December 2008 Archives

Newton Abbot Market

Buyers were in the Christmas spirit at Rendell's Newton Abbot Market annual dead poultry sale, which saw a record breaking number of entries, with almost 900 lots on offer for 250 keen buyers.

Topping the turkey section was a 39 1bs bird entered by A S Prouse, Ogwell, Newton Abbot. Geese's topped at £62 entered by P Coles, Crediton for a 16.5 1bs goose.

Next up for offer were chickens which topped at £23 for M Prior, West Sussex. Ducks also saw a strong sale with top price bird also entered by Mr P Cole, Crediton selling for £10 a head.  

Averages: Turkey. £19.33; Geese £22.48; Chicken, £13.72; Duck, £13.72

Dingwall Highland Marts

Some superb quality forward for Bagshaws, Uttoxter Christmas Show and Sale saw the champion peak at £2360.

The title of Supreme Champion was taken by regular vendors Messrs Marshall of Overseal, Swadlincote with their heifer Overseal Wendy 245.  By their own 88 point stock bull Overseal Hurricane she boasted an 11300kg 87 point dam with 2 generations of VG thereafter.  Spirited bidding saw the hammer eventually fall at £2360 with the heifer travelling to the White family of Shottle.

The second heifer to break the £2000 barrier was Chanderlea Blue Bell 5 from Stephen and Phillip White of Wingerworth.  Third prize winner she was by Copywood Startout, she made £2120.

Richard Lomas, Calow had two heifers over £1900.  The first a second prize winner in its class went to £1930.  Cavenworth Milkman Sally was by Crichel Milkman.  Her stable mate Chardan Bell by Avenham Westminster went for £1910.

Trade was swift throughout with the top eight heifers averaging £1920 and the entire entry averaging £1538.

1^st Quality Heifers to £2360 av. £1920

2^nd Quality Heifers to £1420 av. £1315

1^st Quality Cows to £1450 av. £1450

Total entry averaged £1538

A contingent of keen buyers was seen at the second show and sale of female Beltex sheep held at Brecon Market.

A top price of £1281 was paid by Mr D Thornby for the Champion exhibit shown by D and I Bishop of Luggsmill. This was the daughter of Envoy and was in-lamb to Luggsmill Gunner.

Mr Bishop also had the second top prices of the day with a ewe lamb bred by Luggsmill Gunner, which was an exceptional lamb that had made £997 and was purchased by Mr M Owen from the noted Glantre flock.

Virtually 100% clearance was seen for in-lamb ewes, which averaged £330 for the yearling ewes and £450 for the aged ewes.

The sale concluded with a genuine flock reduction sale form Messrs Frazier and son from Conningswick Flock and these topped at £525 for a daughter bred by a Llwnybrain ram and another ewe by Pentland Hero.

The sale included 13 lambs, 16 yearling ewes and 19 aged  ewes.

Auctioneers McCartneys, Brecon Market.

Despite winter conditions across the Pennines, which prevented some buyers from getting to Beeston Castle Auction, large crowds were still in attendance, resulting in another outstanding sale for the Whiteford Brothers reduction of their Middle Ayrshire and Blended Red and White Herd.

This is the forth reduction of the herd and nobody thought prices would top those seen in their last reduction of 5000gns. However, the record was broken twice at this event.

The first cow to top 5000gns at 5700gns was the July calved second calver, Middle Mitzy MHS by Middle Highland Supreme. She was bought by the well known Killoch Herd at Galston, Ayrshire.

 M

Next at 5200gns was the September calved third calver Middle Emerald MR by Middle Mitzy Ranger, sold to the Sandersons, Cumbria.

Two animals made 4100gns each heading home with Duncan Hunter for his Haresfoot Herd at Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire. The first was Middle Miss Red Emerald, a September calved second calved sired by Middle Red Emerald and the second was Middle Red Nicholas BC who also calved in September.

A Further six animals sold for 3000gns and more.

Calves at foot met a good trade selling to a top of 1450gns for a September born Middle Lady Emerald 4^th, a daughter of Brieryside Cream Centre out of a member of the Molli family.

Averages 137 cows and milking heifers £2129.34; 4 in-calf heifers £1601.25; 141 head £2114.37

Competition was keen at Shrewsbury Auction Centre's Christmas prize show and sale sponsored by National Westminster Bank.

The beef cattle prize was won by Mr A J Bowyer from Stoke on Trent with a 510kg Belgian Blue Cross heifer, which sold for 218p/kg to Mr Clive Fenton of J Longman, Stoke on Trent.

Reserve Champion was R J and A J Wilson from Leebotwood with a Limousin cross steer, which sold for 178p/kg for a gross price of £1246 to the judge Ray Bower, Penkridge.

The silverware for the champion pair of rams was won by Philip Dudleston of Habberley, Pontesbury with 10 Texel cross lambs weighing 42.5kg, which sold for £62 a head to Farm Fresh, Kenilworth. Reserve champion was Messrs S and P and C and P Williams, Bomere Heath.

Dingwall and Highland Marts annual show and sale saw 104 MV accredited pedigree females forward, attracting one of the largest crowds ever witnessed.

Topping trade at 900gns was ewe lamb Texel from Galcantray Farm, Caldor. In lamb gimmers topped at 680gns for a Texel consigned by West Knock.

A couple of entries realised 500gns. The first was the Texel reserve champion, Glenside Mt Lord gimmer carrying twins from Messrs A and G Howie, West Knock, and selling to D Ranklin, Skye.

Next at 500gns was the Suffolk champion, a gimmer by Drimmie Apollo from Messrs H P Sleigh and Sons, Fyvie, selling to Mrs M Bisset, Evanton. The reserve Suffolk champion was awarded to another Drimmie Apollo daughter also consigned by H P Sleigh which realised 400gns.

Texel champion, a ewe lamb by Coulter Allers Max Factor, from Messrs T and P Dalgetty, Muir of Tarrandale sold for 400gns to the judge, Mr J Leitch, Orkney.

The Beltex champion was awarded to a Garrion Knock Knock gimmer carrying twins, consigned by Miss J Brown, Watten and realising 350gns to Mr J Simpson.

Reserve award went to a Balig Branston gimmer carrying a single from Messrs J Scott, Fearn Farm, Tain realising 300gns to Messrs W Robertson and Son.

Skipton-based Craven Cattle Marts has crowned its first-ever Stock Person of the Year, with the honour going to Jimmy Baines, whose family has farms in both Gisburn and Trawden.

The mart introduced the new annual award to recognise the contribution of regular vendors at Skipton Auction Mart - and honour a champion among them.

Points were awarded at livestock shows throughout the year. Regular prime stock vendor Mr Baines received a cash prize from main sponsors, the Silsden-based West Riding Motor Group, with all mainline sponsors of Skipton livestock shows throughout the year also contributing to the new awards.

Dairy stock class winner and second overall was Robin Jennings, of South Stainley, Ripon, while John and Stephen Fawcett, of Barden, amassed points for store cattle, prime and breeding sheep to finish third overall in the points table.

Auctioneer Ted Ogden said: "The 2009 competition will again see points awarded to winners of prize shows at Skipton during the year, but will be further developed with points awarded on a weekly basis for the highest priced cattle, pen of lambs, calf, which will get more of our customers involved in the initiative."

Picture: CCM Stockman of the Year Jimmy Baines and son Paul, right, are congratulated by auctioneer Ted Ogden and the mart's Diane Pickles.

A short entry of only 92 in the prime cattle pens at Colchester Market saw a fast trade, although prices weren't incredible. Trade for commercial sorts were in line than last week, with some prime sorts doing better than usual.

Top price per head was £1136.66 for a heavy steer, consigned by W A Ketley and Sons and selling to C Humphrey and Sons. Next in line was a heavy heifer at £1107.52 selling to  J Coleman.

Bulls topped at £888.81 for K W and A C Benson selling to J W F Hughes and Co.

Sheep

Sheep also saw a short entry with mixed quality. Best fed lambs regularly made 125 to 141p/kg, while lean sorts made £1 and below to reduce the average sustainability.

Ewes were of good quality and met an extra demand, with strong mules topping at £50, mules £42 and hill types £15.

£4.50 was the top price per head consigned by Mrs M Garner.

Averages; 151 new season lambs averaged £123.25

Shrewsbury Auction Centre Christmas Dairy Show and Sale saw prices topping at £2350 for the champion heifer from the noted Pimhill herd of R. Mayall and Daughter, Shrewsbury.

  The heifer by Hilmar CVC Starr, a son of Wa-Del Convincer, proved the unbeatable animal on the day.  She is out of an Integrity VG85 dam still milking in the herd on her seventh lactation. 

The heifer herself was already up to 35kg per day two weeks into her lactation and spirited bidding saw her achieve a sale price of £2,350 to Mr Peter Andrews of Herefordshire.

The show was sponsored by Brian Challenor of World Wide Sires who is pictured with the judge Tony Leighton and Roger Neale from Pimhill Holsteins.

The Suffolk in-lamb ewe Show & Sale held in Abergavenny saw prices topping at 1000gns for the Champion ewe in-lamb by Strathisla Massa and out a ewe by Castlewellan High Society. Consigned by Stuart Davies, she sold to D Jones, Aberystwyth.

The reserve champion was awarded to a ewe from Mr & Mrs John Pryce, by Whitestone Wizard and inlamb to Horton Hercules, she sold at 380gns to WC & RL Bowen, Haverfordwest. The Pryce family also won 1^st prize in the shearling ewe class with a ewe by Perrinpit Pedro and inlamb to Birness Buckaroo.   She went onto sell at 320gns to J Lewis, Llandovery.

Auctioneers: J. Straker, Chadwick & Sons.

The latest offering from Dairy Daughters has been described as a 'breeder's bull at a commercial price' and he comes in the form of Crockett Chicago.

Chicago is one of the earliest Calbrett Champion sons and his PLI of £138 places him well within the top 100 PLI sires.

He combines good production at 656kgs milk, 18.9kg fat and 20.3kg protein and an overall Type Merit of 2.71.

The largest ringside of buyers seen at Harrisons and Hetherington's Lazonby Mart, saw 577 lambs forward, resulting in a phenomenal trade.

Topping trade was Suffolk's at £52 for Fieldgarth.  Beltex crosses made £50 a piece for Croft house. Texel crosses weren't far behind coming in at £47 for Townfoot. Mules also saw good prices topping at £40.50 for Chapel Farm. 

 Ashford Markets pre Christmas live and dead stock show attracted plenty of interest with prices topping at £2825.92 for the cattle champion, a Limousin cross British Blue steer. Bred by Ralph and Angie Dickinson from Steyning, the final bid went to Jamie, Wickens of Winchelsea selling at £4.60 per kg.

Taking overall reserve spot was another steer, a pure Limousin bred in Cumbria, which sold to judge David Fry for £3.30p/kg (£1631). Champion heifer was John and Mew Lampshire's Limousin cross British Blue which made £2.79 (£1243) selling to Anglo Dutch Meats of Charing.

Richard Scott of Anglo Dutch Meats also bought a further 21 cattle from the show which will be sold retail through their two shops in the south East.

Averages 27 steers £1.88 and £1073.49; 17 heifers £1.66 and £909

Sheep

In the sheep ring with more than 100 pairs of lambs forward top price went to the champion, a pair of Beltex cross lambs from Andrew Dennings. Jamie Wickens bought the pair for £220. The reserve champions made £160 and were bought for Richard Scott of Anglo Dutch Meats.

Averages; £1.41 and £60.60

Pigs

Taking the pig section bt storm was Pual Bank and her brother Peter form Shoreham, Sevenoaks taking best pair and also best single pig title as well. Jamie Wicken paid £233 each fro the pair and Mr Riley from Essex £167 for the single.

Averages; Pigs £1.16 and £93.64 a head. Sows 74.7p and £198.

An entry of 401 store cattle and suckled calves at Hexham and Northern Marts weekly sale saw a sharp trade from start to finish.

Cattle topped at £1070 for a three quarter Limousin steer from Stotfold, with heifers selling to £885 for three quarter Limousin from SpringWell Cottage.

Quality young cattle were also in great demand selling to £890 for a 14 month Charolais cross steer from Juries House, Glanton. £712 was also realised for a 13 month Charolais cross heifers from Edligham Newtown.

Spring born calves sold to £815 and £800 fro two outstanding pens of four steer calves from Loadman.

Hexham and Northern Marts had forward 409 lambs at their weekly primestock sales, which saw prices topping at £67 a head for a Suffolk cross lamb from High Farm, Hallington.

Top price per kilo was 137p for Beltex cross lambs from Merryshields. Texel crosses topped at £64 a head also forward from High Farm, Hallington.

The sale averaged 43.4kg, 125p/kg and £54.27 a head.

Bentham Auction Mart's Christmas Show & Sale of Weaned Calves and Stirks saw a bumper entry of 114 forward. All breeds were keenly sought after, resulting in a complete clearance.

The judge for the day, Mr Stewart Stainton of Howgill faced a show of excellent quality cattle in the Show Ring.

Topping trade at £820 and also taking the Championship title was a Belgian Blue 7 month old bull, consigned by James, Robert & Simon Garth, Keasden.. Bred from a Belgian Blue x Limousin Heifer purchased from a Bentham Stirk Sale, the bull sold to Andrew Bailey of Bailey Farms, Howgill.

First prize female stirk presented to Mason & Gardner of Chapel-le-Dale, for their suckler bred Belgian Blue x 7 month old heifer. This later went on to sell to Chris Hewitt of Tatham for £680.

Buyers carefully selected their way through the entry of ewes and gimmers at Borderway Mart, Carlisle taking bidding to 1200gns at the annual sale organised by the British Texel Sheep Society and the Solway and Tyne Texel Breeders Club.

Judge T MacTaggart, Castle Douglas awarded the championship to a 2006-bred ewe from the Denty flock owned by Mrs L Stuart, Castle Douglas. The ewe, which made 900gns to Douganhill Farms, Castle Douglas, is by Glenside Lachlan - a son of the 120,000gns Loosebeare Imp - and out of a Knock Idaho ewe.  She is in-lamb to Humeston Outback who was bought for 2000gns at Lanark.

And there was more of the day's cash bound for the Denty flock when one of Mrs Stuart's shearling gimmers made 850gns to Mr Winter. By Milnbank Moneymate, she is also in-lamb to the Humeston sire.

Making the long trip from Somerset were Messrs Frank Henry Chave and Son with sheep from their successful Peacehay flock at Wellington. Their best bid came for a gimmer by the Haddo Jogger son Lyonshall King of Clubs that goes back to Annan and Durisdeer breeding. Carrying lambs to Fachell Outlook - a Pennan Miracle son - she made 580gns to W H Davison and Sons, Hexham.

Averages: 11 ewes £280 and 63 gimmers £263. (Harrison and Hetherington).

A 595kg Aberdeen Angus-cross bullock from Messrs Lionel, Port of Ness won the title of prime cattle champion at the recent Dingwal and Highland Marts Christmas show and sale. It went on to sell for 260p/kg and grossed £1547 to W. J. Macdonald, butchers, Stornoway.

The reserve went to a 625kg Angus-cross heifer from the Gress family which realised 200p per kg and £1250 also to Mr Macdonald.

The champion award for prime sheep was for a 45.5kg Beltex-cross from C. Macleod, Crobeag, Steinish, which realised 175.8p per kg and £80 gross, with reserve going to Cheviots also from Crobeag, realising 150p per kg and £75 gross.

Prime bullocks (10) averaged 161p and sold to 260p per kg and £1547 gross for the champion, a 595kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Lionel.

Prime heifers (two) averaged 179p and sold to 200p per kg and £1250 gross for the reserve, an Aberdeen Angus cross from Gress.

Prime lambs (84) averaged 95.3p and sold to 175.8p per kg and £80 gross for the champions, a pair of Beltex crosses from Lighthill.

Store bullocks (seven) sold to 130p per kg for an Aberdeen Angus from No 43 Habost, Ness, and £455 gross for a Charolais cross from Fivepenny, Borve.

Store heifers (five) sold to 108.7p per kg for a Limousin from Lighthill, and £320 gross for a Limousin from Rhenigidale.

Store sheep (225) sold to £35 for Cheviot ewes from Ness.

Overall champion at last week's Abergavenny Christmas Primestock show and sale

was awarded to a Limousin heifer shown by Messrs. A.E. & M.E. Pritchard, Olchon Mill, Longtown, weighing 580kg.  She was purchased at 265p/kg (£1,557) by Mr Greg Willis, a butcher from Cwmbran.

The Reserve Champion trophy was awarded to Messrs. E.G. & L.M. Cadogan, Lower Cwmcayo Farm, Usk, for their Limousin Steer which weighed in at 555kg and was also purchased by Mr Willis at 262p/kg (£1,454).  The overall average for the cattle on show was nearly £1250 apiece.

The sheep classes were won by Mr. Chris Ball, Upper Cwm, Llantilio Crossenny, who took both Champion and Reserve Champion trophies with his Texel-cross entries. Weighing 40.5kg, the champions sold for £200 (493.8p/kg) to Mr. Robert Clode from Cripple Creek Inn, Raglan. The reserve champions sold for £100 (263.1p/kg) to Messrs. N.S. James & Son, Butchers, Raglan.

The annual multi-flock offering of Texel females held at Lanark last week saw a flying trade for in-lamb ewes from the Craighead flock of Messrs Cullen, Carluke, Lanarkshire with two gimmers sharing the top price of 5500gns and a third gimmer selling to 5000gns.

All three gimmers were by Craighead Masterpiece - the successful son of Tophill Landmark. First at 5500gns was out of an Ettrick King of Diamonds ewe and in-lamb to Haddo Odds On. The buyer was C J Mallaber, Burton-on-Trent who picked-up several of the day's best females.

Sharing the 5500gns top price was a gimmer claimed by Alastair Beaton, Falkirk. Out of Baltier I Catcher ewe, she was in-lamb to Hartside Nevada.

Two buyers shared the 5000gns price-tag when Robert Cockburn, Crieff and Kerr Jarvie, Perth took another Masterpiece gimmer in-lamb to Odds On.

Boness, West Lothian breeder Jim McKerrow sold the two best gimmers from his Grougfoot flock at 2800gns apiece. Both were by Craighead Masterpiece with the first gimmer - out of a ewe by Wester Crosshill Jude - taken by C J Mallaber. She was in-lamb to Millar's Outsmart.

The second Grougfoot gimmer at 2800gns went to Alastair Beaton and was out of a ewe by Clinterty Impressive. She was also in-lamb to Outsmart.

A gimmer by Cornerstone Isaac from the Watchknowe flock consignment of Jim Warnock made 2400gns to C J Mallaber. She was in-lamb to Milestonehill (THIS IS CORRECT).

Best for T and A Laird's Cambwell flock at Biggar was a 2300gns call from Andy Ryder, Dumfries for a gimmer out of a ewe by Brague King's Pride. She was in-lamb to Cambwell Oscar - a son of Llangwm Nut Cracker.

Mr Hardy-Bishop, Jedburgh gave 2000gns for another Cambwell gimmer by Laird. She is in-lamb to Straidarran Obama. Matching the bid was Steven Harrison to take a Craighead gimmer by Masterpiece and in-lamb to Odds On.

Flock averages: Cambwell - 14 at £723; Ettrick - 14 at £585; Garngour - six at £533; Teiglum - six at £467; Turin - eight at £315; Grougfoot - 20 at £872; Watchknowe - 16 at £597;Craighead - 46 at £813. (Lawrie and Symington).

Although there were fewer entries at last week's Lancaster Dairy Sale the trade maintained a similar level to that seen in recent months and levelled 22 head at £1770 on a day that saw bidding reach 2600gns.

Both leading bids came from Joe Marrs buying for his family's Broomhills Holstein herd at Carlisle. His top call of 2600gns came for the champion consigned by Messrs Boow whose Dunnerdale Lheros Gipsy is out of a 60-tonne Progress dam that classified Excellent and hails from one of the herd's oldest and most successful families.

Messrs Boow also took the reserve championship with Dunnerdale Talent Annie who is out of a 12,152kg dam by Outside. She realised 2000gns to A Wallbank, Longridge, Preston.

Mr Marrs also claimed Whitecarr Modest Snowflake from Tom Cowell, Kirkham, Lancashire. She realised 2200gns and is out of a twice 11,000kg-plus dam by Starboy. Mr Cowell has entered 60 head from his herd for the January sale which will be the Lancaster club's 600th show and sale.

Completing  a trio of high priced buys for Mr Marrs' was Maybar Modest Chance, a calved heifer out of a VG-85 Calbrett-I HH Champion cow from F G and M R Martin and Son taken at 1950gns. Best for the Maybar herd was 2000gns paid by K Sharp for a calved heifer by Wildman.

The sale included the first portion of cattle from the Fornside herd for Messrs Akrigg from Silloth, Cumbria. Prices reached 2000gns for a third calver out of a Boulet Charles dam. Buyers were W R and J E Dixon, Wigton, Cumbria.

Averages: seven cows £1575 and 22 calved heifers £1861. (Norton and Brooksbank with North West Auctions).

Last week's Red Ladies show and sale of Limousin females at Carlisle saw the day's top price reach 10,000gns.

Bids peaked for maiden heifer Millington Choice - one of the daughters of high-ranking French sire Mas Du Clo - which joined a trio of highly-priced females bought by Lancashire breeders D W and E Armstrong.

The Limousin breed society fixture, which included an entry of weaned bulls and heifers that reached 4300gns, produced an impressive set of averages even though reserve prices on some entries seemed over optimistic.

Making the three highest bids were Chorley,

This ET-bred heifer is out of a Ronick Matador dam carrying the Brockhurst prefix and was consigned by York-based Millington Grange Estate. Choice had been junior interbreed champion at Newark and Nottinghamshire Show, junior champion at Cheshire Show and junior breed and interbreed champion at the Great Yorkshire.

Herd mate Millington Candy - also by Mas Du Clo - is out of Ronick Nestle who by Broadmeadows Cannon and is full sister to the leading AI sire Ronick Hawk. Candy made 7000gns to the Armstrongs but their trio of top buys also included an 8500gns call to secure Robert Graham's full-French heifer Grahams Chelsea who is by the successful show and breeding sire Samy.

Despite clashing with the recent Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair, Exeter and District Christmas Show drew in the crowds and a strong offering of cattle and sheep.

Leading the way in the cattle classes was first time exhibitors Mr and Mrs Cope of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, whose homebred British Blue cross steer took the championship and was later bought by judge J Coleman, Colchester for 265p/kg, grossing £1597.40. 

Taking the silverware home from Hull Christmas Fatstock show and sale on Monday was J L White and Son, Eastrington, Goole, wholese British Blue cross heifer tipped the scales at 565kg and sold for 250p/kg to the show's judge Sturat Voase of Alan Jones Butchers Shop, Preston.

Another British Blue cross took the reserve spot as well, this time from T and B Boothroyd and Son. This steer weighed 595kg and sold for 208p/kg to Propameats, Hull.

The best pen of pigs went to J W Evison and Sons, Fitling, whose pen of five cutter pigs sold to Tom Wallis of Ye Olde Pork Shop, Beverley, for 145p/kg. The reserve pen of pigs came from ACMC Ltd, Beeford, who sold for 118p/kg to Ted Dillon, Hull.

Taking the sheep championship was Oliver Bros, Little Weighton, whose pen sold for £70 a head to Tom Wallis. The reserves came from P Farmery, Sandholme and sold for the same money to Ted Dillon.

Being back in the FW office for a day to help out with the Christmas rush means I get the added perks of catching up on the sales catalogues that have come in! I've just had a flick through the Limousin female offering for Red Ladies Day on 12th December.

Although nothing incredibly flash is jumping out at me straight away there are one or two little gems that will be worth a look at. My first impressions (which I'm glad to report are following the same lines as a certain H&H informer!) would be that Medrad Boriana from Hughes and Co will be worth a shout. By Ionesco out of Medrad Oriana, this heifer has caused quite a stir on the show circuit winning her class at the Royal Welsh and as well as being part of the winning team at the Welsh.

Also in the running will be Millington Choice from Millington Grange Estate - no doubt this will come out looking the business having won a heap of rosettes over the summer.

With a solid pedigree behind her I wouldn't mind betting the best entry from Paul Dawes will be Dinmore Bella. By the famous Wilodge Tonka and out of the herd's renowned show cow Fleethill Sal, she sells PD'd in calf to Fieldson Alfy.

The only other one that's caught my eye is Glenrock Caprice from Stephen Illingworth. Full sister to the 25,000gns Glenrock Ventura she is by Glenrock Spartacus and out of Glenrock Saspirilla. Caprice stood 2nd at the Highland this year and is only for sale as ET sisters were born into the herd this year.

It's shame I won't be a the sale, but a sunny holiday in Egypt is keeping me away from a cold Borderway Mart!    

A packed ringside saw a strong sale of store cattle and suckled calves at Harrison and Hetherington's Middleton in Teesdale market. Averages rose by £144.97 for steers to level at £613.64 and heifers rose by £88.09 to level at £489.62.

The champion, a Limousin cross steer from J R Dalton, South Wellope sold for £650 to J Maughan, while a second prize steer from the same holding sold at £630 to Messrs Askwith.

For the same money the Askwith's bought the third prize steer from J E and A J Mitchell, Parrick House.

In the heifer classes the second prize heifer, again from the Dalton's sold for £605 to N Hall and Son, while E Scott and Son bought the third prize heifer from D J Mallon, Pallet Crag.

Gisburn Auction Marts held their first Christmas pig show and sale on Saturday and show judge and wholesale butcher Steven Taylor, Preston gave the overall championship to a pair of Pietran cross porkers from Craven farmer Kit Dean. These later sold for £110 a head.

The reserve champions, a pair of Saddleback weaners from Marjorie Parrington, Skipton sold for £32 a head.

The best pair of store pigs went to T A Horn, Appleby, Cumbria and sold for £50 a head, while the best pair of breeding pigs went to Mr Easthaam, Wigan, which sold for £120 a head.

Averages: Weaners £23.75; stores £53.25; porkers £99.50; breeders £118 (Richard Turner and Son).  

Just 34 head were catalogued for the Beltex Society's Premier In-Lamb show and sale at Carlisle last week, but there was quality available, with trading peaking at 1500gns for one from Gavin Shanks.

The sale leader from Inveresk was Inveresk Loch Carron, a daughter of Van t'Ophoverveld King Kong and out of a Tulleygarley Elite daughter Inveresk Jo Jo. The gimmer, sold in lamb to Artnagullion Leathal Weapon to Ian Wilson, Kendal.

Second best on the day was a 1000gns bid for Kevin and Rachel Buckles' best, Buckles Leading Light. By Airyolland Klass Act and out of Airyolland Hercules-sired dam Buckles Jellybean, this one joined Tudor Jenkins, Abaeron, Ceridigion and was in-lamb to Newton Leo,

A lead price of 5000gns and no fewer than 11 calls at 2000gns or more marked out last Friday's Christmas Cracker sale of Texel ewes at Carlisle as one of the season's most succesful in-lamb ewe sales to date.

Heading up the prices was John Forsyth with the best from his Glenside flock, a Baileys Money Maker daughter out of a dam by Douganhill Jeronimo. This one, which goees back to the great-breeding Muiresk Blondin, was sold ddue in March to Midlock Nimrod. Buyer was Alasdair Beaton, Falkirk.

And Mr Forsyth took the next top bid, too, for another from Glenside, this time a Muiresk Blondin daughter out of a dam by Muiresk Glenfiddich and line-bred back to Blondin. This one sold the J Howard, Potto, Northallerton, at 3500gns in lambs to Nimrod again and due at the end of February.

"The best Texel ewe lamb I have ever seen," - that was how auctioneer Brian Ross described an outstanding ewe lamb by Garngour Nijinski that made 8500gns - a breed record price for a ewe lamb - when Hannah and James Draper staged a major reduction from their Claybury flock at Shrewsbury last weekend.

A big crowd of committed breeders created an electric trade throughout the day producing tremendous averages in all sections. Among the highest was £1971 for 12 ewe lambs and £1029 for 24 one-crop ewes.

The record breaker, which joins the Devernvale flock of Graham Morrison at Inchbruich, Banff, Aberdeenshire, impressed for size, shape and character. She is out of a ewe by Glenside Lord of the Ring and from one of the flock's best families.

The Gloucester and Border Counties Texel Breeders Club held its Christmas Present show and sale at Worcester market on Saturday where Oxfordshire breeder Clive Ponting achieved the day's top price of 420gns.

The call came from Will Davies, Pontypool for a gimmer shearling by Annan Manitou and out of a ewe by Netherkeir Grand Slam. The gimmer was in-lamb to the 3600gns ram Cambwell Onfire that was purchased at the breed's Welsh National sale this year.

Bill Quick's Loosebeare flock from Crediton sold a gimmer by Bettonfield Janitor - supreme champion at the NSA sale at Built Wells in 2004 - at 400gns to J Incley Watford Village, Northamptonshire. The gimmer is in-lamb to Glenside Nosey Parker - a son of the 120,000gns Loosebeare Imp.

Mr Incley also paid 360gns for a Loosebeare gimmer by Douganhill Ferrari that was in-lamb to the Glenside tup. Also heading home with Mr Incely at 350gns was a gimmer from the Peacehay flock of Wellington. Somerset breeders C H Chave and Son's. By Douganhill Lonestar, the gimmer is in-lamb to Cennen Magnum.

Heading back to Crediton, Devon with buyer D Stevens and Son was a Loosebeare gimmer by Douganhill Lonestar and out of a ewe by the 6000gns Caereinion Jewel that was champion at the breed's 2004 Welsh National sale.

John Sinnett of the Stockton Suffolk and Texel flocks from Stockton-on-Teme, Worcestershire judged the entry and awarded the championship to a ewe lamb from the Rowden flock run by R C L Watts and Son, Taunton, Somerset. The lamb is by Ettrick Net Profit and made 320gns. Mr Sinnett also gave 330gns for a gimmer by Haddo Mattador from the Rowden flock.

Averages:  26 in-lamb gimmers £275 and five ewe lambs £151. (McCartneys).

Although potential buyers from snow-stricken northern counties were absent from the ringside it did little to undermine the trade which levelled 141 head at £2114.

The Cumbria-based herd attracted a top call of 5700gns which came early in the day for Middle Mitzy MHS, a July-calved heifer by Middle Highland Supreme. Out of an 11,000kg dam by Butlersarms Lenni Red, she goes back to Prelude and Enhancer and was served in September to Sanderson Break Away. Buyers were A Woodburn and Sons, Galston, Ayrshire.

Bentham Auctions' Christmas Show & Sale of Store Cattle, saw both the Champion & Reserve Rossette being awarded to John & Jill Harper of Killington for the second year running by the pre-sale judges Mr Keith Harryman, Keswick & Mr James Crichton, Egremont.

The Champion animal (a BBx Hfr) later went onto sell for £900.00 to Mr Frank Towers, Wray. The Reserve (a BB Steer) selling for £870 to Nathan & Carol Brown, Littledale.

The market's Christmas Show & Sale of Prime Cattle saw the Championship being awarded to Mr Graham Jackson, Bentham by the pre-sale judge Mr Frank Towers. The Limousin x Steer weighed in at 542kg and achieved the days top price of 250p/kg (£1355.00), the animal was purchased by the judge on behalf of Mike Tighe, Whittakers Butchers of Walney Island.

Skipton Auction Mart's annual Christmas prime livestock shows and sales, held for the first time this year on a Sunday were voted an overwhelming success, with lively trading throughout - and phenomenal prices achieved for the individual cattle and lamb champions.

With a ten-strong line-up of butchers' classes in both the cattle and sheep sections, the area's meat men or their buying agents were well represented at the ringside and there was keen bidding in the quest to source the pick of the region's prime beef and lamb for customers' Christmas tables.

The female and supreme beef championship fell to a 14-month-old British Blue-cross heifer from East Coast exhibitor William Timms, of Court House Farm, Goole.

Mr Timms was making a welcome return to Skipton and his 550kg supreme champion, bred locally in Hellifield by David Capstick, and recipient of the Alf Lister Trophy, was purchased for £2,912 (£5.30/kg), top price in show, by Ross Greenwood, who runs Greenwood's Farm Shop in Carleton, near Skipton. A total of 12 cattle were sold by Mr Timms, averaging 217.54p per kilo.

Records were smashed at last week's Hailsham Fatstock Show, East Sussex, when the champion beast sold for £8.50/kg or £4462.50. The champion a Limousin sired heifer from Jason and Sarah Wareham, Broad Oak, sold to Jamie Wickens on behalf of Winchelsea Farm Foods.

Good trade at Gisburn Auction Marts pedigree dairy cattle show and sale saw prices topping at £2060 for a smart black heifer.

Ladino Park Talent who took the heifer championship for Gordon Beresford, Hellifeild sold to B and L Whitefield and Son, Shropshire.

Next best at £1980 was two year old Lucky Mike daughter, consigned by John and Gillian Dewhurst, Preston, she sold to M Ridsdale, Preston. He also went on to buy a Dixon-Lee Aaron daughter from Simon Thompson, Preston for £1920.

Averages Pedigree newly calved heifers £1719; pedigree newly calved cows £1240

Auctioneers Richard Turner and Son.

John and Linda Chamberlayne's loose housed herd of Holstein Friesians sold to a packed house at Ross Market, which saw a top price of 2000gns for Longtump Sem Snowdrop. A daughter of Dovea Sem, the calved heifer sold to S T Williams and Son, Chepstow, Monmouthshire.

The same buyers also paid 1580gns for another calved heifer by the same sire, Longtump Sem Queeny.

Cows sold to 1550gns paid by T S Matthews and Son, Hereford, for the 4^th calver, Longtump Personality Sally 2^nd. In calf heifers sold to 1220gns also paid by S T Williams and Son.

Averages 41 milking cows and heifers, £1067.67; 2 in-calf heifers £1244.25; 8 unwarranted cows £528.94

Bad weather didn't deter buyers at Gisburn Auction Marts Christmas prime cattle show and sale, which saw prices topping at £2125.20 for the champion, a 12 month old black Limousin. Consigned by Chris Longton, Warrington, Lancashire, the 506kg beast sold to restaurant owner Hervey Magnall, Bury, Lancashire.

Mr Longton also had a winner with his Limousin heifer, weighing 500kg she sold to J R and B Webster Farm Shop, Ormskirk for £1560 or 312 p/kg.

Reserve champion, an 18 month old homebred Limousin heifer also sold for £1413.50 or 275p/kg to J R Mellin Butchers, Lancashire.

Averages: premium heifers 224p/kg; premium steers 210p/kg; young bulls 168p/kg

Auctioneers Richard Turner and Son.

The Bishop family's champion lambs have sold for £400, somewhat short of the £3400 made at Builth Wells on Tuesday, but still a good price for some cracking lambs.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Stewart's Native champions, a pair of Suffolk crosses made £200 apiece.

Lockerley Hall Estates took the overall championship in the Aberdeen-Angus calf show last night here at Smithfield with their bull calf.

Leading the way was Lockerley Cougar, a January born bull by Lockerley Rocky and out of Lockerley Cruz Princess.

In reserve spot was the reserve male champion P C Stovold and Son's Rosemead Epaminondas another January born bull calf. This one is by Rosemead Kildare and out of Rosemead Erica.

Taking the female championship were Alan and Christine Bishop with their heifer calf Warrenho Ember a March born daughter of Warrenho Just Eric and out of Warrenho Emerald.

Reserve female champion was the Stovolds again with their September 2007 born heifer Rosemead Empress. This one is by Ellin Erroneous and out of Galcantry Empress.

Andrew, Becky and Charlie Bishop have dominated the sheep section here at Smithfield, taking the overall championship with their Beltex lambs which took the overall championship in the Continental Shortwool section before going on to lift the overall award.

These lambs, by a homebred tup in The Bishops flock of 1500 ewes, weighed in at 42kg and were selected from a batch of 350 wethers earlier in the autumn. Having stood reserve twice in the past Mr Bishop was delighted to lift the overall title for the first time as well as taking the exhibitor bred championship too.

Alistair and Liz Vance, Dumfries, have just taken the overall championship here at the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair with their heifer champion Divine Diva.

Limousin cross Diva was bred by the Scotts at Thirwell Castle and took the lightweigh heifer championship before going on to take the overall heifer title ahead of lifting the overall cattle championship.

Purchased from Carlisle in September for £3000, Diva was reserve overall at Agri-Expo, Carlisle, at the beginning of November.

Andrew Bishop of Gloucester was off to winning ways in the first championship of the day in the sheep section here at Smithfield, clinching the Continental shortwool championship with his pair of homebred Beltex sired lambs which weighed in at 85.5kg.

Standing reserve in this section was John Hall, Carlisle, with the second place pair of Beltex which tipped the scales at 79kg.

In the Native shortwool championship it was a win for Malcolm Stewart, Brotherstone, Melrose, with his pair of Suffolk cross Texels which weighed 78kg, while reserve was Messrs Wakeham Dawson and Harmer with their purebred Southdowns which weighed 88kg.

More results and pictures to follow.....

The Scots might not be here in there usual numbers at Smithfield, but the quality of their offering is as ever second to none and proving this was the heifer champion from Alistair and Liz Vance, Dumfries.

Their leader here was the Limousin cross Divine Diva which weighed in at 479kg and was bred by the Scott family of Thirwell Castle.

Standing reserve to the Vance's was Phil Sellers with British Blue cross Limited Edition, bred by Brian Griffiths this one weighed 608kg on the day.

The second day of this year's Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair has been met by a sharp, crisp frost, a great improvement on the rain that we saw here on Thursday.

As usual the sheep and cattle lines are busy with people preparing for championship judging later today, with those with red tickets eager to make the next step to that coveted Smithfield championship.

Who'll be victorious later is the question on everyone's lips and its fair to say there are a few contenders in both sections. Among the cattle it could be a good day for Phil and Sharon Sellers, the MacPherson clan, Elfed Williams and a few other outside bets too.

Down in the sheep my tip for the top is same as yesterday, Andrew Bishop, but James Whiteford has a fair pair of lambs through and so does David Gardner. Knocking on the door for the native championship and with a shout at the overall will be Malcolm Stewart, so its a fairly wide field in both championships.

Judging kicks of at nine this morning, so check back later for the results and pictures......

Here are a raft more cattle results from today's judging here at Smithfield, among the Limousin heifers the heavyweight class went to Ewen MacPherson and Sons with Lady Catriona, second was the Macphersons again with Amazing Grace.

In the Limousin steers the first class went to Christine Williams and Paul Tippets with The Stig, while second was Mike and Jean Dickens with Digby. In the second class Elfed Williams took the honours with Stop-n-Stare, while second was the Rice Family with Honky Tonk.

The heavyweight Limousin steer class, meanwhile was taken by Frank Jones with Llanfair Caleb and second here was Colin Hutchings with Oggie Oggie Oggie.

Taking the lead in the British Blue sired heifer class was Phil and Sharon Sellers with Limited Edition and second here was Tecwyn Jones with Black Beauty.

Andrew Bishop, Gloucester, has continued his rich vein of form at this year's primestock shows, taking both championship and reserve titles in the Butchers sheep section here at Shepton Mallet.

Taking top spot were his Dutch Texels which had stood first alive and reserve champion carcass, while reserve place went to his Beltex lambs which stood second alive and champion carcass.

This followed his reserve overall championship win in Wales earlier this week and his champion and reserve titles from the English Winter Fair at Stafford.

It look's like it'll be another good day for the Bishops tomorrow too, so come back and check for more results later.

Firstly, a quick apology, sorry for not getting any results to you guys back home this morning, I've been caught up dressing and showing lambs.

But I've now caught with events in the cattle classes and can bring you an early selection of results.

In the South Devon classes the heifer class went to Hillwood Estate with Aldbourne Chase Audrey 46, while second was Will Radmore with Penrose Gusty.

The South Devon steers were split on weight with the opening class going to N and E Bunkum with Freddie Mac, second was R Clemens with Tiny. The heavier class was taken by R Rundle with Kestle Sampson and second was N and E Bunkum with Wombat.

The class for Sussex heifers went to Jason and Sarah Wareham with Coopers Daffodil, while second spot was clinched by Messrs Mann and Isted with Hurmanswell Lock Heedless 1.

Among the Welsh Blacks the best was Elfed Williams' heifer Cwmcynog Katey, second, meanwhile, was Elfed again, this time with a steer Cwmcynog Thumper.

Well, this year's Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair is off and running with the first championship of the week decided in the suckled calves.

Picking up the overall ticket here was the steer champion, Thunderthighs, from perrenial Smithfield exhibitiors Ewen MachPherson and Sons, Oban. This one won the heavy steer class before going on to take the steer championship and then overall. Thunderthighs is a three quarter Limousin and was bred by George MacArthur, Inverness.

Standing reserve to the MacPherson crew were Mike and Melanie Alford with their heifer leader, Miss Money Penny. This one is a British Blue cross bred and was also bred by the MacArthur family, making it a double for them.

Overall the show is lacking a bit of buzz, but no doubt that will pick up tomorrow. Having been here since early yesterday I'm happy to report that the sheep entry is possibly one of the best seen in recent years with all breeds putting on a strong show, particularly many of the native breeds which seem to be staging a comeback.

However, there is one vital element missing from the sheep lines, a certain infamous sheep dresser by the name of Willie Currie. I know Willie's at home waiting for news via the blog, so this post is just for you Willie, wishing you were here to share a dram or two.

Among the cattle I've not yet seen anything to really catch my eye, but no doubt a closer look later will allow to pick my choice of the week, although if my predictions from Wales are anything to go by they're not to be relied upon!

Kirby Stephens's weekly sale of prime sheep this time incorporating the Annual Christmas Show of Prime cattle and sheep, saw 1596 sheep forward.   

Taking the honours in the cattle section was a superb home bred Limousin cross Bullock from R Stevenson, Howgill Foot, Kaber which sold for 339.5 p /kilo, £1,884.23 to the judge, Mr M Carefoot of Preston.

Standing in reserve was a smart Limousin Heifer from M/s, A D and A Richardson, Low Bank End which sold for 289.5 p/kilo, £1,464.87 also to the judge.

A good consignment of cattle from M/s. G Sowerby, Terrys Farm, Ormside topped at 254.5p/kilo, £1,412.48 to M/s. J F and D Haigh, Butcher, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen.  Also realising 254.5 p/kilo was an impressive steer from the same good home which sold to N and J Dowding, The Arcade, Appleby, who also bought a British Blue cross heifer from regular supporters M/s. H W and J Birkbeck, Castle Hill, Soulby.

Local championship-winning beef will be on the menu for Christmas and New Year tables across Nidderdale following a trading coup between a Pateley Bridge farmer and butcher.

Joe & Trevor Stoney, White Wood Farm, exhibited the champion and reserve champion cattle at Pateley Bridge's annual Christmas prime stock show then saw both home-bred animals purchased locally by butchers H Weatherhead & Sons, who trade in the town's High Street.

The champion was a 17-month-old Blonde d'Aquitaine-cross heifer that took the best Blonde heifer and best of breed trophies at Countryside Live, Harrogate. Out of a British Blue cow, she was bought for £1,840, top call in show, by butcher Ian Weatherhead, who also purchased the Stoneys' reserve champion Limousin-cross bullock for £1,780.

More than 100 cattle were entered into the first ever Christmas carcass competition to be hosted by Southern Counties Fresh Foods, which saw T E Hartwright from Suckley, Worcestershire taking Champion title for his two Limousin cross heifers. The May 2007 born heifers weighed 354.8kg and 351.4kg (deadweight) - falling well within the competition's specification of 260 to 400kg - and graded U+3 and U+2.

Reserve championship was awarded to E A Davies from Clifford, Herefordshire, whose pair also won the class for continental steers.

Other class winners were P A and P M Earley from Dorset and H E Cotton from Somerset.

 The show was open to pairs rather than individual animals rewarding those beef producers who could demonstrate consistency in bringing two animals of almost identical classifications, weights and fat classes," says managing director of Southern Counties Fresh Foods, Richard Phelps.  "The champion pair achieved this admirably, with carcass grades which reflected their excellent conformation and an optimum covering of fat."

The champion lambs at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Builth Wells, have sold for a record price, making a whopping £3400 apiece to Welsh Country Foods buying on behalf of ASDA.

The lambs from Michael Owens, a regular ASDA LambLink supplier, will, probably form the centrepiece of a display in the store's Telford supermarket, according to ASDA agricultural manager Pearce Hughes. The underbidder was, I understand Dunbia, buying on behalf Sainsbury.

ASDA also bought the champion pair of lamb carcasses, paying £820 for the pair from Robin Slade.

Harrison & Hetherington Limited held their annual Christmas Primestock show and sale of cattle and sheep on Monday 1 December at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

The pre sale judging was kindly carried out by Mr Gavin Little, The Butcher of Penrith who awarded Supreme Champion to a black Limousin cross bullock from Messrs Harryman of Keskadale, Keswick which later sold at 300p, weighing 653kgs £1,959.00 and was purchased by the judge Mr Gavin Little.

The Reserve Champion was awarded to another Limousin cross this time from Mr Len Skelton of Low House Farm which sold at 270p, weighing 675kgs £1,822.50 and was purchased by Mr Jim Mullholland, The Butcher, Great Orton.

Irish Texel breeder Alistair Gault's debut at the Twilight Texel Sale, Carlisle, achieved one of the day's two 2200gns top bids for a gimmer which was a first prize ewe lamb and reserve champion at Balmoral Show last year.

By Douganhill McFly and out of a Knock Impulse-sired ewe, the gimmer is an ET sister to the 28,000gns Forkins Nijinsky and 16,000gns Cherryvale Nijinsky. Buyer was N and A Bainbridge from County Durham.

Securing a matching bid was Robert Forsyth's Baltier Flock of Wigtownshire for a Rascarrel Masterpiece-sired gimmer out of a Craighead Hercules-sired ewe. Buyer was K Watson of Peebles.

Other noted mainland flocks vied for the action with a 2000gns call for an entry from E W Quick and Sons' Loosebeare flock helping make the journey from Devon worthwhile. Its Haddo Jogger-sired gimmer - suggested to be the best breed type ewe offered by the outfit - was in-lamb by AI to Cennen Magnum and was taken by W N Douglas of Yarrow, Selkirk.

Elsewhere, two other flocks - Tamnamoney and Ballyhaone - added to the event's Irish influence achieving top bids of 550gns and 500gns, respectively.

I've got spies out everywhere today and news has just reached me about the Aberdeen Christmas Classic at Thainestone.

Taking the overall championship in the primestock show was J J Dufton with a Limousin sired steer, Munchkin bred by the Macarthur brothers. This one weighed 620kg.

A pair of 78kg Beltex cross lambs from Michael Owens have just clinched the overall sheep championship at today's Royal Welsh Winter Fair ahead of a pair of Dutch Texels from Andrew Bishop. These weighed in at 87.5kg.

More details and pictures to follow....

Taking the steer and overall championship at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair was Glyn Owens with his Limousin sired steer Tommy. This one weighed in at a massive 700kg and was bred by D J Lloyd and Co. Tommy is out of a Limousin cross dam.

So, that renders all of my predictions entirely useless, but there we go.

Four charities are set to benefit from an auction being staged by Harrison and Hetherington on Friday which sees an assortment or lots come under the hammer at Carlisle.

The Great North Air Ambulance, Hospice at Home, Life Education Centres and RABI will also receive a share of the takings when a full and varied assorment of lots are sold.

Among the lots on offer are a variety of livestock and farm requisites  alongside some more unusual and interesting items such as a bottle of sloe gin and the requisite collection of shepherd's crooks. I just hope Messrs Pritchard and Thomlinson of H and H have renewed their liquor licence in time!

Here's the first news of the day from Builth Wells, the heifer championship has gone to Berwyn Hughes with a British Blonde sired entry Miss Stress which weighed in at 624kg. This one is bred by H Williams and is out of a Limousin cross British Bue dam.

It's safe to see I didn't see this one coming and many of those I spoke to yesterday may be a little surprised too. The steers are underway now, so we'll have that result for you as it happens.

A Limousin heifer weighing 585kg from Robert and Jacqeline Neil, Upper Nisbet, led the way at yesterday's Christmas Show and Sale at St Boswells. The homebred heifer won the exhibitor bred class before going on to be champion under judge George Deans of Scottish Border Abattoir. She later sold at 420p/kg to W Forsyth and Sons, Peebles.

Standing reserve was a steer from Low Middleton Livestock which tipped the scales at 620kg and made 320p/kg when selling to Gosford Bothy Farm Shop.

Overall the 138 heifers averaged 152.5p/kg and the 95 steers levelled at 170p/kg.

Western Holstein club Show and Sale, Beeston saw the largest entry of the year with 152 cows and milking heifers and five bulls forward attracting a good crowd.

Topping at 2800gns was the red and white heifer Littonfields Roxy Jazz Red. Consigned by Andrew and Bridget Weston, Buxton, she heads back to Nantwich with Paul and Ruth Robinson.

Two animals made 2750gns; the first was champion cow Hawksmoor Thelma 31^st, consigned by Rob Clare, Market Drayton selling to Robbie Bell, Knutsford. Mr Bell also took home Moordown Mr Sam Peach for 2550gns. The second was Knowlesmere Boss Helene ET, consigned by Andrew and Jane Whitaker, Shrewsbury, selling to Hywel Evans, Oswestry.

21 cows £1692.50;108 heifers £1976.92; 2 bulls £1785

Auctioneers Wright Manley Beeston Castle Auction

Well having made the trip home from Wales I'm afraid today's updates will be brought to you from the comfort of the FW office. However, I have some colleagues on the ground who will be able to let me have results as they happen, so there should be no compromise in service today.

As promised last night here are a few more outstanding results from yesterday's judging, starting with the sheep.

Richard Powell dominated proceedings in the Kerry Hill class, taking all three top spots with pairs weighing 94, 88 and 90kg respectively.

In the Hill Radnor section it was a win for I T Davies and Son with their 81.5kg pair, while secondd spot went to Kate Hovers with a duo at 87.5kg. Third place here was J and M E Price with an 86.5kg pair.

And Mr Davies was in fine form in the Becknock Hill Cheviot class too, taking first here with a brace weighing in at 94kg. Next up was D H Morgan with a pair at 89kg and third was Will and Sam Workman with an 83.5kg pair.

Linda Western continues her rich vein of form to clinch the North Country Cheviot class with a 95.5kg pair, while Ronald Jones took second and third spots with 90 and 100kg pairings.

Ringsiders at the sale of in-lamb ewes held by the South Wales Texel Breeders Association at Llandovery favoured entries from two of the south west's leading flocks which left females from the Loosebeare and Peacehay consignments at the top of the price list.

The Quick family from Crediton, Devon drew the top bid for a gimmer from their Loosebeare flock sired by Clougher Judge. The gimmer - bought by W H Williams and Son, Bridgend, Glamorgan at 440gns - is carrying twins to Glenside Nosey Parker who is full brother to the 25,000gns Glenside King that was reserve champion at Lanark and male champion at the Royal Welsh. King is a son of the 120,000gns Loosebeare Imp.

Another gimmer from Loosebeare - sired by Douganhill Lonestar - made  340gns to R Whitton, Newcastle Emlyn. She is also carrying twins to Nosey Parker.

The Williams family also paid 330gns for another gimmer by Loosebeare Knight Rider carrying twins to Nosey Parker.

F H Chave and Son, Wellington. Somerset achieved a best of 300gns when a gimmer from their Peacehay flock consignment went to S M Thomas, Llandeilo. The gimmer is by Douganhill Lonestar and was carrying triplets to Cennen Magnum.

Average: 43 females £234. (Clee, Tompkinson and Francis).

Prices reached 7000Eugns at last weekend's production sale from the Baileys and Laurelbank Suffolk flocks held at Tattersalls, Dublin where the leading bid came for a shearling ewe carrying a single lamb to the 32,000gns ram Solwaybank Special One.

The twin-born ewe was part of Tom Bailey's consignment. She is by Rhaeadr Rossi and out of a dam by Glenisla Sydney and was bought by Iain Barbour - who bred the service sire - for his Solwaybank flock at Annan, Dumfries

Jimmy Douglas is never far away from the action and paid 6500Eugns to claim some of his own breeding through another Bailey gimmer by Rossi. She is out of a ewe by Cairness Tremendous and was carrying a single lamb to the Whitestone Warrior son Cairness New Approach that was bought privately from Mr Douglas' Cairness flock as a lamb in June.

Denbigh, north Wales breeder Myfr Evans gave 4000Eugns for another Rossi gimmer out of a Sydney ewe and carrying twins to New Approach while L Liggett, Co Tyrone took a gimmer by Rossi bred out of a Stockton Gold Nugget ewe that cost 7000gns from the Crosemanor flock. The gimmer was carrying a single lamb to Cairness Charles that cost 20,000gns in Edinburgh last year.

There were four bids of 2000Eugns for Baileys gimmers: Mr Prendergast, Co Carlow claimed a gimmer by Rossi; J D Brookes, Co Roscommon secured a gimmer by Cairness Save The Day; Derek Henderson, Allandale, Northumberland took a gimmer by Rossi and J Screene and Sons, Co Galway bought a gimmer by Langside Looks The Part.

Best for David Duncan's Laurelbank flock were three bids of 1000Eugns. A two-shear ewe by Glenho Glayva carrying twins to Laurelbank Home Alone went to P Savage, Co Down; Tom Bailey gave 1000Eugns for a Rossi gimmer scanned for twins to Beaufort Bullion while P McGonagal took a gimmer by Bailey Bar One and in-lamb to Home Alone.

Averages: Baileys - 52 females 1233Eu; Laurelbank - 18 females 555Eu. (United Auctions).

A record price of £2920 was set for dairy cattle at Bentham Auction for the annual Christmas show and sale, which saw 13 cattle selling in excess of £2000.  

Topping trade was reserve champion Robthrom Integrity, a third calved cow giving 10 gallons daily. Consigned by Mr Whitwell, Eldroth, Intergrity sold to Mr Stephen Robinson, Burton in Lonsdale.

Mr Whitwell also took champion title with his newly calved homebred heifer sired by Haldrey Leadership, which realised £2550 selling to M Ridsdale, Calthwaite, Penrith.

Also realising £2550 was the first prize pedigree cow, a second calved Stormatic cow consigned by Mr John Fox, Quernmore, selling to judge Tom Pollock. The first prize pedigree heifer from Mr Nelson, Kirby Lonsdale sired by Goldwyn made £2400 selling to Maurice Wannop, Morecambe.

Here are the final results from today at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair. Leading the way in the second Limousin steer class was Emily Jones with 578kg Dylans Boy, second was T C Edwards with Wawwi which weighed 570kg, while Emily Jones was third with Barcardi Boy at 574kg.

In the third of the Limousin steer classes R W, M L and A W Williams took top honours with Rhacsyn at 628kg, with B G Price taking second spot at 608kg and third was G R Fountaine with Just Amazing at 606kg.

The final Limousin steer class went to Glyn Owens with 700kg Tommy, second was B G Price again with Red Star at 668kg and third went to T C Edwards with Mr D C.

The smart money for tomorrow is, I'm told, on Phil and Sharon Sellers with their Charolais heifer Chardonnay which won the first class of the day. She is they say the right weight and type for the judge.

And, bearing in mind that the judge tomorrow is the man that bought Robin Roberts Charolais heifer Smarty Pants at last week's Royal Highland Winter Fair, those in the know may just have a point. However, I'd still not lay big money against one of the British Blue sired steers from Tecwyn Jones being close to the top.

Among the sheep it could be anyone's day with several leading names picking up red tickets in various classes. Today's most prolific winner is Linda Western and I'd say she's a pair or two which could go close, but I'm reckoning on a pair from the Houldley's being on top come the end of play tomorrow.

I've a few other results from the cattle and sheep sections still to come, but rest assured I'll get them up first thing tomorrow before things get busy.......

Sheep judging has also been cracking along, with both purebred and crossbred classes taking place through the day.

In the fifth butchers lamb class top spot went to P and C Houldley with their Texel crosses at 94kg, with second spot going to John Hall with a pair of Beltex sired lambs at 92kg and third going to R W M Gittoes with a 97.5kg pair of Beltex crosses.

In the untrimmed class first place went to G and S Davies with their Beltex crosses weighing 90kg, second was Lewis Edwards with a 97kg pair of Beltex crosses and third was J McAree with a 70.5kg pair of Beltex.

Rob Rattray is making good progress in the steer classes with several under his belt now, including the British Blue and Charolais classes and the first of the Limousin classes.

Familiar names were to the fore in the British Blue section with the first class going to Tecwyn Jones with his 602kg entry Rocky. Second spot went to the Fountaines with 612kg Count the Cost, while Phil and Sharon Sellers took third spot with The Chancer who weighed in at 528kg.

And Mr Jones made it a double win when he also took the second class with his heavier steer Blackey, this one went across the scales at 660kg. Second spot here in what was possibly the closest class of the day so far was taken by Berwyn Hughes with 698kg Rockstar, while third went to Cliff Collins with 660kg Blue Chip.

For my money tomorrow's champion could well come from these two British Blue classes, probably from the second class, but there's still plenty of good cattle to be shown yet.

In the Charolais sired class it was a win for T C Edwards with Barwn Boy, a 620kg entry, while second was Will Owen with Cracker Jack at 538kg, third was B G Price with the Joker at 540kg.

Then in the first of the Limousin steer classes the Sellers were back to winning ways with their 538kg The Phantom taking top honours. Second place in this class were Colin and Wendy Philips with Okey Dokey, while third were Messrs G Jones and Sons and J H Campbell and Sons William a 532kg entry.

A top price of 20,000gns for the choice of any animal in the noted Overside herd and a record average of £5029 marked another successful Borderway Black and White sale offering Holstein and Jersey genetics at Carlisle recently.

"Yet again a wonderful sale and while cash may be tight we saw some generous bidding throughout the day with only a handful of lots not meeting their reserve," commented Edward Brown who instigated the sale for auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington 22 years ago.

It was half-way through the day that the crowd were faced with an unusual but tempting opportunity to pick any animal from Hugh Neilson's successful 250-cow Overside Holstein herd based at Strathaven, Lanarkshire.

With two catalogue pages devoted to some of the herd's most noted cows, bidding finally settled at 20,000gns when well known Cumbria black and white enthusiasts Alan and Christine Watson from Cockermouth made the winning call. The Watson's have a month to pick their prize asset.

No, I'm not referring to the band and their infamous Christmas hits, but prolific primestock sheep exhibitor Robin Slade who's picked up the championship in both the single and pairs lamb carcass competitions here at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Taking the single championship was an E3L graded Dutch Texel carcass which weighed 21kg dead, having been 37kg alive.

The pairs champions, meanwhile, both graded E2 and both weighed 19,5kg and were also Dutch Texels.

Reserve spot in the singles went to Andrew Bishop with a Beltex x Texel entry which graded E2 and weighed 19,5kg.

And the Bishop family also clinched reserve spot in the pairs competition too, with Andrew's mother and father Ivy and David Bishop taking the honours here with a pair of Beltex x Beltex cross lambs which weighed 22 and 21.5kg and both graded E3L.

Sheep judging is also setting a fair pace here at Builth Wells and results are coming through thick and fast.

Leading the way so far with a brace of red tickets is Linda Western who has clinched first place in both the Tregaron Welsh Mountain class and one of the Butchers Lambs classes with a pair of Beltex.

Linda's Tregaron pair weighed in at 84.5kg and beat a pair from Eifion Hughes into second place, with a duo from T E and M I Price standing third.

Meanwhile, her Beltex sired pair tipped the scales at 86.5kg and were placed first ahead of noted primestock producer Andrew Bishop. Third place in this class went to I T Davies and Son.

Judging continues apace in the cattle section here at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, with classes for British Blue and Limousin Sired heifers coming under Stuart Clatworthy's eyes following the Charolais class earlier.

In the first of the British Blue sired classes it was Tecwyn Jones who took first place with hsi heifer Black Beauty, a regular on the show circuit, this one weighed in at 588kg today and beat off the challenge from Tudur Edwards' Miss Wales, a 534kg entry. Third place here went to Andrew and Christopher Owens with Crazy Chick at 516kg.

In the second of the British Blue classes it was another of this season's regular show winners which took top spot as Phil and Sharon Sellers collected their second red ticket of the day with Limited Edition. Today she weighed 608kg. Second place in this line up went to John Owen with 654kg heifer also named Black Beauty. Third was the Cheacker Family with Hattie.

In the Limousin sired classes the first red ticket went to T C Edwards with 536kg Princess, while second spot was claimed by Tudur Edwards with 518kg Duffy. Third place was the Williams Family with 502kg Modlen.

The second of the Limousin classes went to Berwyn Hughes with 556kg Lady in Red, second was D Thomas with Sienna a 542kg entry, third place went to Emily Jones with Roxy Rose at 544kg.

Judging is underway in both the sheep and cattle sections here at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, with Stuart Clatworthy settling into his task in the heifer section of the cattle.

In the first class, for Charolais sired heifers he awarded the red ticket to Phil and Sharon Sellers with their entry Chardonnay, while second spot went to Elfed Williams with Sugar Puff.

A temperature somewhere below freezing has greeted the first morning of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, but that hasn't deterred the crowds, with car parks filling up fast as people flock to the showground.

Juding had yet to get underway, so I'm off for a wander through the lines to check see what's about this morning, I'll report back later......