September 2009 Archives

As the headline suggests the trade for Blue bulls at Carlisle is continuing in the same steady vein it started in with a 7000gns sale for one from Michelle Wilde. This was Ridge Dean Dynamite and Empire son out of a Radar Van Terbeck daughter. He was taken home by G and H Jerman, Newtown, Powys.

At 4400gns was Franks Double Irish from D Whiteley and J Courts. This Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur son is out of Blue Chip Tartan, a Belldale Reiver daughter. He sold to G McCormick, Isle of Islay. Shortly after that Harestone Daredevil from Neil Barclay sold at 5500gns. This is a Dafydd son out of Woodview Trixie, a Serum D'Anloy daughter and was sold to Wyn Griffiths and Son, Abergele, Conwy.

Leading the females so far at 4000gns is Asby Chloe forward from the Timm family. She was bred by H R Hayton and Son and is by Baroque De L'Ecluse and out of Ridge Dean Super Star, a Brutal De St Fontaine daughter. This one went to C T W and D Ennion, Head of Moulion, Logielmond, Perth.

With several reports from breeders at Carlisle today suggesting the offering of British Blues today is not of a vintage quality the trade has got off to a selective start with the overall champion from the pre-sale show Ballyhosset Duke from Jason and Jennifer Edgar selljng at 10,500gns. He was bought by M and A Eddon, Pickering, Yorkshire.

The reserve champion from the pre-sale show Crackley Bank Cannon from Paul Walker then sold at 9000gns. This is ET bred from Bringlee Sandy. This was bought by an undisclosed buyer. Earlier, the third lot in the ring, Lukeroyal Clown, forward from Andrew Ewing, made 4000gns. This is a Dafydd son out of Lukeroyal Winnifred, a Campagnard ET De St Fontaine daughter. He sold to J A Wood and Sons, Shrewsbury.

Then a few lots later Brookfield Duke from S and G A Potter made 4500gns. This one is by Bringlee Waldo, a Bringlee Sandy son and out of a dam by Histon D'Embise and was bought by James Retson and Son, Annan.

Northern Irish breeders Jason and Jennifer Edgar have scooped the male and overall championship in the judging at today's British Blue show and sale at Carlisle, with their April 2008-born born bull Ballyhossett Duke.

This is an Empire D'Ochain son out of Knockagh Whoopeee, a Ridge Dean Mahogany daughter.

Reserve male and reserve overall champion was Paul Walker with Crackley Bank Cannon. He's a November 2007-born bull by Cajoleur De Rettigny and ET bred out of the outstanding show cow Bringlee Sandy. Female champion, meanwhile came from the Timm family with Castlecuff Belle taking the ticket. This Irish bred heifer is an April 2007-born daughter of D'Au Chene Kir out of Castlecuff Sally, an Inexes De La Croix De Mer daughter.

Trade for Bluefaced Leicesters at Hexham on Tuesday saw a top call of £3400 for the pre-sale champion from Martin Archer, Carry House.

What intrigues me about the Bluefaces at Hexham, is that, from the couple of photos I've seen they appear to be traditional Bluefaces rather than the more modern crossing type of sheep which to be honest are starting to look more like halfbred mules. I'm all in favour or breed's adapting to meet market demands, after all without adapting many breeds would have died out long ago.

But, equally breed standards are set by breed societies to ensure the maintenance of a breed's unique characteristics, in the case of the Blueface Leicester the blue hue to the skin is the obviously unique characteristic, lose that and you're not so much adapting the breed as changing it beyond recognition.

However, in the current climate it is most definitely the crossing types which are making the money as the Mule trade continues to be the dominating factor in Blueface breeding.

Texel trade peaked at 840gns at the Derbyshire Texel Club's sale this week when the first prize ram lamb from A and B Weston sold to D Thorp, Baslow.

Next best was a 700gns bid for the pre-sale show champion from the Mellor Vale flock of Messrs Boden and Davies. This was bought by Richard Hobday, Tissington.

The reserve champion, a shearling ram from N A and J A Stone sold for 600gns to D Kirkham, Chesterfield.

Averages; shearling rams £487, ram lambs £311, aged rams £504, shearling ewes £315, ewe lambs £300 (Bagshaws).

Sussex breeders in association with society auctioneers Hobbs Parker are offering potential buyers a sneak preview of the bulls on offer in a pre-catalogue bull brochure featuring photos of the bulls available for sale.

With interest in the breed coming from far and wide its a wise move by the parties involved to offer those further flung customers a chance to see the stock on offer before they head to the sale.

For a copy  of the bull brochure contact Hobbs Parker - 01233 502222

Friday's dispersal of the Balmaud Simmental herd at Stirling for W and G Strachan hit a top of 10,000gns when stock bull Woodhall Volcano was bought in a two way split by Messrs Hamilton, Aikengall, and Hector MacAskill, Woodhall. Volcano is a two and half year old Corrick Kentucky Kid son.

Next best of 4500gns was given twice for cows and calves, with the first bid at this level paid by A G Stephen and Co, Burnside of Idoch, for an eight year old Austrian bred cow, Mausi. She sold with a Volcano calf at foot. The other at this money was homebred heifer Balmuad Tracy. She sold with an Innerwick Renown heifer calf at foot to a and I McInnes, Ruaig, Isle of Tiree.

And the next call of 4000gns was made three times, with the first sale being for a homebred cow, Balmaud Shannon. She sold with a bull calf at foot to Messrs S Mackie, Methlick. Second to make this figure was Balmaud Topaz, a homebred heifer with a Renown heifer calf at foot which sold to David and Nicky Field, Blunsdon, Wiltshire.

The final transaction at this money was for the senior stock bull Strathisal Nuggat. He sold to Messrs Allardyce, Tarland.

Topping the in-cald heifers was a 3000gns sale for Balmaud Vogue. She sold to Messrs Moffat, Dunbar.

On the same day the Annick herd of L D Quarm was reduced, achieveing a top call of £4200gns for a maiden heifer, Annick Helen's Vicky. She sold to Iain and Jimmy Green, Corskie. Leading the cows and calves was a 3200gns bid fro Annick Helen, a Gretna House Fantastic daughter which sold to D Bell and Son, Strathmiglo, with a bull calf at foot.

And at 3000gns was Annick Helen's Tara, a heifer with her first calf at foot. This sold to D Craig, Stewarton.

Averages; Balmuad - 29 cows and calves £2454.82, 29 in-calf cows and heifers and maiden heifers £1420.03, 11 bulls £3102.27.

Annick; 14 cows and calves £2006.25, 14 in calf heifers and maiden heifers £1918, two bulls £1575 (United Auctions). 

Andrew and Becky Bishop enjoyed a strong trade when they dispersed their pedigree Limousin herd at Ludlow on Saturday, with a top price of 3250gns paid for an imported cow. This was 2001-born Sepiole which sold in-calf to Wainedale UFO to Colin and Wendy Phillips, Weobley.

Next best price was paid for a pedigree cow, Blaneau Tizzy, with a British Blue sired calf at foot. Tizzy, by Lumbylaw Immaculate sold to R W Jones, Builth Wells, at 2650gns. And the same value was achieved for Littlebrook Upandcoming suckling a British Blue sired heifer calf  which sold to P J Jones, Builth Wells.

Crossbred cows and calves sold to a top of 1850gns for a Limousin cow suckling a Limousin heifer which sold to Evans Corfield, Bishops Castle.

Averages; 16 pedigree cows with calves £1666.87, four pedigree cows in calf £1635.37 (McCartneys).

There was a searing demand for sheep at last weekend's inaugural sale of Easy Care sheep at Worcester, with trade peaking at 1200gns for a three year old ram from John Morton, Penrith. This one sold in a two way split to Derek Steen and G Shepherd.

Next best at 1000gns was a shearling ram from Roger Elliot, Northampton. This one was claimed by T W Steele, Pershore. Another shearling from Mr Elliot sold at 820gns to J Barton.

Ewes were equally as well in demand, selling to a peak of £164 for shearlings from David Prosser, Buckingham. These sold to Neil Chrichton, Berwick on Tweed. Another pen from the same vendor traded at £160 to same buyer.

Ewe lambs sold well, hitting a £156 high spot for some from P G Kane and Lett, Shipston-on-Stour. These sold to G Shepherd, Preston.

Averages; 600 senior ewes £97.47, 108 shearling ewes £132.30, 188 ewe lambs £92, nine senior rams £564.66, 45 shearling rams £476.70, 14 ram lambs £216.75 (McCartneys).

Last Friday's sale of breeding bulls at Thainestone saw the centre's Simmental record broken by the best of the breed from Jimmy and Iain Green, Corskie.

Taking the 7200gns bid was Corskie Winston, a Popes Laird son, Winston is out of Corskie Sabrina, a Burghbridge Lane daughter. He sold to C D Presley, Oldmeldrum.

At 6200gns was the pre-sale show champion, a Charolais from R Leggat, New Pitsligo. This was Bonnykelly Canada, a Killadeas Legend son out of Bonnykelly Valery, a Ravensworth Osbert daughter.

Next best of the day was a 5500gns call for the second prize Limousin from the pre-sale show, Knock Black Dude from Albert and George Howie, Mintlaw. This is by Goldies Vegas and out of Knock Una, a Middledale Slogger daughter.

At 3500gns was a Charolais from Neil Barclay, Harestone. This was given for Harestone Dan, an Eriff Savo son out of Harestone Unity, a Maerdy Nero daughter.

Then at 3400gns was another Limousin from the Howies, Knock Black Domino. This one is by Mapleleaf Keith and out of Redpaths Onair, a Willowcrest Calibre daughter.

An eager demand greeted the offering of Aberdeen-Angus females at this year's Best of Blacks sale at St Boswells on Saturday.

Selling for the day's top price of 12,500gns was April 2001-born cow Rawburn Lady Rona from John Elliot. This one is by Rawburn Transformer and out of Rawburn Lady Rose, a Princely U113 of Newcairnie daughter. Ranked in the top 1% for terminal sire index and with a massive self replacing index of +55 she sold to Gordon Brooke, Malton, N Yorks.

Next best at 10,000gns was two year old heifer Auldhouseburn Ebdanna from Hugh Blackwood, Cumnock. This April 2007-born heifer is by Duncanziemere Judge and out of Auldhouseburn Eblanna. She sold in-calf to Auldhouseburn Karlos to Mr Brooke.

Then at 7400gns was another from Rawburn, this time Rawburn Delia. This Hoff Limited Edition daughter is out of Cudlobe Delia. She was also taken by Mr Brooke and is full sister to Rawburn Designer Edition - herd sire at Chathill - and Rawburn No Limits - sold in Canada for $30,000.

And another from the Elliot string was next best, when Rawburn Julie Erica, a March 2007-born heifer by Rawburn Lord Ross and out of a Midwestern of Tullyfergus daughter sold to Mr Brooke at 7000gns.

At the same money was Rawburn Evergreen, an Ankonian Elixir daughter out of a Ranui W Impact daughter. She was sold in-calf to Rawburn Randolph and was once again claimed by Mr Brooke.

Selling for 6500gns was Galawater Duchess from Jim Logan, Galashiels. This one is by Galawater Bold King and out of Galawater Duchess and sold to J C Lister Farms, Boroughbridge.

Making a 6000gns sale were Messrs John Gilmour when the sold Hardlawbank France to Mr Brooke. This is a Rawburn Transformer daughter out of a Darlene Cruz daughter and was sold due to Rawburn Lord Ross in March.

Mr Elliot traded another at 5500gns, when he sold Rawburn Blackcherry, a May 2007-born daughter or Hayrish Paragon Cruz out of a Tofts Laird daughter. She is full sister to 10,000gns sire Rawburn Blackcherry and sold to J C Lister Farms.

And then at 5000gns was one from John Elliot jnr. This was Elliot Delia, a March 2007-born daughter of Rawburn Lord Ross and out of a Hoff Limited Edition daughter. She sold in calf to Rawburn Randolph to H P Whittaker, Spurston, Cheshire.

Topping the embryos on offer were six by Hoff Limited Edition and out of Prairielane 279E Band 3110 to Mr Brooke. And six embryos out of Prairielane 8116 Rosebud 0011 were sold open for use with any Black Angus bull from North America at 1550gns to Mr Whittaker.

Holsteins sold to a peak price of 2600gns at the Western Holstein Club's sale at Beeston Castle last week, when the reserve champion from the pre-sale show sold to Ted Fearon, Cartmel. Cumbria. This was Tameside Ella 120 from R E and T R Summerhayes.

Then at 2300gns was Alandrew Gibson Melissa 2 from G and A E Smith and Sons, which sold to Robbie Bell, Knutsford.

And the same buyer snapped up the next highes priced entry, Chelton Lady 296 from H Lomas and Son.

A brace sold for 2200gns, the first of which was Whinchatt Shott Flo from A C Birkle. This sold to P and R Robinson, Nantwich. The other was Dunnerdale Lou Maud from W W and D Boow. This one was taken by H W Evans, Oswestry.

Averages; 12 cows £1528.63, 67 heifers £1807.72. 25 embryos £250.32 (Wright Manley).

As the headline says the days are quickly ticking away towards the entry deadline for AgriLIVE Smithfield, the new home for the Royal Smithfield Club's primestock competitions.

Entries have to be with the Royal Smithfield Club's ever efficient secretary Sally Ball by next Monday, leaving just a week to go.

As always, I like most people, haven't entered yet, so its time to dig the schedule out from the pile and get the entry forms completed ASAP.

Anyone without a schedule or with insufficient entry forms should contact Sally on 01225 837904, or email sally@royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk 

Bluefaced Leicester breeders enjoyed another healthy days trading at Castle Douglas on Saturday when prices hit a peak of £6000 for the pre-sale show champion, a ram lamb from Stewart Parke and Eunice Mills. This one is by A1 Glenane Magners and out of a dam by Y1 Shafthill. He sold to Jimmy Bell, Cottage and Messrs Kay.

Messrs Parke and Mills also sold a similarly bred lamb at £5000.While others from the same stable and similarly bred made £3000 and £2800 . While a lamb from the same stable and by Z31 Old Henley sold at £4000.

Another Magners son, this time from Jimmy Bell, sold at £2600. This one was snapped up by Telfor Branton.Another by Magners from Mr Bell netted hom £2500 when selling to A Minto and Son.

At £3000 was a shearling from the Craigskean flock. This was by Y29 Riddings and out of a dam by V1 Ty Gwyn and sold to Mains of Larg. A similarly bred tup lamb also sold at £3000 to Messrs Brown, Agglethorpe.

And making £2800 was a shearling from Alec Brown by Y34 Midlock and out of dam by a £5800 Greenriggs sire. It heads to Northern Ireland with Robert Loughbridge.

Trade for the 1579 suckled calves entered at Carlisle on Saturday peaked at £2500 for the pre-sale show champion, a Limousin cross steer from Messrs Traffford, Bassenthwaite Hall Farm, Kewick. This one is by imported French sire Valion and out of a three quarter British Blue cow and sold to show judge Anita Padfield, Norfolk.

Next best at £2400 was given for a Limousin cross heifer from J H Emerson, Bishop Auckland. This black heifer is by Salomon and out of a British Blue x Limousin dam, which bred a £4000 calf for Mr Emerson in 2007. This sold to Gavin Scott, Linlithgow.

At £1800 was a Limousin cross steer from Messrs Graham, Miller Hill, while at £1650 was another Limousin sired steer from Messrs Scott, Thirwall Castle. Top price British Blue cross steer was one from Messrs Rawlinson, Quarry Bank which made £1035, while the leading Charolais cross came from Messrs Bindloss, Grayrigg Hall and made £955.

In the Limousin cross heifers Messrs Scott had entries at £1800, £1700, £1500 and £1400, while Messrs Wharton, Snade Farm sold one at £1100. Top British blue heifer was one from Messr Graham Miller Hill at £1700, while one from Messrs Hall, Ainstable Hall, netted an £1110 bid.

Leading the averages were Messrs Emmerson with their two levelling at £1800, while Messrs Graham's 34 sold to average £961, Messrs Westgarth sold 18 to average £918, but the highlight of the day once again was the Thirwall Castle string from Messrs Scott which saw 200 head level at £915, quite an achievement for such a large entry.

(Harrison and Hetherington).

As I highlighted last week Saturday was a busy day for sheep sales at Carlisle with numerous breeds coming under the hammer and all enjoyed a healthy trade.

Texel trade was led at 2600gns which was given for a  tup lamb from George Wilkinson. By Arkel Nijinsky and out of a dam by Cornerstone Kig, Ellen Valley Pedro sold in a two way split to Jamie Brownrigg, Castle Sowerby and Matthew Watson, Harker Road Ends.

Next best at 1500gns was a lamb from the Forsyth's Balteir flock. This was a Templand Oscar son out of a dam by Haddo Kershuffle and sold to A H Hunter, Alnwick.

And at 1050gns was shearling from A Nairey. Meinspride Othello is a Hexel Lexus son out of a dam by Loosebeare Gibralter. He sold to P R C Dean, Brampton.

Making 1000gns was a lamb from Messrs Barrow. This was Greenwood Pinnacle, a Swaites O Sullivan son out of a dam by Cambwell Krugar.

Heading up the Blue Texels at 1500gns was an aged ram from D G and M H Jones, Llangammarch Wells. He sold to G A and H M Francis, Carmarthen.  Next best ram at 900gns was a shearling from David Alexander, Galston. This one was bought by Messrs Paterson, Wigton.

Topping the Blue Texel females was a shearling ewe from Mr Alexander which made 1200gns when selling to J O and J G Jones, Newtown, Powys. Two others from the same home made 850gns and 800gns, which both being bought by J Campbell and Co, Thurso.

Demand for Lleyns hit a season's high yesterday at Carlisle where the top call was a 5000gns bid for a shearling tup from D N Bennett and Son, Powys. This one sold to J Hunt, Hevingham, Suffolk.Next best at 4800gns was one from Laga Farms, Orkney, which sold to E Pugh, Bala.Then at 3200gns was the best of the day from the Geldard Family, Cumbria. This one was bought by J Hunt, Hevingham, Suffolk.

In the females the best price of £265/head was given for the champions from the pre-sale show from Hamish Goldie, Dumfries. These were bought by the day's big spender J Hunt, Hevingham.

At £200/head were a pen from Derek Steen which sold to David Walter, Balthayock, Perth, and at £190 were a pen from the Geldards which were bought by Mr Hunt again. He also bought the next best pen from Hamish Goldie at £185.

Topping the ewe lambs was a £110 bid for a pen from J E B Page, Penrith, when they sold to I O Jones, Abergele.

Averages; 95 rams £893.83, 51 ewes £95.12, 1296 shearling ewes £124, 349 ewe lambs £83.76 (Harrison and Hetherington).

There are those who bemoan the lack of true competition at livestock markets as a reason not to support them, that, however, certainly isn't the case at Newark with a reported 23 buyers ringside this week to fight it out for the cattle on offer.

Topping the trade this week in £/head were Pip and Jim Hallam in the steers with an 856kg Charolais which made £1408.12, while top p/kg steer went to A L Ablewhite with a 503kg Limousin at 204.5p/kg.

In the heifers on offer the trade was led at £1300.18/head for a British Blue from Frank Page, with top p/kg going to David and Louise Todd with a 489kg Limousin at 215.5p/kg.

Newark's regular offering of young bulls also met a good trade, with a British Blue from J C Dring and Son netting a 204.5p/kg bid.

I don't anyone could argue about the level of competition which generates these sort of prices!

As my colleague Tim has reported on his Field Day blog, Five are currently airing a new series of Farmer Wants a Wife hosted by Louise Redknapp.

And, last night it was the turn of British Blonde breeder Willie McElroy to try and find love. I only caught the end of the programme myself, but it looked as though Willie had a bit of fun trying to find a soulmate!

This would of course be the time for a series of inuendos about bringing in new bloodlines, AI, selecting for conformation etc... but I'll vere away from those and merely leave you to add your comments as appropriate....

Rams sold to an eager audience willing to pay good money at Thainestone on Monday, with the top call of 1600gns being given for a Bluefaced Leicester from R Neill, Dunning, which sold to a McHardy and Sons, Auchnarrow.

Next best was a Texel at 1500gns from Angus Sutherland, Crosskirk, which sold to K Ingram, Keith. At 1300gns was another Texel, this time from Graham Morrison, Cornhill, Banff, who also sold another at 1100gns.

Also at this money was a ram lamb from Margaret Lyon, Ardmiddle, this one sold to C L Sclater, Orkney.

Best in the Suffolks on offer was a brace of 1000gns bids for tup lambs. The first to reach this money was one from George and Melvin Stuart when it sold to J D Lyon, Lower Wanford. The other at this money was one from Charles Procter, Mains of Tollo. It sold to I and D Robertson, Orkney.

A small, select entry Holstein entry at Lancaster met a firm trade, with the top call a 2650gns bid for Stardale Arthur Duchess from Messrs Burrow. This one sold to S Robinson and Son. She is by Stardale King Arthur and out of a VG 87 Outside daughter.

Next best at 2500gns was another from the same vendor which sold at 2500gns to E H Fearon. This was Stardale Toystory Vaakje, a Toystory daughter. And at the same money was Witherslack Andre Honey from David and Wayne Inman. This one is by a homebred sire and also sold to Mr Fearon.

Taking the day's only 2400gns bid was the pre-sale champion from Tom Cowell. This was Whitecarr Sahara Lester, a Riverdane Sahara daughter. She sold to James and Anne Rogerson.

Averages; four cows £1792.88, 22 calved heifers £1896.68 (Norton and Brooksbank with North West Auctions).

Yesterday's sale of Mule ewe lambs at St Johns Chapel saw trade top at  £112 for the champion pen from M and B Coulthard, Bridge End. These sold to H S Hutchinson.

Shearling sod to a top of £100 for a pen from the same vendor and the entire entry levelled the day at £70.13 for the lambs and £97.03 for the shearlings.

A pen of ten sold for the top price of £120/head at the second annual North of England Mule Sheep Association show and sale at Skipton this week.

Patrick Walker of W P and B Walker, Appletreewick, sold his fourth prize winning consignment to Margaret Watkinson, Sessay, Thirsk.

Class co-judge, Anthony Hewetson of Bank Newton purchased the first prize pen of 20 for £118/head from Alan Lodge, Westside Farm, Malham Moor.

And Ashley Caton of Otterburn Lodge Farm, Otterburn, sold his champion moorland-reared lambs for £115 each to Mr Hewetson.

Mr Walker sold a total of 105 lambs for an overall average of £84.51/head.

Averages:

6116 Mule gimmer lambs; £72 each (Craven Cattle Marts)

Some of you may remember back in 2007 there were significant delays with sending out prize money from the Royal Show. Well, sadly, the same issue appears to have raised its ugly head again this year.

A number of Taking Stock followers have raised the question with me in the last few weeks and with a small amount of prize money due myself, I thought I'd give RASE a call to investigate the delay. Royal Show exhibitors may not be expecting cheques similar to multi-million pound lottery wins, but as the UK's biggest retailer reminds us 'every little helps'.

So, how did the phone call go? Well poorly would be the best summary. Basically, according to the polite lady who answered the telephone, some prize money has been paid and they "hope to pay the rest by the end of the month".

Please note the careful use of the word hope in that sentence, they're not promising it will be paid by then, just hoping it will. I'd hazard a guess that most exhibitors are hoping it will be too!!

It's a shame RASE has failed in this exercise again as it really does create a bad feeeling and for many their last memory of the Royal Show will be RASE's inept failure to pay prize money in anything like a reasonable timescale! And all this at a time when RASE is about to start consulting on its plans for a livestock event in 2011.

Equally annoying was the fact that during my brief conversation with RASE this afternoon was there any interest shown in ascertaining who I was so the query could be followed up. Customer service was sadly lacking I'm afraid. I don't think I'll be holding my breath waiting for the cheque to drop through the letter box.

Top call at the show and sale of Lleyns at Stirling was a 900gns bid for the champion ram from the pre-sale show, a shearling from N Lawrence, Blackpots, Ellon. This one sold to Willie Davidson, Poldean.

At 700gns was a shearling from Lagga Farms, Orkney, whihc was bought by I and Macrae, Tighnabruaich, Argyll.

And just behind at 680gns was one from Farmstock Genetics, Selkirk. He was snapped up by C Campbell and Son, Girvan. At the same money was a shearling from Hamish Goldie which sold to Mr McHarrie, Isle of Islay. Lagga Farms then sold another at 620 to Messrs Macrae.

In the females on offer the top call of £150 went to a pen from David Alexander, Ayrshire which were bought by M Cromby, Falkirk. Hamish Goldie then sold a pne at £135 to D W Dick, Dollar, Clackmanackshire and Lagga Farms traded a pen at £130 to Culfargie Estates, Balbeggie. At the same value was another pen from Hamish Goldie which sold to D W Dick.

Top call in the ewe lambs was a £102 bid for a pen from Farmstock Genetics which sold to M Cromby, Falkirk. and at £100 was a pen from J F Allan, Biggar, which went to B Macleod, Bardspark.

Averages; shearling ewes £114.12, ewe lambs £63.66, shearling rams £508.06 (United Auctions).

There are no doubt those across the country who firmly beleive they've got this year's AgriLIVE Smithfield champion safely tucked up at home, having either bred it themselves or bought it at one of the suckled calf sales that's already taken place this year.

However, my post tray yesterday contained the catalogue for a sale which may just contain a few calves with the potential to claim the coveted crown this year.

I am of course talking about the sale off 1579 suckled calves at Carlisle on Saturday - the corresponding fixture last year produced last year's Smithfield winner Divine Diva, bred by the Scotts of Thirwall Castle and shown by Alistair and Liz Vance.

This year's sale features a run of 250 calves from  the Scotts, as well as several other quality runs. And of course should the Smithfield champion be bought at Carlisle the generous folk at H and H will give a £1000 bonus!

Also on Saturday the mart plays host to a raft of sheep sales, including sales of Texels for the Solway and Tyne Texel club, a sale of Roussins, an entry of Blue Texels and the catalogue I'm most interested in -  Hampshire Downs.

This selection includes several big ticket winners from the summer show circuit, including this year's Royal Welsh interbreed champion from Jennifer Borsey and, my pick from the catalogue, Allan Jackson's first prize ewe lamb from the Royal Highland. She's a very correct, heavily fleshed lamb with a bit of sparkle about her.

All in all, it look's like Saturday will be a busy day for the H and H staff, full reports will of course be posted here in due course....

Today's Hockenhull Simmental dispersal has just got me thinking about the speed at which sales are conducted.

A fortnight ago I was fortunate enough to be at Beeston Castle when Wright Manley hosted the Sale for the Century sale of Holsteins. On that day there were 87 lots forward and selling took in excess of five hours with the top price being 18,500gns, there were no less than three changes of auctioneer.

All in all it seemed at the time and more so since a long and drawn out affair with the auctioneers reading out every detail of the animal's pedigree going back some four or five generations in each case.

Now, contrast that with today's Hockenhull sale at the same venue, the catalogue contained 100 lots (including semen) and a good number of A lots too. Selling began at 12 noon and was done and dusted inside of two and a half hours, with a top call of 14,000gns achieved. Only limited pedigree details would have been read out and anyone wanting to know more would have had to do their homework in advance.

Of course all the Holsteins were haltered, adding a little to the time taken to get them to and from the ring, but overall it leaves me wondering just what took the time a fortnight ago. I'm not necessarily saying either is right or wrong, but bearing in mind the quality of seating round most auction rings I know which I'd rather!!

Another two lots have made significant prices at the Hockenhull sale, with Hockenhull Snow Queen 39 making 10,000gns. This is by Red Rum and out of a dam by Harvester.

At 8000gns was Hockenhull Girlie 41. This one is ET bred by Glenturk Rolex and out of a Dovefields Gallant sired dam.

Another Girlie, this time Hockenhull Girlie 47, also ET bred by Rolex and out of the same dam as the last made 7500gns.

Shortly after that the first of the stock bulls, Hockenhull Red Rum, sold at 6000gns. This noted bull is by Hockenhull Kojac and out of Hockenhull Claire, a Derg River Clingan daughter.

Selling for 6000gns at the Hockenhull Simmental sale at Beeston Castle was Hockenhull Deborah 12. By Hockenhull Red Rum and out of a Harvester daughter she was AI'd to Hockenhull Kramer and has since run with Dirnanean Solomon.

And making 4200gns was Hockenhull Susanna 15. This is a Hockenhull Red Rum daughter out of Hockenhull Susanna 9, a Harvester daughter. She sold having run with Dirnanean Solomon.

Top call at the recent sale of Bluefaced Leicesters at Ballymena, Northern Ireland, was a 2200gns bid for a shearling tup from Robert Loughbridge. This one is out of a ewe bred in the Wight family's Midlock flock.

And now, just moments after the 10,000gns bid comes a sale at 14,000gns. This princely sum was paid for Hockenhull Juliet 10, this is a July 2006-born daughter of Hockenhull Norman out of Hockenhull Juliet 3, a Harvester daughter.

Just a few minutes later the next in the ring, Hockenhull Trudy 36, by Norman and out of another Harvester daughter sold to Tony and Anne Jukes, Swallowhill at 11,000gns.

One of the ringside favourites at today's Hockenhull Simmental dispersal has just gone under the hammer and sold for a healthy 10,000gns. This was Hockenhull Snow Queen 35, a Popes Laird daughter she's out of a dam by Harvester.

And just moments later her February-born heifer calf, Hockenhull Snow Queen 40, a Dirnanean Solomon daughter, sold for 7500gns.

A Regancrest Dolman daughter sold for the top price of 8000gns at Croes Las Farm, Raglan last week.

BB Dolman Candice 3, is bred from three generations of Excellent cows and is descended from Tom and Andy Cope's famous show/brood cow, Harvdale Charles Candice EX-94 5*.

She is two and a half weeks fresh, giving 36kg/day and was sold as part of a consignment from Bev and Teresa Baker included in the sale to disperse Adrian and Julie Hinton's Wentwood herd. She sold to Messrs Harries and Thomas, Bryn.

At the next best money was an Indianhead cow, Mandelin Rachel Red from the Wentwood herd, which sold for 3800gns to V N and M E Thomas, Plas Farm, Carmarthen.

A VG-89, third calf cow, she is descended from D-R-A August EX-96 and is potentially the seventh generation in a row to be Excellent.

Indianhead Dundee Raquel VG-862yr went for the next best price of 3600gns to Kevin Thomas of Allstar Holsteins, who had earlier been under-bidder for Rachel.

Two VG-87 two year olds featured in the milking heifers, with Wentwood Bambam Rita PI selling for 3200gns to Lloyd Thomas of Plas and Tibenham Talent Kandy 18 selling for 3100gns.

The Bakers sold a well grown 11 month old Talent heifer from the Vixan family, BB Talent Vixan 5, for 3000 gns. This one travels to Newport to join Messrs S M Gilman and Partners' Lilleshall herd.

Averages:

Wentwood and Sky:

36 cows and calved heifers; £1943, 4 served heifers; £1562. 8 maiden heifers; £1252; Total; £1796

BB Consignment:

6 calved heifers; £3176, 2 maiden heifers; £2887, Total; £3104. (Norton and Brooksbank)

The latest news from the Hockenhull sale is that trade is now peaking at 9000gns with this price being paid by David Sapsed for Hockenhull Girlie 22. This one is by Harvester and out of a Dovefields Gallant daughter, she sold with a TSI of +34 and an SRI of +28 and having run with Red Rum.

And at 4200gns was January born heifer calf Hockenhull Susanna 19. This is a Harvester daughter out of a Hockenhull Lucky sired dam. This heifer calf's dam made 3200gns selling to the same buyer as the calf.

Later on a 6000gns bid secured Hockenhull Sarah 22, a Hockenhull Norman daughter out of a Hockenhull Kojac sired dam. Her bull calf Hockenhull Abadan 09, by Harvester, then sold for 4800gns.

Well the trade at Beeston is certainly staying strong today, with a raft of bids around the 5000gns mark.

At 5000gns was Hockenhull Deborah 4, a Harvester daughter out of a Balmano Beefeater daughter.

Then at the same money was Hockenhull Natalie 26, another Harvester daughter out of a dam by Overhall Laurel. And at 5200gns was Hockenhull Deborah 6, again by Harvester she's out of a dam by Beefeater too.

And topping the trade so far at 7000gns is Hockenhull Sussanah 9. She's yet another Harvester daughter and is out of a dam by CSW Deutsche Loch.

More prices to follow.....

Simmental trade at today's Hockenhull dispersal has got off to a remarkably strong start with the first lot in the ring, Hockenhull Trudy 22, a 2000-born daughter of Blackford Harvester out of a Ballymoney Tom daughter.

Then at 5800gns was the third lot in the ring Hockenhull Girrlie 13, a Dovefields gallant daughter out of an Overhall Laurel sired dam.

There was a buoyant trade at most of the 19 rings operating at the NSA's annual Builth Wells sale.

This produced a 92% clearance of the 5115 rams and ewes entered at the event, which included 23 society sales, and a gross income fractionally under £2million.

Peter Morris, NSA chief executive, said there were very welcome clear signs of growing confidence among sheep producers.

"The sale is one of many that have benefited from the way improved prime lamb prices are encouraging people to invest in breeding stock," Mr Morris claimed.

Year on year average prices improved across all breeds, though direct comparisons cannot be made with 2008 when the sale was spilt in two.

Trading was topped by a shearling Texel from builder Cefin Pryce's 40 ewe Caereinion flock, based at Llanfair Caereinion in north Powys.

The February born home bred tup, out of Caereinion Main Man and a home bred ewe, was sold EL Evans, Green Farm, Pant y Dwr for 3500gns.

Just over 800 Texel shearling ram lambs were sold for an average of £334.96/head compared with £210 last year. The total of 1085 registered Texels sold this time averaged £508.35.

There was a particularly large crowed around the Lleyn ring and it turned out to be a good day for North Yorkshire breeder Charles Sackville Hamilton. All seven rams entered by the former DEFRA consultant from his Thrussendale flock at Malton sold well, but there was particularly keen bidding on one outstanding 2008 born tup, which was eventually knocked down for 2900gns.

He took the breed championship and was bought jointly by Simon Kavanagh from Bingley in West Yorkshire and John Geldard and Sons, Gilpin Bridge, Levens.

As usual there was strong demand for Charollais sires with a top price of 2600gns paid for one from the Probert family's flock based at Leominster. This one sold in a two way split to Neil Oughton and Robert Hopper. A total of 505 changed hands for an average of £494.

Welsh Mule breeders were keen to bid on the 555 Bluefaced Leicester tups forward. Entries averaged almost £500/head, with the breed champion entered by Myrfyn and Jane Roberts from Gaerwen on Anglesey selling for 1500gns.

Robert Graham made the long trip from Stirling with seven Berrichon du Cher ram lambs and picked up the breed championship and the section's top price when one changed hands for 1250gns. Overall the breed averaged £419 compared with £246 in 2008.

A total entry of 237 MV accredited Suffolk sires produced a top price of 1020gns and averaged £432/head. 

A strong entry of 97 Border Leicester tups peaked at 650gns and averaged £310/head compared with £211/ head in 2008.

The Dorper breed appeared for the first time at the event and the 5 head forward produced a top price of 470gn and averaged £373.

Sale secretary Jane Smith said vendors and buyers seemed to approve of the decision to revert to a single large sale and to use a congestion easing "tup taxi" system to move sheep from pens to purchasers' vehicles.

Today's dispersal of Hugo Arnold's Hockenhull herd of Simmentals at Beeston Castle is set to draw a big crowd today and most likely some big prices too.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to get to Cheshire today, and with limited mobile internet signal in the market, live coverage would be tricky anyway. However, I do have a few spies carefully placed at the ringside, so all being well I'll be able to bring you some prices as the day progresses.

Selling starts at 12 noon, so check back after lunch for the latest news......

Store cattle trade hit a high of £1070 at yesterday's show and sale of store cattle at Kirkby Stephen, when the pre-sale champion a British Blue cross steer from W Hughes and Sons, Warcop. This one sold to J E and G Burrow, Skipton.

At £955 was a blue cross heifer from F and A Atkinson which sold to the same buyer and at £950 was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, a Blonde cross heifer from J C and E Pedley and Son, Lunds. This was snapped up by D Barker.

And selling for £905 was a Limousin cross steer from G D and A R Barningham, Hillside, which sold to R Jackson and Son.

Well, it seems the strong Mule trade is filtering back down the line to Bluefaced Leicester tup breeders already, with a firey trade at Bentham on Saturday resulting in a new record for a Bluefaced Leicester shearling tup being set. Selling for £20,000 was the champion from the pre-sale show, a Keer T006 son from Gordon Rawsthorne, Nether Keller was knocked down to R and P E Hargreaves and Sons. Barley, Burnley. He was out of a Star Green M001 sired dam.

  And a female breed record was also set on the same day when a shearling ewe from the same vendor sold for £5800 to G W Whitwell, Settle. This one was by Swathburrn Z001.

Other leading prices on the day included shearling tup sales at £7500, £7000, £4200, £3100 and £3000 for Mr Rawsthorne and shearling tup sales of £4000 for R and P E Hargreaves, £3600 for J K and B E Townley and £3400 for W and D Lawson and Son. (Bentham and District Farmers Auction Mart).

Following on from the Angus results, here are the main interbreed winners from Newbury Show at the weekend.

Topping off an impressive run of show wins this year was Sterling Estates' with their Simmental bull Sterling Viking 2. By Sterling Rochester he's already picked up interbreed awards at Devon, the Royal and Edenbridge shows this year.

Reserve beef was the Charolais champion, Balbithan Chickpea from A White. This one is by Inverlochy Topsire.

Saturday's sale of dairy cattle at Sedgemoor saw a top call of 2000gns paid for Holstein second calver Lilylane Lheros Nora 15 from A J Bennett and Sons. This price tage was matched by a fresh calved heifer from R J Goss and Sons, Posh Leader Clover.

Ayrshires peaked at 1500gns for  in-calf heifer Demans Molly which was due in October to a Limousin sire. She was forward from D Sayer.

And topping the Jerseys was a 700gns bid for a February calved fourth calver from S E Lane and Partners, Kent.

In the Dairy Shorthorn sale on behalf of the sotuh west Shorthorn Breeders Association, the trade was led at 1680gns by a fresh calved heifer Ablington Digitalis 25 from W H and S J Rawlins. Also at this money was August calved heifer Ablington Eaves Fairy 4. Topping the cows was a 1600gns sale for second calver Wawcott Clemancy 46 from R F Collins.

Averages; Shorthorns calved cows £1347.50, calved heifers £1434, in-calf heifers £833.33, heifer calves £279.13; Holsteins, calved cows £1907, calved heifers £1854.30, in-calf heifers £1365, served heifers £1141.87, yearling heifers £631.33, heifer calves £351.75; Jerseys, calved cows £662.81, in-calf heifers £682.50, served heifers £483, bulling heifers £406; Ayrshires, in-calf heifers £1464.75 (Greenslade Taylor Hunt)

The Eastfield herd of Ewan Brewis too the top ticket at this year's National Aberdeen-Angus Show, Newbury, with a young bull due to be sold at the first bull sales to be held at UA's new Stirling site.

Mr Brewis' winner Eastfield Black Bandit is by Rawburn Rochester and out of a homebred dam. He has so far been unbeaten in his age group and was described by judge Neil Massie, Blelack, as a good young bull with great length and legs. Black Bandit has a terminal sire index of 33 and a self replacing index of the same value.

Reserve overall and female champion was Belhaven Ruisseau, a heifer from John and Teena Gilmour. This one is by Vermilion Payweight and out of Prairielane 2009 Rosebud 8022.

Standing reserve male was Hawstead Lodge Eric from Andrew Brown, Norfolk. This was a Nightingale Panimure son out of Curzon Ebonnie. And Mr Brown took the reserve female title too with his homebred cow Hawstead Lodge Pamela. This one is by Blelack Blackberet and out of Hayrish Petula. She was shown with her April-born Nightingale Panmure sired calf at foot.

Picking up the championship in the calf classes were Edward and Claire Jones, Cullompton with Rull Francis, a January-born daughter of Muirhall Top Deal out of a dam by the same name.  

And yet more Mules have been sold this week, with trade at Carlisle hitting a hihg spot of £250 twice for lambs in the annual Latter Fair.

Taking the first of these £250 bids were Messrs Marston, Millstone Moor, with a pen which sold to Messrs Wilson. The other transaction at this level was for a pen from John Smith Jackson, Haltwhistle. These sold to Messrs Carter.

Overall the 6518 lambs forward sold to average a healthy £78.02, with the first prize pen from Messrs F and M Moore, Hillside, selling to Messrs Jenkinson, Whinfell Park.

Andrew and Becky Bishop had a strong Beltex sale at Lanark yesterday, dominating both the male and female sections.

Topping the sale for the couple was their outstanding ewe lambs which was breed and interbreed champion at Great Yorkshire and reserve breed champion at the Three Counties. This one stood female and overall champion at Lanark and sold for 4000gns. She is by Luggsmill Lainey, a Luggsmill Gunner son and out of Whatmore Kettle, a loot Van de Bisheuvel daughter.

Next best price on the day was a 2000gns sale for Bishops Nathaniel, a Sundey Lucky Dip son out of Bishops Kay, a Tulleygarley Goldie daughter.

Also at this money was Airyolland Mayhem from Neale and Janet McQuistin. This is a shearling by Aviemore Lincoln and out of Airyolland Kylie, an Airyolland Jackhigh daughter.

At 1800gns was Kingledores Muggles a Kingledores Look At Me sired shearling from Richard Wood. He's out of Fearn Jezzabell, an Ian's Good Buy daughter.

And then at 1600gns was the male champion, another from the Bishops. This was Bishops Natal, a lamb by Fort View Knight and out of Bishops J Lo, a Tulleygarley Goldie daughter.

Yesterday's sale of Texels at Lanark hit a top price of 4800gns for Febraruy-born tup lamb Duncryne Pioneer from D Kerr Jarvie. This is a Tapanui Orgasmic son out of a dam by Wartle Goliath and previously stood first at Braco and Perth shows.

At 4000gns was Milnbank Pyramid from Margaret Lyon, this is a Millar's Outstanding son out of a dam by Tophill Joe.

Selling for 2600gns was Parkhouse Pure Genniius (spelling as per catalogue), he's by Deveronvale Oddie and out of a dam by Pennan Maradonna and was forward from A Barr.

And at 2500gns was another from the same pen, Parkhouse Prolific. Again by Oddie, this one is out a dam by Parkhouse Jock.

That's all I've got for now, but I'll endeavour to get more details in due course...

Well it look's like United Auctions are cramming in the action for next month's "Perth Bull Sales" at the new Stirling venue. We were aware back in the spring that the autumn sales would be spread over three days rather than the usual four, but until now the exact timetable of action hadn't been revealed.

In essence its largely the same as before, but on Monday the Aberdeen-Angus will be judged at 8.30am, while the Beef Shorthorns will be judged at 11am and the Limousins at 1pm.

And then the UA team will sell the Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Hereford and Lincoln Red bull entries at 1pm, followed by the Angus and Beef Shorthorn females at 3pm and the Limousin, Sales, Blonde and British Blue bulls at 5.30pm, followed by females of the same breeds.

That strikes me as a manic day of judging and trading, and while entries for the breed's traded at 5.30pm may not be massive (the Limousin sale at Carlisle over the previous weekend will most likely see to that), it will still make for a late finish for all concerned, and most pertinently from our point of view could make things tricky for the trusty Taking Stock photographer, he'll need a big flash to cope with the pitch black conditions in Scotland at 6pm in late October!

The Tuesday will then see the Simmental males and females, while the Charolais will be offered on Wednesday.

The question on my lips is why, with the Simmentals not due to be sold until 1pm on Tuesday, the Limousins etc... aren't being sold on Tuesday morning, at say 11am, with the Simmentals following at 2pm? I suspect it has a lot to do with the numbers of each breed forward, but with just 172 Simmentals entered and most likely a smaller number of Limousins I can't help thinking it might have been easier all round to sell both those breeds on the same day.

Dairy bulls sold to a top price of 6000gns at Wednesday's show and sale at Carlisle. Topping the sale was 20 month old Warnelview Impress. This Ladino Park Talent son from K J and C S Wilson, Thursby is out of a Comestar Leader daughter rated VG87 and sold to T Forsyth, Whithorn.

At 5800gns was Annandale Roberto, a Stardale Roberto son from W J Armour, Moffat. This one is out of Gelpro-bred dam which has given 14,400kg. He sold to M and J Howat, Ochiltree.

At 5700gns was the best Friesian of the night, Langley Boxer from John Carnell, Bedfordshire. Both the dam and grand dam of this one have recorded more than 13 lactations with both giving more than 10,000kg. He is by Darleymoor Bruno and sold to E M Graham, Galmesby.

Averages; 17 senior bulls £3248.82, 12 intermediate bulls £2563.75, nine junior bulls £1866.66 (Harrison and Hetherington).

After a frenetic couple of days with the Dairy Event and Livestock Show I've just caught up with the Mule trade from Hawes at the beginning of the week and as suggested by a couple of commenters the trade was certainly a firey one.

Topping Monday's sale of 14,950 lambs at £480 were G P Taylor and Sons, Asby, while second top was a £320 bid for a pen from W C Porter and Son, Reeth. At £250 was a pen from E Fairburn and Sons, while R a Busby and Son, Marrick made £220 of their best. Overall average for the first day's trade was £78.04.

Tuesday's sale also saw some high prices with the best sale being a £420 bid for the first prize winning pen from Messrs Lord, Kirkby Stephen. Then a brace of pens sold at £200, the first from W and D Lawson, Masongill, the second at this level was a pen from C T and J E Willoughby, Redmire. The second day's entry of £12,573 levelled at £71.41. (Hawes Farmers Auction Mart).

Trade at this week's mid-month dairy sale at Beeston Castle, the first to be split over two days due to a massive entry, reached a top price of £2500gns for the only animal on offer from M and J Siddorn, Tattenhall. This was Taxus Shottle Scooter. Calved 18 days ago and giving 34kg a day she sold to J L and E M Parker and Son, Haughton, Stafford.

And the same buyers took the next two highest priced lots when they claimed a brace from Jack and Barclay Taylor, Shrewsbury. The first was a daughter of Cogent Matisse and sold to £2320, while the second was an Alfrag Juror Kendall daughter which made £2300.

A pair of £2300 bids were made for unregistered heifers, with the first being from Huw Roberts, Cefn-y-bedd, Wrexham. This was a Lucente daughter giving 37kg a day. She also sold to the Parkers. Second at this level was was a red-and-white daughter of Marlie Jo Bob Red which sold to S G Lee and Son, Wolverhampton.

At £2220 was a fresh calved non-pedigree daughter of Dixie-Lee Aaron from J K and D Astbury, Nantwich. This sold to Keith Mather, Lymm. Two made £2120, the first being a fresh calved heifer from Hague Partners, Danevale Speed Kitty.

Second at this value was another from the same home, Danevale Justy Kirsty, she sold to David Green, Lach Dennis.

Best in the cows was a fresh calved second lactation Norwegian Red cross from Messrs Tomlinson and Son of Burleydam, Whitchurch, which sold for £1980 to Dave Mathias, Wrenbury.

Averages; 399 fresh calved cows and milking heifers £1505.99, 17 in-calf heifers £1555.29, eight served heifers £1106.25, 41 maiden heifers £787.07, 18 heifer calves £432.22 (Wright Manley).

Trade for Mule ewe lambs at Middleton in Teesdale was as strong as that seen anywhere else so far this season with the entry of 3253 lambs ending the day levelling at £72.82, some £20.09 up on the year.

Topping the sale was a £260 bid for lambs from M W and E Dent, Wythes Hill, which sold to J W Teward and Sons. Next best was a £220 sale for the champion pen from J and K Metcalfe, Park House. These sold to R W Dalton.

Mule trade was more conservative than has been seen in recent days at the first sale of ewe lambs of the season at Lazonby where the top pcie was a £94 bid for a pen from W M and C Wallace, Gapshield. These sold to B Walton.

At £92 were the champion pen of lambs from a NEMSA member from J Lee, Morley Hill. These sold to T W Fawcett. At the same money were a pen from W and I Watson and Son, Saunders Close, these went to A J Geary and the same vendor-buyer combination saw a pen traded at £89.

R J Bell, Scarrowmanwhick, sold a pen at £88 to M Risdale and Son, while R Beaty, Low Craig, received £85 for his best when they sold to N and J Greenop.

Average; 2000 mule ewe lambs £70.61 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Taking the Ayrshire championship here at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show was Sandyford Clover 10 from Blaise Tomlinson, a KC Roses Chatter T Red daughter. Heifer champion in the Ayrshires was another from Mr Tomlinson, Acton Saltire Peggy, a Stevenson's Saltire daughter.

Lifting the honours in the British Friesian lines was Langley Rubin Mary 2 from C J and G R Carenell. Heifer champion was another from the same herd, Langley Brandy Liz 3.

In the Brown Swiss it was Kedar Seattle Glenda from J Lochead, heifer champion was herdmate Kedar Beretta Ossi, a Cimarron Special Beretta.

Dairy Shorthorn champion was Churchroyd Gentle 59 from I R G Collins and Partners, she is an Carrousel Regiment Red daughter. Heifer champion here was Earlsgift Greenleaf 3 from E and M Crank.

Holstein leader was Bassingthorpe Leader Dilys from the Wills family's Willsbro herd.  Heifer champion was another from Willsbro, Peak Sam Frantoosh.

Jersey champion was Whiteoaks Julian Flower from Emma Murray, she's a Valleystream Julian Cjcc daughter.

Heifer champion also came from the Windyridge herd and was Trecanda Vindication Lily, a Vindication Cjcc daughter.

Taking the interbreed group championship here at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show was the Holstein team, with the Jersey team in reserve.

Meanwhile, the exhibitor bred title also went to the Holsteins, with Joseph Heler Farms taking the honours with their cow, Helton Talent Clarisa. This on is a Ladino Park Talent daughter. Reserve was the Ayrshire from Blaise Tomlinson. This was Sandyford Clover 10 who also took the overall breed honours for Mr Tomlinson.

The Jersey heifer leader, Trecanda Vindication Lily, from the Murray family's Windyridge herd has just taken the interbreed heifer championship here at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, Stoneleigh.

Trecanda Vindication Lily, by Vindication Cjcc and out of Windsor Imperials December Boy, is one of 70 Jerseys run by the family and is currently giving more than 20 litres a day. She has previously been interbreed heifer at the Royal Welsh and reserve interbreed heifer at this year's Royal Show.

Standing reserve was the Holstein heifer champion from the Wills family, Cornwall. Their leader was Peak Sam Frantoosh, bred by Bill Nadin. This one is by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam and is currently giving more than 50 litres a day in the family's 1100 cow herd at home in Wadebridge. She was bought for 4000gns as the family already owned her mother which is Robert Wills' favourite cow in the Willsbro herd.

Texels sold to a top call of 1600gns at last week's Welsh National sale, Builth Wells. Taking the top call was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, a tup lamb from Steve and Helen Smith's Penparc flock.

This one is by leading sire Mellor Vale Masterpiece and out of a homebred ewe by Penparc King Pin. He sold to David Corfield, Oxford.

At 1350gns was a ram lamb from Messrs Watkins Millend flock. This one is by Meinspridde Northlight and sold to T E Duggan for the Hengrave flock, Leominster.

Top call in the shearling rams was a 1500gns bid for one from A E Williams and Son. This one is by a Muiresk sire and out of a dam be Castlecairn Investment. He sold to D Orrells and C L Watkins, Oswestry.

And in the females the top call was a 1500gns bid for one from the Kingsland flock of Vaughan Farms. This one is by Garngour Nijinsky and sold to Llion Jones, Gwynedd.

Averages; 36 females £512.89, 34 shearling rams £624.44, 43 ram lambs £451.74 (Clee, Tomkinson and Francis).

A Robust trade for store lambs was seen at Skipton last week with demand for long-keep sheep particularly strong.

A pen of Texel-cross lambs sold for a top price of £89.50.  They were sold by W E and A Booth, Feizor, Settle to Warwick Gill of Melton Mowbray.

David and Roland Verity of Grange Farm, Bouthwaite, Ramsgill sold their prize-winning Masham wethers, for £49/head to Michael Spensley, Elslack.

A pen from Kevin Wilson, Blubberhouses, made £45.50/head when acquired by Mark Thompson, Long Preston.

Mr Spensley also purchased some wethers from Ken Lister, Kettlewell for £43.50 each.

Averages: Total, 8,334 lambs; £47.15 (Craven Cattle Mart) 

Trade at last weekend's sale of British Lop pigs at Melton Mowbray's sale of Traditional Native Breeds hit a sparkling 1050gns for a boar from Julian Collings's Launceston-based herd. This one was Liskeard Cornishman, a January born entry which sold to Barry Chadwick, Derbyshire.

Leading the cattle sale at the venue was a Dexter from Messrs Munn and Bell, Newark at 2950gns. This three year old cow Needles Hall Radiant Ria was snapped up by P Rampley, Fordham.

A brace of Longhorns made 2500gns, the first of which was April 2008-born bull Gorse Plumber from the Brigg family, Lighthorne. He sold outside the ring to S f Wright, Long Stanton. The second at this money was Hambleton Guinea, a February 2006-born heifer from Andrew Nelson, Rutland. She was bought by Bernard and Margaret Llewellyn, Carmarthenshire.

Topping the British Whites on offer was September 2007-born bull Albany Ole from F W Cook and Son at 1500gns. He sold to Philip Sieger, Asterley.

Leading the sheep prices was a 370gns call for a Jacob ram lamb. This one was Gelscoe Lucky Lord from R Kernohan, Loughborough. He was bought by M Wallace, Pilton. Next best sheep price was 320gns paid for the top Southdown, a shearling ewe from Messrs Humphrey, East Dean. This sold to L Clements, Nottinghamshire.

My earlier suggestion that the Mule ewe lamb trade was set to rival the pedigree scene for some crazy prices appears to be ringing true with news just in of another bumper price paid at Bentham on Saturday.

The sale of 10,527 lambs was topped by a mighty £410 bid for the second prize pen from Messrs Allan and Watson, Middleton. These sold to the same partnership as bought the top priced lambs from Kirkby Stephen, Ron and Fran Wilson. And the Wilson seemed determined to keep on spending, picking up the champion pen of 10 from Gordon Rawsthorne at £400 each.

At the same sale K A Brown and Sons sold a pen for £250 and J M and A E Wallbank and Sons sold a pen for £190.

Averages; NEMSA member flocks £78.52, overall average £75.92 (Bentham and District Farmers Auction Mart Co).

It seems the crazy prices aren't being reserved for pedigree tups this year with Mule ewe lambs breeders and buyers getting in on the act too with a top call of £290 at Kirkby Stephen.

Taking this top call was the second prize pen from the show from K A Brown and Sons, Asby Hall. These sold to R and F Wilson.

Next best was a £270 sale for the champions from the pre-sale show. These came from Messrs Lord, Low Dowgill, and sold to G E Carter and Son.  Selling for £240 was a pen from W M Hutchinson and Sons, Redgate, which sold to R M and W R Heigh and Son. Then at £230 were a pen from H W and M A Alderson, Howgill Grange, which told to Martin and Valerie Brown.

Messrs Hutchinson sold another pen at £220, and the Browns paid the next best price of £190 when they bought a pen from G P Taylor and Sons, Swathburn.

Average; 9240 Mule ewe lambs £80.10 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Top call at Friday's Kelso tup sales was a £12,000 bid for a Texel from Peter and Lynn Gray, Galston. It sold to Angus Kennedy, Mitchelhill and the Carruther family, Silloan.

Next best was a Bluefaced Leicster at £10,000. This one was from first time Kelso vendors John and George Browell, Hexham. Their champion from the pre-sale show is by a Firth tup and sold to John Kerr, Maybole.

Then at £8000 was the best Suffolk of the day from Robbie Wilson, Turriff. This was a son of  Strahbeg Stan the Man and sold to Niall Walsh Co Laois, Eire.

After the brief highlights I was able to bring you on Friday, here's a full run down from the sale of Limousin females at Carlisle.

As previously noted the top call of 10,000gns was shared by two lots, the first being for Hartlaw Beatrice, a full sister to Ravenelle, mother of 46,000gns sire Wilodge Vantastic. This one sold to Messrs Smiths of Bloxham, owners of Vantastic.

The other at this level was Glenrock Utopia, she sold to Messrs Boden and Davies, Stockport, for what is believed to be a new pedigree Limousin herd to run alongside their pedigree Charolais herd and Texel flock.

At 7000gns, as previously reported was Glenrock Ursula, she also sold to Boden and Davies.

And at 5300gns was the best from the Newmeadows herd, Bailea Alexis. Bred by Brian Jones, Brecon, this one is by SSwan and out of Bailea Niobe, an Imposant daughter. She sold to J C Carroll, Street Drove, Somerset.

Then at 4200gns was another from Hartlaw, Rocky daughter Hartlaw Vienna. Out of Ruffland Pancake, Vienna sold with a bull calf at foot by Hartlaw Apollo, to D J Harrison, Wigton, Cumbria.

Next best at 4000gns was one from the Bapton herd dispersal, Bapton Susie. By Grange Linaria and out of Bapton Lucy, a  Haltcliffe Gladiator daughter, she sold to J Connell, Wanton Wells, Lauder.

Two sold at 3600gns, both from Bapton. First up was Bapton Venus, a Gronw Scott daughter out of Bapton Lyric, a Haltcliffe Gladiator daughter. She sold with a Rombalds Triumph sired bull calf at foot to J Connell.

The second at this money was Bapton Vivian. Also by Scott this one is out of Bapton Ruth, a Grange Linaria daughter. This one sold with a Triumph sired heifer calf at foot, again to Mr Connell.

And at 3400gns was another from Glenrock. This was Glenrock Starlight, a Gunnerfleet Legacy daughter out of Glenrock Niagara. Sold with a Bremore Artist sired bull calf at foot she went to Messrs Boden and Davies. 

A twenty one month old Hereford bull, Romany 1 Emperor, has been awarded the Poll Bull of the Year Championship. 

Bred and exhibited by Ronald and Robert Wilson  and Sons, Kelso, Emperor is by 2007 Hereford Sire of the year, Crickley 1 Figurehead and his dam Romany 1 Pansy, is by two time Sire of the Year and past Royal Show Champion Glenlees 1 Storm.

Romany 1 Emperor has enjoyed a fine show season being crowned both Hereford and Native Inter-breed Champion at this years Royal Show. Emperor also has impressive BreedPlan performance recorded figures; with a Terminal Sire Index of +28 (top 10%) and an eye muscle of +2.9 (top 1%).

The Poll Female of the Year is shared between D and E Colledge with Hawkesbury 1 Volli-vont and P Cobley with Kinglee 1 Sadie. 

30 month old Volli-vont is by Churchlands Estate 1 Pegasus and out Hawkesbury 1 Varsity and was Supreme Hereford Champion at the Royal Show. Relative newcomers to the Breed, D and E Colledge from Coventry, Warwickshire took the Royal Supreme Championship for the second time in three years.

Sadie bred by Peter Cobley from Leicestershire has a Terminal Index of +29 and is by Costhorpe 1 Victorious. She has also had a successful show season collecting points at some of the top shows around the country, most notably taking the Junior Female Championship at the Three Counties Show, Malvern, Worcestershire.

A fast trade of females was seen at the recent West Country sale of Lleyn sheep in Exeter, which saw shearling ewes topping at £146.

100% clearance was witnessed for shearling ewes with the top price going to Jim Dufosee, Warmister. Ewe lambs from Messrs W J and B M Lewis, Llanon, Ceredigion sold at £110 and £102 with ewe lambs from T R B Turner, Crediton selling to £104.

Demand was also witnessed for rams, with prices topping at 2600gns for a shearling ram from Messrs E and D Jones, Macynlleth and heading home with D Bond, Chichester. They also sold another shearling ram at 1600gns. This was the same price witnessed for a ram from E S J Collins.

Averages ewe lambs, £83.94; yearling ewes £118.11; senior ewes, £84.16; shearling rams, £577.50

Holstein trade on Wednesday at Carlisle reached a peak of 3200gns when R Steel and Son, Kepculloch, sold a Mr Derry Promotion daughter. This is out of Kepculloch Rud Irina and calved in August. She was bought by B and V Davidson, Errolston, Gretna.

Then at 2350gns was Snow Torch 12 from G and M Wilson and Son. This Shottle daughter is out of a dam which goes back to the Shopland herd and she calved in August too. Buyers this time were A and I Lamont, Sandieston.

Also at this level was Stowbeck Final Cut Jeanie from Skirwith Hall Farms. By Gillette Final Cut and out of Stowbeck Atom Jeanie, this July 2007-born heifer calved in early August. She sold to R Byers and Son, Canonbie.

The final bid above 2000gns was given for another from the Wilson's Snow herd. This was Snow Bell Honey 9, a Llydan Terrene daughter. Out of a dam by Wa-Del Convincer she sold to David Kincaid, Lochmaben.

Averages; four cows in milk £1509.38, 15 heifers in milk £1969.80, 15 maiden heifers £1071 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Here's another of the top prices so far from Carlisle, Glenrock Ursula from Stephen Illingworth has just sold at 7000gns.

This is a Marquis daughter out of Glenrock Marilyn, a Crownhead Busby daughter. Born in April 2003 she sold with a heifer calf at foot by Bremore Artist and having been AI'd to Wilodge Vantastic in July.

And just a few lots later came another 10,000gns call, this time for Glenrock Utopia. Also by Marquis, she is out of Glenrock Lulu, another Busby daughter. This one sold with a heifer calf at foot by Mas Dun Clo and having been AI'd in April to Newtown Bunty.

Today's sale of Limousin females at Carlisle is so far being topped at 10,000gns for one from John McKeen.

The sale topper is Hartlaw Beatrice, a Jersey daughter out of Isabelle. This ET bred heifer with a calf at foot is a full sister to noted cow Ravenelle, owned by Christine Williams and Paul Tippetts in their Wilodge herd and mother of 42,000gns sire Vantastic.

She sold having been AI'd in January to Wilodge Tonka.

More details to follow in due course....

More records have been smashed in the Leek dairy ring, with demand forcing heifer prices to £2620 and cows to £2200.

Taking the top spot was a Roylane Jordan daughter shown by Robert Gadsby, Yarlet, Stafford. She sold giving 36kg to John and Stan Fernyhough, Swthamley, who also took an Avenham Westminster heifer from the same home at £2400.

Their third heifer by Picston Shottle reached £2350 to Mr R Backhouse, Leek, which brought their three to an average of £2457.

£2260 secured another Roylane Jordan daughter shown by James Harrison, Cheadle with another two heifers at £2200. The first a Genus Janner daughter from Messrs Webb, Colton. She sold to Messrs Brown, Stone with the second from Ian McGrath, Knutsford.

Cows topped at £2200 for a second calver from Mr S Winterton, Cheddleton.

The top 13 averaged £2131 with the entire entry of 52 averaging £1451. (Leek Auctions)

Record breeding sheep averages were achieved earlier today at Thainestone when the centre's sale of Halfbred, Cheviot, Mule and Continental shearling ewes saw the Halfbred entry level at £154.25.

This was some £67.17 up on last year, while Texels averaged £138, up £60.80 on last year. Averages in the Cheviot Mules were also up, this time by £54.37 to £140, whiel Mules averaged £122.15, up £44.45 on the year.

Topping the sale was £160/head for 40 from Westerton, Auchleuchries and the same money was given for 24 from Cairnton, New Pitsligo. Mules topped at £155 for 100 from Mains of Slains, Collieston.

Lleyn females topped at £160, while rams from the same breed made a top call of £450 for one from R Johnson, Falkirk.

Demand for young, fresh calved and correct young cows and heifers was seen at one of the largest dairy herd sales o the year, when the entire Dardenburn Holsteins herd and followers went under the hammer at Borderway last Friday.

Not surprisingly many in the milking portion made more than 2000gns and several maidens over 1000gns.

Topping trade at 2250gns was a June calved second lactation cow, classified VG85 and by the popular Comestar Outside. Her dam was a VG87 Comestar Leader daughter. She now joins John Duckworth's herd at Floors Farm, Kilmarnock.

Just missing the top spot at 2200gns was a non pedigree July calved cow, giving a daily yield of 32kg, by Roylane Jordan. This one was headed up the road with T Forsyth, Newton Stewart.

Mr Forsyth took home the next two top priced animals paying 2150gns for an August calved cow, Dardenburn Westminster Potsy 5. This one is by Avenham Westminster PI and out of Dardenburn Tugolo Potsy.

2100gns secured him another Roylane Jordan daughter, Dardenburn Jordan Mary 35. By Roylane Jordan she is also an August calved cow out of Dardenburn Mtoto Mary 30. 

It were new Scottish breeders talking centre stage at the National Poll Show, with Arranview 1 Regina from Messrs W and J Andrew, Auchincrive, Ayrshire taking the supreme championship title.

Regina, an 18 month old sired by Dieulacresse Vodaphone and out of Tulllypark 1 Regina D4 beat off a strong line up of cattle, according to Judge David Trott. "The females were excellent throughout and it was difficult to split animals from top to bottom of the line," he said.

Taking the reserve title was the senior female champion Glenvale 1 Doris who was exhibited by Messrs P and M Richman, Wiltshire and bred by TG and EI Thorne, Pembrokeshire.

 In the bull section it was Hawkesbury 1 Lorenzo from D and E Colledge who came out on top, after being awarded Senior bull Champion he went on to win Grand Male Champion. Reserve Grand Male was Reydon 1 Phoenix from John Little Farmers, Essex.

Junior Male Champion was a promising 16 month old bull, Hallwood 1 Eddy, from National Poll Show stalwarts, R and RI Shaw from Cheshire.

Mule shearling ewes hit  a top call of £202 at Carlisle yesterday when Bill Skelton of Rook Farm sold his first prize pen from pre-sale show. Judge Andrew Sowerby later backed his judgment by purchasing the pen for £202.

A high quality show throughout resulted in an overall average of £120.86 being achieved, a staggering £46.25 up on the previous year. Many regular consigners averaged over £130. This sale has truly kicked of the Mule breeding sheep season.

Other leading prices included further bids of £148, £134 and £132 for shearlings from Mr Skelton, while entries from other vendors topped at £150 for Yew Tree Farm. (Harrison and Hetherington),

A quality entry was seen at Northern Ireland's National Charolais Show, which saw more than 100 pedigree and commercial cattle forward.   Pedigree section judge, Peter Donger, of the Towcester based Seawell herd made his female awards to Gilbert Crawford, of Maghera and the top male title to Will Short, Omagh.

Mr Crawford was claiming the supreme female title for the second consecutive year, this time with Coolnaslee Countess, an Allanfauld Superscot daughter.

Standing below her in the reserve female championship position was her herd mate, Coolnaslee Diane, another Superscot daughter who was placed Dectomax intermediate heifer champion in the Dectomax final.

Grasping the male champion title and making his showring debut was Will Short's Woodpark Diamond, a 12 month old bull, sired by Rumsden Tsar.

 The reserve male title went to Sunnydene Douglas, a 17 month old Allanfauld Superscot son, out of  Windmill Vivienne, and bred by A Crane. Douglas was exhibited by Harold Stubbs, Lisbellaw and his grandson, Andrew Burleigh.

Demand from butchers to source top quality locally reared meat saw prices topping at £1201 (216.6p/kg) for the 550kg champion a 13 month British Blue bullock at Skipton.

Forward from local breeder L Bamforth and Sons, Wainstalls, Halifax, it was Keelham Hill Farm Shop, Bradford who snapped up the prime cattle champion.

David Bamforth also presented the reserve champion, a 495kg British Blue heifer, which became another Keelham Hill Farm Shop acquisition at £997 (201.5p/kg.

3356 prime lambs also passed through the ring at Skipton, with prices topping at £78 a head for north Craven sheep farmer Richard Frankland, rathmell  with his pen of five Beltex cross Texel lambs. These were aquired by Calderdale-based S and J Dorsey butchers for their shop in Borough Market, Halifax.

 The overall reserve championship was awarded to the champion pen of Mashams from David and Roland Verity, of W&R Verity, Grange Farm, Bouthwaite, Ramsgill - the third year in succession they have lifted the title in the show, staged on behalf of Masham Sheep Breeders Association. 

Skipton early autumn dogs sale saw prices topping at 3700gns (£3885) for a two and a half year old smooth coated black and white dog, Jim, consigned by Dennis Purdham, Seascales, Cumbria.

Jim attracted high levels of pre-sale interest and was berd by Mr Purdhams neighbour Malcolm Cottam.

Jim is full brother to Jimmy, a black and white dog who sold for 2350gns as a 13 month old at Skipton' May sale this year.

The Irish were also well represented at the fixture, with top call among their entries falling to Billy Ryan, Keenogue, County Meath. His 16 month old registered black and white dog paddy sold for 2550gn to a buyer from Scotland.

Smashing the record for an Over Thirty Month old animal at Bakewell Market was a British Blue cross selling for 199p/kg.

The heifer a ¾ bred Blue weighed 574kg grossing £1142.26. Consigned by John Morris, Dronfield, she was sold to local livestock buyer David Wright from Taddington buying on behalf of RT Boden, Uttoxeter.

Overall there were 126 over age cattle forward with the overall average being 95.1pence/kilo or £622.19. (Bagshaws)

The dosh is still rolling at the Sale for the Century, with Goldwyn daughters in the money. With 87 lots catalogued, there's bound to be further high prices commanded.

12,000gns is the latest paid for a Braedale Goldwyn daughter. Homland A Goldwyn Pledge forward by S L and Ps Bell and G Kirby is by Braedale Goldwyn and out of Alh Poly. This February 2009 heifer has a PLI+£167 and is bred from five successive generations of cows classified excellent or very good. Buying this one was Mr Hesket, Yorkshire.

 Two bids of 10,000gns have gone under the hammer this afternoon, the first for another Goldwyn daughter, Huddlesford Golden Pardise from T H Cope and Son. By Braedale Goldwyn this June 2009 animal is out of Stanhope Sepetmber Paradise and has a PLI+£162. She sold to Mr Philipson.

10,000gns was also the money paid for an unborn calf- first choice of seven pregnancies due October and November this year. From the dam Majestic Shottle Leona forward from I and K Watson. This sold to Distinctive Holsteins.

Next to go under the hammer was Aintree Advent Rae Red. By KHW Kite Advent Red and out of Scientific DEJA VUE Rae, this February 2009 born heifer is forward by Aintree Holsteins. She sold at 9000gns to Richard Atkin. 

Well, after the lenghthy trip up from Kent tonight I've made it to Beeston Castle for today's Sale for the Century sale of Holsteins, selling should be underway very shortly and a big crowd has gathered ringside to greet the high claibre genetics on offer.

The mobile internet signal here is weak, but I'll do my best to bring you live coverage of the sale as it progresses......

Beltex sold to a top price of 1800gns at Worcester last week when David and Ivy Bishop sold their reserve female champion from their Luggsmill flock. By Luggsmill Gunner she sold to A and R Livestock, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire.

Next best at 1720gns was the second prize senior ewe, also from Luggsmill this one sold to David Thornley, Derby.

Topping the rams on offer was a brace of 850gns calls. First to trade at this money was Llwynbrain Meatball from Steve Gibson. This one by Calla Justice sold to R Bond, Totnes, Devon.

The other at this level was the second prize ram lamb from the pre-sale show from Andrew and Becky Bishop. This Sundey Lucky Dip son sold to Gail Brownsett, Pencader, Ceredigion.

Averages; five senior rams £512.40, 37 shearling rams £482.43, 12 ram lambs £387.63, two senior ewes £1323, 14 shearling ewes £495.75, nine ewe lambs £325.50 (McCartneys).

A bid of 8250gns was the price paid for a yearling ram, setting a new centre record at the lively Lleyn Sheep Society sale, Ross on Wye.

Bred by Emrys and Dylan Jones, Lluest Wen, Machynlleth the ram by a Wynne Davies ram sold to Derek and Cindy Steen, Whitcastles, Lockerbie. His dam was one of the first crops of lambs by Ballylinney Action Man.

Females from Lluest Wen had a strong performance with 71 yearling ewes averaging £137 and the top pen reaching £152.

A pen of five yearling ewes from John and Gill Adams, topped the females at £154 a head. These ewes head to Measham Lodge Farm, Leicestershire.

Averages 1303 MV Accredited yearling ewes, £112.64; overall averages for yearling ewes were up £29.19 on the year

The Southdown Sheep Society's second annual sale at Worcester saw a steady trade with females in strong demand, while tups were harder to place.

But, despite this, it was the male champion from the pre-sale show which led the day's trade at 550gns. This one was a January-born ram lamb from the Glaves family's Brompton flock, Scarborough. By Chaileybrook 07/0019, sire of this year's Royal Show reserve male champion and sale topper at the breed's Maidstone fixture, Brompton 09/0026 is out of a homebred ewe. With a muscle depth scanned at 37mm at 21 weeks, this one headed back to Kent to join the Chaileybrook flock of his sire.

Next best call was a 275gns bid for the day's female and overall champion from Stephen and Paul Humphrey's East Dean flock. This shearling ewe, by East Dean A136 and out of East Dean A1 sold to Martin Smale, Tavistock.

Then at 230gns was another shearling ewe, this time from Bob Backshall's Caesars flock. She is by Caesars 04/001 and out of Caesars 04/0012 and sold with a second prize ticket from the show to Messrs Glaves.

Selling for 220gns was the best shearling ewe of the day from Howard Wood's Prescoed flock. This one, by Southern Cross 06/0010 and out of Prescoed 06/009 sold to Drew Coulter, Lanark.

Best among the shearling rams on offer was a 240gns call for Brompton 08/0040 from Messrs Glaves. This one is a son of Brompton 04/0003 and out of Brompton 04/0046. He sold to Mr Westwood.

Another of Mr Backshall's strong pen then made 200gns. This one, also by Caesars 04/001 and out of Caesars 03/0039 sold to local buyers Messrs Burroughs. (McCartneys).

Caledonian Marts' premier calf sale at Stirling may well have lacked the fireworks of previous years, but trade on Friday evening was at least consistent.

The heifer averages suffered from what many thought was an entry that lacked its usual stunners.

Top price at £4000 was a much-fancied second prizewinner from Roddy Thomson, of Westpark, Aberfeldy, Perthshire. This 11-month-old Charolais cross heifer, called Quicksilver, was by Hendy Viagra, a Doonvalley New son, and out of a British Blue cross cow, one of 200 that Mr Thomson runs.

She had last month been second to the female champion at Perth Show and then took the reserve  at the smaller Atholl and Breadalbane event in Highland Perthshire.

Buyers were the partnership of Scott Watson, of Carnoustie, Angus, and John David Work and son, Neil, of Mains of Dumbreck, Udny, Aberdeenshire.

Quicksilver will be joining their show team and his likely to re-emerge at the Royal Highland Winter Fair. The partnership won Smithfield in 2000 with Danny Boy.

Supreme for the second successive year were Messrs MacArthur, of Mid Fleenas, Nairn. The leader from George and sons, David and Neil, was the Bees Knees, a March-born Limousin cross bullock, by Dyke Triumph and out of a British Blue cross cow. It was the show's spring-born champion.

He was last month champion in the commercial lines at Nairn Show, which annually attracts a huge commercial entry and often far bigger than the Royal Highland.

Judge Alister Vance, of Bridgehouse, Whithorn, said the Bees Knees was as good as it got. "He had real class and style and beautiful character. He had lovely clean lines. He had a very modern look, but still retained breed character," said Mr Vance, who paid £1800 for his winner.

Ronaldo, a yearling Limousin cross bullock, from Wilson Peters, of Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, was reserve supreme and autumn-born championship.

He was champion at Alyth in Perthshire and won several first prizes over the show season. Ronaldo was by Normande Adventure and out of Rhianna, the show cow bred by Ian Wilson, of J.  and J. Wilson, of Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness, and which lifted numerous championships for Mr Peters in 2007. Ronaldo sold for £2300 to Innes Farms, of Helenamore, New Aberdour Aberdeenshire.

Innes, run by father and Norman and Scott Innes, was among the most consistent buyers on the night. Many of the heifers they acquired are destined to be bred from, while the bullocks are likely to be shown at the Royal Highland Winter Fair and Smithfield.

Among their higher-priced purchases at £2000 was the Aberdeen-Angus champion, Gentle Ben, a 13-month-old bullock, by Flodden Warden and out of a Limousin cross, from Ross Farms, of Wester Middleton, Gorebridge, with the 13-month-old bullock, Gentle Ben, by Flodden Warden and out of a Limousin cross. He stood reserve reserve in the commercial lines with its mother at Dalkeith and Haddingtom shows in the Lothians.

David Henderson, of Auchenrivoch, Kilsyth, won thee reserve autumn championship with an 11-month-old Charolais cross bullock, by Carradale Neptune and out of Limousin cross cow which has in the past bred calves up to £4200 at the Caley sale.

This one sold for £2100 to Drew Hyslop, of Bridge of Allan, who also paid the same price for another Charolais cross from Mr Henderson that was the Charolais champion -  an 11-month-old cross, by Carradale Neptune and out of a Limousin cross cow.

Taking the reserve in the spring-born section was Wellie Rings, a Charolais cross bullock from David Gray, of Glenhead, Kilsyth. This April-born beast was by an Allanfauld-bred bull sired Gretnahouse Noel and out of a Limousin cross cow. He was on his first show outing. Innes Farms were again the buyer at £1300.

The 24 heifers sold to average £3.96 a kg and £1,361.67 a head, a fall on the £4.49 and £1,516.90 recorded last year.

The 28 bullocks sold to average £3.33 a kg and £1,252.69 a head. That was up on the £3.01 and £1,124.64 of 2008.

Overall there were 59 offered. The 50 sold to average £3.62 a kg and £1,305 a head.

Trade topped at 8000gns at last Friday's sale of Texels at Carlisle, when the female and overall champion, a shearling ewe from David Kerr, sold to Malcolm Reid for his Kelso flock. This one is a daughter of Glenside King II and is out of a dam by Cornerstone Isaac.

Best among the males on offer was a 5000gns call for Castlecairn Prince from Bruce Renwick. This Muiresk Blondin son out of a dam by Baltier Kracker was knocked down to Procters Farms under the management of Jeff Aitken.

Then at 4500gns was the best from Albert and George Howie's Knock pen, Knock Prestige. This Tophill Nockout son is out of a dam by Anglezarke Krug and sold to John Forsyth for his Glenside flock, Maybole.

Close behind at 4400gns was Douganhill Othello 1 from Brian MacTaggart, Douganhill Farms. This is another Glenside King II son and is out of  a Cambwell Inventor sired dam. He headed home with A W Davies, Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

A 4000gns bid saw Messrs Innes, Huntly claim another Knock entry, this time Knock Piers, a Knock Orion son. He's out of a dam by Claybury Legacy and sold with an index of 242.

And at 3800gns was another of the Douganhill shearlings, Douganhill Officer, the male and reserve overall champion. By Milnbank Jersey Dudec and out of a Cambwell Durie sired dam, this one went to A E Williams and Son, Craren Arms. 

Messrs Howie were back in the money again with another of their lambs, Knock Prismark, selling at 3700gns. This one is also by Orion and is out of a Glenside Loneranger daughter. He sold to R and J Plant, Whitmore, Newcastle.

Next best call was a 3400gns bid for another Douganhill shearling. This was Hexel Lexus son Douganhill Obama. Out of a Cambwell Inventor sired dam he sold to L C and D Wearmouth, Barnard Castle.

Averages; 69 shearling ewes £585.71, 195 shearling rams £662.95, four aged rams £834.75, 265 ram lambs £656.23 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Scotland's annual Spectacular show and sale of exhibition cattle at the Thainstone Centre in Aberdeenshire more than lived up to its name with one breeder grossing nearly £30,000.

Andrew Anderson, of Smallburn Farms, Elgin, Morayshire, dominated the event with 22 cattle forward, of which 19 sold.

He won supreme with a bullock and the heifer championship with its full sister.

Leading was Tizer, a 462kg 10-month-old Limousin cross, that went on to sell for £4000 to Michael Alford, of Foxhill, Blackborough, Cullompton, Devon.

He was the result of an embryo transfer programme that saw eggs taken from the British Blue cross Simmental cow that bred J-Lo, the noted heifer that won the Aberdeen Christmas Classic for Mr Anderson in 2003. Sire of both the supreme and heifer leader was Bailea Tyson.

Mr Anderson, who has a 400-cow suckler operation, was delighted, adding it was the first time he had done the double in taking the bullock and heifer championships at the event.

More calves from the flush are in the pipeline.Mr Anderson grossed £29,570 and averaged £1,556.31.

Judges were Wendy Hunter, of Spot Farm Cottage, Glenprosen, Kirriemuir, and Neil Lloyd, of Yarpole Lane, Luston, Leominster, Hereford.

Mrs Hunter said the bullocks provided a much stronger line-up. The supreme was well put together, had a great top and good backend.

Mr Lloyd, who runs a show cattle livery service, added: "The champion has great presence and style. He is a well turned out beast and in the right hands could do well at the winter shows."

Mr Anderson also sold at £3,000 Million Dollar Babe, an 11-month-old Limousin cross heifer that was commercial champion at the Black Isle Show in the Highlands in August. Buyer was Euan Fettes, of Braes of Enzie, Buckie, Banffshire.

His reserve heifer - a November-born Limousin cross by Normande Alpha - was shared at £2,400 by Carnoustie-based Scott Watson and father and son John David and Neil Work, of Mains of Dumbreck, Udny, Aberdeenshire. The Watson and Work partnership won the supreme at the Royal Smithfield Show in 2000 with Danny Boy, a beast bought at Spectacular.

Mr Lloyd bought Smallburn's heifer leader, which was born in November, at £2300.

Second top price was £3500 for an 11-month-old Limousin cross bullock, which won a first prize for J. and J. Wilson, of Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness. This one, by Middledale Toronto and out of a Limousin cross cow, was on his first show outing. He too was acquired by Mr Alford.

The Wilsons - father and son Ian and Paul - had nine forward.

They also sold at £2400 to the Watson and Work partnership a yearling Limousin cross bullock that was reserve at Black Isle and Sutherland shows.

Others from Cairnglass  - a yearling Middledale Toronto daughter - made £2200 to Aileen Ritchie, of Burnside, Tamala, near Aberdeen, while a March-born heifer calf, by Burndale Blizzard, was bought by Barwood and Padfield, of Great Yarmouth, for £2000.

Colin Stuart, of Belnoe, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, accepted £2800 from Ewan Macpherson, of Mill Farmhouse, Benderloch, Oban, Argyll, for his Grantown Show reserve commercial champion, a yearling Charolais cross by Whappstown Allrounder and out of a pedigree Limousin.

D. and R. Durno and Son, of Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Banffshire, sold at £2200 a yearling Charolais cross heifer, by Glenlivet Singlemalt. Buyer was Stewart Brown, of Roepark, Little Brechin, Angus.

In the junior section for animals born in 2009 the championship went to a bullock called Crackerjack from Caithness crofter and engineer Graham Henderson, of 8 Murrayfield, Castletown, Thurso.

This four-month-old Limousin cross  was reserve commercial at Caithness and Latheron shows made £1500 to Kinlochbervie fish salesman and show cattle exhibitor Donald Morrison.

It was Mr Henderson's best placing at The Spectacular. His last big win was in 1997 when he lifted the supreme at the Scottish National Winter Fair with Scooby Doo.

Aberdeen and Northern Marts' store cattle manager John Angus said the sale was well supported, with buyers from across Britain purchasing animals that are likely to reappear on the winter prime show circuit.

There were 94 cattle offered for sale and 70 traded. The 32 heifers sold to average £3.77/ kg and £1479.69 a head, while the 38 steers were £2.85/kg and £1285 a head.

Trade was well up on last year when 23 steers averaged £2.69 a kg and £1018 a head and 22 heifers hit £3.28 a kg and £1226.82 a head.

This week's Glendale Show saw R W and K Telford of Branton East Side Farm announced winners of the first ever Glendale Agricultural Society Herd Competition and also receiving the prize for Best individual animal seen in the competition.

In total nine herds were judged by FW Farmer Focus contributor Robert Neill, Upper Nesbit, Kelso judging the herds not only on their individual breed characteristics but how each individual farm was managed.  

Record averages of £86.96 a head were reported at Harrison and Hetherington's annual sale of halfbred gimmers and ewe lambs, Lockerbie.  

Topping the trade at £132 was a pen of halfbred gimmers shown by P Armstrong, High Moat, Longtown. Also from the same home gimmers sold for £130 and £128.  Also in the money at £128 were pens from Hoddamtown and Wardhead.

Scotch Mule gimmers sold to £130 twice from Ed Halliday, New hall. Suffolk cross ewe lambs were knocked down at £82 for a pen from Annfield and Texel Cross Cheviot Mules to £80 from Crawthat.

Mr P Armstrong again topped the ewe lamb section at £118, with others goping on to sell for £112 from Messrs M and R Weir, Townfoot and £108 for Jack Strawhorn, Annefield.

Averages 1078 halfbred ewe lambs £89.46; 260 halfbred gimmers £119.12

A good show of 220 prime cattle, bulls and cows forward at Harrison and Hetherington's weekly sale of primestock saw prices topping at £1385.

Selling the topped priced Limousin bullock for 822kg at 168.5p/kg £1385 to Shaun McGimpsey was Messrs Hetherington, Old Farm.  

Leading bullock prices per kilo at 181.5p/kg was a Limousin cross bullock consigned by Ms Dodd, West View sold to Charles Kirkpatrick.  Mr Gamble junior, Lake Farm had a run of Limousin bullocks topping at 176.5p/kg to Pioneer Foods.

Leading heifer prices a head at £1122 was a Limousin cross also from West View.

Prime bull trade was slightly less on the week, with 52 bulls forward. Messrs McDowell and Co run of bulls topped at 175.5p/kg for a Limousin bought by Bowland Foods. Selling the toppriced blonde bull a head was for £1160 for 710kg at 163.5p/kg was Messrs Gibb, Jubilee Buildings to Mike Atkinson.

A large show of plainer dairy sorts were forward in cast and OTM section, with all classes cheaper on the week. A top price of £1411.83 was achieved for a British Blue stock bull consigned by Messrs Harper, West House. A top price per kilo of 135.5p/kg £1246.60 was realised for a Limousin stock bull consigned by Messrs Rayson, Salmons Well. 

Hi guys, apologies for the limited service today - I'm on holiday this week, so am not really supposed to be doing Taking Stock, however, with two big sales this week, I'm doing a bit to keep things up to date.

Anyway, back to the action and the top call so far at Worcester is a 15,000gns bid for the male champion from Malcolm Reid's Kelso flock. This one is ET bred by Mellor Vale Officer and out of a Casltecairn Keltic Star daughter.

Then at 5000gns was the best of the shearlings so far, Loosebeare Oh Boy Oh Boy from the Quick family. This is by Loosebeare Knightrider and out of a Douganhill Ferrari daughter.

Making 4000gns was the reserve female champion from Neil and Emma Pamlin. This one has been interbreed champion at Suffolk and East of England Show this year and is by Ettrick Nutcracker and out of a Lyonshall Lucky Strike daughter.

Also at this level was a Castlecairn Nile God son from Charlie Boden's Sportsmans flock. He is out of a Baltier Kracker daughter.

Making 3600gns was Haddo Performer from the Knox family. This one is by Glenside Forsyth and out of a dam by Cowal Maverick.

And at 3000gns was Penparc Pay Master from the Smiths. He's by Walton-Lea Orion and out of a dam by Annan Jewel.

No news on the buyers of these yet, pictures to follow later today.....

Well bred sheep commanded premium prices at yesterday's (Monday 31) noted Euro Sheep Sale, Carlisle, which saw prices topping at £260 for ewes, £300 for shearling gimmers and £122 for ewe lambs.

With 5407 ewes, gimmers and lambs forward it were the Texels grasping top ewe price, with Beltex topping shearling gimmer price and Millenium Bleu's for the ewe lambs.  

Auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington

Last week's inaugural show and sale of Lleyn prime lambs, Borderway Mart, Carlisle saw good prices for quality sheep. The champion pen forward by M/s Fell, Chapel Farm, Bassenthwaite sold at 38kg £66.50 to Rob Skelton.

Taking reserve champion was M/s Wilson, Scales Farm whose 40kg lamb made £69.80 to Andrew Dawson.

For purebred Lleyns prices topped at £67.80 for a 51kg lamb from Mr Morton, Bank Hall, with a 40kg lamb from M/s Geldard selling for £58.80, both to Welsh Country.  

Cross lambs out of Lleyn ewes topped at £69.80 for a 40kg lamb from M/s Wilson selling to A Dawson.