September 2010 Archives

The annual Alston Moor sale of Mule ewe lambs at Lazonby yesterday saw the best trade many could remember, with the average for the 19,545 lambs forward rising by £19.55 to level at £95.53.

Topping the trade were the second prize pen from the NEMSA show from Messrs J Lee and Son, Parson Shield. These sold to Messrs Jenkinson.

Also selling at this money were a pen from Morley Hill, while making £205 was a pen from W D and B Thompson, East Unthank which again sold to Messrs Jenkinson. At £200 was a pen from Gapshield.

Then making £180 apiece was the champion pen from the pre-sale show, a pen from G R Wharton and Sons which went to show judge P Elliot.

In what was a rare four figure bid for the breed Roussins sold to a top call of 1200gns at Carlisle on Saturday with the this price paid for the third prize ram lamb from the pre-sale show.

This one from John Fleming's Stairhaven flock at Glenluce, Wigtownshire, was bought by G McIntyre, Moniaive, Thornhill.

Second best at 700gns was the first prize ram lamb and overall champion from the pre-sale show. This was from Martin McCornick's McCornick flock at Kircowan, Newton Stewart, and sold to T J Powell, Kington, Herefordshire.

Making 600gns was another of the tup lambs from Mr Fleming. This one sold to W and G Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire.

Averages; 28 ram lambs £426.75, one shearling ram £210, three shearling ewes £280, 17 ewe lambs £206.29 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Females dominated the trade at Saturday's sale of Blue Texels at Carlisle with six of the catalogues entry trading at 800gns or more.

Taking the second joint top call of 950gns was the first prize shearling ewe and overall champion from the pre-sale show, a Craigalbert sired ewe out of a homebred dam from Mr Alexander. She sold to S Cowin, Kirkby Thore, Penrith.

Then at the same money was another by the same sire from Mr Alexander. Also out of a homebred dam she sold to T G O Douglas and Son, Camptown, Jeburgh.

And making 820gns was yet another of the Millside shearling ewes, this time by a Jonsland sire, she is out of an imported dam. Buyer of this one was J Orr and Partners, Carnwath.

Two then traded at 800gns, the first of which was another from Mr Alexander. This one is by the Jonsland sire and out of a homebred dam and sold to John Jones, Tregynon, Powys. Second at this price was from Ewan, David and Ellie Andrew and is by a Millside sire and out of a Millside dam, she went to D L Jones, Pencadgr, Carmarthenshire.

And the final bid at this money was for a ewe lamb from David Alexander. This is again by the Jonsland sire and out of a Millside dam. She was bought by J Orr and Partners.

In the tups the best price was a 700gns bid for shearling tup Dulas Rocket from D G and M H Jones, this is homebred on both sides and sold to R Annett, Kilkeel, Co Down.

Trading at 650gns was a shearling ram from David Alexander. This one is by a Craigalbert sire and out of a homebred dam. He was bought by J H and S M Mason, Clapham, Lancaster.

Averages; 11 shearling ewes £703.50, 10 ewe lambs £510.30, six shearling ewes £573.13, three ram lambs £325.50 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Prices at Skipton's month'y dairy sale saw a top call of £2140 for a freshly calved heifer from Robert Lambert, Conistone. This one, which was champion in the pre-sale show, is a by a sire bred in the Aireburn herd and sold to John Howard, Heslaker.

A £2080 call secured a well-bred fresh calved heifer from Brian Moorhouse for T and M Green, Wigan. Then making £1860 was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, a freshly calved cow from Robert Crisp, Calton. She also sold to Mr Howard.

And at £1720 was the second placed fresh calved heifer, another from Mr Crisp. This one sold to T and M Green.

Selling to Mr Howard at £1520 was the first prize in-calf heifer from Bryan Lawty, Driffield, a newcomer to the centre's dairy ring.

Averages; fresh calved heifers £1602, fresh calved cows £1322, in-calf heifers £1182 (Craven Cattle Marts).

Making the top price of 2800gns at Saturday's sale of Texels at Carlisle was a shearling tup from Bruce Goldie. This one, Knock Pilot, was bred by Albert and George Howie, and is by Tophill Knockout and out of a dam by Anglezarke Krug. Sold with an index of 243 he went to L C and D Wearmouth, Ettersgill, Barnard Castle having been champion in the pre-sale show.

Selling at 1600gns was a tup lamb from Alex and Gemma Brown's Brookhill flock. This one, Brookhill Rambo, is a son of Kelso Oxygen and out of a dam by Halbeath Kiwi. He was second prize lamb on the day and sold to P Johnson, Bignall End, Stoke on Trent.

Then at 1300gns was a tup lamb from the Nesbitt family's Alwent flock. This was Alwent Ram Rod, an Arkle Postmark son out of a dam by Haddo Kingpin with an index of 289. He was bought by J Hepburn and Co, Hawick.

Averages; 38 shearling rams £443.21, 86 ram lambs £373.44, 30 shearling ewes £352.45, four ewes £183.75 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Taking the top call of £2400 at Hexham's sale of Bluefaced Leicesters was a shearling tup from the Brownleaze family. This one is by A2 Firth and out of a dam by X2 Highberries. Buying this one were two breeders, Messrs Snaith Clennel and J Herman, Eldingham.

Making £1500 was a shearling from Lowes Fell. This A5 Walton son was second in the pre-sale show and out of a dam by homebred W15 Lowes Fell. He was snapped up by Dennis Lumley.

Selling at £1400 was the champion in the pre-sale show, another shearling from Lowes Fell. This son of A5 Walton is out of a dam by a homebred tup and sold to G P Williams, for the Elian flock.

Trading at £1350 was a shearling tup from the Archer family's Carry House flock. This one is by Z1 Breck House and out of a dam by N25 Nunscleugh.

Video footage of the sale can be seen here

Trade at Saturday's sale of Hampshire Downs at Carlisle was strong, resulting in a new female record for the breed being set at 1020gns.

Taking this top price was a shearling ewe by Wattisfield What Not and out of a dam by Yarcombe Highflyer from Jim and Patsi Cresswell, Diss. This one, which was breed champion at the Highland Show this year and who's sire was a member of the interbreed pairs champions from last year's Highland, sold to Maud Blanchard, Avonbridge.

Second best call of 750gns was made by Messrs Dent, Penrith, when buying a ewe lamb from Kevin and Anne McCarthy's Co Down-based flock. This one is by Ballycreelly Nobleman and out of a dam by Yarcombe Reference.

Selling at 720gns was a shearling ewe from the McCarthys. This is a  Moneycarragh Millionaire daughter out of a dam by Yarcombe Reference. Following that at 700gns was a shearling ewe from Charles and Sally Horrell, this one is out of a dam by Owlesbury Xerxes and sold to Mrs Blanchard.

Three then traded at 520gns, the first being another similarly bred ewe lamb from the McCarthys which also went to Messrs Dent.

Second at this price was a one-lamb ewe from Jim Cresswell which was part of last year's interbreed pairs winning team at the Highland. She is by Parkstock Playboy and sold to the Dents too. Finally at this money was a shearling ewe from the Horrells which sold to David and Denise Middleditch, Sudbury. This is an Owlesbury Xerxes daughter. Selling at 500gns was a ewe by Wattisfield Topper which sold to G Mountain, Harrogate, for Jim Cresswell.                                                                                                                             

Shearling tups sold to 400gns twice, with the first of these calls made for an Owlsebury Yeoman son from the Middleditchs, which sold to Andrew and Caroline Iveson, Penrith. Second at this money was one from David Smith and Jennifer Atkinson, Market Rasen. He is by Yarcombe Erroll and out of a Hillhouse sired ewe.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

A packed ringside saw suckled calves and show potential cattle sell to a peak of £6000 at Carlisle on Saturday, with the top price paid for a Limousin cross heifer from Robert and Michael Scott, Thirwall Castle. This one is a Cloughhead Titanic daughter out of a three-quarter Limousin cow and was snapped up by Andrew and Becky Bishop, Gloucestershire, and will feature on the show circuit later this year.

Following that at £3700 was another from the Scotts, another black heifer by Titanic. this one sold to an undisclosed East Anglian buyer. And another travelled to East Anglia at £3000, this was a red Limousin cross heifer by a homebred sire, she was bought by another undisclosed buyer.

Fourth top of the day went to another from the Scotts, this time a Limousin cross steer. Again by the homebred sire he sold at £1900 to Phil and Sharon Sellers. None of the Thirwall Castle stock were forward for the show.

Champion in the pre-sale show was a British Blue cross heifer was David Swallow, High Edges Green, Haltwhistle. This one is by Annanwater Antonia and out of a Limousin cow. She sold at £1050 to Trevor Lyon, Thurlby, Bourne.

A new centre record was set at Castle Douglas on Friday when Bluefaced Leicesters sold to £9000 for a ram lamb from with Wight family, Midlock. This B4 Tanhouse son was bought in a two way split by Messrs Clark, Duncanziemere, and Messrs Hunter, Pennymore.

Following that at £3800 was an A2 Agglethorpe son from Alec Brown, Macqueston, which sold to Messrs Warnock, Dreva. This is out of a dam by X5 Riddings.

And in the shearlings the top call was a £4500 bid for a Z1 Firth son from J and M Kerr, Craigskean, which sold to Crwo Hall Farms, Barden Mill, Hexham.

At £3400 was another from Midlock, again by the Tanhouse sire and out of a dam by £4200 sire Z1 Midlock. He headed home to Northern Ireland with Graham and Julie Loughery.

At the same price was a shearling from Alec Brown. Sired by homebred tup Z8 Macqueston he went to Robert Loughridge for the Orravale flock, Northern Ireland.

Another from Mr Brown then sold at £3000, also finding a new home with Mr Loughridge. Also making this money was the best of the traditional type Bluefaces from Martin Archer's Carry House flock. this one by X4 Heddon Valley sold to J Dykes.

Averages; 172 shearlings £787.97, 124 ram lambs £762.54 (Wallets Marts).

Taking the top call of 1000gns at Saturday's sale of EasyCare sheep at Worcester was a shearling tup from R Owen's Trefri flock, North Wales. This one sold to T W Steele, Pershore.

Selling at 850gns was a shearling ram from H V and M W Thomas, Pentre, which went to James Barton, Market Rabel, Lancashire.

In the females shearling ewes from W D and H J Prosser, Buckinghamshire, led the trade with pens selling at £142, £140 and £128, with all three pens going to H J S Honour, Charlton on Otmoor, Oxford.

Older ewes meanwhile sold to a peak of £130 for pens from T W Steele's Pershore flock. And in the ewe lambs trade was led by pens from J A Parsons, Isle of Wight, which sold at £127, £125 and £118, with all pens going to Messrs Jones, Kington, Herefordshire.

Averages: 519 flock ewes £118.21; 142 shearling ewes £125.99; 291 ewe lambs £98.53; 130 aged rams £194.05; 16 ram lambs £124.25 ( McCartneys).

Selling for the top call of 15,000gns at Saturday's Best of Blacks sale at St Boswells was Blelack Lady Heather, a Netherallan Peter Pershore daughter from Neil and Graeme Massie. Having previously stood first at the Royal Highland and breed champion at Angus, Turriff and Tarland, she sold to Loftus Farms with a TSI of +35 and an SRI of +44.

Following that at 13,800gns was Rawburn Julie Erica from the Elliot family. This is a March 2006-born Rawburn Lord Ross daughter out of a Midwestern X21 of Tullfergus daughter. She traded with a TSI of +40 and an SRI of +49 and a Rawburn Rommel heifer calf at foot. She went to Mike Frazer, Co Antrim.

Next best price of 8000gns was achieved by Blelack Blackbird from the Massies, she sold to Jan Boomars, Surrey. This one is by Nightingale Defiance and is out of a Galcantray Edward daughter, she was previously junior champion at the Highland.

Then selling at 7500gns was Rawburn Ella, a Fruelands Atlas daughter out of a Lord Ross-sired dam. Sold in calf to Rawburn El Torro, she was bought by J C Lister Farms, Boroughbridge.

Making 7000gns  was Castlgate Ruby from C S Addison. This is a February 2008-born Drumcow Proud Peacock daughter out of a Mr Eammon of Church Farm daughter. She went to Mike Frazer.

Next best after that was a 6000gns bid for Rawburn Duchess Kent, a May 2008-born Rawburn Lord Hyster. Sold in calf to Rawburn El Torro, she also went home to Northern Ireland with Mike Frazer. She has a TSI of +38 and an SRI of +52.

After that at 5000gns was Rawburn Toyah, a Rawburn Lord Ross daughter out of a Ranui Impact daughter. Again in-calf to El Torro she was bought by Surrey-based Jan Boomarrs.

Averages; eight cows abnd calves £3425.62, 23 heifers £3948.91 (John Swan Ltd).

Wednesday's dispersal of the Riggmill herd of pedigree Holsteins for the Harrington family at Carlisle was led at 2000gns by Riggmill Leader Marsha 3, an April calved Comestar Leader daughter which sold to J Dixon and Son, Wigton.

Selling at 1800gns was Riggmill Outside Evette, a Comestar Outside daughter out of a Comestar Leader daughter. This one sold to Newhouse Farm, Dumfries.

Going to the same buyer at 1750gns was Riggmill Igniter Delphine, a Summershade Igniter daughter out of a dam by Genus Jolland. Following at the same money was Riggmill Igniter Marsha 3, another by Summershade Igniter, this time out of a dam by Startmore Sterling. This sold to J W Graham, Kirkbride. Also at this price was Riggmill Igniter Penny, also by Summershade Igniter and out of a dam by Genus Jolland, she sold to R W Dixon, Stocksfield.

Averages; 65 cows £896.05, 24 heifers in milk £1253.44, 16 in-calf heifers £1311.84, 30 maiden heifers £708.40, 31 heifer calves £512.47 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Both males  and females were in demand at the Lleyn breed sale at Carlisle yesterday, with a total of 13 rams selling at more than 2000gns.

Taking the top price in the males was a ram from John Geldard and family, Levens. This homebred shearling sold at 7800gns to H and M Dugdale, Stackhouse, Settle. Then selling at 5600gns was a shearling from E and D Jones, Lluestwen, which was bought by H L Nelless, Morpeth. At 4800gns was one from Derek Steen, Whitcastles, which was taken by P M Howie and Sons.

And at 3700gns was another from the Jones family, he sold to Denoak Livestock and making 3600gns was the champion ram, one from Alun and Robert Bennett. This one was bought by G and A Fort, Keighley.

In the females the top price of £350 was paid for the champion pen from Alun and Robert Bennett, which sold to P M Howie and Son, Perth. Then making £260 was a pen from Jim Goldie, these were bought by Irish buyers A C Kennedy, Ballyclare. At £240 was a pen from David Alexander which sold to Artaine Ltd, Matlock, while a pen from G H Blakeley, Thropton sold to P M Howie for £220.

Top spot in the ewe lambs was a £250 bid for a pen from the Bennetts which sold to Denoak Livestock. 

Averages; shearling ewes £165.65, ewe lambs £79.30, shearling rams £1132.44, aged rams £637 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Topping last week's sale of Easycare sheep at Penrith was a ram lamb from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Dumfries.

Best in the shearling rams was a 900gns for another from Townfoot, while an aged ram from the same home sold for 300gns.

Best bid in the shearling ewes was a 95gns call for a pen from Messrs Adams and Sons, Northampton, while ewe lambs reached 70gns for D Thomas, Anglesey.

Averages; aged rams £130.03, shearling rams £216.64, ram lambs £297.11, aged ewes £77.58, shearling ewes £94.34 (Penrith and District Farmers Mart).

The headline says it all for this story I'm afraid, once again Smithfield faces an uncertain future after a show board meeting yesterday decided to cancel this year's event due to lack of trade stand and sponsorship support.

According to Alice Bell of RASE it has been impossible to find sufficient financial support within the sector to run the event successfully and the decision has been made to cancel this year's show, with the long-term outlook seemingly bleak too.

Looking ahead Miss Bell said RASE and the Royal Smithfield Club intended to continue working together to find a suitable event for the future. "However, while we will look to work together in future, there is no plan for an event in the same format in future years. What is clear to us is that this model is sustainable for the event.

"We either have to find a way of generating a higher income from the event or cut costs, neither of which will be easy without irrevocably changing the nature of the event."

But she defended RASE's role in the situation and said any suggestions that RASE had now killed Smithfield after killing the Royal Show were unfounded. "The two are completely different events and had different challenges. The principle behind AgriLIVE is still strong, whereas the issues behind the Royal were far greater."

Royal Smithfield Club chairman John Campbell said the club was disappointed to be making this decision. "The reality is that running a high quality event including large livestock classes is costly. We had hoped this format would be able to support these costs, but unfortunately this has not been the case."

Of course there will be the usual mudslinging about where the blame lies and I don't think anyone is in any doubt about which of the two organisations bore responsibility for selling trade space and securing sponsorship.

Bu the bigger question is where do we go from here?

A top call of 2800gns was the headline sale of Skipton's Texel sale last week, with more than 905 of the 445 strong entry finding new homes.

Sale leader was the third prize ram from the pre-sale, a Ffostyl Oscar son from Stephen and Sherry Richardson's Stonebridge flock. He sold to David Ryder, Lindley, Otley.

Next best in the shearling tups was a 2300gns bid for one from David Towell. This Stainton O2 son sold to join William and Mark Keighley, Otley. And Mr Towell sold another shearling at 1500gns, this one went to Angus Dean, Threshfield.

Top in the females was a 1600gns sale for the female champion from the pre-sale show, a Knock Orocco daughter from John Mellin. She sold to William Warren, Gomersal, Bradford.

Trade sounds like its been solid throughout for the cattle on offer at the Sahara Holsteins sale today and the last of the good money lots has just traded at 7000gns.

Taking this call was Sahara Burns Annette, a Dudoc Mr Burns daughter out of Wilto Derry Annette, a Regancrest Emory Derry daughter. This one, born in August 2008 is from seven generations of Ex or VG dams.

That look's like being the last of the prices from today, I'll bring you the missing buyer details once I have them.

Trade for Mules at Wigton on Wednesday saw a jump in the average price of £16 on trade last year, with the 5000 lambs selling to level at £88.09.

Heading the trade was a £165 call for the first prize winners from the pre-sale show from Messrs W Ridley of Wood Hall, Hesket New Market. Second best was £130 paid for the second prize winners from the same home, while making £128 were the third prize pen from the show from J Lee and sons, Morley Hill, Whitfield.

The reduction sale from the Welland Valley South Devons herd held on Tuesday of this week sold to a top of 3500gns for Welland Valley Kitty 15, a heifer by homebred sire Baron 2with a heifer calf at foot by Edmeston Trusty 7, this sold to P G Bowditch, Axminster.

Then at 3400gns was Welland Valley Dainty with a heifer calf at foot, buyer of this one was Mr Forster, Bishop Wilton, Yorkshire.

Selling at 3200gns was cow Welland Valley Nancy, sold with her Trewint Tornado 2 sired bull calf at foot. Buyer was Malthouse Livestock, Ranworth.

Next best was a 2800gns sale for Welland Valley Ethel 5,a  Waddeton Hadrian 4 daughter with a Tornado 2 sired heifer calf at foot. She sold to T Earl, Lerryn, Cornwall. Then at 2600gns was Welland Valley Primrose 9, a Stretchford Hercules 2 daughter, again with Tornado 2 heifer calf at foot. She was claimed by N P Foster and Partners, Blakesley.

Averages; 52 cows with calves £2052, 24 heifers with calves £2502, 20 bulling heifer £1822, 39 maiden heifers £1605 (Kivells).

Once again for at least the fourth time this week I find myself writing the words Mule and record in the same sentence, this time in reference to a new record set at Carlisle yesterday.

There, the Latter Fair sale saw 5530 Mule ewe lambs penned for sale and a top price of £400 setting a new centre record.

This price was paid for the champion pen of lambs which came from Neil Marston of Millstone Moor, selling to Roger Graves, Hesket Demain.

Reserve champion were a pen from John Smith-Jackson, Hightown, which sold at £240 to Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor.

Other leading prices included a £205 sale for a pen from Messrs Moore, Highside, while the overall average for the day was a more than healthy £100.24. (Harrison and Hetherington).

Selling for 9800gns at today's sale from the Sahara herd of Holsteins was Sahara Damion Tammy, an Erbacres Damion daughter out of Smiddiehill Hartline Tammy, a Hartline Titanic daughter. This April 2007-born cow sold in calf to Mesland Duplex and is bred from six generations of Ex and VG cows. She was interbreed heifer champion at this year's Royal Welsh

Just prior to this one at 8000gns was Sahara Damion Tessie, another by Damion, this time out of Wiltor Morty Tessie, a Stouder Morty daughter. Calved in July, this one was reserve All Britain Senior maiden heifer last year and res champion heifer in milk at the All Breeds this year.

More to follow in due course,..............

Today's sale from the Sahara herd of Holsteins from Sheika Noora Al-Khalifa has hit a peak of 14,000gns so far, with this top price paid for Sahara Goldwyn Regenia.

This Braedale Goldwyn daughter is ET bred out of Keopon Shot Regenia, a VG 88 classified dam. She was placed first at this year's All Breeds Show and sold to the Wills family for the Willsbro herd, Cornwall.

At 5500gns was Sahara September Ebony Red. She is by Pursuit September Storm and is out of Wiltor Charles Ebony, a Boulet Charles-sired Ex92 classified dam. She was AI'd to Mesland Duplex in December last year and sold having given 9041 in 305 days in her first lactation.

And making 9500gns was Sahara Goldwyn Ambrosia, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter out of 27,000gns dam Smiddiehill Toystory Ambrosia, a VG87 classified Jenny-Lou Mrshl Toystory daughter. This one is from five generations of Ex or VG cows and sold to the Willsbro herd. 

Leading Wednesday's sale of Holsteins for the Border and Lakeland club at Carlisle was a 2700gns bid for Boclair Standard Barbara, a Boclair Standard daughter out of Boclair Barbara 69, a VG85 classified dam with nine lactations behind her. Buying this one which was champion on the pre-sale show were N and S J Sanderson, Lanercost.

Then at 1900gns was Holmland R Roxy from S L and P Bell. This is by homebred sire Holmland Rockmatic and out of Holmland Talent Roxy, a Ladino Park Talent daughter. She went to J and J Barr, Crossgates.

At the same money was Stair Outside Peach, a Comestar Ooutside daughter from James Kennedy. She is out of Stair Allen Peach, a Canyon-Breeze Allen daughter. Buying this one which calved in July were the Barrs again.

The same buyers then took the next top priced lot too, paying 1850gns for Wormanby Champion Cactus, a Cabrett-I H H Champion daughter from H and M and D Hodgson. This is out of Wormanby Jordan Cactus and calved in August.

BULLS

On the same day Carlisle also hosted the annual bull sale for club, with the top price a 5600gns bid for Evening Keegan from Evening Hill Farm. This Braedale Goldwyn son is out of Evening Storm Kitty, a Maughlin Storm daughter and sold to M J Wilson, Uldale.

Making 5000gns was Annandale Tempting from William Armour. This one is by Canyon-Breeze Allen and out of Annandale Gelpro Hope 3. He was bought by A Thorn, Goosehill.

Following on at 4800gns was Warnelview Ruben from K j and C S Wilson. Sired by Ladino Park Talent, he is out of Warnelview Igniter Ruby. He went home with S and M Dalgleish, Culross.

And selling at 4000gns was Evening Rooney (no jokes please). this is by Braedale Goldwyn and is ET bred out of Stilbrook Ruby 4, a Ked Juror daughter. He sold to J Lindsay, Crosby on Eden.

Averages; one cow in milk £1575, 24 heifers in milk £1613.50, one maiden heifer £861, 10 senior bulls £2165, nine intermediate bulls £2872.22, 10 junior bulls £1830, three British Friesian bulls £1733.33 (Harrison and Hetherington).

It seems the Mule ewe lambs buyers just can't stop bidding this year, with Monday's sale at Hawes seeing a new centre record price of £560 paid and the 13,575 sold levelling the day at £91.87.

Top pen came from R A Busby and Son, Marrick and stood first in the show. Second prize winners were from D A and M A Brown and sold at £230, thrid prize went to W A and A Booth, with these making £305.

The sale's second day on Tuesday saw 12,224 lambs penned and a top price of £380 paid for the third prize pen from Messrs Lord, North Stainmore. First prize winners came from E Fairburn and Sons, Thornton Steward and made £350. At £300 were the fifth prize pen from C T and J E Willoughby, Redmire. Tuesdays sale averaged just shy of Monday's trade at £90.89.

December and the depths of winter may seem a long way off as we sit here in September, but as the headline says there is just one week left from today to get entries in for AgriLIVE Smithfield at Stoneleigh.

This year entries may be made either in the traditional paper form or via the event's website.

With Archie MacGregor judging the cattle and John Hall taking charge in the sheep rings the show has two emminent judges more than capable of the task ahead of them, so it should be a great show for anyone planning to take stock.

With strong calf sales seen at a number of marts already this autumn I've no doubt there will be some top notch cattle on show and I suspect the sheep won't disappoint either.

Beltex breeders at yesterday's sale at Lanark for Beltex Scotland saw the breed's record books rewritten with a new female record set at 7800gns for a shearling ewe from the Corra flock of G Forsyth.

This one, Corra Natasha, is an ET bred Brickrow Lional daughter out of Corra Lou-Lou, a King Kong daughter. She sold to Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams for the Hackney flock.

Next best female sale of the day was for a full ET sister to the record breaker, Corra Nasturtium. She also joined the Hackney flock at Shifnal, Shropshire.

Topping the males was 2400gns bid for this year's breed champion from the Highland Show, Tiree Nutcracker from Alasdair MacLean, Isle of Tiree. He is by Beachtree Maxi Muscle and out of Clary Lottie and sold to Gavin Shanks for the Inveresk flock.

Following that at 1700gns was the best of the ram lambs, Broughton Pure Pride from Michael Dunlop. He is by Corstane Dan the Man and out of Broughton Lavendar, an Airyolland Hunter daughter. Buying this one were D I and A Gray, Lowick, Berwick.

Selling at 1500gns was another of the shearling tups Kingledores Nifty from Richard Wood. Sired by Viagrow and out of Artnagullion Kyle, a Ulysses daughter this one was bought by N Crighton, Loanend, Berwick.

A brace of tup lambs sold at 1400gns, the first being Cochrane's Perfect from J and J Cochrane. He is by Cochrane's Nimrod and out of Longley Garnet, a Corstane Disaster daughter and sold to Messrs McMillan, Clary, and Alasdair McLean, Tiree.

Then at the same money was Beachy Papa Doc from John Barclay. He is a Corstane Mighty Max son out of Beachy Magic Touch. This one headed to the wouth west with Louise Moorhouse, Doddiscombleigh.

Yesterday's Texel sale at Lanark for the Scottish Texel Club saw prices peak at 2100gns for ram lamb Tapanui Raconteur from Kerr Jarvie. This is a  Penparc Lexus son out of a ewe by Baltier King and sold to H and M Evans, Ty Croes, Anglesey.

Next best at 1800gns was Lower Reiss Rebel from Douglas Webster. Sired by Tophill Nockout and out of a dam by Garngour Nobleman he was reserve interbreed at Caithness Show and sold to J Currie and Sons, Lanark.

Also at this price was Cairness Rockstar, a Deveronvale Perfection son from Jimmy Douglas. He is out of a Brookhill Northern Star sired dam and sold to John Forsyth, Glenside.

Making 1700gns was Culter Allas Raider from Callum Wight. He is by Tullagh Pacha and out of a dam by Fachell Indiana. Sold with an index of 248 he went to R and M Struthers, Carluke and Robert Laird, Cambwell.

Best in the shearling ewes was a 1000gns bid for one from Adam Andrew's Ladyburn flock. This was a Baltier Ossie daughter out of a dam by Cambwell Kilt and was bought  by A Campbell, Carstairs.

Averages; seven shearling rams £543, 233 ram lambs £463.67, 20 shearling ewes £301 (Lawrie and Symington).

Dorepoll 1 Emperor owned by D & E Colledge, Coventry, Warwickshire took the Supreme Championship at this years National Hereford Poll Show at Moreton-in the-Marsh, Gloucestershire. The Judge Mr Jack Henry from Brighouse in West Yorkshire undertook a mammoth five hours of judging, with well over ninety cattle forward.

Earlier in the day "Emperor" had taken the Grand Male Championships by beating off strong competition, including the 2010 Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows Inter-bred Champion Romany 1 Captain. "Captain" exhibited and owned by A.E. Nesbitt Farms Ltd went on to take the Reserve Supreme Championship.

Dorepoll 1 Emperor was bred by JE, RI & W Haire, County Antrim, Northern Ireland is out of Dorepoll 1 HL Duchess and by Dorepoll 1 73J Jonathan 499.

The Intermediate Male Champion was Leos Pride 1 Ellis bred and owned by D & B Ellis, Wigan, Lancashire, with Romany 1 Fulcrum from J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Scottish Borders taking the Reserve. In the Junior section Barbern 1 Gargantuan from Bernard and Barbara Rimmer, Garstang in Lancashire was crowned Junior Male Champion and later took the Overall Junior Championship by defeating the Junior Female Champion Romany 1 Dawn A84 G4, from J.R.B. Wilson & Sons. Another Romany animal took the Reserve Junior Male Championship, 12 months old Romany 1 General A84.

The Grand Female Championship went to another animal owned by D & E Colledge, former Royal Show Champion Hawkesbury 1 Vollie-vont, with the senior cow Greenyards 1 Echo by Greenyards 1 Archie and bred by P & A Allman, Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire taking the Reserve Grand Female Championship.

The Intermediate Female Championship went to Kinglee 1 Vicky bred and owned by Mr Peter Cobley, Stoney Stanton in Leicestershire. Eighteen month old "Vicky" by Dorepoll 1 Nationwide, is out of Costhorpe 1 Vicky 365. In Reserve was Hawkesbury 1 Volante by D & E Colledge and expertly shown by professional showman Mr Steve Edwards. Taking the Reserve Junior Female Championship behind "Dawn" was Rimini 1 Joo Lee Anna bred by Mrs Jackie Cooper, Preston in Lancashire.

In Groups section the Best Group of Three by the Same Sire went to the Romany herd sire Baybridge 1 Atlas, this award concluded a very successful show day for the Romany herd, justifying a long trip down from the Scottish Borders.

In the Group of Three including both sexes the Trophy went to A.E. Nesbitt Farms Ltd and finally in the Best Pair of Animals Class, first prize went to Mr Peter Whittaker from Northumberland. 

Kerry Hill breeders enjoyed a rewarding trade at Ludlow last week when trade was topped at 740gns for a shearling ram from the Birchwood flock from W E V Stephens, The Birches, Knighton. This sold to Linda Barnard, Hall Farm, Welham, Malton, North Yorkshire. Close behind was a Ram from the same flock at 500 gns going to Antony Bros, Cwmberll, Sarn, Newtown.

The Overall Champion and Champion Female from R F & D J Price, Pentrenant, Churchstoke  named Pentrenant Orchid sold for 420 gns to the judges J & P Owens, Woodhouse, Shobdon, Hereford.

Next at 380gns was a ewe from the Dorddy flock from V T & S A Hamer, Trinnant, Llanidloes selling to D C Manton, Camp Farm, great Witley, Worcester.

Ewe lambs sold to 295 gns from R F & D J Price, Churchstoke to S H Wildgoose, Ladywood Farm, Chesterfield.

Ram lambs sold to 500 gns for a Woodhouse Ram lamb from J & P Owens, Shobdon to K R Esler & Simmonds, Dairy House, Kinston Seymour, North Somerset. Also a Ram lamb to 480 gns from the Fronarth Flock - Sion Jones, Pennant, Llannon, Ceredigion selling to V T & S A Hamer, Trinnant, Llanidloes.

Averages; 58 Ewe Lambs £111, 84 Ewes £148, 29 Rams £322, 11 Ram Lambs £228 (McCartneys).

Taking the British Friesian championship here at the NEC has been awarded, with the top ticket going to Oakalby Rachabite Buttercup 97 from the Burroughs family, reserve was Langley Rubin Mary 2 from Messrs Carnell.

Then in the Dairy Shorthorn championship the winner was Churchroyd Heather 29 from Messrs Collins. Reserve here was Westonia Marie 6 from R Stockton.

And in the exhibitor bred interbreed championship the winner was Ayrshire senior cow Sandyford Clover 10 from Blaise Tomlinson, reserve was Holstein cow Wyndford Jordan Contented 384, from Wilfred Maddocks.

Breed championships are now being decided here at NEC, with the first couple awarded already.

Taking the Holstein championship was Saxelby Goldwyn Rose, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter from Robert and Elaine Butterfield.

Reserve was Danevalley Jordan Posh 3, a Roylane Jordan daughter from Riverdane Holsteins and A L Moore and Partners.

In the Jerseys the championship went to Potterswalls Vindication Nikki from C and J Smith, this is a Vindication daughter. Reserve here was Trecanda Vindication Lily, another Vindication daughter, this time from Messrs Murray.

Then the Guernsey championship went to Blacknor Tanya, a Cassidy daughter from Chettle Farms, reserve here was Lodor Valerie 3, a Sniders Option Aaron daughter from Colin Evans.

In the Ayrshires the champion was Sandyford Clover 10 from Blaise Tomlinson, with the reserve going to Millford Lark 20 from the Timbrell family.

Taking the brown Swiss championship was Sedgeford Picasso Trulla from B Millar and reserve was Kedar Becks Alice from J Lochhead.

Pictures to follow in due course......

Judging has been making good progress in the rings here at NEC and I've got another raft of results to bring from the various breeds.

In the Ayrshires the junior cow in milk class went to Hennington Fragy 12 from the Windows, second was East Church Admirals Blissfull 2 from Messrs Evans and Scholes and third was Heydale Ovoid 242 from Messrs Berresford.

Brown Swiss junior in milk winner was Sedgemoor Picasso Trulla from B Miller, second was Kedar Becks Alice from J Lochhead and third was Festival Denmark Regina from the Daltons.

Dairy Shorthorn junior in milk leader was Westonia Marie 6 from R Stockton, second was Rodway Lisbet 2 from G A Madeley and third was Rodway Jenna 2, again from G A Madeley. There was only one entry in the Guernsey in milk class and this was Lodor Valerie 3 from Colin Evans.

The Holstein junior in milk was split three ways. Winning the first class was Aintree Goldwin Nugget B from Aintree Holsteins, second was Huddlesford Melody Highlight from the Copes and third was Holmland Lee Princess Bee from the Bells. In the second split the winner was Danevalley Jordan Posh 3 from Riverdane Holsteins and Messrs Moore, second was Wyndford Jordan Contented 384 from Wilfred Maddocks and third was Newinton Shottle Destiny from Wills Brothers. Taking the third split in this class was Saxelby Goldwyn Rose from the Butterfield family, second was Riverdane PS Sara from Willsbro and third was Saxelby Shottle Marie from the Butterfields.

Winning the Jersey junior in milk was Trecanda Vindication Lily from Messrs Murray, second was Glanmor Rocket Wennol from Glanmor Jerseys and third was Hareplan Zik Gertrude from Messrs Murray.

Judging is progressing well here at the NEC with the overall interbreed and exhibitor bred heifer titles already awarded.

The Wills family continued their strong run of results here at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, clinching the interbreed heifer title with their Holstein heifer Riverdane Gold Ashlyn, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter bred by Mark Nutsford before being bought by Willsbro when they purchased the entire Riverdane herd.

Standing reserve overall was the Jersey heifer leader Bluegrass Comericas Pink Heather, a Bridon Remake Comerica daughter from the Daw family. The Holstein and Jersey were tied on 57 points each on the panel judging system, however, the Holstein picked up four perfect 10 scores to the Jersey's three, landing her the title.

But the Jersey stole the honours in the exhibitor bred championship ahead of the best exhibitor bred Holstein, Sterndale Gold Ashlyn, another by Braedale Goldwyn, this time from Bill Nadin.

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

Judging is well underway here at the NEC for today's Dairy Event and Livestock Show and here are the early class results.

Winning the Ayrshire heifer in milk class was Willhome Thorn Flo 2 from P and S Williams, second here was Hunnington Fragrance 49 from the Window family and third was another from the same home, Hunnington Fragrance 50.

Then in the Brown Swiss heifer in milk class the winner was Moonriver Vigor Belinda from Ro Darlington and Emma Bruce, second was Festival Zeus Gisela from A and S M Dalton and reserve was Kedar Zola Ulla from J Lochhead.

First in the Shorthorn heifers was Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 29 from the Collins family, second was Rodway Tiny 253 from G A Madeley and third was Strickley Annabella 140 from the Robinson family.

Winning the Guernsey heifer class was Blacknor Tanya from Chettle farms, second was Hamps Valley Mo 11 from Colin Evans and third was Sharnford Violet from Suffolk Farmhouse Cheese.

Holstein heifer champion from the split Holstein heifer classes was Riverdane Gold Ashlyn from Wills Bro, with Sterndale Gold Ashlyn from Bill Nadin.

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

Here at the NEC preparations are in full swing for tomorrow's Dairy Event and Livestock Show, with the cattle stalls located in their own building along with the judging rings and temporary milking parlour.

Judging starts tomorrow at 9am with the heifer classes first up and the championships likely to be concluded at about 4pm, or possibly slightly earlier if the judges get a shift on.

Full results will of course be posted here throughout the day, so don't forget to keep checking back in to see who's been doing the winning.....