March 2010 Archives

Yesterday's sale of Limousins at Dungannon sold to a peak of 4000gns for Edenross Dasher, a July 2008-born son of Sympa. Out of Edenross Victory, an Ocean daughter, this one was forward from M McCourt, Rostrevor, Co Down, and stood senior and overall champion in the pre-sale show. He was sold to Sean O'Connor, Castlewellan.

Then at 3500gns was Culnagechan Dyson from Derek Hume, Randalstown. This osn of Glenrock Vagrant is out of Cornascribe Scarlet, a Pelletstown Ken granddaughter. He was bought by Nugent Estates, Co Down.

And at 3000gns was Linisk Dustin from J and E Wilson, Ballyroney, a Lynderg vladimir son out of Drumreagh Vicky. Combining Gigolo and Cannon breeding this one was snapped up by A Stevenson, Armoy, Co Antrim.

Topping a solid female trade at 2300gns was Millgate Abbey bred by Michael Loughran and consigned on the day by P and M Woods, Rostrevor. Sired by Rocky and out of Ashmara Sportyspice, a Rake Terrence daughter, she sold with a beef value of +35 to F McConalogue, having been AI'd to Wilodge Tonka.

Selling at 2000gns was the female champion, Banville Emma from Berry Bros, Banbridge. Sired by Apoloben and out of Banville Unidare she sold to R McNamee.

At the same money was Rahoney Christmas from H and D McFarland, Trillick. This is by Drummin Beau and ouf of Rahoney Amanda, a Tanat Mostyn daughter. She sold in calf to Teddy and was bought by John McGeehan, Co Fermanagh.

A recipient carrying an embryo of Haltcliffe Vermount on Carmorn Penny sold for 3400gns and sold to Dermott McNamee, Newtonstewart.

Averages; 18 bulls £2391.90, 20 females £1338.75 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).

Farleton, Lancaster-based Robert Towers crossed the border into Yorkshire to raid Skipton's show and sale of Easter prime lambs and carried off the championship and reserve titles.

Taking the top place for him was a pair of purebred Charollais lambs which weighed in at 42kg apiece and sold for £148/head. The reserves were a brace of 40kg lambs which sold for £120 each.

Top place in the Down cross class went to a pair of Suffolks from Mark Evans which sold for £115/head.

In the monthly prime cattle show the championship went to David Bamforth, Wainstalls, who took the prize with a 545kg British Blue steer which sold for 216.5p/kg (£1179), the reserve champion, from the same home, was a 595kg Blue steer which sold for 191.5p/kg (£1139).

Yesterday's sale of prime cattle at Carlisle was led at £1295.14 by an 812kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer from Messrs Blaylock, Hallburn, Longtown, which sold to Pioneer Foods, Carlisle.

The sale also hosted the North West Limousin Club's show and sale of prime cattle which was led by the champion, a 590kg black steer from Messrs Dodds, West View, which sold for 204.5p/kg (£1206.55), A 511kg heifer from the same vendors stood reserve and sold for 186.5p/kg (£953.02). The champion sold to the show judge Gavin Little, Penrith, while the reserve sold to Messrs Riley Bros.

In the Easter show and sale of prime lambs the trade was topped at £122/head (312.8p/kg) for a Texel from Messrs Carlile, Fowgrass Farm, Penrith.

Suffolks from D Reid, Calf Park, Dumfries, sold to £118/head (295p/kg) these had stood second in the show.

The 10^th anniversary Western Holstein Club show and sale at Beeston reached a record high this week when a milking heifer sold for 8200gns.

Woodmarsh Shottle Lyme 55, from Mick and Jean Gould, Grange Farm, Shrewsbury is by Picston Shottle and out of Woodmarsh Jordan Lyme 29. She is bred from eight successive generations of cows classified in the top two grades. She calved on 3 February and sold to E M and J R Evans, Oswestry.

Aintree Goldwyn Nugget went for the next best price of 3500gns. This one is by Braedale Goldwyn and out of Aintree Aeroline Nugget B. Put forward by Aintree Holsteins and selling to H W Evans, Oswestry, she is bred from four successive generations of VG or Ex cows. She is giving 31kg.

The next best money of 2900gns went to Misjay Denholme Maude from Jane Arrell and Denis O'Neill, Salters Mill, Northwood.

She is by Comestar Stormatic and out of Hilltara Gibson Maude 10. Last calved on 3 March this year, Maude is bred from eight generations of Very Good and Excellent cows. This one goes to D Bunting and Son, Dumfries.

Preview JA Bob Quality Red went for the next best price of 2600gns. She was sold by Andrew Rutter, Rectory Farm, Cheshire, to H Fearon, Cumbria. This 2005 born cow is by JA-Bob Jordan Red and out of Preview Kite Quality Red.

At the same money was Fieldside Yarrow 55 from H and V E Jolly, Great Eccleston Hall Farm, Lancashire. She is by Denmire Monitor and out of Fieldside Yarrow 19 which is maternal sister to the 10,347kg, VG86 cow, Fieldside Yarrow 11. This one went to J C Bell, Knutsford.

Styche Jordan Hilgonda 2 sold for 2450gns. She is a VG86 cow by Roylane Jordan and out of Styche Lyster Hilgonda. This one was put forward by Seaton Farms, Coxbank, Cheshire, and sold to B and N P Kennerley, Altrincham.

Averages: 29 cows; £1807.81, 85 milking heifers; £2094.93, 2 in-calf heifers; £2037.00, 8 maiden heifers; £3596.25, 125 head; £2123.70

The largest entry of store cattle ever seen at Cockermouth sold to a top call of £1500 last Friday, for a Charolais cross from Wils and Neil Hardisty, How Hall. This one, sired by Farleycopse Telemarque, from an entry of 836, was bought by David Miller.

Champion in the pre-sale show was a Limousin cross heifer from Stanley Jackson, Nook Farm, which later sold for £1380 to John Bowe, Hunday Farm. Reserve champion was a Limousin cross steer from Andrew Race, Burnthwaite Farm, which sold for £1280 to James Chrichton, Loughrigg.

Averagrs; 463 steers £808.21, 351 heifers £739.65, 22 bulls £710.61 (Mitchells Auction Co).

A determined pack of Eire-based buyers boosted trade for British Blues at Moira on Saturday morning with 77% of the cattle forward selling for export.

Selling for the day's leading price of 5700gns was the pre-sale champion Droit Domino, an ET bred son of Park Organiser out of Droit Alana from Richard Mowbray. He sold to souther Irish buyer Jonathan Harte, Co Sligo.

Second best at 4800gns was Littlederry Casper from Simon Loughrey. This Dafydd D'Ochain son is out of Knockagh Whisper, a Ridge Dean Mahogany daughter. He was bought by James Ryan, Co Tipperary.

Following that at 4600gns was Ballydonaghy Champion, a Ridge Dean Physical son out of Woodview Winnie, a Tintin De My daughter. This one sold to Michael Cahill, Co Roscommon.

And then making 4200gns was Clougher Dominator from Zara Chestnutt, a Twyning Ash Vaughan son ET bred out of Clougher Angel, a Ridge Dean Mahogany daughter, he went home with James Walker, Co Armagh.

Another from Miss Chestnutt then sold at the same money, this was Clougher Duke. An ET brother to Dominator, he was bought by Desmond Fulton, Co Antrim.

Finally at that level was Scad Hill Dwyne from Noel Gilchrist. This is a son of Springbank Blackstar and is out of Ballee Unique, a Seduisant De Fooz daughter. He sold to Ciaran Gallagher, Co Donegal.

Topping the female trade was a 3400gns sale for Drumlone Dotty, a Springbank Blackstar daughter out of Baronagh Blues Annie, a Hazelwood Freshman daughter. This one was snapped up by Desmond Graham, Co Donegal.

Next at 2650gns was Woodview Ellie from Andrew Craig. This nine month old Woodview Canter daughter is out of Woodview Carol. She was bought by Preston Farms, Co Tryone.

And then at 2400gns was Seygorey Damsel from Samuel Milliken. She is by Knockagh Viking and out of Seygorey Unice, a Kisinger daughter.

Average; 28 bulls £3414, 15 maiden heifers £2264, 1 cow and calf £2520 (R A Noble and Co).

Hampshire Down cross prime lambs sold to a peak of £3.25/kg at Raithfriland, Northern Ireland, with the championship pair from Lawson McKitterick selling for £130/head. These 40kg lambs sold to the day's judge Jim Quail, Banbridge.

The reserve champions on the day, another pair of 40kg lambs sold to £114/head (£2.85/kg for Lee York, Fermanagh, these also sold to Mr Quail.

A pair of 40kg lambs from Mr McKitterick then sold at £110/head to Mr Quail and the same vendor's pair of 41kg lambs made £108 to Oakdale Meats, Lurgan, while a 42kg pair from Mr York sold for £102/head to Mr Quail.

At £119 were a pair of 21kg lambs from Trevor Fegan, with the same vendor selling 43kg lambs at £107, both lots sold to Mr Quail.

Average; 24 lambs £109 (Rathfriland Coop Mart).

Last week's Easter show and sale of spring lambs at Bentham saw a top price of £148 (370p/kg) paid for the day's champion from Robert Towers, Farlteton. His champion, picked out by judge Andrew Atkinson, was a Charollais cross which tipped the scales at 40kg and sold to George Cropper, Accrington.

Reserve champion on the day was another from Mr Towers, a 43kg Charollais cross. This one sold at £110 (255p/kg) to Gwyn Jones, Wrexham.

In the day's prime hoggett competition the title went to Jimmy Baines, Trawden, with a 44kg Dutch Texel which sold for £165 (375p/kg) to George Cropper.

Spring lambs averaged 236p/kg, while the hoggetts levelled at 238p/kg.

Milking cattle were in high demand at Bentham's monthly sale last week, with prices reaching a top call of £2400 for the reserve champion from the pre-sale show.

This Samuelo daughter from the reduction of B B and K M Hope's herd, calved her second six weeks ago and was sold giving 51kg a day. She sold to M E Wannop and Sons, Morecombe.

Next best at £2300 was the day's champion, a non-pedigree heifer from P and M Crackles and Sons. This was an Onyx daughter out of a dam by Silver and sold having calved 19 days ago and giving 37kg a day. She was bought by Robert Ford, Brindley.

Selling for £1900 was the second prize winner from the heifer class, a pedigree heifer from T F Brown and Son, Ireby Farm. This was calved five weeks ago and sold giving 31litres to Mr Ford.

Averages; Newly calved cows £1401.54, newly calved heifers £1677.37 (Bentham and District Farmers Auction Mart).

Jim Logan's Galawater Aberdeen-Angus herd has followed on from its success at last month's Stirling sale with a £15,000 private sale for striking young bull Galawater Gaffer Geronimo.

This son of G H Coverboy Eric, himself at TC Freedom son, is ET bred out of Hoff Gammer, a G13 Steel daughter.

With a TSI of +34 and an SRI of +42, Geronimo is the heaviest calf ever weaned at Galawater and has a projected 400-day weight in excess of 700kg.

Buying the bull was Kevin Moss for his The Moss herd. Semen has also been retained for use in the Galawater herd.

As the eagle eyed of you will have spotted a new area was added to the Taking Stock homepage last week for links to breeders' websites - yep its the snappily title "Breeders Links" section.

The purpose of the new section is fairly self explanatory, it is to offer individual breeders a chance to promote their own websites on Taking Stock and draw on the traffic we generate.

Like any advertising opportunity I'm afraid this one isn't free of charge, it will cost £450 (inc VAT) to have your link on Taking Stock for a 12 month period.

However, with more than 20,000 individuals viewing Taking Stock already this year and more than 175,000 page views clocked up in the first 12 weeks of the year this is one of the best opportunities to advertise your herd to a dedicated audience.

If anyone is interested in taking up this opportunity and hasn't already received information from me then please email at jonathan.long@rbi.co.uk for more details.

Yesterday's sale of South Devons at Exeter, the largest entry since the 1970s, saw a top price of 7100gns paid for Sexton Poll Hermes 4 from Messrs Harvey. This one, by Toor Down Hermes 3 and out of Sexton Snowdrop 363, sold to R Edwards Leominster, having stood reserve male champion in the pre-sale show.

Next best at 6000gns was Knightcote Demetrius 2, a polled son of Colcharton Demetrius from Hadley Farms. He was bought by P G Bowditch, Axminster, Devon.

At 5500gns was Kestle Leo 5 from R K Rundle. By Lumbylaw Leo 2 and out of Kestle Buttercup 97, he had been champion in the pre-sale show and sold with a beef value of +18 to D J Hedgeman, Wareham, Dorset.

And selling for 5400gns was M R and R J Rowe's bull Tregondale Balti 11, which sold to G L Stidston, Devon, while at 5200gns W H D Scott sold Grove Midas 26 to G C and V J Hill, Tavistock.

In the females the top price was a 2500gns sale for the pre-sale female champion, Kestle Dahlia 57 from Mr Rundle. This one was bought by Messrs Pleus, Bude. 

And at 2000gns was Kestle Tulip 80 which was also sold to the same buyer.

Averages; 46 bulls £3059, 10 halter broken heifers £1696, 9 non-halter broken heifers £1178 (Kivells).

Wednesday's second of three sales to disperse the Holywood herd of Holsteins at Carlisle saw fifteen animals made over 2500gns with three over 3000gns to a top of 3200gns. This bid came from D R and H M Horsley of Woodcatt Holsteins for a November calved 2^nd lactation cow by Talent from the French "Favori" family developed so successfully at "Bilsrowan".

Her Shottle heifer calf made 1200gns and also goes to D R and H M  Horsley, Woodhouse Farm, Catterlen, Penrith.

At 3100gns was a very smart January calved heifer from the hugely sought after "Vaakje" family and sired by Fustead Emory Blitz. The winning bid came from N&SJ Sanderson, Burtholme Farm, Lanercost, Brampton.

 And at 3000gns was a fresh Final Cut heifer out of a VG88 Petra Cow, she now joins the herd of Balmangan Farms Ltd, Balmangan Farm, Dundrennan. Her Mr Minister heifer calf made 600gns and was sold to Messrs Dennison, Scales Park, Ulverston.

Full report to follow, in the meantime you can see a video of the sale here, thanks to Robert Smith for the film.

Averages; 74 heifers in milk £1963.78, 102 cows in milk £1663.01, 16 in calf heifers £1903.13, 65 heifer calves £709.63 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Yesterday's sale of Holsteins at Lancaster reached a top price of 2400gns for a heifer from the noted Ricki family with 10 generations of Ex or VG dams behind her. This one was Bilsrow Athlete Ricki from David and James Tomlinson which sold to Andrew Bargh, Woodclose.

Selling at 2200gns was Ingleview Buttergirl 250. This VG85 classified entry was fresh from her second calving and giving 36kg a day. She sold to A and V Wallbank, Alstongrange.

And at 2100gns was another from the Tomlinsons, Bilsrow Icefyre Star. This one with six generations of Ex and VG dams in her back pedigree sold to Messrs Wallbank.

Making 2000gns was Wyredale Shottle Bettina 102. This one, from Mark Atkinson, was giving 32kg on the day and sold to D J Wallbank.

A shortage of all classes of sheep saw cull ewes sell to £170/head at St Boswells yesterday, report the auctioneers. This top price was given for three Suffolks from Arnold and John Park, Drinkstone. Other Suffolks sold to £141 for Glenrath, with Texels from Elmscleugh and Drinkstone selling for £150 and others of the same breed making £149 for Wantonwalls. Blackface culls sold to a top of £86 for Bankend.

In the hoggets on offer the top price/head was £116 for Texels from the Parks, Drinkstone, while the overall average was 190.5p/kg for 2649 sold, a rise of +4.6p/kg on the week. Top price/kg was 208.8p/kg for Messrs R Lamont, Dunslaw. (John Swan Ltd).

Prime lambs in yesterday's Easter show and sale sold to a top price of £102 for a pen of 48.6kg lambs from C E Irwin, Umberleigh.

Taking the top ticket in the show were a pen of Suffolk sired lambs from M E Westcott, these 43.4kg entries sold for £101/head, while the reserve champion was a single Poll Dorsets from R J Berry which weighed in at 44kg and sold for £100.

Top price/kg was a 252p/kg bid for a pen of 38.2kg lambs from T anf J Tall that grossed £96.20. (Exeter Market Auctioneers).

Its rare these days to get a new breed society being launched, particularly when the breed in question has been in existence for as long as anyone can remember and pre-dates all known records.

But that's exactly what is happening in Wales this weekend with the launch of the Pedigree Welsh Pig Society. The Society, which has grown out of a small group of dedicated producer who met in 2005 now has 50 individual members.

The group formed on the back of concern that the authentic pedigree Welsh pig was in danger of becoming extinct. But with the help of Welsh Assembly funding the Society is now making headway with promotion and development work.

Classified as a rare breed, the Welsh was one of the three major breeds the modern pig industry is built on, but the hybridisation of the industry caused a massive decline in numbers in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Society's official launch is being held in the Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday.

Scanning the Sunday papers yesterday my attention was caught by an advert in the Sunday Times appointments section (don't panic I'm not looking for a new job, it was on the front page so I couldn't miss it!).

It seems the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland  - the organisers of the Royal Highland Show and partner to the Royal Highland Winter Fair - is looking for a new chief executive, it seems the successful tenure of Ray Jones is coming to an end.

It will be interesting to see who applies for the post, although I think its fair to say those with connections to the now defunct Royal Show need not apply!

Yep, that's right folks this year's Beef Expo, being staged at Hexham on 27 May, is to guarantee to pay the owner of one bull £10,000 for the beast.

In a novel approach which will mix traditional stock judging with X Factor style voting and an auction, the organisers are promising to sell a bull for £10,000.

So, how will it work? Well, breeders are to be invited to enter a bull (entry fee is on the steep side at £500), with a minimum of 16 bulls being entered. Participants in the judging competition will then pay £25 to enter, with tickets available in advance from the event's website and on the day at the event.

Bulls entered will be paraded at 1030 on the 27 May at Beef Expo, Hexham, and those who have bought a ticket will vote for the bull they consider to be the best. The eight bulls attracting the most votes will go forward to a second round of judging which will whittle the bulls down to four. Only those entrants picking one of the top eight bulls will be eligible to vote in the second round of judging.

These four bulls will be judged again to find a final winning beast and the winning "judge" will be picked in a prize draw from those entrants who picked the bull with the most votes.

All bulls entered will undergo a vet inspection for correctness, with the remaining bulls able to be offered for sale at Beef Expo, either privately or by auction.

Confused? Well in basic terms as an entrant you stand a chance of gaining a bull in return for buying a £25 ticket. And as a bull breeder you are guaranteed if your bull is the chosen one you'll get £10,000 for him. What of course can't be guaranteed is that the bull you end up with would have cost £10,000 at a sale.

Its a novel concept, although I'm not sure how many top end bulls will be entered, particularly as the main breed sales are all in early to mid-May, it would be a brave breeder to hold a bull back from sale which they think is worth £10,000 and take a punt on the crowd at Beef Expo voting it top of the pile!

Selling for the top price of £2300 at last week's YFC show and sale of overwintered cattle at Thainstone was a Limousin cross heifer from Gary Wright, Glenlivet. Mr Wright's first prize winning heifer bought his heifer last October from Stephen Duncan and sold to the pre-sale show judge Harry Emslie,  Kinockie, Mintlaw.

Next best of the night at £2100 was Balfour Baillie, Orkney, when he sold a Charolais cross bred by the Durno family, Glenlivet. This one sold to Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms.

And at £2000 was another from the same vendor, a Limousin steer bred by Messrs MacArthur Brothers. This one sold in a two way split to Graham Easton and Lumgair Bros.

Selling for £1900 was a Limousin heifer from Martin Irvine, Braehead. This one was taken by Blair Dufton, Huntly.

Making £1850 was the beast which yielded the highest margin in the steer section and the highest overall liveweight gain, a British Blue cross steer from Kyle Cooper. Bred by Alistair Smart, this one sold to Donald Morrison.

At £1600 was a Limousin cross from Craig Hendry, Aultmore. This one was again bought by Mr Dufton.

Averages; 37 heifers £1104.60, 42 steers £1084 (Aberdeen and Northern Marts).

Last week's sale of Holstein bulls for the Border and Lakeland Club at Carlisle saw prices reach a peak of 4000gns for the first bull in the catalogue, Winnoch Warden from I F Brocket, Renfrewshire. This son of Stardale Roberto out of Winnoch Cherry, a dam with three milkings above 9000 litres sold to an undisclosed Northern Irish buyer.

Then at 3800gns was Warnleview Rapid, an ET bred son of Erbacres Damion. Out of Warnlevie Igniter, a Summershade Igniter bred dam with one milking at 12,000 litres and another at 11,500. Bred by K J and C S Wilson, he sold to K D Askwith, Co Durham.

Following that at 3400gns was Annandale Jefferson from William Armour, a Shottle son out of Brynhyfryd Lee Aroma 3, a Comestar Lee daughter. She has given 13,000 and 14,000 in two previous lactations and sold to J Baxter, Bridge of Weir.

Making 3200gns was Wickerfield Banker from J Harrison. This Catlane Sunshine son is out of Wickerfields Renske 8, a dam with 11 lactations behind her, eight of them at 8000 litres or more. This one was bought by Greentowers Farm, Lanark.

Averages; 30 bulls £1930.95 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Following on from my brief update on Saturday here are the top three prices from Satruday's sale of Lincoln Reds at Newark.

Taking the top price and setting a new breed record of 10,000gns was the overall champion from the pre-sale show, March 2008-born Walmer Legend from Messrs Needler's Walmer herd. He sold to Michael Read for his Hemingby herd. This one is a son of Beverley Henchman and out of Walmer Lobelia. Legend was reserve junior male champion at last year's Royal Show and male champion at the Great Yorkshire. His mother collected no less than seven breed championships in her show career.

Then at 5500gns was Market Stainton Lancelot from R E Needham and Son. This was a February 2008-born bull by Market Stainton George and out of Market Stainton Ethel. This one is paternal brother to the champion and reserve at the same sale last year and was snapped up by Hedley Needler.

Selling at 4500gns was one from well travelled vendor S Buchan, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. This was Auchmacoy Langley, a heavily muscled two year old bull by Market Stainton Harvester he was bought by David Inman, Melton Mowbray, for his Lindum herd.

And making 3600gns was the reserve overall champion, Hemingby Dragoon from Michael Read.

In the females the top call of 2100gns was made for Lindum Latoya from David Inman. This one is by Lindum Jack the Lad and out of a Hemingby Joker sired cow. She sold to Ian Houlgrave, Louth.

Next best at 2050gns was Beverley Ella, a March 2007-born cow sold with her February-born bull calf at foot. Sired by St Fort Dickens, Ella sold to I and A Davison, Alnwick.

A trio sold for 2000gns, the first of which was another from Mr Inman, Lindum Lola, another Jack the Lad daughter which sold to Mr Houlgrave.

Second to make this money was Ortum L297, a maiden heifer by St Fort General and out of a Beverley Xtra-sired cow. Forward from Messrs Garners and Son, Horncastle, this one sold to J E Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan.

The final bid at this level was made for Walmer Princess from Hedley Needler. By Walmer Everest and out of a Market Stainton Boness-sired cow, she sold to W P D Holland and Son, Langworth.

Averages; 15 bulls £3340, four cows and calves £1627, two in-calf cows £1417.50, three in-calf heifers £1610, 50 maiden heifers £1504.65 (Newark Livestock Market).

Top price at Carlisle's two day show and sale of steers and heifers with show potential was a £4800 call in Friday's sale for a Limousin heifer from Robert and Michael Scott, Thirwall Castle, Carlisle. Taking the top price for the family was their stylish black heifer. This one, by Cloughhead Titanic, sold to R J Wilkinson, Carlay, East Stockwith.Next best among the heifers was a £2600 sale for a British Blue cross from A J and F M Harrison, Grange Hall, Appleby.This one by Boomer Tigger sold to Andrew Richardson, Appleby.

And at £2500 was the overall champion on the day, a Limousin cross from Martin Archer, Carrry House. She was by French sire Ananas. She sold to Ian and Dorothy Goldie, Greenfield, Cummertrees. And making £2200 was a Limousin cross heifer from Messrs Graham, Millerhill, Gilisland, which sold to Gavin Scott, Linlithgow. 

While at £2150 was a Blue cross heifer from Castlewigg Farming Co, Newton Stewart, she is by Lochside Boris and sold to T A Lyon, Thurlby, Lincs. Finally at £2000 was a six month old black heifer from Kilnstown Farms, Bewcastle, a daughter of Burndale Stewart, she sold to Staplegrove Livestock, Devon.

In Saturday's sale of steers the leading price was a £4300 bid for a Limousin cross by Lumbylaw Talent from Thomas and James Whiteford, Tercrosset, Brampton. This seven month old steer was reserve champion in the pre-sale judging and sold to Staplegrove Livestock, Cullompton, Devon.

Then at £3700 was a steer by a Limousin x British Blue bull from P Dean, Allerbeck Farm, Lockerbie. This one was bought by L Bamforth and Sons, Halifax.

Making £2600 was the champion from the pre-sale show, a Limousin cross by a sire carrying Liscon bloodlines. This one, from Messrs Graham, Millerhill, sold to show judge Phil Sellers, Belper, Derbyshire.At £2100 was a British Blue cross from Colin and Susan Little, Mayfield. This son of Woldnewtown Rambo and out of a pure Limousin cow sold to T A Lyon. And selling for £2000 was a Limousin cross steer from P Dean. This one sold to Jim Hollingsworth, Mold, Clwyd.

Then at the same money was a red bullock from Messrs Trafford, Kewick. By the herd's stock bull Stablier he sold to John and Marion Paul, Johnstone Bridge. 

Averages; heifers £817, steers £894.36 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Following on from the delights of the Middle Eastern Camel showing scene, here's another snippet from the BBC which made me smile.

A novel way of getting pets clean - yep a washing machine for dogs - is proving popular in Japan.

My question is will they build one in bull size to take the strain out of show and sale preparation?!

Today's sale of Holsteins for the Border and Lakeland Club at Carlisle has seen a top call of 2020gns for Stowbeck Igniter Breeze from Skirwith Hall Farms. This Summershade Igniter daughter is out of Stowbeck Willow Breeze, a dam with two lactations at 10,000kg and above. She sold to M Reid and Son, Fulton, Lockerbie.

At 1900gns was another from the same vendor, Stowbeck Kendall Connie. this is by Alfrag Juror Kendall and out of Stowbeck Gelpro Connie. She was bought by F and M Coar, Fields Farm, Clitheroe.

Following that at 1850gns was Colvend Roxette Rolls from S Roan. This is a daughter of Kippford Roxette out of Kippford Convincer Rolls, a dam which gave more than 10,000kg in her second milking.

Topping the offering of Montbeliardes from Lordswood Farms was a 1600gns sale for a May 2007-born heifer which calved in January. Then at 1400gns was a June 2007-born entry, also calved in January.

Averages; eight cows in milk £1691.81, 14 heifers in milk £1754.25, 30 Montbeliardes £1246.35 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Top price at yesterday's dispersal of the Westden herd of Holsteins at Sedgemoor for Malcolme Green and family was a 2300gns sale for Westden Tulip 114, a Silverpost Sinatra daughter giving 48.6kg in her third lactation.

At 2200gns was January calver Yardgrove Terrason Harriet a cow out of a 12,000kg dam. Others going past the 2000gns mark were Westden Nancy, an Avenham Westminster daughter, Westden Haura, an Aquila Patron Lucente daughter and the first lot of the sale, a MOET Melody second calver. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).

Store cattle sold to a top call of £1040 at Lockerbie yesterday, when Breconside Farming sold a Limousin heifer.

Steers, meanwhile sold to a top of £1000 for an Aberdeen Angus from Messrs Laurie, Stud Farm, with the same vendor selling a Charolais steer at £980.

Prime Cheviots at yesterday's sale of Cheviot and Blackface hoggs at Carlisle sold to a top of £95.50 for the show champions, a pen of North Country Cheviots from Messrs J Maxwell and Son, Halket Leathes. These were bought by R Skelton.

Reserve champion went to Messrs J Carruthers and Son, Woodhall, with a pen of South Country Cheviots which made £88.50 to Vion Foods.

Top place in the Blackface class went to R J S and D M Addison, Greystone House. (Harrison and Hetherington).

And, to follow Jules comment, before the rush of questions starts, the judge for this year's cattle classes at Beef Expo on 27 May is Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth.

Classes at the Hexham event will include sections for baby beef calves (up to 425kg for steers and 400kg for heifers) and for steer and heifers by native breeds sires, as well as classes for Limousin, British Blue, Charolais and other Continental breed sires.

Championship prize money for the event stands at £500, with the reserve getting £250 and the baby beef steer and heifer champions picking up £200 apeice too.

Entry forms are available from the show coordinator, Julie Sedgewick, Binchester Hall Farm, Bishop Auckland - 01388 609 322.

Once again the Richardson family of Ghyll House, Dufton, were the dominant force at this year's show and sale of show potential cattle at Penrith. Fast becoming the specialists in their field the Richardsons put forward both the champion and reserve in the pre-sale show and collected the top five prices in the sale.

Leading the money was their August-born Limousin cross heifer Double the Trouble at £9200.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt got in on the record breaking action at Sedgemoor on Saturday selling an 11month old British blue stirk for £1000, £200 above the martt record for stirks. This one, from Phillip White and Julie Turner of Newpole British Blues, was bought by Ray Spiller, Trull, Taunton for future primestock showing.

Meanwhile in the monthly suckler cow auction the dispersal of W G Wrixton and Son's herd saw £4300 paid for a Ruby Red Devon bull. This one sold to t and E Lang, Bideford.

Calves sold to a top of £400 twice at Lancaster on Friday, setting new centre records. First to go at this money was a four week old British Blue bull calf from T M Townley, with a siz week old Blue heifer from C and N Shearing. Black and white bulls topped at £180 for a six week old bull.

Meanwhile in the store cattle ring the trade hit a peak of £1170 to level at £774, while the first ewes and lambs offered this spring sold to £155 for Masham ewes with Texel sired lambs.

Topping last week's sale of Ruby Red Devons at Sedgemoor at 4100gns was autumn 2007-born Tilbrook Triumphant from his Huntingdon-based herd. This son of Tilbrook Kiwi and out of his show cow Tilbrook Cash Tiller 9 sold to Richard Jeanes, for his Perton herd, Somerset, having stood third in a class of 35 bulls in the pre-sale show.

Next best price of 3800gns was paid twice, the first time for the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, Colleton Harvester from Grania and Simon Phillips, Chulmleigh. This one is by Efford Down Billy Wizz and sold with an EBV of +42 to Oliver Burge, Dorset for his Paradise herd. He was half brother to 10,000gns bull Colleton Felix.

The second at this money was Yeomadon Hector from Tony and Julie Beneworth. This February 2008-born bull sold to Andrew Broggio, South Molton.

And then making 3000gns was the pre-sale champion, Colleton Halycon, also from the Phillips. This is a son of Dandy Lion and has an EBV of +51, the highest recorded in the breed. He sold to the pre-sale judge Phillip Huxtable.

Last Tuesday's sale of Jersey's at Bristol Sales Centre sold to a top price of 2250gns, with this price paid for Designer Vindication Elegance from Designer Jerseys, Ingatestone, Essex. This on is by Vindication and out of show cow Grayridge GC Elegance, an Ex93 classified dam. Sodl due in May she was bought by Edward Morgan, Carmarthenshire.

At 1250gns was Designer Signature Scorpion 6 from the same vendors. This daughter of Signature with four generations of VG and Ex behind her sold to a Dorset herd due in May for 1250gns.

And another by Vindication from the same vendors then sold at 1150gns. She was out of Rapidbay-UK JJ Lets Dance Ex91, she was also due in May.

A heifer from David and Lena Lewis, Wiveliscombe then sold at 1020gns. This was Southley Willows Thistle.

Topping the in-milk offering was CG C B Davis of Rivermead Jerseys with a fresh second calver, Hollesleey Red Caledonia, a VG86 classified cow. This Ivanhoe Red Triumph daughter sold at 1500gns to Messrs Meredith, Bristol. (Kivells).

Saturday's Spring Spectacular sale at Leyburn sold to a top top price of £4200 the day's champion from John Smith-Jackson, Haltwhistle.

This one was the steer John picked up the baby beef title at Countryside Live with last year, Super Trouper. This one is by Shire Apollo and is full brother to last year's Leyburn champion and top price Mamma Mia. He sold to Jennifer Hyslop and Andrew Richardson.

Second best price on the day was a £3200 call for a British Blue cross heifer which by the look's of the lot number came from Maureen and Bill Orme, this one which stood second in its class sold to Heather Blyth, Norfolk.Selling for £2400 was a Limousin cross heifer from John Smith-Jackson which sold to Jim Courts. And then at £2300 was a Limousin sired heifer from the Ormes which was bought by Alan Hall, Darlington.

Top price at last week's dispersal of the Coombehill herd of Holsteins was a 2150gns sale for a Moet Deidre Dependable daughter nine weeks into her second lactation. She sold  to D H Pritchard, Leominster, giving 44.9kg.

The same buyer then paid 2080gns for a December calved heifer by Picston Shaker. She was giving 38.8kg and was out of a 10,119kg Cedar Creek Bergwill cow.

Three the followed at 1800gns, a Blackisle Glencoe sired heifer sold to R J Davies, Sandhurstt, a fourth calver by Lakemead Prancer sold to M Harries, Crymych, and a Cogent Roodeye daughter sold due on April to N C Taylor, Ilminster.

Served heifers sold to 1500gns for a late March calving Blackisle Glencoe daughter, this one was bought by D A and L A Cullimore, Berkeley.

Averages; 37 cows and heifers in-milk or in-calf £1458.36, nine served heifers £1214.50, six maiden heifers £957.25 (Gwilym Richards and Co).

Top price at last week's mid-month sale of dairy cattle at Beeston was a £2400 call for a a heifer from Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, who are dispersing their herd as they calve.

Their sale leader was Burnbrae Drake Jolanda, which sold to J A and M H Wright, Sandbach. At £2250 was Tiveys Dolman Kate which sold to David Colclough, Sandbach, and then at £2200 was Tiveys Tiger Rosie 69, which sold to the same buyer.

Topping the non-pedigree cattle on offer was a fresh heifer by Klassic Merril Lynch from Richard Tomlinson. This sold to J A and M H Wright. At rhe same money were a brace which sold to Wilmot Blockley, Tarvin. First to go was a Netherside Dynamo daughter from the Smith brothers, Garstang and second was a non-pedigree from Neil Lewis, Farndon.

Overall 30 head sold for £2000 or more, including the top selling cow, Carrick Lucente M Snowdrop from John Maddrell, Isle of Man, which sold to Roger Ryley, Hodnet.

Averages; 190 pedigree and commercial Holsteins £1454.21 (Wright Manley).

As the headline says the store cattle trade is flying along at the moment, with John Swan's sale at St Boswells today reported as a good show of cattle sold at extreme rates with plenty of yearlings making more than 200p/kg and more cattle needed to satisfy buyers.

Topping the steer trade were Limousin crosses from Top Boon at £1045, £1000 and £900, while British Blues from the same home made £1080, £985 and £825. Angus crosses peaked at £1060 for Swinside andTownfoot.

In the heifers on offer Limousins led the trade again at £885 for Burnfoot and Oxton, while Angus crosses sold to £930 for Kingside and Charolais hit £890 form Restonhill.

Other marts are reporting similarly strong trades and it seems the lack of grass growth across the country due to the continuing cold weather isn't putting buyers off paying top price for stores.

Leading the trade at the inaugural Kirkby Classic show and sale of show potential calves was a £2650 bid for the reserve champion, a Limousin cross heifer which stood second in its class to the overall champion. This one sold to Keith Harryman, Keskadale.

Second top price of £2500 was paid for the pre-sale show champion, another Limousin cross heifer, this time from D and C E Marston, Wharton. This one was sold to the show judge Louise Todd, Market Rasen.

Then at £1300 was the best on offer in the Baby Beef class, this one from Ruth Stevenson sold to W Richardson and Son. At £1200 was a British Blue heifer from Messrs E Wilson, which sold to TWH Farming.

Overall the show cattle forward sold to average £1195 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Prices for the couples being offered in south west markets in recent weeks are looking good, with Sedgemoor's entry on Saturday levelling at £48.11/life.

This entry of 198 ewes and 281 lambs was topped at £66/life for full mouth Suffolk cross ewes with pairs from J L Trott and Partners, others from the same vendor sold for £64 a life. Messrs D and S Cheacker, meanwhile, sold ewes with pairs of lambs to £62.67/life. Ewes with singles sold to a top of £68/life for J Turney.

Meanwhile, the day before in Exeter, the trade was led at £60.66 a life for ewes with pairs from N Heath and Son, with singles led at £67.50 a life for some from the same vendor.

Prices seem to be running high on the back of the cull ewe trade and also the encouraging signs for the early new season lamb trade currently being enjoyed in the region. Top call at Exeter yesterday (Monday) was a £98.20 bid, with the 268 lambs forward averaging £93.74 and 227.24p/kg. But vendors were warned not to get lambs too heavy with lambs wanted at the crucial 38-40kg weight and not beyond.

Cull ewes meanwhile are still a strong trade across the country, top call at St Boswells yesterday was a bid of £150 for Suffolks from Huntington, Lauder, and Texels from Messrs Home Robertson, Over Howden. The 579 ewes forward averaged £65.11/head with plenty of Suffolk cross ewes at £100 and above.

At Carlisle the cull ewe prices were led at £113.50/head by Texels from Shield Green, with others of the same breed at £110.50.

Agri-Expo, the rapidly expanding autumn show staged by Harrison and Hetherington at their Borderway Mart, Carlisle, has announced the date for this year's event, Friday 29 October.

With livestock entries topping the 600 mark in 2009 and with this year's total prize fund estimated to be in the region of £10,000 the organiser's are hopeful of increased numbers again in 2010.

This year's event will feature specialist calf shows for the British Blue, Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford cattle societies, alongside prime cattle and sheep classes, dairy classes and classes for North Country Mules.

Charolais bulls met a healthy demand on Saturday at Dungannon, with 90% of those offered finding new homes, with a breed centre record of 57 entries selling to level at £2962.

Topping the trade at 7800gns was Drumeer Donald from Edwin Morrison, Maguirebridge. This Burradon Talisman son is out of a homebred dam by Doonally New, he sold to Noel McIlwaine, Plumbridge, Omagh, having stood reserve junior champion in the pre-sale show.

Second top at 5100gns was the senior champion Dartonhall Dougal. This son of Corrie Alan out of a Lyonsdemesne bred cow sold for John Erskine, Killylea. Taking this one was David Erskine, Crosses, Monaghan.

A brace sold at 5000gns, the first of which was the reserve overall champion, Brogher Dandy from Trevor Phair, Enniskillen. This one is by Sang-d'Or and out of a homebred dam going back to Oldstone Egbert. He sold to S Taylor, Ligoniel, Belfast.

The second at this money sold across the water to Billy Glazebrook, Strathaven, Lanark. This one as Hollyvale Diego, an Ashleigh Victor son out of Brogher Beverley.

Then at 4700gns was the junior and overall champion Drumfin Dynamite from Basil Buchanan. This is a son of Malicieux out of Drumfin Blanche and has a TSI of +35 and an SRI of +38. He sold to M and S Maguire, Maguiresbridge.

At 4500gns was Innisrush Dante from John Whyte and Sons, Portglenone. He is a son of Ballindalloch UFO out of an Artresnahan sired cow and sold to John McCloskey, Caludy, Derry.

Top female price of the day was a 3700gns call for Ferryroad Dora, an Allanfauld Superscot daughter out of a Roundhill Ohoh daughter. Bred by Paul and Marie O'Kane, Bellaghy, she sold to John Watson, Portadown.

Averages; 57 bulls £2962, 13 females £1954.05 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).

The second annual cafl wintering competition held at Hexham Mart last week drew a total of 69 entries from YFC club members in the area, with the aim being to achieve the maximum profit from purchase last autumn to sale this spring.

Collecting the award for the top gross profit was Philip Ogle who bought his British Blue cross steer for £570 last autumn and sold for £870 last week, leaving him with £300 in his pocket. His steer was bought from Messrs Tailford, Beacon Rigg.

Second best profit was earned by Kevin Ridley with the champion beast from the pre-sale show under judge John Richardson, Ghyll House. This one was another British Blue cross steer, this time bred at High Edges Green by David Swallow. This was bought for £800 and sold for £1080.

Reserve champion in the pre-sale show was Jamie Dixon of Westacres, while the best beast of the opposite sex to the champion was a Limousin cross heifer from Judith Ward, Haltwhistle. This one was bred by Graham Robson, Bellingham, and having been bought for £730 and sold for £940 left a profit of £210.

Saturday's sale of British Blues at Chelford may have lacked a five figure headline sale, but there was a strong demand for the cattle on offer, and, according to the society buyers were attracted by the breed's strong cull values among other attributes.

Top price of the day was a 7500gns sale for the best of the bulls on offer, Ballykeel Diesel from Daniel Rogers, Northern Ireland. This son of Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur is out of Ballykeel Angel, an As De Trefle daughter and stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show. He sold to commercial producers Messrs Wood, Reddich.

Then at 6300gns was Holirow Cannonball from Mark Hambleton. This one is by Cajoleur De Rettigny and out of Widewath Voluptuous, a Serieux De Fooz daughter. He was taken by S and C Morris, Craven Arms.

Selling for 6100gns was Whitmanor Designer from Martin Clarke, Brackley. Sired by Wilodge Ulex and out of Whitmanor Rhapsody, an Inexes De La Croix De Mers daughter, this black bull sold to D Sawris, Halifax.

Picston Shottle sired cattle were the pick of the trade at last week's Goostrey herd dispersal on behalf of Griffiths Farming, Malpas.

Taking the leading bid of 2700gns was August calved heifer Whinchat Shottle Treck which sold to G A G Evans and Son for their Trawscoed herd, Welshpool. She sold having been AI'd to Pinetree Captivator and descended from five generations of EX or VG cows.

At 2200gns was Wardle Shottle Marie Queen, a heifer which had recently completed her first lactation at 9385kg in 265 days and due in April to Mer Gold Autumn Son Red. She was bought by Cilwrgi Farm, Pontypool. And the same buyer bought another at the same money, this time, Wardle Loreenzo Dora, a two year old heifer by Lystel Lorenzo. Calved in October she was sold in-calve to Rubthorn Integrity.

Averages; 158 cows and heifers in milk and/or in-calf £1348.39, 12 barren cows £503.13, 22 served heifers £1203.68, 15 maiden heifers £833.70 (Gwilym Richards and Rostons).

Heading up Friday's sale of Blondes at Carlisle was a 7000gns bid for July 2008-born bull Hallfield Designer from Messrs Weightman. This son of Blackwater Ainsley is out of Hallfield Pandora, a Whistley Dollar daughter and sold with a beef value of +25 to M K Harrison, Wet Sleddale, Shap.

Selling at 6500gns was another from the same vendors, Hallfield Destiny. This son of Blackwater Ainsley is out of Hallfield Rhona, a Ballygowan Noble daughter and carries a beef value of +21. Having stood reserve male champion in the pre-sale show he was bought by G and A Hamilton, Duns.

Then making 4800gns was Brownhill Drew from T M and J Hope. This is a son of Cromkill Sandy, an Intrepide son, and out of Brownhill Uzell, a Whistley Publican daughter. He sold to A R and H C Thomas, St Brides Major, having been pre-sale male champion.

After that at 3500gns was Hackleton Convair from J Smith. He is by Hadley Hank and out of Hackleton Serena, a Hackleton Mellors daughter. Having stood first in his class this one was bought by Messrs Fleming, Kelso.

And then selling for 3200gns was Pinehill Dynamite from Colin Todd. This is a Whistley Dollar son out of Hillhead Velma, a Palace daughter. He had previously been junior and reserve male champion at Balmoral last year and sold to G McClanachan and Sons, Torthorwald.

Leading the female trade at 2300gns was Strathisla Darcy from Alison Watt. Sired by Strathisla Roger and out of Strathisla Orchid, a Freefield Jove daughter, she goes back to Romer Lewella which stood breed champion at the Highland in 2003. This one was female champion and sold to J and J E Bradley, Litton, Skipton.

Selling at 2000gns was Kinaston Dione from Roy Kinnish. This is by Kinaston Ulmas and out of Kinaston Tiona, a Haydens Platinum daughter. She sold to J D Southward, Bootle.

And at 1900gns was the best of the day from David Knight, Doncombe Enigma. This one is by Rodleigh Voyageur and out of Doncombe Baringa, a Doncombe Valhalla daughter. She was taken by A and L C Evans, Machynlleth.

Averages; 15 bulls £3749, 1 served heifer £2415, eight maiden heifers £1863.75 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Last week's first sale to disperse the Holywood herd of Holsteins at Carlisle for the Whiteford family, Dumfries, saw a top call of 2700gns paid twice.

First to take this call was Holywood Noah Della, a Denmire Noah daughter out of Chelton Lady, a dam with two lactations at 10,000kg and above in her first three milkings. this one, which calved in October and had given more than 3300 in the first 110 days of her first, sold to T Forsyth, Isle Farm, Whithorn.

The other at this money was a January 2006-born daughter of Ladino Park Talent, Holywood Talent Vaakje. This is out of Stardale Vaakje, a cow which has gone past 11,000ks three times. Sold in-calf to Regancrest Design, she gave 8626 in her first lactation and was bought by Cottam Ltd, Holmbrook.

A brace also made the next top call of 2500gns, the first of which was Holywood Kojack Handsome, a Weeton Kojack daughter out of Bishampton Leadership Handsome 9. Having given more than 9000kg in her first lactation and 8568 in 202 days of her second she sold to W Smith, Stewarton, Kilmarnock.

Second to make this money wasHolywood James Clarissa, a Shoremar James daughter out of Lanhydrock Permission Clarissa. With a first lactation of 9883 and a second of 11,621, she was sold having been AI'd to Regancrest Design and went to N and S J Sanderson, Lanercost. 

Selling at 2350gns was Aintree Freeman Wendy, a Braedale Freemand daughter out of Aintree Solitaire Wendy. This May 2004-born cow gave 11867 in her second  and had given 6819 in 158 days of her third lactation. She sold having been AI'd to Regancrest Diamond and was bought by N and S J Sanderson, Lanercost.

Averages; 70 heifers in milk £1588.20, 125 cows in milk £1246.81, 16 in-calf heifers £1626.84, 39 heifer calves £564.04 (Harrison and Hetherington and Wright Manley).

A packed ringside greeted Leek Auction Market this week for its 50 year jubilee celebrations.

The top price from the dairy sale saw a heifer from Bill Nadin's Sterndale herd take the top price at £2800. By Ladino Park Talent, she boasts six successive generations of VG/Ex and goes back to the EX97 brood cow Shadow Cliff RA Gina. She knocked down to the pre-sale judge Phillip Smith.

 Second in the heifer class and reserve overall champion was Tameside Emblem 18 from Robert Gladsby, Yarlet. By Royalne Jordan, her dam has given six lactations up to 9800kg. She sold for £2460 to Robert Blackhouse, Leigh.

Close behind at £2400 was a Drake daughter Leaventhorpe Drake Topsy from john Allen, Tutbury. She sold giving 36kg/day to Mr Hulme, Basford, who also bought another from Mr Allen and £2200.

Cows peaked at £2090 for a second calver from Messrs Fernyhough, Kidsgrove. By Stardale Roberto, she sold having given 8262kg as a heifer to Mr Blackhouse. Yearling heifers from Robert Hayes' Timberlane herd peaked at £825 for a Riverdane Eagle daughter.

Heavy hoggs met a good trade at Lockerbie this week selling to a top of £101.50 for North Country Cheviots from Messrs Graham, Carruthers. Export types sold to 229.8p for Beltex from Messrs Aitken.

Cull ewes also met a good dtrade, with a top of £114.50 for Texel crosses from Messrs Blacklock.

Kelso father and son breeders, Ron and Robert Wilson of the Romany herd secured the leading price of 2500gns at the early spring show and sale, Carlisle on behalf the Hereford Cattle Society.

Their 17 month old bull entry, Romany 1 Frontier A84, is a son of Baybridge 1 Atlas and bred from Romany 1 Dawn. Frontier sold for 2500gns and joins the Bottle Hill herd for Gordon Robson of Stockton on Tees.

Next at 2000gns was one of two bull entries shown by Arbroath breeders J M Cant and Partners.  Their home bred entry, Panmure 1 Frosty is sired by Solpoll 1 Brigadier and out of a Versache bred daughter Panmure 1 Plum who is one of the best breeding female lines in the herd.  Frosty is full brother to the entry which sold for the top price last year at this sale and was knocked down to D and J Coulson Livestock to join their Ancholme herd based at Market Rasen, Lincs.

The next leading price tag came from the Romany herd of Messrs Wilson.  Selling for 1900gns was Romany 1 Federation A51, a son of Romany 1 Asteroid and out of Romany 1 Mink, selling carrying a milk figure which places him in the top 5% of the breed.  He sold to North Yorkshire enthusiasts K Lister and Sons, Skipton.

Local breeders Messrs Hewson, Wigton sold their sole entry of the sale for 1800gns.  Amberfield 1 Executor sired by Hillrow 1 Wrestler and bred from the homebred cow Amberfield 1 Brunette.  He was secured by I Emmerson, Consett.

In the female classes the leading price achieved was 1550gns for the last entry to the sale ring.  Baldinnie 1 Kay 21^st, a maiden heifer consigned by Fife based breeders John H Cameron and Sons.  This stylish heifer carries a wealth of breeding in her pedigree and is sired by the 2005 Royal Highland Show Supreme Champion Baldinnie 1 Oxford and on her mothers side her grand-dam, Baldinnie 1 Kay 14^th achieved the Breed Female of the Year award in 1999.  She sold to PW Lucas of Rochdale, Lancs.

Two young heifers from Messrs Wilson of the Romany herd both sold for 1450gns.  Both entries were full sisters, by Romany 1 Asteroid and out of the herds noted Dawn family.   In the pre-sale judging they collected the Female and Reserve Female Championships tickets.  They stay together and were both purchased by D  and J Coulson Livestock, Market Rasen.Averages - 6 bulls £1986.25,  5 females £1312.50.

Monday's sale of primestock at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, saw quality sorts in demand with several new vendors present and a top price of £1237.27 (176.5p/kg) for a Limousin steer from TB Stamper and Son which was purchased by pioneer Foods.  

The leading price per kg, was 196.5p/kg for a heavy weight Limousin heifer from L Skelton and Son, purchased by G Riley. The top priced steer at 184.5p/kg (£1212.17) from Messrs Irving and again purchased by Pioneer Foods.

On the prime bulls front, a pure Limouisn from Ronnie Walker, Great Asby, topped trade at £1266 (148p/kg) selling to Cleveland meats.

A good offering of more than 2000 prime hoggs were also forward at Borderway with trade sharper on the week with a sale average of 197.69p/kg achieved despite an influx of heavy lambs in the market. Mule lambs were notably dearer on the week with many pens commanding between 185-190p/kg.

Top price was £115/head for a pen of 45kg Beltex lambs from Messrs Thornborrow which were purchased by R Skelton. Top price per kg was 269.7p/kg for a strong pen of Beltex from Messrs Fisher, purchased by A Dawson.   

Top call of the day was £3150 which was achieved twice, firstly for Flete Jane 178 who sold to Simon Bowditch, Axminister and secondly for Flete Jane 214 who went to North Cornwall with Graham Pluess.

Averages: in calf cows £1931; cows with calves at foot £1729; maiden heifers £1104 (Kivells)

An increased entry of 3196 sheep on offer at Bakewell Market this week included 2500 finished hoggs. Several runs of hoggs coming straight off keep saw demand very brisk from the 34-42kg Continental types with these regularly selling at 200p/kg for better sorts and a top pen of 219p/kg.

The top 12 pens returning an average of 210p/kg and an overall market average of 190.09p/kg which included a large proportion of mules and swales.

Leading trade at 215p/kg was AT Froggatt, Abbots Bromley, closely followed by 206p/kg was MV Turner, Sheldon.

A total of 11 new season lambs on offer this week all forward from Edwin Pocock, Totley   saw increased demand and ranged from 238p/kg to 254p/kg.

A total of 573 cull ewes and rams saw all types of ewes in demand with very brisk bidding throughout. Best of the heavy Continentals peaked at £138 shown by Broughs of Monyash, with Charolais rams from Ian Hunter, Radbourne, topping at £118. Ewes went to £138 and averaged £77.58, while rams averaged £77.89.

A total 112 Gritstone store sheep on offer from one vendor saw in lamb correct ewes go to £84 and broken mouth ewes top at £81.

Bentham Auction saw a new centre record price for Store Cattle achieved at this Tuesday's Great Annual March Show and Sale of store cattle.

A fantastic entry of 38 excellent quality show cattle, were presented before judges William Ketley, Colchester and John McAlister, Falkirk, with both judges praising the quality of stock.

In the championship line up it was Graham Jackson, Bentham with his first prize senior heifer that was tapped forward by William Ketley to be the overall champion. This 15 month Limousin heifer bred by M and W Richardson of Buttermere, is by Hudscales Volvo.

Reserve champion went to the first prize junior heifer from D Broadbent, Ludenfoot. The 11mo Lim x BB Heifer was homebred by Mr Broadbent.

The sale saw a packed ringside of prospective purchasers and spectators when the champion from Graham Jackson entered the ring. After much frenzied bidding it knocked down for the tremendous price of £2120, achieving a new centre record price for store cattle, with the successful bidder being Ian Pickup of Great Harwood.

The Reserve Champion from Mr Broadbent was purchased by the pre-sale judge for £950. Mr Ketley also purchased the first prize junior steer from Nether Hall Farms for £1100. 

Calderdale beef and sheep farmer Brian Lund added to an ever-growing list of honours at Skipton Auction Mart when exhibiting the champion beef animal at February's prime shows. (Mon, March 1)

Brian, of Walshaw Farm, Walshaw, Hebden Bridge, secured the title with a two-year-old home-bred Parthenais-x-Limousin heifer, by his former stock bull Willow Creek Minstrel, acquired from Grimsby-based breeder Peter Wesley and responsible for some high-class Walshaw progeny.

The 525kg victor caught to eye of show judge James Dewhurst, of Stanforth Butchers, Skipton, before being knocked down for the day's top price of £1,105 (210.5p per kilo) to West Yorkshire butcher Mark Spauls for his two shops in Burley-and-Wharfedale and Cottingley.

Red Rose showman Jimmy Baines, who has farms in Gisburn and Trawden, was responsible for the reserve champion Limousin-cross 530kg heifer, which joined Cross Meats, Bacup, for £1,046 (197.5p per kilo). The same buyers also purchased Mr Baines' third prize Limousin-cross 460kg heifer at £918 (199.5p per kilo).

Mr Baines, who for the past two years has won the Craven Cattle Marts' Stock Person of the Year title - points are awarded at shows and sales throughout the year - further added to his 2010 tally when exhibiting the prime lamb champions.

His pen of five Beltex-x-Texel 47kg lambs sold for £115 per head, top price in show, to Ali Shan, of Yorkshire Halal Meat Supplies, who also acquired the reserve champions, the first prize pen of 52kg Suffolks, again from Brian Lund, at £92 a head, along with the second prize Mules, a pen of 50kg Mashams from Stephen Dorey, Newark, at £91 each.

The same exhibitor also won first prize in the Mules class, his 52kg charges selling for £83 per head to Paul Watson, Hellifield, who also bought the first prize pen of 48kg Swaledales from Roy Nelson, Bordley, at £80 each.

Jimmy Baines' third prize pen of Beltex-x-Texel 53kg lambs sold for £106 a head to Saltaire butchers RC & B Binns, while Brian Lund capped a good day by sending out the second prize Continentals pen, his 44kg Suffolks selling at £96 a head to Bowland Foods, of Preston

The Irish Limousin Society sales for 2010 kicked off on Monday 1^st March with a bumper entry of 137 males and 44 females.  Interest was once again high amongst UK breeders with a total of 21 lots selling for export, 15 males and 6 females. The sale of males resulted in an average of €3108 selling from €1800 to €10,000, while females averaged €3313 selling from €1850 to €6500.  The judge for the day was Mark Philips of the Newmarque and Mardoneen herds, Cumbria, UK.

Topping the trade at €10,000 was the senior male champion, Bremore Djerk from Bobby Jones, Skerries, Co Dublin. This September 2008 bull is by Nenuphar out of a homebred Ferry daughter, Bremore Rudy ET.

He boasts a 5 star rating for SBV, Weanling Export, Beef Carcass and Calf Quality and also a muscle score of 129. He went across the water to Messrs K I, E and H I Jones, Conwy, Wales, for their Garnedd Herd.

Next best call of €9800 went to the reserve senior champion, Killcastle Dael ET from Alan Kelly, Moate, Co Westmeath. This June 2008 bull is by Mas Du Clo out of Milbrook Monique ET.

He is a full brother to top AI sire, Milbrook Tanko (TKO) who sired three champions at the last three Premier Sales. He also sports five star values for SBV, Weanling Export, Beef Carcass, Calf Quality and a muscle score of 127. He goes to R P Hutchinson, Newark, Nottinghamshire, for his Beaconshire herd.

High health status embryos from one of Scotland's leading Limousin herds have been exported to Norway in what is hoped to be the first of many such deals.

The five embryos from Harry Emslie's herd, Mintlaw, Peterhead, Aberdeen, are by the powerful French sire President out of Emslies Allheart, a Sympa daughter out of one of the herd's foundation females, Heathlands Sweetheart. They were bought by pedigree breeder Thor Skaget for an undisclosed amount.

The shipment has been handled by Sheila Eggleston of Eggsport who says: "This is an exciting time for Limousin genetics. Norway has incredibly tight animal health status regulations so exporting embryos to this country is a great achievement for Harry Emslie and the breed."

Mr Emslie adds: "The purchase came about following an interest in one of Allheart's sons Emslies Dashing having seen a picture of him on our website www.emslieslivestock.com." Dashing is one of a team of about eight bulls scheduled for the Society sale in Carlisle in May.  

Previous embryo sales from the herd have included a consignment sent to Australia.

The Western Holstein Club's Monthly Show and Sale of fresh cows and calved heifers attracted an entry of 104 head for its February Sale last week.

The top price of the day went to the first prize cow from Graham Wallace, Goostrey, Middlewich. This fourth calver is by Comestar Stormatic and is the eleventh generation of cows classified Excellent. She is a member of the noted Rhapsody family which originates from Pinehurst in the USA. She sold open giving 47 kg/day for 4000gns to Richard Gay for his Walkabout herd, Axminster, Devon. A daughter of this cow by Braedale Goldwyn born in June 2008 made 2200gns selling to Hefin George, Haverfordwest.

Next in the price list was the Champion female, Rowarton Carisma Orchid a September 07 daughter of Dupasquier Carisma bred from four generations of Very Good or Excellent dams from the noted Wiseburrow Orchid family. She sold giving 35 kg and realised to 3000gns to Jimmy Hull and Sons, Andrew and Leslie, for their Fortland herd, Preston.  

Next in line was Sternmoor Outside Ethel 5^th ET from Michael and Caroline Wainwright, Buxton. By Comestar Outside, she is bred from seven generations of cows classified Excellent and was sold for 2800gns to WJ and J Evans, Haverfordwest. At just 100gns less was the Reseve Champion, Tameside Emblem 19^th from Enchanted Holsteins; this daughter of Far-o-la Debbie-Jo Drake sold for 2700gns to Rob Bell, Knutsford.

Averages: 13 Cows £1837.50; 65 calved heifers £1950.90; 1 served heifer £945.00; 1 maiden heifer £2310; 4 embryos £441.00 (Wright Manley).

St Boswells reported a good trade for sheep on Monday with trade topping at £105 for Texels from Mrs P Anderson, Lauder and 228.4p/kg for a pen of Texels from the Firm of Nixon and Co, Selkirk. The 2238 prime hoggs on offer averaged 192.4p/kg (up 3.7p/kg on the week).

Another large show of ewes and rams were forward with trade for heavier sorts topping at £157 for seven Suffolks from JS Dun and Partners, Heriot. The 803 ewes forward averaged £67.85.

Of the prime cattle on offer, 59 steers averaged 166.2p/kg and sold to a top of 200p/kg (back by 1.5p/kg on last week) to gross £1309. The 73 heifers averaged 170.1p/kg and sold to a top of 194p/kg to gross £1126.

A larger entry usual of 74 head graced Sedgemoor Auction Centre at the weekend. Top call of £2000 from ET Summerfield, Oxford, secured the top priced heifer. Non pedigree heifers topped at £1800 for one from John and Heather Snook. Few cows were on offer, but a top price of £1980 secured one from Messrs PG Bowditch and Son.

Brown Swiss cows topped at £920 for one from Messrs J Upson and Sons, while The Snook family topped Swedish Reds trade at £1200 for a heifer.

Commercial trade for beef cattle was equally as strong at the market with the 451 steers on offer topping at £995 and averaging £686 and the 243 heifers on offer topping at £910 and averaging £603.

Competitive bidding at Bentham Auction Mart last week saw all breeds share in the success with prices hitting £900.