomical Delli, owned by John Patterson and qualifier from the Armagh Show, was named as reserve champion, taking home a cash prize of £300. 

Well it seems yet again keen Limousin enthusiast Peter Smith has been adding to his Smiths of Bloxham herd as he bought the majority of the top priced lots at Saturday's Ronick sale in Stirling.

Pictures to follow shortly....

Best of Ronick sale:

Lot 22 Ronick Ardtalla (by Ronick Iceman) 12,000gns to Smiths of Bloxham

Lot 108 Lodge Vilamoura (by Ronick Gains) 11,000gns to Messrs Adams.

Lot 27 Ronick Beau (by Bailea Olympia) 8000gns to Smiths of Bloxham.

Lot 19 Ronick Vamba (by Ronick Hawk) 7000gns to Smiths of Bloxham.

Lot 100 Ronick Colorada (by Bailea Olympia) 6200gns to Smiths of Bloxham.

Lot 49 Ronick Robbin (by Fieldson Topaz) 6000gns to Smiths of Bloxham.

Lot 59 Ronick Bionic (by Bailea Olympia) 5500gns to Smiths of Bloxham.

Best of Lodge sale:

Lot 121 Lodge Champagne (by Vivaldi) 7000gns to Messrs Kelly, Netherhall Farms, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Lot 118 Lodge Campari (by ronick Urinocco) 4200gns to J M Nisbet, Ayrshire.

Averages:

Ronick: 44 cows £3223.98; 25 served heifers £2931.60; 28 maiden heifers £2322.86; 2 stock bulls £7507.50

Lodge: 4 served heifers £2441.25; 9 maiden heifers £2975; 5 young bulls £1974 (Harrison and Hetherington).   

Topping stock bull trade so far is a Ronick Gains son bred by Ian Callion - Lodge Vilamoura, who is out of Lodge Norinha and was champion beef breeder at the Royal Highland Show in 2005. He sold for 11,000gns.

Trade for heifers from the Lodge herd also continues strong as Lodge Campari (lot 118) sells for 4200gns. She is by Ronick Urinocco out of Lodge Tequila. She has a breed value of +24.

Lodge Chiffon (lot 120) has just gone at 4000gns, again she is by Urinocco and is out of Lodge Ifum, a Ronick Gains daughter.

Trade for Lodge heifers has topped so far at 7000gns for Lodge Champage, a Vivaldi daughter out of Lodge Pimms.

The text messages have now died down so I guess it's all come to a head. I'll update you with buyers once the full sale sheet comes through from Harrison and Hetherington.

Roncik Robbin (lot 49) is topping served heifer trade so far with a bid of 6000gns. By Fieldson Topaz, the January 2006 heifer is born out of Ronick Spinnie and sells having been served with Morley Benitez.

Shortly after that Ronick Bionic (lot 59) has gone at 5500gns. By Bailea Olympia and out of Rhoswen Rio, she is again in calf to Benitez.

And just as I say 6000gns is the top for heifers, Ronick Beau (a personal choice of mine) has knocked down at 8000gns. She is by Olympia and is out of Ronick Janita. Beau is full sister to many previous show winners.

Of the maiden heifers Ronick Biscuit (lot 83) has gone at 4400gns. She is by Valmy and is out of Ronick Viseau.

Ronick Butopie (lot 87) has gone at 4400gns. She is by Ronick Rascard and is out of Ronick Utopie. The breeding in this heifer speaks volume as her grand dam Bluebell goes back to the Rive family - one of the best breeding lines in the herd.  

Well trade in Stirling seems to be pretty hot as the Ronick and Lodge Limousin sales have kicked off in good spirit.

I'm not there myself, but the text messages have been regular from "Miss Wales" who is keeping me well informed.

The early lots started around the 3-4000gns mark, with the first lot in the ring Rhoswen Rio (by Jockey out of Giroflee) selling for 3000gns, while Ronick Verandah (lot 3), by Fedneyhouse Nelson and Ronick Veiled (lot 4), by Ronick Rascard have both knocked down at 4200gns.

Ronick Afford (lot 6), by Ronick Riogrande out of Ronick Ifema has gone at 4000gns, while the Bailea Olympia daughter Ronick Vorinoco 9lot 9) has gone at 4800gns.

Trade has now well and truely picked up as a phone bid of 7000gns has secured Ronick Vamba (lot 19), a Feb 2004 female by the famous Ronick Hawk out of Ronick Samba.

With a breed value of +29, she sold with her January heifer calf at foot by Valmy.

Two lots later and money really is starting to exchange hands as Ronick Ardtalla (lot 22) has gone at 12,000gns. She is by Ronick Iceman and is out of Ronick Nicer. She sold with a January bull calf at foot by Alcazar.

Europe's leading livestock marketing company Harrison and Hetherington this week formally announced the master-judges for Borderway Agri-Expo 2008.                                                                                                                        

Paul Barker, Colne, Lancashire, has been appointed to judge the sheep classes and brings his renowned expertise to the event having previously judged Prime lamb classes at Smithfield, Royal Show, Royal Highland and The Great Yorkshire Show. Paul is Livestock Manager for Morrison's Supermarket and is well known within the agricultural industry through the family businesses of Woodhead Brothers, Colne, and various farming enterprises in the Gargrave and Skipton area.

Recently retired Yorkshire farmer John Peckitt brings a wealth of experience to the cattle section. John has previously adjudicated at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair as well as numerous events in North Yorkshire and Derbyshire. A nationally renowned showman, John won the Overall Championship at Birmingham Prime Stock Show in 1990. John previously maintained 250 head of Prime cattle on his premises near Thirsk and retired from active farming in October 2007.

This year's Agri-Expo is also hosting a National Hereford Society Calf Show; an English National Aberdeen Angus Calf Show as well as, a Border British Blue Calf Show.  A total prize fund of £7,000 is on offer and we look forward to receiving entries in due course.

Anyone interested in forwarding animals to the event should contact David Pritchard on 01228 590 490 or 0778 623 748. Closing date for entries is Monday 29^th September.

Limousin breeder Aled Edwards, from Home Farm, Cilycwm, Llandovery has become the first British breeder to be elected as World Limousin President.  He was unanimously elected by delegates, representing over 20 international Limousin associations, at the 18^th International Limousin Council AGM held recently in the conference centre of the Bank of Florence, Tuscany. 

Aled becomes only the third World Limousin President in the 35 year history of the International Limousin Council and takes over from Beppe Pantaleoni, Piacenza, Italy who stood down from the position he had held since 1998. 

In 2007, he was elected European Limousin President and is a former Chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society, a position he held for four years.

Aled told delegates that the Council's founding principles must continue to be pursued: "The focus will be to work together to embrace and utilize the most modern breed improvement  technologies and provide Limousin breeders in established cattle populations, and in developing markets, with the genetic tools and resources that are both practical and profitable to beef cattle producers."

A busy August sale was seen at Cutcombe Market, Exmoor, with 481 cattle selling to a good trade with a good entry on offer to a numerous buyers.

Topping trade at £745 was a Charolais cross steer from Messrs Armitage, who also had top price heifer at £655.

Cows and calves sold to £885 for a 1998 born cow with twin. £850 was also realised for a 1999 born cow with twins.

It looks like this weekend is one for Limousin trading, as Scotland see's the Ronick and Lodge sale on farm in Stirling and across the water Dungannon will be hosting the Crewelands, Trueman and Annadale reductions.   

I've just had a quick flick through the Northern Irish catalogue and it looks like there are one or two crackers available.

The Trueman herd of Henry Savage has some beauties in it with some pretty influential French lines. This is the first batch of females to be sold from the Trueman herd so buyers should be able to take advantage of some quality bloodlines.

Here's some pictures of what will be on offer.........

A large entry of 146 cattle was seen at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire for the Western Holstein Club's show and sale where 46 animals exceeded the 2000gns barrier.

Top call of 3800gns came for a red heifer from David and Stella Rutter, Delamere, Cheshire who entered a consignment of cattle to disperse their Delwin herd. The heifer, Delwin Cheech Teezie Red is by Morrill J Cheech Red and goes to Messrs Davies, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire.

Having vaccinated for bluetongue, the Stafford family from Melton Mowbray were back at Beeston and sold Saxelby Westminster Sallie at 2850gns. She was giving almost 33kg on the day and goes to J C Bellerby, Leeds.

The championship went to A L Moore and Partners, Middlewich, Cheshire with the calved heifer Danevalley Jordan Favourite 3^rd  that made 2350gns to H W Evans, Oswestry.

The Balmachie herd of Messrs John F Lascelles, Balmachie, triumphed in an outstanding turnout of 100 Aberdeen Angus, at the National Aberdeen-Angus Show, Aberdeenshire.

Picking up no fewer than four first prized tickets in 12 classes, they went on to win both supreme and female championships and also the male championships.

Supreme and female champion was the two year old heifer, Balmachie Missie, The Moss Florian, which was being shown for the first time from the 12-cow Balmachie herd.

Overall male champion was the junior leader, Balmachie Keystone, a yearling son of The Moss Mr Eshton, and out of the breeding cow, Kim of Fordafourie. The second prize winner in the same class as the champion took reserve supreme and reserve female championships for Ian Anderson, Ayrshire, who has only two cows in her herd. The winning heifer, Dalcrest Julianna Erica, a home-bred daughter of Dalrene Cruz, was breed and reserve interbreed champion at Ayr Show earlier this season.

Despite bluetongue movement restrictions, over 50 Hereford cattle were still on parade at Tenbury Well Agricultural Show on Saturday (4 Aug).

Judge JJ Farrell from Co Longford, Ireland placed two local cattle as his supreme and reserve supreme champions.

R A Bradstock and Partners from Tarrington, Herefordshire, took overall championship with Free Town Dictator, a 22 month old bull. Dictator also has success at the Royal this year, where he took the overall junior championship.

R A Bradstock and partners also took away the junior male championship with Free Town Eloquent and the best groups of five and three followed by the best pairs of calves.

Reserve supreme was 28^th month old Haven Cavalier, bred by Edward Lewis of E L Lewis and Son, Herefordshire.

Mr Farrell said "there was little to choose between two excellent cattle, both were great ambassador to the breed, everything you want in a modern Hereford bull."

A quality line up was seen at the third annual National Progeny Show for pedigree and commercial Beltex Sheep., with Great Yorkshitre and Royal Welsh champions among the line up, although neither clinched the honours.

Taking top spot was a two-year shear ewe from David and Diane Findlay, Leyburn, who were achieving back to back champion successes at the Northern Beltex Club -organised fixture at Skipton Auction Mart.

The victor, was reserve female champion at the Royal Welsh Show and pipped the 2008 Great Yorkshire and Skipton female champion, exhibited by David's brother, Richard Findlay. Both are founder members of the Northern Beltex Club.

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Colchester had an inadequate number of cattle for the demand, although the 115 cattle forward were back to its normal level resulting with a fast trade throughput with all buyers short of requirements. Very few cattle were forward less than 140p/kg and most well over 150p/kg. No cattle were below 111.5p/kg in the market.

Topping the trade was a heavy steer from V P Parris, selling for £1130.30 to M Newman. Medium steers reached £912.53 from W A Ketley and Sons selling to Fowler and Bros., with light steers making £534.84 from H E Crooks with the buyer C Humphreys and Sons.

Heifers topped at £1041.10 from S G Grover and Sons, selling to C J Byford and Son. With the five bulls entered the top price when to A V Tomson selling for £882.05 to H G Blake.

All steers averaged 155.08p/kg, all heifers 150.49p/kg, all bulls 145.98p/kg, all cattle 151.38p/kg.

North Craven sheep farmer, Richard Frankland won his second prime lambs championship within the space of three months at Skipton Auction Mart.

Exhibiting a pen of five Beltex-cross lambs, Mr Frankland received the day's top price of £90 a head for his 38kg charges-selling to Mick Etherington, on behalf of Stuart Price Butchers, Keighley, who is a regular buyer of Skipton prime lamb champions.

The second prize 34kg pen of Continentals from Rob Paisley, Middleton, sold at £64 each to another west Yorkshire, R C Binns, Shipley, while the third prize pen of 38kg

Continentals from Richard Caton, Stainforth was acquired for £52 each by show judge Ross Greenwood of Carleton farm Shop.

St Bowsells saw more than 600 cattle, 743 ewes and 3448 prime lambs passing through the ring at this week's sale.

The top price bullock at 188p was from Upper Nesbit selling to M/s W T S Forsyth.  The 64 bullocks forward averaged 171.7p/kg, minus 1.9p on the week and sold to 188p, gross £1268. The 13 young bulls averaged 155p/kg up 2.3p on the week and sold to 161p, Gross £1009.

Top priced heifer was from Pathhead. The 85 heifers averaged 167.8p/kg, down 0.6p on the week and sold to 191p, gross £1049.

The 39 beef type OTM averaged 121p/kg and sold to 156p, gross £1294. The six dairy type OTM averaged 82.9p/kg and sold to 102p.

On the sheep front prime lambs sold to £67 for Suffolk's from Braefoot Farm, Turiff and 136.9p/kg for Texel's from Lower Ashtrees, Jedburgh. Cast ewes and rams sold to £67 for Suffolk's from New Channelkirk.

Other leading prices saw Suffolk cross making £57.20 from Hartside, Texel's at £66 from Hyndsidehill and Beltex to £53.20 from Falahill.

Topping the sale at 600gns a piece as a two entries from the Pexhill flock of Geoff Biddulph, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Both were by the prolific Stockton Sky's The Limit, who has sired many prize winners, including male, female and interbreed champions at the Royal Show, along with the top-priced lamb at this year's National Show at 15,000gns.  

The first top priced animals, was a April, 2007 shearling ram sold to R S Kitson and Son, Thirsk, the second a ram lamb sold to Suffolk Breeders, Mr and Mrs Lester Peel, Thirsk.

30 years of auctioneering experience will be joining Harrison and Hetherington next month, as Simon Draper takes the post as auctioneer and livestock manager at Kirby Stephen Mart.

Joining at the start of the busy autumn sheep and cattle sales, Mr Draper will also be involved with sales at Lazonby, Middleton-in-Teesdale and St John's Chapel, County Durham.

Mr Draper says he has wanted to come north for sometime to work in a prime livestock rearing area and particularly, for the leading livestock auctioneering company in the country.

Beginning his career as a trainee auctioneer in Worcester 28 years ago and until 2001 was senior auctioneer of all categories of stock with Rugby Livestock Sales. And for the past seven years he has been working as an auctioneer-director at Thame Farmers Auction Mart, during which time he resurrected the famous Bicester Sheep Fair.

Kivells of Holsworthy saw a packed auction ring for their first breeding ewe sale of the season. A top of £96 was made for two pens of smart Suffolk cross 2teeth ewes consigned by John Garderner of North Cornwall. Numerous pens also topped the £85 mark. Good interest was also seen for older ewes with plenty selling between £55-£65 for full mouthed ewes.

Gwynedd Charolais breeder, Gareth Jones has received HCC's new award for the most progressive Welsh Charolais herd on performance. His 30 cow Esgob herd based at Cwmtirmynach, Bala, demonstrated the most improved Terminal Index, up 38%, of all Charolais breedplan recorded herds in Wales.

HCC's, Demi Hughes who presented the award said "the Esgob herd had made significant achievements in the terminal performance through careful bull selection on EBV's and good type."

The herd has moved up seven TI points to an average TI 25.4 across the herd.  And contributing to the success was Thrunton Virginian, Which Mr Jones secured in Perth two years ago  for 18,000gns as the herds new sire.

A quality show of well fleshed lambs were forward at Scots Gap Auction Mart with lambs averaging 44kg, 124.3p/kg and £54.69 a head.

Top price paid a kilo was for a pen of 43kg Texel cross lambs which realised 136.7p and top price a head was £62.60 for a pen of 52kg Suffolk cross lambs from East White Hill.

Suffolk's topped at £62.60 for East White Hill, with Texel's reaching £62.20 from Dene House. Charollais topped at £58.80 for Holling Hill.

Good crowds gathered at Manor farm, Trematon, Cornwall for the dispersal of Messrs R A and M Legg and Son's Mussbee herd.

The Leggs who have had the opportunity to purchase the farm from the landlords, were selling the herd to fund the purchase.

Most of the herd ended up staying in the far west with the top price of 3100gns going to the served heifer Musbee Shottle Vanessa 2. In calf to Regancrest-MR Drham Sam, she was secured by Anthony Wills of Willsbro Holsetins.  He also secured the smart young second calver, Musbee Frances 28, sired by Gillette Final Cut and tracing to the Sharcombe herd for 2600gns.

Richard Gay, Bidding by telephone, secured the second calver, Musbee Outside Primrose (VG-86) for his Walkabout herd near Axminster, Devon. Her heifer calf by Shottle made 2000gns, one of three calves at foot secured by Wills Bros at the same figure.

Cows and calved heifers averaged £1989.32, served heifers £1470.50 and maiden heifers £856.99.

Just had the catalogue for the Ronick and Lodge Limousin sale and what a beauty.........

There's plenty to go at there with many quality females on offer. It's also on-line on H&H's website so take a look and let me know what you think! And for those of you going....I'll see you there!