December 2011 Archives

The livestock team are all off on their Christmas holidays from today, so there will be a bit of a break in the Taking Stock coverage. HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL and see you again in 2012!

The Farmers Weekly Livestock team

Trade at Cutcombe 29^th Christmas Fat Stock show and sale benefited from additional buyers including local butchers looking to purchase the show winning animals.

Lambs sold very well with an overall average of 193p/kg with the prize winning lambs making prices between 250- p/kg.

Light lambs (59) sold to realise an average of 204.75p/kg and peaked at top price of the day 421p/kg, £160/head for a pair from Messrs F J Hayes and Son, Great Nurcott, with the next best prices achieved by Mr S Norman making 297p/kg for his lambs and Mr C Hayes selling his pair of show lambs for 282p/kg.

Medium weight lambs (145) averaged 193.65p/kg and peaked for Mr S Norman who sold a pair of 45kg lambs at 293p/kg (£132/head). Other strong prices were achieved by Mr R Takle who sold his lambs for 275p/kg (£121/head) and Messrs F J Hayes who made 268p/kg (£118/head).

Heavy lambs (82) sold to an average of 185p/kg and a maximum of 265p/kg (£130/head) for a pair of 49kg lambs from Chargot Estates. This was followed by Mr M Scott who sold his lambs for 212p/kg and a price a head of £106.

The extra-large lambs (9) made for an average of 175p/kg and a peak of 194p/kg converting into a per head price of £98.50.

Store lambs (114) averaged at £69 and peaked for Miss P Marke at £86.20. Other notable prices were achieved by lambs donated to the Minehead Harriers selling for £86 and lambs donated to Cutcombe Church which sold to £80.

Grazing ewes (310) sold strongly to average 76.50 and peaked at £114 for ewes from Messrs DW Jones, Higher North Radworthy. Other significant prices included Chargot Estates making £110 and Messrs RP Elston & Son making £108.

Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auction

Frome market sale goers witnessed 50% of the dairy entries reaching the £2,000 mark last week.

Premier Livestock Auctions reported strong demand throughout with a large complement of buyers in attendance creating an "amazing trade". 

"Overall a quality entry was presented for sale and everyone was very keen to buy," they said.

A run of eight calved heifers from W Green and Sons averaged £1,964 and four times in excess of £2,000 to achieve the top price at £2,080.

Well presented calved heifers from regular vendor A F Leighton also produced excellent prices at £2,050 and £2,010.  Quality "Design" sired heifers from W D Guley and Son sold easily to £1,980.  Demand for calved cows was superb with "Judo" sired cows again from A F Leighton to £2,060. 

An entry of second calved cows from James Churchill met excellent interest with his Friesian Holsteins to £2,000, £1,750 and Ayrshire to £1,530. 

In-calf heifers saw a very strong trade. Generally there were more commercial types on offer, but strong demand saw February/April calvers to £1,430.  Heifer calves sold a little easier at £140. 

Mr Strawbridge's sale topper, from his Coleraine-based flock, was SRY1000054, an ET bred Mullan Playboy daughter out of a dam by Castlecairn Kennedy and going back to Knock Impulse. Sold in lamb to Procters Subaru, this one is a full sister to the 2011 Royal Ulster Show breed champion and was bought by Adrian Liggett, Fintona, for the Corbo flock.

Second best of the sale was a 4,000gns call from teenager Michael Smyth of the Foyleview flock when buying another of Mr Strawbridge's Tamnamoney consignment. This was SRY1000064 another by Mullan Playboy and this time out of Castlecairn Ion Rocket daughter from the best family in the flock.

She sold in lamb to 12,000gns sire Sportsman's Scania and saw Mr Smyth re-investing some of the 46,000gns he earned at Lanark in August when he sold Foyleview Superstar, a tup lamb bred from a Tamnamoney ewe.

Following that came a pair of 2,600gns bids, with the first made for the first in the ring, QDA1000008 from David Warwick's Braehead flock. This is an ET bred Mullan Photogenic daughter out of a dam by Tamnamoney Navvy. Sold in lamb to Tamnamoney Rob Roy she found a new home with Alastair Gault's Forkins flock.

Second to make this money was yet another Mullan Playboy daughter from the Tamnamoney flock. This one, SRY1000003, is out of a dam by Douganhill McFly and sold in lamb to Duncryne Ringmaster and was knocked down to Paul O'Connor for the Drumgooland flock, Seaforde.

Selling at 2,400gns was another from David Warwick's Braehead flock, QDA1000068. This Milestone O'Gara daughter is out of a dam by Tamnamoney Navvy. Selling in lamb to Humestone Starbuck and going back to Cornerstone Isaac she was sold to D A and N Simpson, Ballyrobert, for the Cornerstone flock.

And a brace then shared the next best price tag of 2,200gns. Taking the first of these two calls was Alastair Gault when he sold Baltier Nailer daughter, GAF1000012 from his Forkins flock. Out of a dam by Douganhill McFly she was sold in lamb to Procters Subaru and was bought by A Donnelly, Claremorris, Co Mayo, Eire.

The other to sell at 2,200gns also headed out of the province, selling to Gordon Gray and family, Selkirk, for the Ettrick flock. This was another Forkins entry, GAF1000009, another Mullan Playboy daughter out of a dam by Douganhill McFly which was also dam to 26,000gns tup Forkins Nijinsky and 16,000gns Cherryvale Nijinsky.

Averages; 77 gimmers £934.50 (J A McLelland and Sons).

United Auctions has reported a new centre record for a cast cow at it's Huntly mart, after a cow from Smallburn Farms topped £2,000 at the annual Christmas Show and Sale.

In fact, it is thought the cow (pictured below), which was bought by Phillip Simmers, Blackmuir, for 191p/kg, is the "dearest OTM animal sold in Scotland in recent times".

The sale saw a total of 25 prime cattle, 29 OTM cattle and some 2,029 prime sheep going under the hammer - this included 1,522 new season lambs selling to 319p/kg for 47kg Beltex x from Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, and 1,191 SQQ up to 45.5kg averaged at 194.36p/kg.

The auctioneers remarked:  "Outwith the show trade remained similar on the week for heavier types of lambs. And a tremendous show of powerful ewes were on offer selling at the dearest rates seen thus far."

The task of judging the prime lambs fell to Mr William Cameron, who awarded the champion title to a pen of five lambs from W&J Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer.  This lot went under the hammer for £150, selling to Scott, Paisley.

The reserve title went to a pen of five Texels from Sheep Park Farms.  Weighing in at 47kg, this lot sold at £110.

Meanwhile, the sale of 25 prime cattle saw a top price of £1,701 (270p/kg) go to the overall champion on the day - a 630kg British Blue x heifer from Messrs Fettes, Brae of Enzie. 

The reserve title went to a 645kg  Limousin x bullock from Messrs Stephen, Meikle Geddes; this one sold to £1599.60 (248p/kg).  Both animals were bought by the judge, Mr Cameron, on behalf of Mathers (Inverurie) Ltd.

A total of 29 OTM cattle were sold, including the record priced £2,000 cast cow from Smallburn Farms.  The average was 132p/kg.

At the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club's in-lamb sale at Welshpool today local breeder Robert Bennett topped the trade at 2000gns with a yearling from his Plasucha flock based at Meiford, Powys.

In 2011 the Plasucha Flock enjoyed a successful year winning the club's medium size flock competition. It was a yearling by the Springwell Jaguar son Penparc Nobleman that led the Welshpool fixture.

Out of a ewe by Claybury Iain, the yearling was in-lamb to the Glenside Ring a Ding son Kingledores Scaramouche. Buyer was S Smith, Penybryn, Welshpool.

Another yearling from the Plasucha flock realised 820gns to Shirley Jones, Oswestry.

By Heys Pinochio and out of a ewe by the Claybury tup, she is maternal sister to the 2500gns Raglan Morse. The yearling was in-lamb to the Penparc ram.

A ewe that is full sister to Gyrhos Rambo, which sold at Lanark in 2010 for 5,000gns, made 820gns.

Consigned from the Gyrhos flock of local breeder James Ruggeri she is by Brague Nixon and out of a ewe by Millar's Koala. She is in-lamb to the Kelso Ozone son Baltier Reward that was bought at Lanark last year and which won the shearling tup class at this summer's Royal Welsh Show. Buyers were T Davies and Co, Beulah.

Hereford purchaser D Jones gave 580gns for a yearling from the Llegodig flock consigned by T and M Orrells, Montgomery. By Hollyford Nijinsky and out of a Meinspride King Kong ewe, she was in-lamb to Clun Othello - a son of Muiresk Kris that won the yearling ram class at the breed's Welsh National Sale in 2009.

A 2009-bred ewe by Knock Oyster and consigned by R and J Pierce, Chester made 620gns.

She is out of a Stonebridge Kes dam and in-lamb to Kerryhill Renegade who is by Brague Nixon and stood supreme champion at Northern Ireland Premier sale 2010 selling for 3,200gns.

Averages: 118 females £333.

(Welshpool Livestock Sales)

Show results follow.

2011 has been a year of highs for Harrison and Hetherington. According to sales director, Scott Donaldson its accomplishments read almost like a Guinness MART of Records.

Mr Donaldson takes a look back at the livestock trading for the last six months and looks forward to 2012.

"It's been a year for records tumbling, as the sales have mounted up. Livestock has certainly kept our gavels busy," he says.

June began with the Holstein UK sale where prices peaked at 23,000gns. Later in the month saw the on-farm sale of 560 head of pedigree Holstein Friesian dairy cattle at Dolphenby Farm, Penrith.  The first of the world records was broken at Carlisle in July when an in-calf heifer belonging to Gordon Wilson, from the Bankdale Limousin herd dispersal, sold for 65,000gns.

September's annual Holstein and British Friesian Show and sale of bulls saw a record average of £3,100. Later in the month two further records were broken at the annual show and sale of suckled calves. The top price achieved was £3,500 from Thirlwall Castle.  Steers saw their highest ever average of £1,004 and heifers were also a highest ever average of £909. 

Further highlights include August's, Beltex sale where Beltex shearling ram 'Ardstewart Paparazzi'  sold for 10,000gns. The spring born suckled calves at Middleton in Teesdale was another record breaking sale with the highest prices ever seen. The sale average was up £134.50, resulting in an overall average of £750.

Throughout the last six months, three hugely successful on-farm pedigree cattle sales were conducted by Harrison & Hetherington. The Manor House herd of 96 Limousin cattle saw prices reaching 9,000gns.  The Grange Herd of 62 Limousin Cattle saw stock selling to 18,000gns and the final on farm sale of the Wesley Herd of 148 head of British Charolais cattle sold to 10,000gns.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ MORE

A top price of 10,000gns and a £3612 average for 26 maiden heifers marked the Red Ladies Derby show and sale at Carlisle on Friday - but as always at this sale there were plenty of bidders keen to invest in the younger portion of weaned calves on offer which produced an average of £2315 for 38 heifer calves and a leading bid of 6000gns.

Heading the maiden heifers and taking the championship was Grahams Ethel from Robert and Jean Graham. By Millgate Clinker and out of Agate she was sold AI'd to Grahams Alexander and had stood second in her class to the champion at the breed's 40^th Anniversary sale this year. She heads for Kelso with S Elliot.

Making a worthwhile trip all the way from Truro, Cornwall was R Withers who paid 9500gns for the reserve champion, Millington Faberge consigned by Millington Grange Estate. A winner at this year's Lincoln Show she was also maiden heifer champion at the Carlisle fixture. Faberge is by Millington Vascular.

The Callion family's Melbreak Fairylight - an ET-bred calf by Wilodge Vantastic and out of a Geant dam from the Lyvennet herd - won her class and made 9000gns to J B Browne, Longford, Eire.

G Lee and C Lloyd, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire paid 8800gns for Henry Savage and Sons' Trueman Florence. She is half-sister to the champion at the breed's Anniversary show - Trueman Euphonium. Florence is also by Wilodge Vantastic.

The seven-year-old imported cow Valentine from John McKeen - offered with her July-born heifer calf at foot by Haltcliffe Vermount - made 5000gns to C and N White, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. She was AI'd in October to Attirant. Matching the bid was the maiden heifer Titchburn Flower from Donal Murray. She is by top producer Cloughhead Umpire and out of an Annandale cow by Lino. Buyers were J Tennant Ltd., Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Mynach Foxy, a maiden heifer from E D Griffiths and Co made 4700gns to S E Field, Burnley, Lancashire. She is by Kype Bomber and out of a dam by Sable. The Mas Du Clo sired heifer Cresswell Fannieannie from Anthony Sayer sold for 4400gns to S Irvine, Banffshire while a 4300gns call from J Alexander, Co Antrim secured E and E Norman's Heathmount Trojan sired Norman Flower.

Alun and Glenys Roberts offered the last consignment from their Hafodlas herd and topped the weaned calf section selling Hafodlas Glesni at 6000gns to C Edwards, Anglesey. This March-born calf is by Hafodlas Domino and out of a Saphire cow.

Whinfellpark Gateaux - a January-born heifer by Wilodge Cerberus from Messrs Jenkinson - heads for Newcastle, Staffs with P Walker at 5500gns. Exeter buyers M and V Smith also gave 5500gns for Hafodlas Gwen - a daughter of the 16,000gns Anside Diageo.

Bound for County Derry with buyer D McMullan at 5200gns was R Cruickshank's Kype Gorgeous - a February calf by Jodel Clayton. Hafodlas Gwenda - by Domino - made 5000gns to W and M Mash, Chesham, Bucks.

Averages: 2 Served heifers £7350; 26 maiden heifers £3612; one cow and calf £5250. Weaned calves - 14 bull calves £1785 and 36 heifer calves £2315. (Harrison and Hetherington).

Four of the first ten lots at the British Limousin Cattle Society's Red Ladies Derby fixture at Borderway Mart today left the ring unsold but the champion, the served heifer Grahams Ethel from Robert and Jean Graham, made 10,000gns. Buyer was J Elliott, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso. Millington Faberge, the reserve champion from Millington Grange Estate, made 9500gns. A full report follows shortly.

A pen of four Beltex lambs smashed records at Clitheroe Auction Mart's annual Christmas show and sale on Tuesday (13 December).

Taking the championship, judged by Mr Ben Gray, the four from I & M Lancaster, Wiswell, weighed in at 40.5kg.  They were snapped up by Countryside Meats, Lancaster, for a mart record price of £208 (514p/kg).

The Lancasters also took the reserve title, with another pen of four Beltex lambs.  This lot, weighing in at 42kg, sold to J & E Fitton, Oldham, for £148 (352p/kg).

Grahams Ethel stood champion at today's Red Ladies Derby show and sale at Carlisle judged by Paul Byas from east Yorkshire. Consigned by Robert and Jean Graham, she is by Millgate Clinker - the Nenuphar son - and out of the imported cow Agate. Ethel stood second in her class at the breed's 40^thAnniversary Show behind the eventual champion and has been AI'd to Grahams Alexander.

Millington Grange Estate claimed the reserve ticket and the maiden heifer title with Millington Faberge, a daughter of Millington Vascular (by Ideal) and out of a dam by Riquet who goes back to Cannon.

Regulars on the showing circuit, Yvonne and Dylan Hughes from Ty Cerrig, Ty Nant, Corwen, have claimed they were victims of a malicious campaign prior to this year's Welsh Winter Fair.

After success at the Anglesey Winter Fair, Yvonne says animal health officers turned up unexpectedly on farm asking to test her beef for steroid use after receiving an anonymous tip-off. Blood tests confirmed no traces of steroids and they later went on to win the title of baby beef champion and reserve overall beef champion at the Welsh Fair.

Read the full story on farmers weekly interactive by clicking HERE.

Read about the Hughes' success at the Welsh Winter fair HERE

Limousin lovers won't have far to look if they fancy and early Christmas treat this week. This Friday's Red Ladies Derby at Borderway Mart has some top notch females on offer while the show and sale of weaned calves is a great opportunity to "back a hunch" and invest in potential.

One of the most fancied lots in the Derby section comes within minutes of the sale's opening when John McKeen puts the imported cow Valentine into the ring. A successful breeding and flushing cow, she's out of one of the best females in the Broussaud herd - and to put some extra tinsel on to the package she's suckling a heifer calf by Haltcliffe Vermount.

Robert and Jean Graham are selling Grahams Ethel, the Millgate Clinker heifer that stood second to the champion, Trueman Euphonium at the 40^th Anniversary Show. And a half-sister to Euphonium - Trueman Florence - has been entered by the Savage family.

Their wagon will also have Trueman Fantasia on board, a maiden heifer out of Trueman Acoustics, dam of the 38,000gns Truman Duet that was champion at this fixture in 2009.

There was a very large entry of cull ewes for the time of year at Ashford market in Kent which auctioneers Hobbs Parker say was probably due to the solid trade seen here in recent weeks. This week's ewes were a complete contrast in terms of quality compared to last week. An excellent show of meated ewes met a strong trade. Even the leaner grazers on offer were making in excess of £70 per head. The overall average at £72 a head was £4 above the national average for the day.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt have reported another very large entry of 120 dairy cows and heifers at Sedgemoor Market at the weekend.

Sale goers witnessed an excellent trade with extra buyers in attendance from the North.  Cows were particularly in demand with six heifers and a cow selling over £1,900 to £2,150 for a pedigree heifer from Messrs JG Summerhayes & Son. 

Others sold to £1,950 for Messrs HM Heywood & Sons, £1,940 twice for Mr B Rose & Son and    John & Heather Snook.  £1,920 for Messrs J R and J E Willcox & Son and Mr G Morgan.

Cows also went to £1,950 for first time consigners, Mr P E King from Bristol.  Others went to £1,730 and £1,720 for John & Heather Snook as well as £1,700 for Messrs HM Heywood and Son. 

In calf heifer sold to £1170 for Mr S H Ham.  In calf cows to £1,100 (2^nd) Mr MG Walters, Bruton.  Bulling heifers to £880 twice to average £838 and calves to £280 twice.

There was a smaller mixed quality entry of 124 suckler cows, but the sale saw another very bright trade, especially for the better quality units.

The highlight of the day was a £4,000 call for a pedigree Limousin bull from Mr D K Wheeler.  In the cow and calf section a quality dispersal sale of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows and calves from Mr W J Wetherill sold to £1,470 and £1,400. 

A grand consignment from Messrs White and Son from Bristol saw Charolais cows with Charolais calves to £1,450 and British Blue cows and calves to £1,380.  A Hereford cow with Limousin steer calf at foot sold to £1,350 for Mr P M Willis. 

A Limousin cow and calves to £1,280 Messrs NJ & PA Owen.  Simmental cow with a heifer calf to £1,220 Messrs N & KA Williams.  Blondes to £1,210 Messrs White and Son.  And a good selection of in calf Saler cows saw a top of £1,110 and £970 for Mr A J Legg.

Averages: First quality heifers, £1,851; second quality heifers, £1,416; First quality cows, £1,775; second quality cows, £1,205. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt)

The Abergavenny Christmas Primestock show and sale on Tuesday 6 December saw a "wonderful entry of Christmas cattle" with the champion title going to a red Limousin heifer.

Taking the title for the fourth year in a row, Messrs Pritchard, Olchon, Mill, Longtown, reigned supreme with their 510kg beast which then went on to sell for £2,050 (402p/kg) to Messrs Willis Butchers,Cwmbran.

Judges Doug and Greg Willis and Wayne Randall, awarded their reserve title to a homebred heifer from Messrs G Phillips & Son, Penrhos.  This 610kg heifer was also snapped up by Willis Butchers and sold for £2,100 (344p/kg).

In the sheep classes, judged by Mr Trevor Parker, St Briavels, the championship title was awarded to a pen of five lambs from S C & P W Powell, Mynddislwyn.  This lot sold for £300 a head (728p/kg) to Terry Bayliss for Farmers Fresh.

Reserve was awarded to Christ Ball, Brynderi - the nine times previous championship title holder.  His lot were also snapped up by Farmers Fresh for £160 a head.  And his pen of 2nd prize heavy lambs sold to £210 a head to Mr R Clode, Cripple Creek Inn, Raglan.

Abergavenny and Newport Market Auctioneers reported "strong trade" throughout the show with 100% clearance.

After Friday's record breaking Christmas Cracker sale at Carlisle the fireworks continued at Lanark on Saturday for the Select Seven in-lamb Texel gimmer sale, with a top call of 26,000gns achieved.

Selling for the top call, the second best ever female price for the breed, was one from Gordon Gray's Ettrick flock, GGH1000008. This ET bred gimmer is by Knock Papoose and out of a dam by Teiglum Nevada. She is full sister to 10,500gns sire Ettrick Rainbow Warrior. Selling with an index of 265 and in lamb to Milnbank SGT Pepper she was knocked down to Procters Farms, Clitheroe, Lancashire.

The Ettrick flock continued in strong form, selling at the next best price of the day, 10,000gns. This was bid by James Logan, Pirntaton, for Ettrick's third in the ring, GGH1000007, a full ET sister to the 26,000gns gimmer. This one was sold in lamb to Procters Spectacular and with an index of 276.

Next best of the sale was a 9000gns call for the third lot in from Robert Laird's Cambwell flock. This was LTC1000127, a daughter of Cowal Powerhouse out of a dam by the noted sire Cambwell Laird. A full sister to 40,000gns Cambwell Rob Roy and 28,000gns Cambwell Socrates she sold in lamb to Sportsman's Supreme and was bought by Alasdair Beaton, Wester Crosshill.

Following that at 6000gns was another from Gordon Gray's pen, GGH1000028. Again sired by Knock Papoose this one is out of another Teiglum Nevada daughter and has an index of 230. Sold in lamb to Knock Reebok this one found a new home with Stephen Cobbald, Suffolk.

A 4800gns call came early in the sale for the second lot in the ring, an Annan Okay Dokey sired gimmer from Angus McColm's Crailloch flock. This one, MAE10000002, is an ET bred gimmer out of a dam by Cowal Kidnapper and sold in lamb to Cambwell Sparky. She was the choice of Messrs Sutherland for the Sibmister flock, Caithness.

And trading at 3600gns was the best of the day from the Millar's flock of Martin and Cyril Millar. This was VMG1000167, a Sandleford Premier daughter out of a dam by Mellor Vale Masterpiece. Selling with an index of 195 and in lamb to 25,000gns sire Milnbank Special One she was bought by Jim Innes for the Strathbogie flock.

Averages; Crailloch five gimmers £1638, Millar's 12 gimmers £1163.75, Carran 6 gimmers £1053.50, Garngour, Teiglum and Clarks 14 gimmers £916.50, Turin three gimmers £350, Grougfoot 13 gimmers £600.92, Watchknowe 16 gimmers £612.28, Cambwell 17 gimmers £1837.50, Ettrick and Tima 19 gimmers £3430.74, Craighead seven gimmers £712.50 (Lawrie and Symington).

Borderway Market in Carlisle played host to the sale of continental in-lamb females and the Zwartbles Society in-lamb female show and sale on Friday (9 December) with prices hitting 1,150gns.

The top price in these sales went to a Zwartbles shearling ewe (lot 332) bought by Mrs Rosemary Wallace, Boreland Farm, Walston, Carnwath, Lanarkshire.

Averages:
Continental in-lamb female sale
Blue Texels (4)    £761.25
Dutch Texels (14)    £327.75
Messrs Whiteford consignment (44) £380.39

Zwartbles in-lamb female sale
Aged ewes (16)    £331.53
Shearling ewes (28)    £467.92
Ewe lambs (18)    £242.08

Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington Ltd

 "A truly outstanding show of cattle by anyone's standards" - that was Newark Livestock Sales' auctioneer Paul Gentry's summing-up of the cattle parade at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Christmas Primestock Show held at the Newark market.

Derbyshire-based judge Jonathon Maycock from Matlock found his champion in a red Limousin heifer from Bedfordshire exhibitor Kevin Ludgate and his partner Dawn. This homebred threequarter-bred heifer weighed 601kgs and made 420p per kilo to gross £2524.20. Buyer was Steven Woolley of Woolley Bros, Sheffield. 

The reserve championship went to the second placed heifer in the same class. Shown by Georgia Davies, this Limousin-cross heifer weighed 584kgs and made 390p per kilo to gross £2277.60 to David Wright of A Wright & Son, Boston, Lincolnshire.

In the commercial cattle section David Fry found his champion in Frank Page's homebred British Blue steer which weighed 685kgs and made 260p to gross £1781 to Steven Woolley. The reserve championship was taken by Elfed Williams, again with a Limousin heifer, which weighed 515kgs and made 250p to gross £1287.50 to the judge David Fry.

On the day the mart achieved a new record average for clean cattle and young bulls - including all primestock show cattle - of 201.59p.

A tremendous entry of lambs for the primestock show notched up another great win for David and Linda Wadland who won every class with Beltex-crosses from their flock at Daventry.

Michael Owen from Ceredigion, mid-Wales judged the primestock show lambs and saw his champion pen of three weigh an average 47kgs and make £210 a head - 447p per kg. Buyer was David Fry. The Wadlands also took the reserve ticket with Beltex crosses weighing 50kg and making 260p per kg. The couple's 24 primestock show lambs averaged 285p per kg.

(Newark Livestock Sales)

The annual Clitheroe Christmas Show and Sale saw British Blues dominating the top spots with the champion achieving £1,936.23.

The championship title was awarded to a British Blue heifer from Messrs Walker of Dunsop Bridge.  Weighing in at 554kg, Jeff Walker's heifer (pictured below) achieved 350p/kg.  It was bought by Butchers SR Hallworth of Whalley.

Taking reserve, was another British Blue heifer.  This one was put forward by TW Pickard & son of Great Harwood.  It weighed in at 554kg and sold for £1,346.40 (248p/kg) to Butchers D&A Gregory Bacup.

And taking the top price for a cull cow on the day, was a Limousin put forward by R Gill & Son.  This one weighed in at 546kg and sold for 130p/kg to Mr John Thompson of Gargrave.

Auctioneer, Joe Worthington, said:  "We had an exceptional show of cattle and the judge, Mr Harry Wood, had his work cut out to judge them all.  Overall, trade was very good with lots of cattle well over the £2/kg mark."

The annual South West Winter Fair saw a high standard of cattle put forward with the championship title awarded to a Limousin heifer.

Taking the title, Tip Top, was put forward by Messrs TC Edwards & Sons (Gwyn) of Pencraig Fawr, Corwen, Ruthin, North Wales.  This one is out oa a Limousin x Aberdeen Angus cow and was described by judge Mr Stuart Clatworth of Court Farm Butchers, Puriton, as "correct on her plates with a tremendous depth of fleshing throughout."  Mr Clatworth then went on to buy the 508kg heifer for £3,000 (590.6p/kg). 

Meanwhile, the top price on the day of £4,000 (781.3p/kg) went to the reserve champion, a Limousni cross heifer from Michael and Melanie Alford, Devon.  Described by the judge as a "very showy black heifer with equisitine lines", Real Thing weighed in at 512kg.

Other leading prices on the day included 254.5p/kg for a 597kg purebred Limousin steer from Mr BE Williams, Station Court Brecon.  This beast stood reserve, reserve champion, which follows on from the title of reserve champion steer at Welsh Winter Fair and pedigree champion steer at Smithfield.

Meanwhile, a Blue x Limousin heifer weighing in at 611kg, sold for breeding at 449.5p/kg.  Pricey was put forward by Chrstine Williams and Paul Tippets.  And Mr JEL Morgan of Llys Newydd of Llandovery achieved 255.5p/kg for his 626kg Blue x Limousin steer.  Eddy Morgan also achieved 324.5p/kg for his 625kg black Limousin x heifer.

Others achieving more than 300p/kg were a black Limousin heifer from HArry Porter which sold at 304.5p/kg, and a 512kg Blond heifer from Gwyn Edwards which achieved 300p.kg.

The cattle stewards from the South West Winter Fair committee said:  "The standard has been set and we will have a real challenge to follow it next year.  We are committed to driving the show forward and we hope all exhibitors will find a 'good one' to return to compete again next year."

Harrison and Hetherington reported a "bouyant demand" with a packed ring for the sale of 383 weaners on Wednesday 7 December.

Taking the top price of £1,000 at Carlisle Market was an 11-month-old Limousin bull from Messrs Pattinson, Lough Head, Blackford.  Meanwhile, Limousin heifers from Messrs Miller, High Crosby, Crosby on Eden, topped at £960.  And Aberdeen Angus steers from J B Summers, Milescott, Allendale, peaked at £905.

Also taking to the sales ring that day was a "terrific show" of 248 calves.  The auctioneers said:  "A strong ring side of 46 buyers ensured a fantastic trade for all types of calves, especially black and whites, which averaged £91.38 for all sold."

The top priced calf on the day was a Limousin bull calf from Messrs Richardson, Bedrule, Hawick.  This one sold for £450.

Meanwhile, despite a strong trade for weanlings and calves, the weekly sale of store cattle saw a smaller offering put forward with the auctionners reporting a "high percentage of prospective purchasers leaving empty handed."

The top price of £1,140 went to a pen of British Blue bullocks from Messrs Hutchinson, Carlatton Demesne, Heads Nook.  And British Friesian heifers from Messrs Bland, The Flatt, How Mill, topped at £1,015.

And in the dairy sale, a smaller show of good quality cattle sold with the top price of £2,200 going to a newly calved Holstein Friesian heifer from Whitecloserigg, and a 5th calved Friesian cow from Demesne topped at £1,100.

After a wee bit of chasing up and sorting out some email problems, here are the top prices from the Allams Christmas Show and Sale....

The recent Allams Christmas Show and Sale of beef cattle held at the Balmoral Showground, Belfast, saw the hammer come down at £6,100 for a British Blue heifer.

The top price on the day went to the supreme champion and British Blue champion on the day.  This 860kg British Blue heifer from Stephen Williamson, Benburb, sold to The Meat Merchant, Moira.

The next top price on the day was £3,700 for the resere supreme champion and Charolais champion.  This price went to a 430kg Charolais heifer from Hempton & Hamilton, Gorton.  It was bought by Rodney Windrum, Armagh.

Meanwhile, a 590kg Aberdeen Angus heifer from Louise & Mark Breen, Augher, sold for £3,100.  This one, which took the title of Ulster housewife's champion, was bought by Jonathan McDowello, Farmview Meats.

Other leading prices on the day included £2,800 for an Aberdeen Angus heifer from James Alexander, Randalstown, which sold to The Morning Star Restaurant, Belfast; £2,400 for a 570kg Limousin heifer from Finnegan Livestock, Dunagnnon, which sold to Corrie Meats, Newtownards; £2,100 for a 690kg Aberdeen Angus bullock from Messrs Leckey & Law, Kesh, which sold to Foyle Omagh Meats; and £2,050 for a 610kg Blonde heifer from Richard Law, Ballinamallard, which sold to Paul Faulkner.

The reduction sale of cows and heifers from the Parkhead herd of pedigree Ayrshire and blended red and whites, saw a good crowd of buyers attend Beeston Castle Auction.

Buyers were in attendance from central Scotland and south west Wales, to see the reduction of H Tinker & Sons' herd, Ashes Farm, Wentworth, South Yorkshire.

And it was a heifer, Parkhead Wren 6th (VG7-2yr), which achieved the top price on the day of 5,000gns.  A daughter of the stock bull Marleycote Eddy, this one is milking in her first lactation, having calved in July and is back in-calf to Middle Hybrid.  She sold to Phil Reed, Blaenannerch, Cardigan for his Rhos herd.

Another leading price on the day was 4,700gns for Parkhead Sonia 4th.  This second calfing daughter of Marleycote Ladies Man, gave almost 10,000kg during her first lactaction.  She calved in March and was bred back to Marleycot Winton Robbie.  This one goes to the Marleycote herd of Richard Baynes, Hexham, Northumberland.

Meanwhile, the second calfing Parkhead Jody 3rd (VG86), sold for 4,400gns to Richard Danforth, Tadcaster, West Yorkshire; and local buyer Geoff Benson of Tarporley, bought Park Head Tartan Glove 5th (VG88) (Ex-MS) for 4,000gns.

AVERAGES: 159 head of cattle sold to an average of £1,711.30.  This comprised 114 cows and milking heifers averaging at £1,833.91, and 45 served heifers averaging at £1,400.70 (Auctioneers: Wright Manley of Beest Castle Auction, Cheshire).

The 19th annual Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders' winter show and sale of pedigree females, saw a shearling ewe sell for 1,440gns (£1,512).

Taking top price on the day, and the championship title, was a shearling ewe from the Beautry flock of Stuart Currie, Rathmell.  This March 2010-born female, Beautry Cub1000149(2), is a daugther of Procters Oswald, himself otu of a home-bred £5,500 ewe which previously secured success as a lamb at the Royal, Great Yorkshire and Royal Lancashire shows.

She was sold in-lamb with twins to the 2,800gns sire Arkle South Pacific.  This one was bought by a 12-year-old Settle Middle School pupil, William Watson, of Hellifield, who recently established a new flock of pedigree Texels.

The young farmer, also snapped up the reserve champion, Meinspride LNM1000033(E), for 1,150gns (£1,207). from Mrs Angela Nairey's Meinspride flock, Bank Hey Farm, Liusey.

This February 2010-born female, is from Mrs Angela Nairey's Meinspride flock at Bank Hey Farm, Liusey.  She is a daughter of the Scottish-bred Glenside Drum Major, and carrying twins to Clinerty Solomon.  Her siblings have previously sold for 14,000gns and 11,000gns.

The young purchaser, bought a total of four Texel females at the sale at Skipton Market on Saturday, to add to his flock of six sheep acquired from John and Linda Mellin, Hull House, Hellifield.  The Mellins have aided William with breeding advice, and assisted him in registering with the Texel Sheep Society.

Taking honours in the ewe lamb class was a nine-month-old lamb from the Handbank flock of South Yorkshire breeders Bob and Anne Payne, of Carr Head Farm, Stocksbridge, Sheffield.

This one is a daughter of the Payne's own sire, Handbank Prince Charming, whose father Handbank Jack The Lad has sold semen to the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium and the USA.

CCM Auctions said the sale produced "solid commercial trade".  This was backed up by an average selling price for shearling ewes of £485.71.

Andrew Bishop sold his pair of pure bred Beltex lambs for the top price of £500 a head at the after show sale at the East of England Smithfield Festival on Saturday. They headed to Dafydd Lewis, Llanwrda.

Next best was a £360 call from Upper Coton Farms, Northants for the supreme sheep champions, a pair of homebred Blue Texel x Texel crosses from D S and L E Wadland.

Then at £340 it was a call from Barker and Borlase, Hertfordshire that secured a pair of pure bred Blue Texels from Ivanhoe Livestock.

Not far behind at £300 was a pair of  pure bred Blue Texels from the same exhibitor, this time finding a home with D J and A E M Barlow Farming, Buckinghamshire.

A pair of Suffolk x Beltex from Messers Malcolm M Stewart then went for £240 to P A Pollyn, Wisbech.

The supreme beef champion, Allanfauld Fizz from Ewan MacPherson and Sons, Mill Farm House, Oban, Argyll sold for a top call of 9,000gns at the East of England Smithfield Festival on Saturday.

Weighing in at 604kg, the heifer was the first pure bred to have won at Smithfield since 1979 and was snapped up by F Murray, Northumberland.

Next best among the pedigree cattle on offer was Shorthorn bull Glenariff Cincinnati, an entry from N J and A M Barrett. This one is by Glenariff Washington and out of Glenariff Tulula Gina and has a SRI and TSI of +11.

He was champion beef shorthorn bull and reserve native interbreed champion at the Royal Norfolk Show this year and was the best owner bred bull at the East of England Show. He found a new home with J Cherry, Hertfordshire.

Then at 3,500gns was Shorthorn Podehole Tess Diana from Mr H Horrell. This light roan Podehole Yeti daughter is out of Podehole Tess Zabrina and has a TSI and SRI of +11. She went to Morrison Farms, Dumfries.

I and S Clough from North Yorkshire then spend 2,500gns to secure another Shorthorn female, this time Podehole Rothes Delice. She is by Trojan of Craigeassie and out of Wavendon Rothes Peach. Again with a TSI and SRI of +11.

2,200gns was the next best call from Morrisons Farms, securing Podehole Rose Damask, a Podehole Yeti daughter, out of Podehole Scarlet.

Among the fat cattle on sale, the top price went to Mr and Mrs M J  Alford's I'm Your Man - the reserve supreme beef champion. This one is a Goldies Oswald son, out of a Limousin x cow and went for £2,383.80 to L Brown and Son, Lincoln.

At £2,280 was Apricot, a Limousin sire heifer from B E Williams. She went to W Own, Gwynedd. Next was heifer Roundshill Funny, a Charolais from Brailes Livestock. She went for £2,149 to local buyer, J Andrew, Stamford.

Topping the baby beef was Limousin x steer, Drogba, put forward by Dermot Small. He went for £2,200 to Victoria Bowring, Warsop. Next best at £1,600 was Jim Bob, another Limousin x, this time from P and S Sellers. M Loveday from Norfolk took the steer home.

The Dennison family from Ulverston, Cumbria made the top price of 15,000gns at Saturday's 25^th anniversary Black and White sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle when a first choice heifer from eight pregnancies by Gillette Windbrook and out of one of the world's top ranking Holstein cows - Denmire Goldwyn Marie 1021 - was claimed by Dutch buyers Koole and Liebregts.

And more cash stayed in Cumbria when Kendal-based David Wright and his parents Francis and Ann sold the maiden heifer Berryholme Jo Flo at 12,000gns. By Gillette Jordan and out of  the top show cow Berryholme Shottle Flo she was bought by Bunting and Son and D Yates.

Ponderosa Holsteins from Spain gave 9000gns for Northern Ireland breeders P and S Haffey's Glasson Aftershock G Glora out of the world number 1 PTAT cow Glasson JD Goldwyn Glora.

Averages: 73 lots £4215. (Harrison and Hetherington).

Ends

In the East of England Agricultural Society Classes

Any pure or cross bred beef heifer 38a:

1^st Limousin x Ali-Kat from Mike Dickens

2^nd Limousin x dancing Queen from C Collins and B Manning

3^rd: Witham Bank Ebony a British Blue from J and W Laight

Any pure or cross bred beef heifer 38b:

1^st: Limousin x Cher from T A and L C Lyon and Son

2^nd: Rosey, Limousin x  from K W Ludgate

3^rd: Don't push it a British Blue x from Mr G R Fountaine

Any pure or cross bred beef steer:

1^st: Pocket Rocket a Limousin x from T A and L C Lyon and Son

2^nd: The Govenor a Limousin x from Mr G R Fountaine

3^rd: If, a Limousin x from Mike Dickens

The champion of the East of England classes was Cher, a Limousin x heifer from T A and L C Lyon and Son, Lintre House, Thurby, Bourne. In reserve was Ali-Kat a Limousin x heifer from Mike Dickens, Park Hill Farm, lt Horwood, Milton Keynes.

In the Simmental calf championship, it was Storersmith Brave Heart 10 from Mr and Mrs Smith, Spath farm, Spath, Uttoxeter, that walked away with the top title. This September 2010 born bull calf is by Atlow Seamus and out of Barn Lodge Starburst.

In reserve was heifer Beabhill Beauty from R J and B E Kimber. Born in December 2010, she is by Omorga Volvo and out of Deerhurst Melisa. Judge Rob Heaps picked his champion for his power and correctness. "He is a well grown bull and would make a good stock bull for the pedigree man," he said.

The beef shorthorn championship was won by Aylward Gypsy Rose 5^th from David Robert Rutherford, Bullocks Farm, Hillside, Hook.

Shown in the ring by Simon Farmer, she cam off her dam, Aylward Gypsy Rose 2^nd two weeks ago and is by Tarrant Waverley. Her cousin was champion heifer at the last Royal Welsh Show. Reserve was Podehole Endeavour by Trojan of Craigeassie and out of Podehole Gypsy Zza Zza. He was put forward by Harry Horrell, Pode Hall Farm, Thorney, Peterborough.

 In the Aberdeen Angus championship Rawburn Kinannie L326 from Marsden Farms, Liley Farm, Peniston, took home the silverware. This one is by Rawburn Elmer J921 and out of Rawburn Kinannie J993. In reserve was heifer Linton Gilbertines Tille L529. This May 2011 born animal is by Galawater Bentley and out of Elliot Tilly and was exhibited by Mr G R Brooke,  Linton Wood Farm, Kirby.

Simmentals:

Bull calf born on or between 1^st September and 31^st December 2010:

1^st: Mr and Mrs Smith's Storersmith Brave Heart 10, and Atlow Seamus son.

2^nd: Giles Green's Greensfield Barney 10, by Brinkton Brilliant and out of Greensfields Wonder.

3^rd: Rys Grenhams' Boars Head Berbaton, a Seaview Prince Charming son.

Bull calf born on or between 1^st January and 31^st March 2011

1^st:  Boddington Estates's Sterling Caithness 2, a Sterling Rochester son.

2^nd: Mr M K D Hind's Ravensdale Chopper, by Heathbrow Wizard and out of Ravensdale Heiress 1^st

3^rd:  A E and C R Bishop's Lynfield Cardinal 2.

Bull calf born on or after 1^st April 2011

1^st: J A and BA and P B Borlase's Sacombe Class Act 2

2^nd: S D Abram Farms' Beetley Commander 2, a Cairnview Snazzy son

3^rd: B J Harding's Hallway Castle 2, a Hockenhull Abadan 09 son

Heifer calf born on or between 1^st September and 31^st December 2010

1^st R K and B E Kimber's Beanhill Beauty, a Omorga Volvo daughter

2^nd: Boddington Estates' Sterling Vivians Blondie a Blackford Rory daughter

3^rd: Mr Rhys Grenham's Boars Head Nelly 2^nd

Heifer calf born on or between 1^st January and 31^st March 2011-12-03

1^st: A and D A Sapsed's Heathbrow Crystal Star, a Hockenhull Kramer daughter

2^nd: R J and B E Kimber's Beanhill Cupid, by Omorga Volvo

3^rd: D A and L A Sapsed's Heathbrow Caramel by Dirnanean Welcome

Heifer calf born on or after 1^st April 2011-12-03

Mr MK D Hind's Ravensdale Olive 5th, a Heathbrow Wizard daughter

Mr MK D Hind's Ravensdale Goldie 10^th, by Heathbrow Wizard

P B, J A and B A Borlase's Sacombe Corona-Kleeb

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE RESULTS

The top honours of overall supreme sheep champion was awarded by judge John Hall for his continental champion, David and Linda Wadland's pair of Blue Texel x Texel cross ewe lambs (Valley View Farm, Appletree Lane, Daventry). Weighing 98kg, they'll be sold at the fair, having originally been destined to sell at Newark.

He also favoured the continentals for his reserve, picking a pair of pure bred Texels from Andrew and Becky Bishop, Pitfield Farm, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire, over the native championship pair of Southdowns from Meesers Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson.

 The Bishop's purebred lambs are by homebred tup, Dylan and out of a Dutch Texel. It was the first outing for the pair which will be sold later in the day.

Speaking about his champion, Mr Hall said: "They are a very well matched pair, beautifully turned out and well finished and their backs were exactly the same. In the end I liked the tail of the champion pair over the reserve - they didn't give quite the appearance of fat."

The champion native pair of lambs was awarded to a purebred Southdown pair from Meesers Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson. They also received the Sir Richard Cooper Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two native pure bred lambs. In reserve was Messers Malcolm M Stewart with a pair of Suffolk x Beltex.

The title of champion continental went to D S and L E Wadland's pair of Blue Texel x Texel cross who were also named best pair of lambs bred by the exhibitor.

In reserve was Mr A D Bishop's pure bred Texels. These also won the Royal Smithfield Club Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two continental pure bred lambs.

The continentals reigned supreme in the overall baby beef championship with the continental champion taking the top spot. This one was Limousin x steer, Golden Eye.

May-2011 born Golden Eye weighed in at 314kg and was homebred by exhibitor John Smith- Jackson, High Town Farm, Holtwhistle, Northumberland.

In reserve was the continental reserve, homebred Limousin x heifer Daisy from Kevin W Ludgate, 84 Wingfield Road, Tebworth, Leighton Buzzard. Weighing 417kg, this one if out of Limousin x British Blue cow, Uptown Girl and by Wilodge Vantastic. She's one of 50 cattle kept by Mr Ludgate and will be kept and shown next year.

Judge Tecwyn Jones said his champions were the two animals he would like to take home. "Both are stylish - the champion is good on top, beautiful in the head with good legs and very good presentation." In fact Mr Jones was disappointed to hear his number one beast would not be sold at the Festival.

John Smith- Jackson said the steer would be kept until the Spring when he may be sold in the March calf sales. This one is by Limousin, Shire Apollo and is one of 100 cows kept by Mr Smith Jackson. Golden Eye was placed reserve baby beef at October's AgriExpo to Pokermon from the Alford which was placed first in his category (331-400kg steer) at Smithfield.

It's day two of the East of England Smithfield festival - today sees the baby beef classes, calf classes and sheep championships, with the morning kicking off in the beef ring.

Judge Tecwyn Jones had a busy day yesterday and he's in for another one today in the cattle ring.

First class of the day is the baby beef native heifer class, with B E Willams' Aberdeen Angus, Oakchurch Dawn L021 taking first place and weighing 324kg. In second it's 347kg  Aberdeen Angus x, L'or Noir from J S Fleming. Third is Mr K Ludgate's Abby weighing in at 340kg.

Baby beef native steer has gone to Aberdeen Angus, So Peaty from M and H D Currie. The same exhibitors also came second with another of the same breed, Lucky Black. C Horrell in third with Beef Shorthorn x, Jack the Lad.

And the overall champion native baby beef went to B E Williams' Aberdeen Angus, Oakchurch Dawn LO21. She is out of Oackchurch Dawn D008 and by Oakchurch Dominator. Reserve was another heifer, the Aberdeen Angus x L'or Noir.

The next split, of continental heifers 416kg and over has seen Limousin x 417kg Daisy from Mr K Ludgate in first and second is Bootilicious from David Hicks, a 421kg British Blue x. In third it's Charoloais x Beonce from W M Owen, weighing 427kg.

There's a three way split in the continental steer classes, the first is 330kg and under, with 314kg Limousin, Golden Eye from J Smith-Jackson taking first. Second is 323kg Limousin x Jim Bob from P and S Sellers. Third spot goes to 275kg Sudden Impulse from K D Harryman.

The continental steer 331-400kg category has been taken by 395kg Limousin x, Pokermon from the Alford, in second is Halfie, a 363kg Limousin x from N E Slack.

In the 401kg and over category, the first prize went to 544kg Drogba from Dermot Small. Dirty Bit, a British Blue x from David Hicks came second and Chalford Manor Classy Lad placed third from D H Plested.

A packed house for the start of a hectic weekend at Borderway Mart saw the Twilight Texel sale of in-lamb ewes level 88 head at £1052 and take bidding to a top of 6000gns.

The call came for a gimmer by Castelcairn Prince consigned by Lancashire-based Proctors Farm Ltd. Out of an Anglezarke Nimrod ewe that was bought at the Muiresk dispersal for 4500gns, the gimmer was in-lamb to the 12,000gns Sportsman's Scania - a Cowal Rob Roy son. Buyer was Mr Jaeban, Cockermouth, Cumbria.

A gimmer from Robert Forsyth's Baltier entry made 3500gns to join the Sportsman's flock of Boden and Davies, Stockport. By Kelso Ozone, this gimmer is out of a Tophill Joe dam who is full sister to the 34,000gns Baltier Kracker. She is in-lamb to Baltier Panther - champion at last year's Great Yorkshire Show.

Stuart and Gail Currie from Settle, North Yorkshire realised 3200gns for a gimmer by Sportsman's Pasternak from their Beautry flock. Out of a Den Burg ewe this gimmer is in-lamb to Arkle South Pacific. She goes in a two-way split to Scottish buyers James Innes and Graham Morrison.

Early in the sale Mr Palmer, Shipton-on-Stour paid 3000gns for a Castlecairn Prince gimmer in-lamb to Sportsman's Scania. This gimmer won as a ewe lamb at Cumberland Show and is out of a Baltier King dam.

Averages: 88 head £1052. (Harrison and Hetherington).

Allanfauld Fizz from Ewan MacPherson and Sons, Mill Farm House, Oban, Argyll has taken the top title of supreme commercial beef champion.

Weighing in at 604kg, she was shown in the ring by Donald MacPherson. This one is by Elgin Davinchi and out of Allanfauld Carolyn.

The heifer has already seen success this year winning the pure breed championship at the Scottish Winter Fair.

She was bought from Archie and John McGregor from Allanfauld Farm at Stirling in April for £1,700 and was bought with the agreement she would be sold to Fred Murray for the same money when the McPhersons were finished with her.

The reserve spot was taken by 548kg Limousin sired steer, I'm Your Man from Mr and Mrs M J Alford, Foxhill Farm, Blackborough, Devon. This one is a Goldies Oswald son, out of a Limousin x cow.

This prize follows on from on a run of successes for the beast this season, having won the steer championship and reserve supreme beef at the Scottish Winter Fair and the same at Countryside Live and AgriExpo. He'll be sold later at the show sale.

Judge Tecwyn Jones said: "Both the heifer and the steer had superb character - two show cattle.

"The heifer has strong character, good legs and style. The steer is very showy, but the heifer beat him on correctness."

Picture: The title of best bred by exhibitor went to 638kg Charolais sired steer, Dazzler.

Judge, Tecwyn Jones awarded his title of cross bred continental heifer to Arfon R Jones's Limousin sired Secret Obsession. His reserve spot then went to 710kg, March-2010 born Lu-Lu from C R Fawcett, Kissthorn Farm, York.

Cross bred continental steer championship then went to Mr and Mrs M J Alford's

I'm Your Man, with the reserve spot taken by Rockafella from Ewan Macpherson and Son, Mill Farm House,Oban,  - both were sired by a Limousin.

Mr Jones favoured the continentals over the natives in his overall supreme steer championship, choosing his I'm Your Man as overall champion. He then called his reserve back into the ring to make his final decision on the second place, eventually placing Rockafella as his reserve overall steer champion.

Supreme heifer champion was awarded to Charolais heifer, Allanfauld Fizz, again from Ewan Macpherson and son, with the reserve going to Limousin sired, Secret Obsession from Arfon R Jones.

W M Owen, Braich-Y-Saint, Criccieth,nGwynedd, received the best bred by exhibitor from championship with his 638kg Charolais sired steer, Dazzler. In reserve was another Charolais sired bull, this time 604kg Queen Bee from Hugh Dunlop, Holehouse Farm, Ochiltree, Cumnock.

In the untrimmed lamb classes for a pair of lambs born in 2011, the Beltex class was won by L E and S D Wadland with their Beltex x Beltex x Texel. In second was R J Slade with a homebred pair of Beltex x Dutch Texel. Third was Andrew Morton's Beltex x Beltex cross.

The Blackface class was won by G and A McFadzean with their purebred and Edward Noblett was placed second.

Jonathan Long was placed first in the Southdown class with his Southdown x Beltex cross and in second was R O Cox with a pure bred pair. Third was Mr J Aisbitt's pure bred.

The Suffolks class was won by Messrs Malcolm M Stewart with his Suffolk  x Beltex, he also came third with another pair of the same breeding. In second was W A and A J Wondsor's Suffolk x Texels.

R J Slade won the Texel class with his pure breds and W A and A J Windsor came second with a pair or pure breds. Third place was awarded to D S and L E Wadland for a Texel x Texel cross.

The top spot in the any other native breed longwool class was secured by Ivanhoe Livestock with their Teeswater x Dalesbred. Eifion Hughes was in second with his Border Leicester x Welsh Mountains.

The any other native breed hill class was won by W A and A J Windsor's White Face Wooland x Texels. Second was Eifion Hughes's pure bred Cheviots and third, Stephen Cobbald's pair of pure Cheviots.

D S and L E Wadland won the any other continental breed class with a pair of Blue Texel x Texel crosses and Ivanhoe Livestock came second with their pure bred Blue Texels. Thirs place was awarded to J and C Maxwell with some pure bred Charollais.

The sheep championships happen tomorrow at Smithfield, but some of the individual sheep classes have been going on at the same time as the beef today.

In the trimmed sheep section, for pairs of lambs born in 2011, the Beltex class was won by R J Slade with his homebred Beltex x Dutchel Texels. In second was Andrew Morton's pure bred Beltex and third another pure bred, this time from Mr A D Bishop.

The Blackface class, had two entries forward - both pure bred and from G and A McFadzean.

The Charollais section was won by M J and J A Pinny with their Charollais x. In second was J and C Maxwell and their pure bred pair.

The Hampshire Downs saw Jonathan Long taking the top spot with his Hampshire Down x Beltex cross and Messrs E J and P J Cresswell taking second with a pure bred pair.

In the Southdowns class, Messrs Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson had success with their pure bred. In second it was R O Cox, again with a pure bred. The third spot was taken by Jonathan Long with a homebred Southdown x Beltex cross.

Messrs Malcolm M Stewart came first in the Suffolks class with their Suffolk x Beltex and in second it was M J and J A Pinny with their Suffolk x. Third was W A and A J Windsor with a pair of Suffolk x Texel.

In the Texels class, Mr A D Bishop went away with the top spot with his pure bred pair. In second was D S and L E Wadland with their Texel x Texel cross and third, R J Slade with a homebred pure bred pair.

Eifion Hughes came first in the any other native breed longwool with his Border Leicester x Welsh Mountains. In second and third was two pure bred Romney entries from Horne and Son.

Any other native breed shortwool had David and Susan Eglin in first with their pure bred Polled Dorsets.

The any other native hill breed class had John R Taylor in first with his North bred North Country Cheviots. In second was another from Eifion Hughes, this time a pair of pure bred Cheviots. In third was a pair of pure bred Exmoor Horns from Richmond J Harding.

D S and L E Wadland won the any other continental breed class with their Blue Texel x Texel cross and R J Slade cam second with their pure Blue Texel. In third was Ivanhoe Livestock's Blue Texels.

The cross bred native heifer championship went to Aberdeen Angus x Miss Marmite (61) from Michael Kirby. She weighed 656kg.

In reserve was another Aberdeen Angus x, 610kg Upsy Dairy (60) from G and A McFadzean.

In the cross bred native steer championship, it was a Ben 10 (64) an Aberdeen Angus x, again from the McFadzeans. He weighed 608kg. Reserve was a Welsh Black x (67), Black Bill from B E Williams.

In the cross bred heifer sired by a pure British Blue class, the top spot went to 710kg Lu-Lu (71) from C R Fawcett. Second was 614kg All Wrapped Up (81) from P and S Sellers. Third was 610kg Don't Push It (80) from G R Fountaine.

The Charolais breed reigned supreme in both the continental and overall pure bred championship.

Taking the top spot in both categories was heifer Allanfauld Fizz (45) from Ewan MacPherson and Sons, Mill Farm House, Oban, Argyll. Weighing in at 604kg, she was shown in the ring by Donald MacPherson. This one is by Elgin Davinchi and out of Allanfauld Carolyn.

She has already seen success this year winning the pure breed championship at the Scottish Winter Fair.

She was bought from Archie and John McGregor from Allanfauld Farm at Stirling in April for £1,700 and was bought with the agreement she would be sold to Fred Murray for the same money when the McPhersons were finished with her.

The reserve champion for both categories was also purchased at the same sale from Allanfauld Farm. This was the first outing for Charolais heifer, Buck Fast (49) from Dermot Small, 3 Irvington Close, Kilkeel, Northern Ireland. Weighing 622kg she was shown in the ring by Claire O'Brian.

The first class for the pure bred continental cattle (Continental heifers 600kg and under), has been won by the only Charolais in the class, 528kg Ashmark Farrah (43) from Hugh Dunlop.

In second was Wilodge Flawless, a Limousin from Williams and Tippetts (54). Third is another of the same breed, Powerhouse Frambosia (48), this time from B E Williams.

In the continental heifer 601kg and over category, the first prize has gone to Allanfauld Fizz, a 604kg Charolais from Ewan MacPherson and Son (45). Second was Buck Fast (49), a Charolais from Dermot Small, weighing 622kg.

The third spot was taken by 678kg Foxy Lady, a British Blue from Mr J Clayton.

The title of pure bred native champion has been awarded to a 630kg Aberdeen Angus steer from G and A Macfadzean.

Homebred, The End of The Line, has previously seen success at the Scottish Winter Fair where he also won overall native champion as well as champion Aberdeen Angus and reserve champion pure breed. He is one of 30 pure Aberdeen Angus kept by the family.

His dam, Patsy Annie of Temple House has been sent away this year, hence the steer's apt name. His sire is Calfward Flyer.

In reserve was an entry from Michael and Melanie Alford, 430kg Galloway heifer, Superstar.

It looks like we're set for a packed couple of days of showing at The East of England Smithfield Festival. The first day has started with the native heifer class, judged by Tecwyn Jones from Conwy.

In his first line up, he's chosen a 430kg Galloway from the Alfords - September 2010 born Superstar as his first place animal.

In second it's Oakchurch Duchess Duffy, an Aberdeen Angus from Michael Kirkby, weighing 582kg. Third is Gupworthy Kiss, a longhorn from Mr and Mrs G Woollatt, hitting the scales at 514kg.

In the pure bred South Devon heifer class, homebred Knowlhill Margaret from A E J and F J Claridge has got the first place.

Then in second it's 572kg Welland Valley Dallas 21 from Mr J East. Third is Mells Park's Mells Park Carmel, weighing 682kg.

The first split of the pure bred beef class, is native steers, 599kg and under. Mr Jones has placed a Galloway, Berlomond Cheeky from Harvey Cattle in his top spot (480kg).

In second is an entry from R J Wright. 552kg Devon, Elmford Lord. Third is Cool Dancer, a 562kg Aberdeen Angus from M and H D Currie.