January 2010 Archives

The livestock dispersal for Nympton Park Estate, Devon, earlier this week saw 123 Devon cattle and 890 Lleyn sheep go under the hammer to a strong trade, report Kivells.

Topping the cattle on offer was a £2100 sale for seven year old cow Heywood Violet Rose, sold in-calf. Next best was Burwood Coins 59 at £1860.

Leading the sheep trade was a pen of shearling ewes at £142, with two lamb ewes selling for up to £140. Top call among  the ewe lambs was a £70 bid.

Topping last Saturday's sale of Limousin females at Ballymena was a 225ogns call for a cow and calf from Messrs McKenna Brothers, Bellaghy, Co Derry.

This one was June 2006 first calver Archiees Buttercup, sold with her March 2009-born heifer calf Archies Elliee, a Malibu daughter, at foot. Buttercup is by Oxygene, sire of Wilodge Tonka, and out of Shanesview Sadie. Buying this one was Alan Armstrong, Ballyclare.

Making 1900gns was Bodearg Dani, a June 2008-born heifer from S Cullinan, Fintona. This Sauvignon daughter is out of Oxtown Jinny and sold to Paul Campbell, Carnlough.

And then at 1880gns was in-calf heifer Seaview Clarrisa from H McCracken, Ballywater. By homebred sire Seaview Alfy, she is out of Seaview Vanessa, a Grahams Samson daughter. She sold to Mr Armstrong again.

Averages; five in calf heifers £1764, three cows with calves at foot £1680, 31 maiden heifers £1307.25, one cow £1552.50.

Unfortunately, it is a little later than I promised, but here is my pick from the Beef Shorthorn bulls on offer at Stirling next week. Once again this is only my pick of the offering, so feel free to add your comments below.

First up for me is a pair of ET bred bulls from Messrs Williamson. Their first is a fully Canadian bred bull Alvie Blue Eyedboy, being by Wolf Willow Major Leroy and out of HC Melba Niam, this one comes with terminal sire index of +13 and a self replacing index of +8. Not the greatest figures in the book, but his full Canadian breeding could be interesting. A

As could his herd mate, Alvie Blaze, this is by Saskvalley Pioneer and out of Prairie Lane Sparkle. Once again the figures aren't startling, but with foreign parents on both sides he's one to see anyway.

Next mark in the catalogue for me is Fingask Bigfoot from Willie McGowan. This is by Uppermill Rattle, the same sire as the October sale champion, and is out of Fingask Rosette Topsey, an Uppermill Lifton daughter. He has a TSI of +21 and an SRI of +19. But his calving ease figure is -12, so that's a slight concern.

Then comes one from Gerald Turton, Barossa of Upsall. This Dunsyre North Star son is out of Nonpareil X291 of Upsall, an Uppermill Recto daughter. He has a TSI of +21 and an SRI of +18, but once again his calving ease figure is in the negative range at -5.

And then comes Glenisla Banqo from Major Gibb. This Fearn Wyish son is out of Glenisla Eva Broadhooks, a Belmore Fuel Injected daughter. This one comes with a TSI of +21 and an SRI of the same value.

Following yesterday's report on the sale of Aberdeen-Angus bull Balmachie Black Bear to the USA for 75,000gns, here is a video shot last autumn of the bull in all his glory. Thanks to breeder John Lascelles and video producer Rob Bryce for making this available to Taking Stock.

Click the white play button to see the video.

UPDATE: And here's the latest photo of him taken yesterday.

Charolais breeders enjoyed a record breaking year in 2009, selling 746 bulls at official sales to average £4689, with an increase in the number sold by 10% on 2008.

And, as regular Taking Stock readers will recall, the breed also saw a centre record equalled at Perth last February when Sportsmans Columbo sold for 55,000gns, on a day when the breed set a new Continental breeds average of £6062 for 195 sold.

New records were also set at Welshpool, when the town's new mart hosted its first sale for the breed and set a new centre record of 8300gns, with an average of £3349.50 for 50 sold.

Breed chairman Iain Millar says the confidence coming from the suckler sector for Charolais cross cattle is refelcted in commercial buyers seeking out quality Charolais bulls. "Charolais crosses leave a margin for suckler producers, finishers and processors because they have the genetic ability to finish to the preferred target weight quicker and more efficiently."

The dispersal of the Findhorn herd of Aberdeen-Angus for the executors of Messrs Stark, Aiten Farm at Dingwall Mart, hit a top note of 4400gns when the herd's stock bull Duncanziemere Edwin sold yesterday. This Rawburn Transformer son is out of Duncanziemere Edwina.

At 1800gns was the best of the in-calf cows Findhorn Jilleen Erica, a Ballheather Denmark daughter out of Findhorn Jill Erica. And making 1600gns was the top priced cow and calf, Findhorn Petula, a Nightingale Regent daughter sold with Findhorn Petra, her heifer calf, at foot.

Heifers, meanwhile, sold to a high spot of 1700gns for Findhorn Jilly Erica, a Duncanziemere Edwin daughter out of Findhorn Jilleen Erica, the top priced in-calf cow of the day.

It seems to be the day for news of Texans, as hot on the heels of the sale of Aberdeen-Angus bull Balmachie Black Bear to Texan breeders 8G Livestock, comes news from Semenstore of the sale of Limousin, British Blue and Charolais semen to Texan breeders Bob Cummins, Hilltop Farms, and Javier Moreno.

Mr Cummins took semen from five Limousin bulls, while Mr Moreno has bought the British Blue and Charolais semen alongside semen from two Limousins.

The Limousin semen taken by Mr Cummins will be put to use in his Brahmousin herd which is a crossbred herd of Limousin x Brahma cattle establised in 1983. "My interest in British Limousin sires lies in ther potential to provide some additional thickness and muscling in our cattle."

Bluefaced Leicester female trade kept up the momentum it gained at the breed's previous sale at Carlisle, when prices peaked at £4000 at Hawes on Saturday.

The sale topper was a ewe hogget from the Smearsett flock of W A and A Booth, which had stood champion in the pre-sale show. ET bred, she is by an £11,500 Hundith tup and out of a dam by Star Green M1. Five from the same flush have been retained by the Booths, with this one selling to Robert Wallace, Macherquhat, Girvan, buyer of the 5000gns female at Carlisle just days earlier.

Second top call was a £2800 bid for a ewe lamb from the Lord family's Hewgill flock. This was by Hewgill Z14 and is out of a full sister to Hewgill Z40, a tup breeding well for the family. She sold to Garry Shields, Tarn House, Ravenstonedale.

At £2500 was the best shearling of the day, a daughter of Snab Green X1 and carrying twins to Hundith Z4 from Neil Marston. She goes back to a Bull and Cave ewe purchased as part of the farm's restocking programme. Taking this one home were G Jackson and Son, Anchor Farm.

Next best in the shearlings was a £1600 call for one from the Lords. This was a daughter of Hewgill V45 out of a dam by Lunedale R1.

Averages; ewe hoggets £1164, shearling ewes £965 (Hawes Farmers Mart).

Next best of the day was an £1800 sale for a shearling ewe from W M Hutchinson and Son's Kirkby Redgate flock.

Prices for beef breeding cattle were strong at last Friday's sale of beef breeding cattle at Carlisle with in calf heifers selling to a top of £1320 twice for British Blue and Limousin crosses from N and O Pattinson, the Flatt, Great Orton.

British Blue cross heifers from Messrs Reeday and Son, Manor Farm, Skipton, sold to £1280, while the top price of the day went to a Limousin cow and calf outfit which made £2150 for R Stevenson, Howgill Foot, Kaber. Calved heifers sold to £1900 from Messrs C J and A J Owen, Keld.

Word has reached me that one of the more fancied bulls from the Aberdeen-Angus entry for next month's Stirling sale has been sold privately for a new UK record price of 75,000gns to Texan breeders Kelly and Jacqui Grissom of 8G Livestock

The bull, Balmachie Black Bear from John Lascelles, is a Rawburn Lord Ross son out of Blelack Blackbird, a Blelack Lord Hornblower daughter. He has a terminal sire index of +24 and a self replacing index of +21. 

He has previously been National Aberdeen-Angus calf show junior champion and reserve overall in 2008, Royal Highland junior champion and reserve male champion in 2009 and overall champion at the National Calf Show at Agri-Expo last October too (where the photo above was taken).

Regular readers of Taking Stock will remember this was one of the bulls picked out as one to watch at Stirling in last week's preview of the sale. Admittedly I did pick out his negative calving ease figure as a potential problem, but that it seems is no barrier for his new Texas-based owners.

Hearty congratulations to John Lascelles and all at Balmachie, it is some achievement and is quite a coup to have a bull make that much privately and particularly to sell one across the pond to the USA.

UK semen rights for the bull have been retained by the Balmachie herd, with the Texan team already hard at work selling semen with negotiations for the bull's purchase ongoing for the last week. And, as John is keen to point out he still has three bulls for sale next week, including a Canadian bred bull out of the famous Miss Essence 21R by Southland Full Throttle - this is believed to be the only bull offered at the Perth sales out of this cow.

UPDATE: Black Bear will be staying in the UK for the timebeing and will be shown at this year's Royal Highland Show under joint ownership, with Kelly Grissom keen to get the bull back to the USA at some point after that so he can be shown there too. Semen will be collected after the Highland for export to the USA and worldwide. 

Demand for in-milk cattle is still seemingly outstripping supply at Carlisle, with last week's Border and Lakeland Holstein Club seeing trade top at 1850gns for the day's pre-sale champion Wormanby Talent Ricki from the Hodgson family.

This Ladino Park Talen daughter from a long line of Ex and VG calves was fresh from her second calving and sold to R D and L McKelvey, Lockerbie.

Then at 1820gns was Stowbeck Decker Pansey from Skirwith Hall Farms, this Far-O-La-Debbi-Jo Decker daughter  is bred from five generations of Ex and VG dams. She sold to R G and W Whitfield, Silloth.

At the same money was Keirmans Dynamo Roselind, from M Young, Beucahn Farm, Keir. She is a Nethersode Dynamo daughter out of a comestar Outside sired dam and sold to T W Fawcett, Blencoe. And three then sold at 1800gns.

Averages; four cows in milk £1719.38, 11 heifers in milk £1760.18 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Further to the highlights I brought you on Wednesday, here's a fuller report from the Deehaven sale.

Top call stuck at 3500gns for Deehaven Amerry Erland Red, which sold to D Davies, Llandysul, Ceredigion.

Next best at 3200gns was Deehaven Goldwyn Milly. This Braedale Goldwyn daughter is out of Deehaven Leader Milly, a dam with three lactations at 10,000 litres and above. She sold to Lewis Pearson.

Then at 3100gns was Deehaven Lancelot Milly. This Lysdel Lancelot daughter is out of Deehaven Freeman Milly and sold in-calf to April-Day Wisconsin Red. She was snapped up by S F Roberts for the Townhouse herd.

At 3000gns was Deehaven Tom Erland as mentioned on Wednesday. This one sold to G A G Evans for the Trawscoed herd.

And selling for 2900gns was Deehaven Dolman Alma. This one, by Regancrest Dolman is out of Deehaven Magnet Alma, a dam which gave more than 12,000 litres in her fourth miking. Bred from six generations of Ex or VG dams she sold to G W and M Coates and Son for the Bailmoor herd.

Six sold at 2800gns, with five of them selling to G A G Evans for the Trawscoed herd and the sixth selling to A Fletcher.

Overall the 19 calved heifers averaged £2853, the 77 served heifers levelled at £1820 and the 63 maidens on offer sold to average £1287, with David and James Manning the main buyers when sourcing 28 head for their Newcross herd.

Following yesterday's Limousin preview, here's the my look at the Aberdeen-Angus bulls on offer at Stirling in 10 days time, its a mighty catalogue, with some 219 bulls entered, so this really will be just a snapshot look at the highlights I've found.

And, first up is one of the most talked about bulls of the last 12 months, Balmachie Balck Bear from John Lascelles. This one was national calf show champion in 2009, as well as being national calf show junior male champion in 2008 and reserve male champion at the Highland last year.

He's a Rawburn Lord Ross son, out of a Blelack Black Hornblower sired dam and comes with a terminal sire index of +24. But watch out for his calving ease values, he scores a sizemic -16.6 for direct ease and -5.6 for his daughters calving ease. Not one for use on heifers then maybe?

Following that is Auldhouseburn Black Douglas. This Duncanziemere Judge so ins out of a dam by The Moss Europa and carries a TSI of +31 and an SRI of +45. Judge's first son made 6000gns in October and a daughter sold for 10,000gns at Best of the Blacks sale last year, so this one should be full of promise.

Up next in my pick is Belhaven Reverence, a Hoff Limited Edition son out of Prairielane 8116 Rosebud. This makes him an ET full brother to a string of Rawburn bulls, including Rommel, Rochester and Randolph and with figures of +37 and +43, he offers an exciting prospect.

Then another Limited Edition son from Belhaven also catches the eye. This is Belhaven Ecurie Ecosse, out of Royal Eston Anne. This one is full brother to Rawburn Enigma and maternal sisters have picked up red tickets at the Highland and Border Union Shows. his TSI is +33 and his SRI is +42.

One from Wedderlie, Aynho Rossiter Eric son, Wedderlie New Era, is next. This is out of Wedderlie Nereid, a Tui Blackmark daughter. He comes with a TSI of +31 and an SRI of +46.

Yet another from John Gilmour is next, Belhaven Popinjayy is next. This Rawburn Transformer son is out of Wedderlie Popart, another Blackmark daughter and has a TSI of +38 and a massive SRI of +55, impressive figures and a great maternal line too.

And another with massive maternal figures is the first red in the catalogue, Logie Red Eagle. He's a Nightingale Poldark son out of Logie Red Eyebright, a Carhurlie Dynastic daughter and has a TSI of +42 and an SRI of +50, despite a direct calving ease of -4.2.

Tuesday's sale of Holsteins at Lancaster saw a top price of 6100gns paid for the pre-sale show champion, Inspired Chapters Rose, a VG88 rated cow which gave more than 10,000kg as a heifer. This one, forward from Carl Smith, sold to Andrew Bunting, Dumfries bidding on the phone.

Second top of the day came from the sale's biggest vendors Messrs J Burrow and Son, with their heifer Stardale Jordan Vaajke 6, a Roylane Jordan daughter bred from 11 generations of VG or EX rated dams. She sodl tto wendy Brassington, Shropshire, for the Cracking herd.

At 4000gns was another from the Burrows, this time a Shottle daughter out of Skyhigh Durham Adeen, an MS Kingstead Cheif Adeen daughter. This sold to W and S Airey, Carnforth. A full sister to this one then sold at 3000gns to J P Robson, Garrstang.

Selling at 3800gns was Ingleview Igniter Dandy, a VG86 rated heifer from Robert and Elaine Butterfield, She sold to A Bargh, Penrith.

Also at this money was the best of the day from Wilson and Stephen Boow. This was a Red Talent daughter out of a cow from their Aldina family and sold to Maurice Jones, Calcourt Farms, Montgomeryshire.

Averages; 12 cows £2208.50, 55 calved heifers £2327.95, one bull £1312.50, 19 embryos £604.02 (Norton and Brooksbank).

And another from the Butterfields made 3000gns, this was Ingleview Igniter Kelly which sold to Wndy Brassington.

With the first of the spring bulls sales at Stirling just 10 days away it was with a reassuring thump that the Limousin and Angus catalogues arrived on my desk this morning. Admittedly the Angus catalogue is a more weighty tome than the Lim one, but the Lims do have more than 300 bulls entered for Carlisle in three weeks time, so that's no great suprise.

Now, on to the main business of this post, a preview of the Lims on offer next month at Stirling. Once again the dominance of the blacks of the breed at Scottish sales looks set to continue, with no fewer than 14 black bulls entered for the sale out of the 119 Limousins on offer.

First to catch my eye in the catalogue is also the first in the book, Millington Defender. This is a Neuf son out of French cow Superbe, a Mas Du Clo daughter and sells with a beef value of +40, with a full brother having made 9500gns previously.

Then a few lots later is Culnagechan Douglas from Derek Hume. This Cloughhead Umpire son is out of Kype Vicky, a Cloughhead Lord daughter. This one was interbreed performance bull champion at Balmoral last year and third in the all Ireland bull derby.

Another from Millington also catches the eye, being Millington Dolomite a full brother to Millington Tangerine, the great show cow of previous years. His figures are far from exceptional, but his sister was a tremendous cow in her day, so he has to worth taking a look at.

The first from Bruce Goldie is also worth noting, carrying a beef value of +35 and being a Goldies Terence son. He's out of Goldies Ainsi, a Greenwell Major daughter.

And also of note on the EBV side of things is Ringway Digby, this son of Oxygene, grandsire of the great breeding bull Wilodge Vantastic, is out of a Cloughhead Rocket daughter and has a beef value of +36. 

A beef value of +37 supports the first of Michael Massie's to catch the eye, this is Elrick Dominator, a Croftlimousin Spencer son, out of a Ryedale Paragon daughter in the shape of Elrick Tango.

And another from Millington is noteworthy for being out of a maternal sister to Tangerine and by Cannon son Woodhouse Prince.

By far the most eyecatching so far in the book is the black bull Goldies Black Detroit from Bruce Goldie. This one is by Normande Arapaho and out of Goldies Veil, giving him the same sire and grand dam as October's 12,000gns bull Goldies Black Denver which sold to Harry Emslie and the same grand dam as 25,000gns Bailea Black BMW. He has a beef value of a whopping +46.

Store cattle were in hot demand at Lockerbie yesterday, with 324 selling to a ringside of eager buyers.

Taking the top call was a Blonde corss from Messrs Braid at £1180, while another from the same vendor, this time a Charolais cross sold to £1140.

Topping the heifers was a Charolais cross from Messrs Davidson, Poldean, Moffat, at £1010, while Messrs Fisher, Lairdlaugh, Springholm, sold a Limousin cross at £945.

Averages; steers £843.67, heifers £736.28 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Friday's sale of working dogs at Skipton once again saw a strong trade for the best of the dogs on offer, with a top price of 3600gns paid for 13 month old black-and-white bitch Dot from John Bell, Howden, Selby.

This one is by 2008 international trials champion Mirk from Kvein Evans, Brecon, and out of Floss, the top priced bitch at the 2007 Kendal sale and now owned by John Wheaton. She sold to Jock Sutherland, farm manager for Keoldale Farms, Durness.

Making the day's second top price of 3500gns was a 23 month old tri-coloured bitch from Colin Pickford, Cheshire. This was Rainbow Bet, a daughter of Aled Owen's Roy. She sold to an undisclosed buyer.

Selling for 3200gns was Sweep, a September 2007-born black-and-white dog. This one sold to the vendor of the top priced dog, John Bell, for  further training.

Also at this money was one form Iolo Owen, 30 month old black-and-white dog. This one, by Eifion Hope's Kep, sold to an undisclosed North Wales buyer.

Averages; well broken dogs £1838, part broken dogs £403 and pups £251 (Craven Cattle Marts).

Hoggett values have held up well in some of yesterday's primestock sales, although they have eased back on last week to a degree, but once again there is a north-south divide emerging and despite larger numbers offered the northern marts have held the whip hand on prices again.

At Carlisle yesterday the 2219 hoggets forward levelled at 192.2p/kg, back some 9p/kg on the week, although with some marts reporting drops of 25-40p/kg at the back end of last week this is look's a strong trade.

Top call at Carlisle was a 250p/kg sale for G W Thornborrow and sons, Newbiggin Hall Farm, while top price a head went to R Mark, with two pens at £105 each.

Further north at St Boswells the entry of 2491 averaged 191.8p/kg a very similar price to that achieved at Carlisle and back 13.2p/kg on that mart's trade last week. Top call/kg here was 227.6p/kg and top price a head was £100.

Across at Lockerbie trade went as high as £96.50/head for Texel x North Country Cheviots, with the best export lambs selling to average 215p/kg.

Meanwhile, marts further south look like the poor relations with Bakewell selling 1771 hoggets to average 178.15p/kg some way short of prices achieved in the Borders marts. Top here was a 205p/kg bid for Charollais crosses at 42kg. Best price a head was £108 for Texel crosses.

And at Exeter the 1064 sold ended the day averaging 175.28p/kg, with a top price of £188p/kg for very light hoggets - indeed they aren't even in the price/kg breakdown which starts at 32.1kg! Best price a head was an £88.50 bid.

Here are a couple more of the top prices from the Bluefaced trade at Carlisle today.

Selling at 3000 gns was the best from the Hewgill flock of Messrs Lord. This was Hewgill B68, a ewe lamb by Hewgill Z14 and out of a dam by Hewgill M8. This ewe lamb had stood champion in the pre-sale show and sold to S Allan and Sons, Dufton, Appleby.

And at the day's top price of 5000gns was a ewe lamb from Kirkby Redgate, a daughter of Hewgill Y25. This was Kirkby Redgate B48 which is out of a dam by Keer W001. She had been the second prize ewe lamb in the pre-sale show and reserve overall champion and was bought by R Wallace, Macherquhat Farm, Ballantrae. 

Here are a few more highlights from the Bluefaced Leicester sale at Carlisle. Still the pick of the trade is coming for John Smith Jackson's flock reduction, with a 2600gns bid for Shafthill Y36, a Shafthill S25 daughtter out of a dam by Hewgill P3. This one is out of a dam which is full sister to the 2000gns P3 daughter sold earlier. She was bought by A C and K Pye and Son, Abbeystead, Lancaster.

Then at 2400gns was the best of the ewe lambs from Shafthill, a Shafthill W1 daughter, Shafthill B028. This one is out of a dam by Riddings W7 and sold to G and G Jackson and Son, Blubber Houses, Otley.

Selling for 2200gns was the first of the day from the Wight family's Midlock flock, Midlock A63. This shearling is by Riddings X001 and out of a dam by Bull and Cave V003. She sold in-lamb to Midlock Z040 and is carrying triplets. She was taken home by Messrs Kerr, Sauchrie Mains, Maybole, having been the first place shearling in the pre-sale show.

And a brace of Midlock entries then made 2200gns. First to sell at this money was a daughter of Midlock Z001 out of  a dam by Midlock S003. Sold carrying triplets to Craigskeen A2, she was bought by B T Blaney, Cushendall, Co Antrim. The second at this level was another Z001 daughter, this time out a dam by Nunscleugh N025. Also in lamb to the Craigskeen sire this one was scanned for a pair and sold to H Henry, Kilwaughter, Co Antrim.

Two from the same home then sold at 2100gns, the first was Midlock A71, a Midlock Z001 daughter out of a dam by Midlock S003 and was sold carrying triplets by Craigskeen A2. This sold to D McCrystal, Drummuck, Co Londonderry.

The other was a daughter of Nunscleugh N025 and out of a dam by Hafrena S002. She was also in lamb to Craigskeen A2 and was carrying a pair and headed to C Campbell, Easter Happdrew, Peebles.

Today's sale of Bluefaced Leicesters at Carlisle has certainly drawn a big crowd and a few big prices too, with trade hitting 4200gns, so far.

Taking this top call was the best of the day from the reduction of John Smith Jackson's Shafthill flock. This one was Shafthill Z022, a daughter of Shafthill S25 out of a dam by Hewgill P3. She was sold carrying triplets to Highberries B3 due in March. She sold to S Laverty, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

At 3200gns was Shafthill A028, a Shafthill Y8 daughter out of another P3 daughter. She was sold carrying twins to Shafhill Z21. This one sold in a two way split to G E Carter and Son, Longtown, and Messrs Bell and Copeland, Newcastleton.

And a brace made 2000gns. First of these was Shafhill S44, a P3 daughter out of a dam by Shafthill J14 and sold carrrying a single by Highberries B3. This one is dam of both the 4200gns and 3200gns ewes. This one sold to the Skidmore family, North Hanging Wells.

The other at this money was Shafthill A026, a Shafthill W1 daughter out of a dam by Shafthill P1 and carrying twins by B3. She also headed back to North Hanging Wells with the Skidmores.

More news to follow in due course......

The East of England Show, Peterborough, is to be the venue for the English National Charolais Show for 2010.

Following the demise of the Royal Show and the success of the 2009 show in hosting a regional feature show for the breed, Charolais chief executive David Benson said the venue provided an excellent opportunity for the breed.

And the entries are set to be placed by leading Welsh breeder Kevin Thomas of the Moelfre herd, West Wales.

Schedules will be available from March onwards by contacting livestock secretary Kerry Buttriss - kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk

Trade at last week's mid-month sale at Beeston saw a top call of £2600 paid for a Shottle daughter from D J D and J B Taylor. This fresh calved heifer was giving 36kg a day when sold to J L and E M Parker and Son, Stafford.

At £2180 was a heifer from D J and s Windsor, Whitchurch. This Moet Nansen daughter calved on 6 January and was snapped up by local buyers P and A Howard.

Then at £2100 was another heifer from Messrs Taylor. This one, by Askew Reece and giving 32kg a day sold to Messrs Parker, again. Another two from the Taylors sold at £2000, as did a heifer from Mark Dowden, also by Askew Reece, this one giving 33.5kg a day sold to Geoff Thomasson, Norbury.

Top priced cow of the sale was a £2000 bid for Lavenham Annie 1361, a Merchant daughter consigned by R Darlington. She sold to J G and C A Bayley, Nuneaton.

Averages; 147 cows and milking heifers £1330.14 (Wright Manley).

Last Friday's anniversary sale of store cattle at Thainstone saw Andrew Anderson from Smallburn Farms, Elgin, dominate proceedings, taking both the championship and reserve in the pre-sale show.

His champion was the bullock leaders, a 527kg Limousin cross which sold for £1380 to the judge Tom Stevenson, Balmacolly Farm, Bankfoot, while reserve went to a 698kg British Blue cross heifer which sold at £1450, also to Mr Stevenson.

Overall the 1099 steers forward levelled at 183.3p/kg, selling to a top of 253.2p/kg, while the 762 heifers entered sold to average 174.5p/kg and topped at 259.3p/kg.

And the 39 buls sold on the day made an average of 181.9p/kg and hit a high spot of 220.1p/kg.

It seems the race to have something novel to say about stock entered for this spring's bulls sales is hotting up.

Hard on the heels of the Angus Society's health announcement comes news from the Limousin Society that all bulls entered for the breed's sale at Carlisle on 13 February are to be tested for the F4L gene variation of the myostatin gene.

The gene, found in 98% of purebred Limousins, has been shown in international research to increase the weight of prime cuts in animals by 19% and overall beef yield by 7%.   

Findings in the first instance will be published on a collective basis and will identify the percentage of bulls tested found to be carrying two copies of the gene.  Beyond analysis of the February results, consideration will then be given by the BLCS to the merits and protocols of presenting this information on an ongoing basis in Society Sale catalogues. 

An entry of 359 in-lamb ewes at Skipton yesterday sold to a top price of £160/head for Texels due in March from Alan Birbeck, Kirby Stephen, which sold to L D Sutherland, East Yorkshire.

The same vendor also sold similar ewes at £158 and £155/head and Mules at £140 apiece and Swaledales at £126 each.

In-lamb Mule hoggets sold to a top of £122 for C and N Shearing, Littledale, Lancaster, which sold to C E and S J Mills, York.

While these prices look encouraging, I have to say bearing in mind the currrent cull ewe trade seen in many parts these ewes look good value, particularly if they're carrying twins. It will be interesting to see how the couple trade develops in due course.

Averages; Texels £104, Mules £114, Swaledales £122, Mashams £113, Cheviots £130, Mule hoggets £117 (Craven Cattle Marts).

Store cattle at yesterday's show and sale at Carlisle hit a top call of £1105 for a Charolais cross steer from Rose Farm. Others of the same breed sold to £1060 for Sideway Bank.

Limousins from Rose Farm also topped that breed, with a £1060 bid, another from the same home made £1050, while one from Millerhill sold to £1055.

Champion on the day was a Limousin steer by Easegillhead Triumph from the Trafford family, Bassenthwaite Hall Farm, which went on to sell for £1045 to D A Wilcock, Gladden Hay, North Ashton.

Next month's bull sales at Stirling will be the first at which new health rules for Angus cattle at Society sales come into force.

All cattle entered for these sales will need to come from BVD accredited herds and be vaccinated for BVD. If vendors can't forward stock from accredited herds then those individual animals will have to be tested and vaccinated against BVD.

Similarly, with Johne's Disease cattle must come from herds which are testing for Johne's and taking steps to eradicate the disease.

Its a bold move by the Angus Society and it certainly sends out a positive signal to potential customers about the stock on offer. I'll be taking a flick through the Stirling catalogues next week, so have a look back then for a preview of what's on offer in the first week of the 2010 sales.

Last Saturday's sale of in-lamb Texel females at Lanark saw a top call of 2300gns given for the champion from the pre-sale show, a Glenside King II daughter from Mrs L Suart's Denty flock. This one, out of a dam by Alticane Glory  goes back to Annan Double Trigger and sold in lamb to Humeston Outback, a Milnbank Lyon King Son. He was bought by Messrs Smith, Greenloaning, Perth.

Second best on the day at 1600gns was the reserve champion, a Tamnamoney Navvy daughter from Robert Cockburn's Connachan flock. This one with lines back to Cloughbane Hans and sold in lamb to Garngour Onyx, a Tamnamoney Lynbrook son, is out of a dam which was bought in partnership with the Ettrick flock for 4800gns.

And selling for 1000gns was an ET sister to the champion from Mrs Stuart. This one sold to Alistair Beaton, Wester Crosshill, Falkirk.

Then at 800gns was one from Gordon Graham's Kypeview flock and sold in aid of the Help For Heroes charity. This ewe by Durisdeer Nimrod and out of a dam by Carran Jackie Chan, sold in lamb to Procters's Playboy carrying a single. Having stood first as a lamb at Stonehouse show in 2008 she sold to J Rorison, Patna.

Also at this money was one from Kerr Jarvie's Tapanui flock. This was a Hull House Nijinsky daughter out of a dam by Baltier King and going back to Clougher Dynamite. She was sold having been AI'd to Garngour Onyx and was taken by I Graham, Kilmacolm.

Selling for 700gns was another from the Connachan entry, this time a Hull House Nijinsky daughter out of a dam by Crookholm Impressario. She was again in lamb to Garngour Onyx and her dam cost 1500gns when bought from Ettrick. She sold to Mr Graham again.

And another at 700gns was the best of the day from the Grougfoot flock. This Craighead Masterpiece daughter is out of a dam by homebred sire Grougfoot Jocks Favourite and was sold carrying pregnancies to Millar's Outsmart. Buying this one was J Boyd, Camuslang.

Hoggets at the first Young Farmers Singles Night at Bentham sold to a top price of a remarkable £2250 for first prize hogget in the best presented class, a Beltex cross ewe hogget which sold to the judge for the best presented class, Les Thackray. The proceeds from the sale were immediately donated to three young farmers clubs in the area, burton-in-Lonsdale, Lawkland and Rathmell, and the hogget was then resold for £800 to retail butcher George Cropper, Accrington.

First prize short wooled hogget was awarded to Josh Harris, Long Preston, with another Beltex cross ewe which sold for £220 to Mr Cropper, while the first prize long wooled hogget went to a Mule weather from Hayley Baines which sold to £89 to Yorkshire Halal Meats, Keighley.

Meanwhile, cull ewes sold on the same day topped at £182 for a Texel from James Robinson, Carnforth. Continental crosses from Robert Towers, Farelton, sold to £180 apiece, while Mules sold to £136. Overall the cull ewes levelled at £94.92.

Once again the extreme weather being experienced in parts of the country has beaten sale organisers, with today's Welsh Black sale at Dolgellau the latest to be cancelled.

This sale has been re-scheduled for 29 January at the same venue. With that, last week's Deehaven sale and last week's Western Holstein Club sale at Beeston all biting the dust it is beginning to look like the 2010 is going to be the year of postponed sales, here's hoping the next few days see some easing of conditions and trading can get back to normalality.

Texel and Beltex in-lamb ewes were in demand at Chelford on Saturday, despite the weather conditions which made travelling to the sale tricky for some.

TEXEL

Taking the day's top call of 2650gns was the day's Texel champion, an in-lamb shearling from Idris Morris' Fachell flock. This was aa Fachell Nutter daughter in-lamb to Baltier Prestige, a Kelso Ozone son. She sold to Messrs Warren, Bradford.

Next best at 900gns was one from David, Islay and Lisa Gray, an Ettrick Karate Chop daughter out of a dam by Ettrick High Jinks and sold in-lamb to Mitchelhill Paparazzi. This one sold back to Scotland, joining Messrs Kenny.

Top call at Friday's sale of store cattle at Leyburn was a £1030 bid for a Limousin steer from R W Wallis and Sons, who also sold similar at £910.

Making £970 were more Limousin cross steers from W M Iveson and Armstrong Partners. British Blue heifers, meanwhile, topped at 3960, again from Messrs Wallis, with more from the same home making £960 and £955.

In the show the championship was awarded to a British Blue steer from Ken Whitehead, Muker, Swaledale, which went on to sell for £890 to Brian Phillips, Northallerton.

Top call in the heifers was a £970 bid for a Limousin cross from G H and J Wallis and Son, with one from Robson House Farms making the same money. And at £925 was one from Keirey Limousins.

Selling for £900 was a British Blue heifer from J K and C H Wilkinson, with one from Ken Whitehead making £900 as well, as did another from R W Wallis and Sons.

Both the official British Blue Society sale and the Bringlee production sale due to take place at Carlisle next Friday have been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions which are forecast to continue for some time to come.

They have been rescheduled for Friday 19 February. The Deehaven Holstein sale which was postponed on Wednesday has been rescheduled for 20 January.

Last year, not unexpectedly given the overall cattle trade, was a record year for pedigree Limousin sales, with total sales grossing £6,145,344.  The new record mark is up on the year by £914,000.

Top call for the breed was of course the 38,000gns sale of Red Ladies Derby champion Trueman Duet from Henry Savage to Smiths of Bloxham in December. Top male price of the year for the second year running went to the Wilodge herd of Christine Williams and Paul Tippetts with Wilodge Dallaglio making 30,000gns for the couple in October.

Bulls averaged £4592 - up by £566 on the year - with numbers sold increasing by 19% to gross in total over £4m, while the Red Ladies Derby saw another all-breeds record set when 52 maiden heifers averaged £4421 (up by more than £1100 on the year) in an overall sale gross of over £400,000.

The only question is can the breed sustain this trade and level of growth in 2010? All indications would suggest so, with a number of high profile new breeders joining the action in late 2009. So, who's going to be the biggest spender in 2010, it could be a hard fought contest!

Following the sale of British Blues at Carlisle next week will be the second Bringlee productions sale, and like the first there look to be some real gems on offer next week.

First to take my fancy is Bringlee Damy, a Bringlee Waldo daughter out of Carrock Amy, a Daffyd daughter. This black heifer's dam is half sister to an 11,000gns bull and she carries a carcass value of +16.

Then comes Bringlee Duana, a Raciste daughter out of the exceptional show cow Bringlee Sandy. As a maternal brother to Waldo, Volkawagon and a host of other bulls this one really is one to watch.

Next up is Bringlee Desiree, a Sandy daughter by Sjaka Zoeloe Van Zwaanhof. She stood first at both Agri Expo and the Welsh calf Show where she was also champion. then immediately after is her full sister, Bringlee Dorinda, she was shown twice as a calf, standing second both times to herd mate and previous lot Bringlee Desiree.

And a few lots later is Bringlee Emma, a Waldo daughter out of Burton Ulrika, she is full sister to Bringlee Darcy sold for 6000gns last year as a calf.

Following that is Bringlee Electra, a Bringlee Blackstar daughter out of Belgian cow Cerise 2120 Neuve Cour. She was breed and interbreed champion at Nantwich and looks one to watch for this year.Her full sister Elvina sells next and could be another to watch.

Close behind is another of interest is one from Boomer Birch's guest consignment, Boomer Ebony. This is by Waldo and out of Boomer Bambi, a Daffyd daughter.

After that catching my eye are a brace of Sandy heifers by Graphite, these could be an interesting combination of genetics. The first is Bringlee Estelle, while the second is Bringlee Elvadine. Estelle was first prize intermediate heifer at the Welsh calf show.

Among the embryos on offer is one by Gamin Des 3 Frontiers and out of Boomer Armani, dam of Boomer DKNY and Boomer Dior, both of which made their mark on last year's show circuit, this is already implanted into a recipient and is due in June.

As always this is only a brief selection from the catalogue and there's bound to be more you take a shine to than I've mentioned so please feel free to add a comment or two.

One of the first pedigree cattle sales of 2010 will be the British Blue sale at Carlisle next week and its an interesting move by the society to hold a sale in January, here's hoping the weather improves a little by then to allow a good company of vendors and buyers to reach Borderway Mart.

Looking through the catalogue a few lots have caught my eye, although as ever there's bound to something you've marked which I haven't, so feel free to add a comment later.

The first I've spotted is the fifth lot, Clonmore Ben from Oliver McGuinness. This Baron son has an impressive show record having been breed champion at Balmoral last year and also the winner of the bull derby at Castlewellan show. He should be of interest to a few breeders.

Then lot eight, Bringlee Christo, out of the famous show cow Binglee Sandy and by Flash D'Izier is offered. Sandy is one of the most sought after female lines in the breed, so this ET bred son may well attract the bids.

And then I've spotted what look's like the best on offer from Michelle Wilde, Ridge Dean Dynamo. This Empire son is out of the good breeding cow Ridge Dean Navette and has a carcass value of +22.

ET bred exactly the same way is Ridge Dean Delta. He's has an even more impressive carcass value of + 24 and must rank well in Michelle's eyes as she's used him on heifers at home.

Combining some of the best blood available is Snowy Ridge Dynamite. This is by Ballygrnage Alex, Danny and Jane Wyllie's impressive stock bull which was champion at last year's Royal, and out of Ridge Dean Wondering Gem, a Ridge Dean Jessie daughter.

And speaking of Alex, the next lot in is a maternal brother to him. This is Ballygrange Dudley, a Twyning Ash Vaughan son out of Ballygrange Roxy.

Andrew Craig has an interesting run of ET bred bulls on offer, the pick for me being Woodview D Best, an ET bred son of Empire out of Woodview Alice. He carries a carcass value of +25. Full ET brother Woodview Dojo has a carcass value of +21.

Much like the sheep trade the prime cattle trade has been sharper since the turn of the year too, in part due to weather conditions making it harder for some vendors to reach their mart.

At St Boswells on Monday trade was strong with steers avearging 176p/kg and topping at 196p/kg. Heifers at the same centre reached a peak of 207p/kg for one from Robert Neil and Partners and levelled at 177.8p/kg.

Newark on Wednesday saw prices reach a top of 218.5p/kg for young bulls, with steers hitting 228.5p/kg and heifers making up to 222.5p/kg. The three sections levelled at 162.37 for young bulls, 170.28p/kg for steers and 175.97p/kg for heifers.

Market reports from across the country this week have made for interesting reading and it seems the pick of the trade has been the cull ewes, with the best meat ewes making up to £150/apiece.

This price was paid at Melton Mowbray on Tuesday, with St Boswells on Monday getting as high as £140 and Carlisle on the same day reaching a top call of £143.50 and the entry levelling at an impressive £98.50.

At Newark on Wednesday the short entry sold well with Mules making up to £90.

This is a fierce trade for cull ewes and for many of these sheep they will have appreciated in value since they were bought as shearlings rather than depreciating. In fact in some cases it looks like breeding sheep could have been bought for less money last autumn and be sold as culls now to turn a profit.

Admittedly this is the extreme end of the market, but it may prompt another rash of in-lamb ewes being sold as culls rather than being lambed. I'll not go into the morals of this practice as its a divisive issue, but with the lamb trade likely to remain strong throughout the year surely these ewes would be worth more once lambed and sold with their lambs at foot?

The prime lamb trade at the beginning of the week was also hot, with a top call at Carlisle of £111.50 and an entry which averaged 196.50p/kg. St Boswells, meanwhile, averaged 197.6p/kg and topped at £93.50.

Prices at Melton Mowbray on Tuesday went as high as £101.50 for 46kg entries and the day's 2300 lambs sold to average 192.87p/kg.

So far, so good for the sheep trade and with store hoggets reportedly still selling well, sometimes to prices in excess of £70, there appears to still be plenty of optimism in the trade.

The Dairy Burke Trophy, the traditional pairs title awarded at previous Royal Shows, will for this year be judged at the new National All Breeds Dairy Show to be held at Stoneleigh in February and organised by Holstein UK.

With an initial one year licence in place for the trophy to be presented at the All Breeds Show the trophy will continue to recognise the best of British Dairying.

However, while this may seem to be the headline news from the press release issued by Holstein UK there detail buried further down is more interesting I believe.

In a statement welcoming the agreement RASE chairman Henry Cator says..."The arrangement is initially for one year as RASE has not yet finalised all its future event plans. However, both ourselves and Holstein UK, will monitor the event next February and a statement about the future of the competition will be made as soon after the National All Breeds Show as possible."

Now, you can read into those words what you will, but it does seem to suggest that if all goes well the Burke will remain at the All Breeds Show.

This in itself may not seem big news, but think back to last July and RASE's comments about planning a national livestock show for 2011. Is the Burke's move to the All Breeds Show the first nail in that coffin?

Well apparently not, according to RASE's Alice Bell. "We're looking at all the options for a livestock event next year and it may be that the new All Breeds Dairy Show is the best place for the Burke to be in future.

"The bottom line is that RASE has no livestock event this year and allowing the Burke Trophy to be presented at the All Breeds Dairy Show helps keep the competition alive," she added.

I'm yet to be convinced on RASE's plans for 2011, but until they put out any detail I'll my thoughts to myself and wait and see.

Today's final dispersal sale of the Deehaven Holstein herd for Sam Noble has been postponed due to the bad weather in that part of the country.

Thankfully, I wasn't heading there myself and the trusty Taking Stock snapper had the good sense too check before heading out from Lincolnshire.

There's no news on a neew date at this stage, but I would expect it to be rescheduled for the next couple of weeks, weather dependending of course.

I hope the weather's not too bad whereever you're reading this and the stock are coping with the weather as well as can be expected.

The judges for this year's Royal Highland Show are a far flung selection of some of the UK's best known breeders with a couple of overseas names thrown in for good measure.

Taking on the task of the sheep interbreed will be Suffolk breeder Sandy Fraser, Scunthorpe. Having dispersed his noted Santon flock in 2004 Sandy is back in the breed again at the helm of the Hazelwood flock.

Meanwhile the pairs championship honours go to Brian MacTaggart of Douganhill Texel fame. A regular seller of top priced shearling tups at Carlisle and renowned primestock exhibitor Brian will be sure to want flesh on his winning pair.

Elsewhere in the sheep lines Bill Ramsay, Milnmark, will officiate in the Blackface classes, while Michael Weaver will place the Suffolks and Keith Campbell has the task of sorting through the Texel entries. In the Charollais it will be Robert Paterson senior of the Auchenlay flock who takes charge, with Andrew Bishop placing the Beltex and the Swaledales will be judged by Wilf Buckle, Kirkby Stephen.

Top job in the beef lines goes to Billy Glazebrook who will judge the individual and team beef interbreed awards. Stuart Wood, Orkney, will judge the beefbreeder and junior beef interbreed championships, with Muriel Johnstone placing the native teams. The interbreed pairs will be judged by Robbie Minty, Ellon.

Adding an international flavour to the rings will be Stan Robinson, Victoria, Australia, when he judges the Belted Galloways and Jens Michael Jensen, Denmark when he officiates in the Hereford classes.

Placing the Limousins will be Alan Fotheringham, while Brian McAllister, Ballymena, has the task of sorting through the Charolais on show. And in the Angus classes it will be former breed president John Coultrip, Kent, who has the honour of picking his champion, with John Maxwell, Fintry, doing the honours in the Galloway classes.

The commercial cattle honours fall to former Smithfield champion David Work, Ellon, meanwhile, in the Longhorns, Shropshire-based Limousin and British Blue breeder Christine Williams does the honours.

Placing the dairy interbreeds will be Jack Rennie, Ayr, while the Ayrshires will be judged by John Suffern, Co Antrim, and the Holsteins will be placed by John Cousar, Craigie.

Doing the honours in the Jersey lines will be Diss, Norfolk-based breeder Nick Dain, and Welshman Gwyndaf James will judge the Dairy Shorthorns.

The demise of the Royal Show has sparked a raft of reactions, but the most common one so far is for breed societies to enact national shows at other venues.

The latest to set out their plans are the South Devon Cattle Society who are planning their event for this year's Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge.

And, after this year the plan is for the event to travel the country visiting other shows. To help further afield exhibitors the Society is also offering assistance with travel costs and will boost prize money at the event too.

Other breeds with similar plans include the Blondes, who I believe have their debut national set for the Three Counties this year, while there is talk of the Limousins staging a national next year. The Simmentals and Angus already have well supported nationals, and no doubt other beef breeds will also follow suit in due course.

In the dairy sector the new all breeds national show is set for Stoneleigh on 16-17 February, but few sheep breeds have yet to make any announcements that I'm aware of.

Welcome to 2010 on Taking Stock, once again this year they'll be a wealth of shows and sales to cover across the UK and Taking Stock will aim be bringing you live updates from all the major events of 2010 just as we did last year.

However, before we move on with this year there is just one small matter to finish off from last year - the awarding of the Musto jacket to the winner of the AgriLIVE Smithfield judging competition.

Unfortunately, we couldn't afford a glitzy, Oscars-style ceremony, so I'll just go right ahead and come out with it. The winner is....................The Bull.

So, the winning order was;

1 - Dancing Queen

2 - The Deerstalker

3 - Divine Diva

Overall Dancing Queen edges over The Deerstalker for style. Both are excellent bodies of beef with all the attributes of a tremendous carcass, which made splitting them a hard task.

So much so that the final call had to come down to the style element because, having seen all three in the flesh, there is very little to split the top two on carcass.

Diva stands third in a strong line up due to her weight, while she suited Jim Quail she's not really a big enough carcass for the modern trade, particularly when put up against the other two.

Now we'll get back to the main business, show and sale reports. Happy New Year to you all