February 2012 Archives

Caption: Two tups from Ian Murray's Glenway flock will be on the EBLEX stand in Paris

A quartet of British Texel rams have been the star attraction this week at the world famous Salon International D'Agriculture (SIA), better known as the Paris Show.

The rams, sourced from flocks in the North East of England formed the centrepiece of the livestock display on the EBLEX stand at the event, helping draw French farmers and consumers to the stand to learn more about the high quality breeding stock and lamb available from England.

All four rams were selected by French breeders for use in French Texel flocks following a number of visits to the UK in the last 12 months by delegations of French breeders.

The rams were bought by leading French breeding company Genetique Ovine De France Sarl and will be used in a number of Texel flocks in northern France and have been sourced from the Glenway flock of Ian Murray, Northumberland, and the Alwent and Deneside flocks of the Nesbitt family, Co Durham.

Mr Murray said he was delighted to have secured further export business having previously exported Texels to Switzerland.

The Glenway tups are both high indexed sheep, with one being a top 5% son of £8,000 sire Teiglum Nightlight and the other being by 30,000gns Castleknowe Matchmaker and out of a Lumbylaw-bred dam.

Meanwhile Mr Nisbett said the export demonstrated the exceptional quality of the Texels now found in the UK. "The two rams we're sending are from some of our best lines and also carry good performance figures."

Both rams are by 18,000gns sire Allanfauld Rockafella, a tup bought in partnership at the Lanark sale in 2010. "One has an index of 354 and is out of an Alwent Neutron daughter, while the other goes back to Mellorvale Masterpiece. They were picked by the French for both their performance and their breed character."

Additionally, the breeders have selected a number of stock rams to collect semen from for export to France later in the year ahead of the 2012 breeding season. Sires selected include Ettrick Rainbow Warrior owned jointly by Messrs Wilkinson and Nisbett, Teiglum Rembrandt owned by the Clark family, Ettrick Sir Alan owned by Gordon Gray, Knock Papoose owned by Maurice Hardy-Bishop, Milnbank Sargeant Pepper owned by Keith Jamieson and Cambwell Laird owned by Robert Laird.

Commenting on the semen export former British Texel Sheep Society president Mr Gray said it was a real 'coals to Newcastle' moment for the Texel breed. "To be exporting Texel genetics back to France nearly 40 years after the first Texels came to Britain is a mark of the breed's success in Britain.

"The French breeders were blown away by the quality of the British Texels they saw when they visited last year and particularly by the quality of their conformation, skins and character. Their enthusiasm for our Texels was fantastic to see."

The quality of British Texel genetics is quickly becoming widely recognised across Europe and demand is increasing as more European sheep producers recognise the exceptional growth and carcass traits offered by the breed, said Mr Yates.

It's all good news for British breeders and is clear recognition of the exceptional work they've done in developing the breed since its first importation into Britain nearly 40 years ago, he added.

"We've worked hard in recent years to ensure the world knows about the quality of the British Texel and the demand for British genetics is now being seen across the globe. The Texel breed's strength in depth in the UK and the variety or phenotypes on offer here means we have something to suit every market and are well placed to serve export markets in the future."

Portadown based sister and brother, Sarah and Sam Matchett are toasting success after leading AI company Dovea Genetics selected their Aberdeen Angus bull Birches Little Man L923 to join their stud for 2012.

This young pair first started breeding Aberdeen Angus in 1998 when Sam Matchett was given heifer Drumcrow Lima G266 for his eighth birthday present. This foundation female was bred by Frank McKieran, Co Cavan.

A successful mating with the herd's stock bull Cloghogue Evolution resulted in Birches Little Man L923 being born in March 2011. Evolution was Junior Champion at RUAS, Balmoral in 2009, Ulster Champion 2010 and formed part of the highly coveted Pairs Championship at Castlewelland Show in both 2010 and 2011.

His first son quickly made a name for himself on the local show circuit collecting red tickets at Saintfield and Enniskillen shows last season. He also scooped the Best Bull award at Enniskillen and was Reserve Champion Bull Calf at the NI Aberdeen Angus Calf Show held in the Autumn.

An approach was made by Dovea Genetics towards the end of 2011 and a deal struck for Little Man to join their team of Angus bulls. Sarah and Sam were persuaded to sell their rising young star despite having their sights on the 2012 show season with him.

Dr Ger Ryan, General Manager at Dovea Genetics commented when first details of the sale emerged "We are delighted to have been able to secure Birches Little Man L923 as he just oozes style and breed character. His sire has always been greatly admired, especially here in the South and I feel there will be real interest in this young bull."

A near 3,000-strong entry of prime sheep - a solid turnout for the time of year at Skipton Auction Mart's weekly sale on Monday - saw lightweight hoggs and export weight hoggs achieving similar trade on the week. (Feb 27)

Beltex-x were popular, with a pen from Ian & Mary Lancaster, Pendleton, heading the day's per weight prices at 276.9p/kg, or £108 a head. The overall class average was £98.51 a head or 243.6p/kg.

Plenty of entries made three figures, with top price in sale at £124 each falling to a Charollais pen from Stephen Pepper, Oxenhope, who also headed the Suffolk prices at £123 a head.

Well-finished lightweight Swaledale wethers were good to sell, as were well-fed heavy Suffolk and Continental-x hoggs. Prime hoggs sold to an overall average of £82.89 a head, or 191.5p/kg.

There was again sharp trade for cull ewes, stronger types in particular. Heavy ewes sold to a top of £151.50 a head for a pen of three Texels from RC Robinson & Partners, Pannal, while JA Gibson & Sons, York, also sold Texel pens at £140.50 and £148.50.

From the same neck of the woods, Charollais specialist Charles Marwood, Whenby, sold a trio of seven-strong pens at £138.50, £131.50 and £129.50 each. Cull ewes averaged £82.61 and cast rams £60.25.

Rearing calf trade was again buoyant, showing an overall average of £234 and selling to a high of £450 for a British Blue-x bull calf from J Wellock, Oakworth. Heifer calf prices were headed at £320 for a Limousin-x from G Hayton & EC Stocks, Bolton Abbey.

Of the 58 prime cattle forward, steers under 30 months sold to 184.5p/kg, or £959, for a British Blue-x from J J Beckwith & Sons, Gargrave, and heifers to 141.5p/kg, £976, for a Hereford from R Ruddock, Harrogate.

The overall average for 30 to 48-month-old prime cattle was140.17p/kg, with RG Johnson & Son, Felliscliffe, topping the per head prices at £1,166, 157.5p/kg, for a black and white cow, and CJ Lumb, Halifax, the per weight prices at 172.5p/kg, £1,061, with a Limousin-x. cow.

Cull cows achieved an overall average of 132.38p/kg per head. JJ Beckwith & Sons were again to the fore with a Limousin-x that jointly headed the prices at 161.5p/kg, £1,058, equalled by another Limousin from Simon Bennett, Silsden, which made £1,171. Top price in section at £1,180 fell to a third Limousin-x from Fleets Farm, Rylstone.

The final Wednesday sale of in-lamb sheep and store hoggs (Feb 22) produced strong trade for the latter, with several pens of Continental and Suffolk hoggs selling for more than £80 each.

Suffolk prices, headed at £85 a head by G R & P L Jowett, Morton Banks, averaged £83.71, while there was again keen demand for Swaledale wethers, which averaged almost £55 and sold to a high of £68 each for a pen from JW Tinkler & Sons, Nesfield.

In-lamb sheep achieved similar prices to the previous sale, with two pens of Mules from G M & J Robinson, Fellbeck, noteworthy at £144 and £140.

Looking ahead, this coming Monday (Mar 5) sees the opening weekly seasonal sale of ewes with lambs at foot, with around 100 outifits already entered.

CCM Auctions

The 13th Annual show & sale of show potential cattle on behalf of the 'North Wales Potentials' committee was held at Ruthin Livestock Centre  when there were 91 catalogued entries forward.

Judge Berwyn Hughes, Ceredigion selected his winners from strong classes of steers and heifers giving top honours to an eight-month old Limousin cross heifer from D and P Brute, Brecon. She sold for £5000 to G and V Bowring, Nether Langwith.

The reserve champion was a five-month-old black Limousin heifer from Philip Jones, Llandyrnog which made £4600 (above) to S E Sellers, Lincoln.

The steer title went to Bowen & Bowen with their nine month old Limousin-cross which later sold for £2200 to G C & V A Bowring. The reserve champion steer award went to a seven month old British Blue sired entry from T and E Williams, Nant y Geifr, Llanidloes. It realised £3600 (below)

The champion un-haltered entry was an eight-month old British Blue-cross heifer from Trefor Jones, Bodychain, Caernarfon. She sold for £3050 to Stillmans, Somerset, Taunton.

A nine-month old Limousin cross heifer from David John Lloyd & Co, Trefeglwys, Caersws made £3200 to J Williams, Tyn Llyn, Trawsfynydd and a seven month old Limousin cross heifer, also shown by Mr Lloyd, sold for £2600 to M and K Lanfear, Bristol.

Twenty two of the entries realised £1500 or over and returned a heifer average of £1752. Steers levelled at £1338. Overall average was £1589.30.

(Ruthin Farmers Auction Co Ltd) 

The Shadwell Estate Aberdeen-Angus herd has sold two year old herd sire and past show bull Shadwell Black Broughton K485 for a substantially high five-figure and herd record price to the Idvies herd of Messrs F J Fraser and Son, Newton of Idvies, Forfar.

Broughton is a son of the Norfolk-based herd's past senior herd sire Muirhall Total Deal E009 and is out of the Blelack Blacksmith Y291 daughter Shadwell Blackbird D181, who herself is a daughter of one of the herd's original foundation females, Blackbird T22 of Blelack, a proven matron of the breed.

Shows as a yearling, Broughton has taken great success on the 2011 summer circuit culminating in the junior and reserve male championship at the summer National Show, male champion and native performance bull at the Royal Welsh Show and reserve breed champion at the Royal Berkshire Show.

New owner Alastair Fraser, who runs 60 pedigree cows, along with his son Graeme under the Idvies prefix, said: "This bull was a must buy bull in my mind. His sire is an outcross for my herd and many others and I was particularly impressed with Total Deal daughters in the herd. Broughton is correct, has great stature and all the easing fleshing and calving attributes the breed is known for."

He added: "He is top 1% for 200, 400 and 600-day growth rates and has had a successful show career behind him." Broughton has been purchased to compliment daughters of the £32,000 Rawburn Rommell and the 24,000gns Lockerley Legolas, who is owned in partnership with the Rawburn herd.

Speaking of the sale Shadwell Estate Stud Director Richard Lancaster said: "We were reluctant to sell Broughton as we had retained him as a junior herd sire and he has served cows in the herd already. However, selling to a highly acclaimed herd such as Idvies was too good an opportunity to pass by and we wish the Fraser family the very best of luck with their purchase." Shadwell Estate have retained 200 straw of semen for private use only.

James Weightman was certainly the Blonde breeder leaving Borderway Mart with the broadest smile after taking the top three prices with bulls from his family's Hallfield herd in Co Durham as well as both the supreme and reserve supreme championships.

Hallfield Forger led the trade at 6200gns heading back to Co Durham with Barnard Castle buyers Sanderson and Bell. Forger, who also took the supreme ticket, is by the Weightman's stock bull Blackwater Ainsley who has already produced a string of good priced sons from Hallfield. With a Beef Value of 30, Forger is out of a Megray Senator sired dam.

 Taking the reserve title and making 6000gns was Hallfield Falcon - another son of Ainsley and out of a cow by the consistent producer Whistley Dollar. Falcon - Beef Value 18 - goes to George Hamilton, Duns, Berwickshire.

Making it a top trio for the Weightmans - who sold four bulls on the day to average £5050 - was Hallfield Fitz. By Doncombe Ayers Rock - another of the herd's stock bulls - Fitz is out of a Ballygowan Noble sired cow and was bought by John Scott, Hexham, Northumberland.

Shap, Penrith buyer Mike Harrison paid the top price for females giving 2500gns for the served heifer Stubbswalden Faith (below) from K and A Jackson, Doncaster. She is by Stubbswalden Vangogh.

 The Blonde Babe champion title went to Broomley Fifi from Messrs Gibb, Stocksfield, Northumberland. This served heifer by Millend Voodoo made 1900gns to T Ball, Darlington.

Averages: 12 bulls £3972 and three females £1942. (Harrison and Hetherington).

 A good trade for Hereford females produced the day's top price of 3050gns at the breed society's show and sale at Borderway Mart.

Romany 1 Dawn A51 (Terminal Sire Index +25) from J R B Wilson and Sons, Kelso was the ringside favourite on a day that saw this November 2010-bred daughter of Romany 1 Asteroid take the female title and finish reserve overall champion. Out of a Crickley 1 Figurehead dam, she was reserve junior female champion at the National Poll Show and reserve female champion at Borderway Agri-Expo last year. She was taken at 3050gns by S and M Geldard, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The same buyers also gave 2200gns for the heifer Romany 1 Julia D345 (Terminal Sire Index +26) - a daughter of SMH Calgary and out of a Figurehead dam.

Baldinnie 1 Fly 12^th from Fife breeders John Cameron and Son, made 2700gns to J Kingan  Troqueer, Dumfries. From the herd's successful Fly family, this heifer is by Baldinnie 1 Orient and out of a Leos Pride 1 Vanquish dam. She has a Terminal Sire Index of +28.

The Wilson's Romany 1 Mink D1 H48 (Terminal Sire Index +28), a heifer by SMH Castro and out of a Glenlees Storm cow, made 2400gns to Thomas Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland.

Best for bulls was 2600gns given by D Neill and Son, Stranraer for John Cameron and Son's Baldinnie 1 Cameron (below). A son of Baldinnie 1 Orient and out of a dam by Baldinnie 1 Oxford, he is in the breed's top 1% for eye muscle score and has a Terminal Sire Index of +33.

Heading south to Market Rasen, Lincolnshire with buyers D & J Coulson Livestock Ltd was the Wilson's Romany 1 Hitman A84 H4 at 2500gns. By the breed's current Sire of the Year Baybridge 1 Atlas, he is out of a Figurehead dam and has a Terminal Sire Index of +29.

A 2400gns call from D Ord, Alnwick, Northumberland secured him Gilmartin 1 Joshua (Terminal Sire Index +24) from J and B Procter, Lockerbie. He is by SMH Castro and out of a Figurehead dam.

Averages: Five bulls £2415 and 11 females £1952.

(Harrison and Hetherington).

Hallshill Jura, a black and white Belted Galloway heifer, topped the trade at the Galloway Cattle Society's fixture at Borderway Mart. She was part of the dispersal of Brian Underwood's Auchencairn herd based at Castle Douglas. By Ballamoar Kaiser she was in-calf to Barwise Jamboree and heads for Northern Ireland with buyer H Irvine, Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

Ryehills Charles, a 2008-bred black and white bull from T L Hogg and Sons, Canonbie made 1650gns. By Lullenden the Abbott, he goes to A Steen, Lockerbie.

Averages: two bulls £1706. Auchencairn dispersal - seven cows served and/or suckling £1171; five heifers served and/or suckling £1243; one bull £1102.

(Harrison and Hetherington).

The final lot in the dispersal of Derbyshire breeder Roger Hodson-Walker's Caldwell Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn herds made the top price of 2800gns at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. The call came from J Oliver, Newcastle-on-Tyne for the roan Beef Shorthorn bull Caldwell Cracker - a son of Tamhorn Zac and out of a Chapelton Nobility dam.

Bidding for Aberdeen Angus twice reached 2700gns. Caldwell Rosa Erica G774 was the first to hit this figure and goes to Tarporley, Cheshire buyer H Whittaker. This 2007-bred cow is by Idvies Blade and out of a dam from the Penguin herd by Royal Vision. Sold served to Penguin Enterprise, she has a Terminal Sire Index of +29.

At the same money G Marshall Ltd, St Boswells, Roxburghshire secured the bull Caldwell Edward - a 2009-bred son of  Newcairnie James Eric and out of an Idvies Blade dam. He has a Terminal Sire Index of +29.

Topping the Aberdeen Angus females were two 2007-bred cows both making 2000gns. Caldwell Annie G732 is by Idvies Blade and was in-calf to Penguin Enterprise. Buyer was G Lane, Kirkpatrick Flemming, Dumfriesshire. Matching the bid was Northern Ireland buyer S Crummie who took Caldwell Blackbird G775. By Netherton Kiwi Sam she was also in calf to the Penguin sire.

Leading the Beef Shorthorn females at 2100gns was Caldwell Melinda, a red and white 2010-bred heifer by Tofts Prince Xavier. She goes to Hereford with buyer M Jones. A 2000gns call from L Oakes, Kings Lynn secured Croxden Cressida, a 2004-bred roan cow by Podehole Simba. She was in-calf to Tofts Prince Xavier.

Also at 2000gns was Croxden Lady Barrington, a red and white 2006-bred cow by Chapelton Nobility. She had an Angus-sired calf at foot and goes to Northern Ireland with H Baillie. Bound for Biggar, Lanarkshire with J W Frame - also at 2000gns - was the four-year-old Croxden Betty Duchess 5th. This Nobility daughter is in-calf to the Tofts bull.

Averages: Beef Shorthorn - 30 cows and heifers served and/or suckling £1659 and one bull £2940. Aberdeen Angus - 31 cows and heifers served and/or suckling £1662; and one bull £2835.

(Harrison and Hetherington)

Hallfield Forger from Co Durham breeders Peter Weightman and Sons topped the trade at the British Blonde Society's show and sale at Carlisle at 6200gns.

He's another son of the Druk Genesis sired Blackwater Ainsley who has notched up some high priced progeny for the Weightmans. Forger is out of a Megray Senator dam and has a Beef Value of 40. He stood champion on the day under judge Philip Rogers who runs the Ffin herd at Presteigne, Powys.

(Harrison and Hetherington).

After a cracking bull trade, we're now onto the Charolais females.

First up it's Lot 503, Westcarse Fifi from Mr J H Christie, secured for 2,800gns

Now onto the Claymore dispersal of E and P Clayhills-Henderson - a selection of spring calvers all pd'ed in calf:

Lot 505 Blelack Peasy sells at 900gns

Lot 506 Dunure Shopialoren sold for 1,000gns

Lot 507 Newhouse Umba selling for 1,400gns

Lot 509 Claymore Blanche gone at 1,800gns

Lot 510 Claymore Bliss sold for 1,800gns

Lot 511 Claymore Bramble secured for 1,050gns

It's a flying Charolais trade at Stirling today, with some big figures reached and overall trade very strong.

The bull sale has topped at 25,000gns with a bid for the reserve overall champion and intermediate champion, Inverlochy Ferdie (lot 416).

This one was presented by J Irvine & Son who have achieved a new breed average for the highest average from one breeder - they sold a total of five bulls from their Inverlochy herd to an average of £14,595 (13,900gns).

The top moneymaker, Inverlochy Ferdie, is by Balmyle Bollinger and out of Inverlochy Une; he has a TSI of +40 and a SRI of +47.  He was snapped up by Neil R Barclay, Harestone Farm, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

The second highest price so far has gone to the senior champion, Blelack Forester (lot 257) from Mr N F Massie, Culblean, Blelack, Aboyne, was secured for 22,000gns to a partnership of three breeders - the Newhouse, Balthayock and Balmyle herds.

This Maerdy Dublin son is out of Blelack Champers. Dublin's first bull sold in October to 8,5000gns and Champers is out of one of the farm's best lines that have produced such bulls as Blelack Rustic which sold for 20,000gns. This one has a TSI of +48 and a SRI of +38.

Next highest at 20,000gns was the overall champion and junior champion Inverlochy Fencer (lot 442), also from the Inverlochy herd of J Irvine & Son.  

Alike the reserve overall champion, this one (pictured above) is a Balmyle Bollinger son.  Out of Inverlochy Volga, he has a TSI of +44 and SRI of +56.  This one was bought by Mr Jeffrey for his Kersknowe herd, Kelso.

And also achieving 20,000gns was Maerdy Flambeau (lot 472) from Mr D E Evans.  Out of Maerdy Banksia using semen from T-Unisson, this one has a TSI of +24 and a SRI of +15.  He goes to a new home with the Dongers at Seawell Grounds, Northants.

Securing a new home for 18,000gns was Thrunton Fairfax (lot 408) from J H C Campbell & sons.  This one is by Newhouse Bigal and out of Thrunton Raquel - the same dam of Thrunton Voltage who previously sold in Perth for 30,000gns.  

Fairfax has a TSI of +64 and a SRI of +52; he was purchased by Mr B Harman at Grove Farm, Chesham.

Falling not far behind at 16,000gns, was another Balmyle Bollinger son, Anside Foreman (lot 357) from Mr M Irvine.  

This one is out of Moyness Beauty, this one has a TSI of +35 and a SRI of +40.  He was snapped up by Thomas, Llechwedd, Capel Iwan, Carmarthern.

And at the same, selling for 16,000gns, was Mr W Short's Woodpark Flashman (lot 418).  This Corrie Alan son is out of Woodpark Anthea and has a TSI of +52 and a SRI of +47.  He was bought by Owen, Gallt-Y-Celyn, Conwyd, Wales.

Meanwhile hitting the 14,000gns mark was Laverock Fabio (lot 305) from W Richardson & sons.  This one is a Corrie Alan son and out of Laverock Video; he was purchased in partnership between the Adams (Newhouse herd) and the Campbells (Thrunton herd).

Also at 14,000gns was Balthayock Fearless (lot 449) from Major D F W H & N R Walter.  This Balthayock Adonis son is out of Balthayock Unkown; he has a TSI of +63 and a SRI of +60.  The purchaser was Keay and Son, East Balloch, Angus.

Other leading prices were:

Lot 432 Thrunton Fireball from J H C Campbell and Sons, sold for 13,000gns

Orkney based Charolais breeder, Ronnie Baillie has received the Harman Charolais Genetic Improvement Award 2012.

Mr Baillie received the award for his 50 cow Baillieston pedigree herd which is recognised as making the greatest genetic progress in Scotland during the last 12 months. His Toab based herd also achieved the biggest improvement in SRI in the British Charolais herdbook.

Herd progress was measured by the greatest improvement in the Self Replacing Index (SRI) for the calves born in 2010, and recorded over 2010/2011. All Breedplan recording society members with a minimum recorded 10 calves were eligible to enter. During the period, the Baillieston herd SRI increased from an average SRI +30.7 to SRI +40.2.

On receiving the award Mr Baillie said: "I'm thrilled to receive this award for Scotland and even more so to have achieved the biggest herd SRI improvement across UK breeders. We have always paid careful attention to the management of our females and to the sires we select.

"We initially used Dingle Hofmeister across the herd and he greatly improved the female line and made a noticeable appreciation to our Breedplan data. Next, we invested 15,000gns in a new stock bull Maerdy Deiniol in Carlisle in 2009, a decision which signalled a more focused approach towards using the data. Since then, Deioniol's figures have increased to within the breed's top1% at TI +62 and SRI +64, and that subsequent trend is reflected in his progeny."

He added: "Quality looks will always play an important part in my decision making process, however Breedplan data is now also a very important tool in the selection of which bulls we use."

>> The winning members in England are James Kimber, Chippenham Wiltshire (Beanhill) with a 12 month SRI improvement from SRI +34.3 to SRI +43.3; Northern Ireland, Will Short, Omagh, County Tyrone (Woodpark) SRI +29.6 to SRI +34.1; and Wales, Arwel Owen, Welshpool, Powys (Trefaldwyn) SRI +28.2 to SRI +32.4

Iain Green, Corskie, Moray-shire, had a successful couple of days in both the show and sale rings, taking home the top female titles and big money in the sale ring.

His reserve champion female, Corskie Aspire (Lot 185) sold for the best money on the day at 4,800gns. This one had been running with Islavale Sabre and was guaranteed in-calf. She is by 10,000gns Kilbride Farm Tarrant and out of Corskie Spirea and has a TSI of +86 and a SRI of +85. She had a long journey home with her new owners, K C and P Hawkey, Higher Tregolls, Bodmin.

The champion, Corskie Acqya (Lot 183) was not far behind, at 4,500gns. By the same sire as the reserve and out of Corskie Raindrop, she sold with a TSI of +81 and a SRI of +78 to J M and J Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan.

Then at 4,000gns was an entry from Mr F J A McGowan, Incheoch Farms, Blairgowrie. Dirnanean Bali (Lot 219) is by Dirnanean Telstar and out of Dirnanean Tess and had been Ai'd to Rissington Grandeur. This one has a TSi of +66 and a SRI of +64 and went home with Patmore, Debdon Green, Essex.

Making 3,500gns was Sterling Samantha's Beyonce (lot 205) put forward by Boddington Estates, The Manor, Cheltenham. She is by Roston Son-O'Barney and out of Sterling Martinis Samanthan and has a TSI of +52 and a SRI of +51. She sold to W and R Murdoch, Murroch Farm, Dumbarton.

Next at 3,200gns was Blair Barbara (Lot 191), an entry from Mr C Fordyce, Islabank Farm, Perthshire. She was AI's on 24 December and is by Omorga Samson and out of Blair Rosie. She has a TSI of +81 and a SRI of +79 and went to Wheelings Angel Row.

Two then went for 3,100gns, the first of which was Beetley Beth (Lot 188) from S D Abram Farms, High House Farm, East Dereham. She is by Boars Head Volcano and out of Beetley Nina and sold to David Hyslop, Clydeside Farm, Biggar.

Next at this figure was Skerrington Rebecca 48^th (Lot 207), a Omorga Volvo daughter put forward by W Young, Skerrington Mains, Ayrshire. She has run with Sowenna Aristocat from 10 November 2011 and has a TSI of 73 and a SRI of +77 and headed home with J Campbell, Bardnaclavan, Thurso.

The 119 Simmental bulls up for grabs at the sale sold to a record average of £6,236 - up £1,827 on last year with nine more sold - and a top of 19,000gns.

The 19,000gns call secured the junior champion from the presale show, Grangewood Baron (Lot 125) from Mr and Mrs A S and Y A Leedham, Gunby Lea Farm, Netherseal.

This Omorga Volvo son is out of Highcroft Tollie 10th. His grand dam, Tollie 7^th, bred Wallace which was second at Stirling in February 2010 and sold for 9,500gns. Baron sold with some impressive figures (TSI of +100 and an SRI of +102) to Mr and Mrs M Ward and Sons, West Mains, Newbigging, Carnwath.

The overall male champion, Islavale Brilliant (Lot 54) was then secured by

R H Brunton, Arbroath, Angus, for the next best call of 18,000gns. He is a Curaheen Vobster son, out of Islavale Tibby and has a TSI of +60 and a SRI of +56. He was out forward by Mr W S Stronach, Berryleys, Keith.

Good EBV figures proved in demand, with the next top price of 17,000gns going to

Team Banker (Lot 81) from Mr R J MacGregor, Kirkton of Mailler, Craigend, Perth, - a bull with the same impressive figures as the top priced bull. He is by Team Volvo and out of Team Kasey and went to John Dykes.

First prized bull, Kilbride Farm Bantry (Lot 112) from W H Robson and Sons of Kilbride Farm, 106 Cogry Road, Ballyclare, was then secured for 12,000gns. By 15,000gns sire Cairview Snazzy and out of Kilbride Farm Fanni, this one has a TSI of +83 and a SRI of +78. He sold to Traynor, Northern Ireland.

Auchorachan Barry (Lot 128) which was placed second to the junior champion was also purchased for the same money. Put forward by D and R Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Ballindalloch, this Saltire Talent son sold to Balburnie. Barry was senior champion at the Stars of the Future show at Forfar and his sire sired Auchorachan Wizard the Perth overall champion which sold for 20,000gns.

Five entries then sold at 10,000gns, the first of which was Lot 51, Islavale Bicardi from Mr W S Stronach. He is a Glenturk Premier son and has a TSI of +60 and a SRI of +63. He joined the herd of J and J S Wilken, Raeffin Aultmore, Aberdeenshire.

Lot 88 Corskie Basil also went for the same figure. This one is a Ballinalare Farm Nightrider son and has a strong milk figure of +10. He was presented by Farmers Weekly Livestock Farmer Focus writer, Iain Green, Corskie, Fochabers and went to Dimiet.

The reserve overall champion and intermediate champion, lot 68 Longbeach Bosco from Mr L A Richardson, Hillview, Drumbroughas, also went for the same figure, this time to J Innes and Sons, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Next was Lot 147, Kilbride Farm Benone from W H Robson and Sons.  His dam, Kilbride Farm Nova is described as one of the biggest and best cows owned by the Robsons and has already produced sons up to 6,200gns at Perth. This Seaview Prince Charming son has a TSI of +88 and a SRI of +90 and sold to D Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk.

 Lot 162, Dellfield Brigadier from Mr B Grant. Went at the same figure, this time to Strathisla Farms, Ruthven, Perthshire. He is a Stralongford Trojan son and has a SRI and TSI of +82.

 Next best at 9,500gns was lot 106, Innerwick Brandy from Mr and Mrs L Moffat, Innerwick Farm, Dunbar. He is by Castlegate Titan and out of Innerwick Sandra and has a TSI of +86 and a SRI of +92. He went to J Cameron and Son, Balbuthie Farm, Leven.

Four lots then sold at 9,000gns. First at this money was Lot 73, Grangewood Brandon from Mr and Mrs A S and Y A Leedham, Gunby Lea Farm, Netherseal.

Brandon is by Omorga Volvo and out of Grangewood Lucinda and joined the herd of Neil McGeoch.

Sperrin View Brilliance (Lot 31) from Mr H C Stubbs and A A Burleigh, was then secured at the same figure. This one was a Curaheen Tyson son with a TSI and SRI of +75 and was purchased by Davis Wales.

Next was Cairnorrie Brandy (Lot 136) from Neil Shand, Cairnorrie, Ellon. He is another by Omorga Volvo and out of Corskie Stripe and has a TSI of +76 and a SRI of +77.

Last at this money was Lot 138, Drumlone Banjo from K C Veitch, Drumlore, Lisbellaw. He has a TSI of +72 and a SRI of +80 and is a Raceview King son. He went to R Hull, March Farm, Bonnykelly.

 The breed society's Neil Shand said:  "We are absolutely delighted; 72 bulls sold for over 5,000gns and we had 10 bulls selling for more than 10,000gns.

"The breed is on a resurgence, and the breed is on a new level with health as well, and we are seeing the benefit of that this year.  We also had an unprecedented amount of enquiries before the sale.

"The majority of the buyers were buying for the maternal side, and although we saw a lot of regular buyers, there were a lot of new buyers and plenty breeders were investing money back in as well."

Averages: 119 bulls sold (83% clearance); average of £6,236 (up £1,827 on last year with nine more sold). United Auctions.

The 146 Simmental bulls are lining up for the sale ring. We'll give you the prices as they happen....

First it it's lot 1, Newbiemains Belonga Jim from Jim and Patricia Goldie - off to a good start selling for 5,000gns

Lot 2, Denizes Banker 10 from M A Barlow, unsold at 4,000gns

Lot 3, Delfur Farms' Delfur Ba Baracus 10 with a SRI of +99 and a TSI of +91, snapped up 7,000gns

Lot 4, from Mr J Green - our Farmers Weekly Farmer Focus writer - Corskie Baldrick 10, selling for 8,500gns

Lot 6, Mr Andrew Ryder's Ryden Brock 10, gone at 3,000gns on the tic tac

 CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ MORE....

Galloways were very much in demand at the Society Show and Sale held on Friday. Averages in all sections showed a significant increase on last year and with only two animals not sold, many potential purchasers would go home empty handed.

Dennis and Margaret Gall from Stirling sold their December 2010 born bull (pictured above), Commando of Gall-way for the male top price of the day of 6,500gns.

Selling to Rainer Mutzel, Germany this son of Major has an impressive pedigree as his dam was first prize junior heifer at the 2009 Royal Highland Show.    

Messrs McClymont, Kirkstead sold the first in the ring - 7 year old bull Penninghame Major,  for 5,200gns to Dennis and Margaret Gall.  

The Champion, Barlaes Joker from Messrs R & M Fergusson, Barlaes, Dalry, sold for  4,500gns.  This Barlaes Colossus son and out of Barlaes Grace 55th is off home to the South of England with Messrs Able, Devon.

There was two bulls at 5,000gns, again Dennis and Margaret were in the money with Everest of Gall-way.  This ones dam,  Silverbell 12th of Corrie was Breed Champion at the 2004 Royal Highland Show,  all the sons sold off her have averaged 5,000gns.  Everest was purchased by Mr W Henderson, Whitehill, Lockerbie.

Also sold for 5,000gns, Thor of Over Barskeoch from Messrs Wallace, Over Barskeoch, Dalry,  went home with R E Jamieson, Garrochtrie, Port Logan, Stranraer. 

Also to go home with Mr Jamieson was 23 females, which included two heifers at 2,200gns - Gipsy Queen of Nether Cleugh from Peter Hunter Blair, Nether Cleugh, Dalry and Kirkstead Amber T18 from R A McClymont & Son, Kirkstead, Yarrow.   

Peter Hunter Blair also sold his only bull entry for 4,800gns, Solomon of Nether Cleugh is off for export to Germany.   Solomon's sire, Kirkstead Nancy Boy was National Show Champion in 2011 and Male and Reserve Overall Champion at   the Royal Highland Show 2010 and 2011.

Jim and Selina Ross, Romesbeoch sold Samson of Romesbeoch for 4,500gns to Cnewr Estates Ltd, Sennybridge, Brecon, Powys.  Samson has an Irish sire Xeros of Upper Buckna and out of Patsy 80 of Romesbeoch.  Cnewr also purchased 8   females, 6 being from the unled section, the top price being 1850gns for Barlaes Grace 76th and Barlaes Brownie 200th.  Romesbeoch also sold a heifer for 2,000gns, Beauty 995 of Romesboech to Mr Jamieson, Stranraer. 

The Female champion Blackcraig Noreen R336 from the Finlay Family, Blackcraig, Corsock, Castle Douglas made the top female price of the day 2,800gns to judge Horst Kraft, Germany.   Next top price for the Finlays was Blackcraig Moss Rose R337, she made 2,100gns to I A Kennedy Moffat Lochurr, Moniaive, Dumfries.    Son, Ian Finlay, was also in the money, selling his heifer, Blackcraig Star, Star has a German sire and dam and  was sold to Germany for 2200gns.

Two pure bred Galloway steers from Kilnstown Farms Ltd, Bewcastle, Carlisle made 1,050gns and 950gns was went home with Messrs Paterson, Low Threemark, Stoneykirk, Stranraer. 

Averages: 20 bulls, £3459 (+£619); 46 bulling heifers, £1516 (+£339.64); 3 in-calf heifers, £17550 (+£487.14)  (Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas)

Just to follow on from the LLeyn sale at Carlisle blogged by Matt on Saturday - here is a full report from the event:

It was a day of records at Harrison and Hetherington at the weekend, with a new breed record set in the sheep ring, as well as the cattle ring.

Topping the sale and setting the new Lleyn female record was a 2009 ewe from D N Bennett & Son, Powys, selling for 2,000gns to Jock Allen, Lanarkshire. The pre-sale champion comes from a line of successes, having won the Female Championship at the North Wales Club Show 2011 and winning second as a gimmer at the Royal Welsh Show in 2010. 

She was scanned in lamb for twins to the 7,000gns ram Bankhall Powerhouse.  Her sire has bred rams to 5,000gns and has daughters that have bred rams to 18,000gns. 

The Bennett Family sold a further two shearlings for 650gns and 950gns before selling the first prize ewe lamb for another breed record of 800gns to R E Jones.

The second prize shearling ewe from J A & R Geldard & Sons, Kendal was the next to top when selling a shearling scanned with twins to a Sackville Hamilton ram.  This lot was purchased by A G Hughes for 1,700gns.

Jim Goldie, Dumfries was awarded the reserve championship for his first prize shearling ewe.  Scanned for twins she is in lamb to Lluest Masterpiece and was purchased by Brian Walling of Farmstock Genetics, Selkirk, for 1,200gns.

 J K Goldie sold another shearling for 850gns.  Whilst son Hamish Goldie sold a shearling for 900gns.

The Fort Family from Keighley were out in full team.  With the first consignment into the ring G & A Fort sold two shearlings for 500gns a piece.  Later T & B Fort sold for 650gns, 600gns & 500gns, all sold to H Glaister.

Derek Steen, Lockerbie had some highlights with two lots selling for 800gns to M Mullen and Brian Walling of Farmstock Genetics.  He sold a daughter of Lluest Commander for 700gns and a daughter of Balliney Actionman for 500gns to Graham Shepherd, Preston.

Farmstock Genetics sold a 2009 ewe which had won several shows throughout 2010.  Scanned a triplet in lamb to Incheoch Mojo she realised 800gns to JA Robertson & Partners.

Averages: 29 Sheep Forward (28 sold);  Overall average £759.

The Simmental bull showing has kicked off at the second instalment of the Perth Bull Sales at United Auctions, Stirling.

Results so far are as follows:

Senior Classes

Bulls born on or between 1 March and 9 April 2010

1^st Mr W S Stronach's Islavale Barry 10 (Lot 10)

2^nd Mr J Green's Corskie Baldrick 10 (Lot 4)

3^rd Delfur Ba Baracus 10 from Delfur Farms (Lot 3)

Judge Bridget Borlase has awarded her female champion to Iain Green's Corskie Acqya (lot 183). This September 2010 born heifer is by Kilbride Farm Tarrant (Perth February 2008 champion, purchased for 10,000gns) and out of Corskie Raindrop.

Taking reserve was another heifer from Messrs Green - Aspire (TF) (lot 185). This one is by Kilbride Farm Tarrant and out of Corskie Spirea. She has a TSI of +86 and a SRI of +85. And like the female champion, this one ran with Islavale Sabre last winter.

I have yet to receive a sale report from the Galloway show and sale at Castle Douglas, however the show results are in and are as follows:

It was the two year old Barlaes Joker from the Fergusson Family which won the overall male champion at the presale show on Friday.

This May 2010 born is from the home bred sire Barlaes Colossus and out of Barlaes Grace 55th. The overall reserve male champion was the Junior Champion, Commando of Gallway

from Dennis and Margaret Gall, he is a Penninghame Major son and out of Lady Silverbell 6th of Gall-way. He has an impressive history as his sire was male champion at Castle Douglas Spring Show and Sale in 2006 and his dam was 1st prize Junior Heifer at the 2009 Highland Show.

The senior champion, Solomon of Nether Cleugh from Peter Hunter Blair also has a famous sire Kirkstead Nancy Boy - he was Champion at the 2011 National Show and Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show 2010 and 2011. The reserve senior champion, Blackcraig Sonic from John and Ann Finlay is a Blackcraig Nimrod son and out of Blackcraig Dusty.

J & S Ross took the reserve junior champion with Turbo of Romesboech, his has an Irish sire, Xerox of Upper Buckna and out of Moira 408 of Romesboech.

Leading Awards

The Taking Stock team have arrived at United Auctions in Stirling for the second round of the spring Perth Bull Sales 2012.

The Aberdeen Angus breed society's show and sale of bulls at Dungannon Farmers' Mart resulted in a 90% clearance with a top price of 4,000gns.

In all a total of 18 bulls went under the hammer to an average of £2,806 - an increase of £860 on this time last year according to auctioneer Trevory Wylie.

Taking the lead on the day at 4,000gns was Kiltariff Duke K326 (pictured above) from father and son duo Kenneth and Steven Bready, who run a herd of 10 pedigree cows at Rathfriland, County Down.

Born in June 2010, this one is by Nightingale Proud Jake G405, and is out of a home-bred dam by BJ's No Limits 15S. He boasts a milk figure of +15, an eye muscle area of +4.1, a Terminal Index (TI) of +30 and a Self Replacing Index (SRI) of +40; the buyer was James Thompson, Culmore, County Londonderry.

The next leading price on the day of 3,600gns went to the male champion (pictured above), March 2010-born Lana Easy K721, from husband and wife team Alan and Lana Cheney, Trillick, Country Tyrone.

Snapped up by Colin Maxwell, Clough, Downpatrick, County Down, this one is by the Nightingale Easy Papa G728 son, Blackhaugh Easy Pape G728, and out of Newpark Wonder.  He has a milk value of +10, a TSI of +36 and a SRI of +49.

Also at this price was Drumlone Europa K557 from Kenneth Veitch from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh.  This one is by the 36,000gns The Moss Mr Eshton D409 and out of Highland Colossal 101E daughter Drumlone Essy G702.  The buyer was John Loughrin, Cookstown, County Tyrone.

Meanwhile, Richhill Bouncer K401, from Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill, County Armagh, sold for 3,500gns.  Sired by the Canadian-bred Hi Diamond Greenstone 504, and out of Bronte Lion.  He was snapped up by Thomas Hamill, Downpatrick, County Down.

More championship results

In the championships, the reserve male title was awarded to Tamneymullan Juryman K777 (pictured above), an ET son of Ranui W Impact 762 from Robert and Keith Sufferin, Maghera, County Londonderry.  He was sold for 2,600gns to William Henry, Gravagh, County Londonderry.

And in the female classes, the title of female champion went to May 2010-born maiden heifer Ballygannon Gay (pictured above), from Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw.  This one is by KBJ Jetta 64D and out of Lochgarman Unite; she sold for 1,700gns to H Cleland, Downpatrick.

Whistlinthorns reduction

A reduction sale from the Whistlinthorns herd owned by Alan Wells, Portadown, County Armagh, reached a ceiling of 1,400gns. Sale leader was the four-year-old cow with calf at foot, Whistlinthorns Mayflower H482, by the Fordel Eisenhower Y423 son, Liss Best Man. The buyer was P Owens, Ballygawley, County Tyrone.

Next best at 1,080gns was the April 2008-born Whistlinthorns Mayflower H537. She is by the Rawburn Transformer son, Liss Bonny Man F707, and was snapped up by John Best from Poyntzpass.

AVERAGES: 18 bulls £2806; 4 show heifers £1549; 9 cows from dispersal £993 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).

Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt are celebrating the anniversary of four years of business at Sedgemoor Auction Centre.

The auction centre opened in January 2008, and since then throughput of livestock has increased by 30% from 278,000 head in 2008 up to 359,000 in 2011.

And according to auction partner Robert Venner, who is in charge of sales at Sedgemoor, sales of prime cattle have risen from an average value of less than £800 to more than £950, with the best selling for well in excess of £1,400. This increase in value of finished cattle has reflected back through the store cattle, stirk and calf trades. Best calves are now selling for more than £400, compared to £300 in 2008.

Similarly prime lambs have increased from an average of less than £60 a head in 2008 to close to £90 in 2011. This increase in value has also been mirrored by the store lambs.

However, the most encouraging improvement in trade for farmers has been in their cull stock, says Mr Venner. Barren cows have increased from £560 to £730 and cull ewes from £31 to £78 on average.

Meanwhile breeding ewes have increased from an average of £60 to £113. And suckler cows have also increased in value dramatically, when both residual meat and rearing calf values have led the way.

With regards dairy cattle, Mr Venner says trade has returned to the level of two years ago with the best heifers now selling for more than £2,000 with very few cows and heifers selling for under £1000, fuelled by the strong barren cow trade.  

Gimmer hoggs hit £800 at the annual show and sale of Blue Faced Leicester females at Skipton Auction Mart.

Taking the champion and reserve champion title at the show, as well as the two top prices of £800 was father and son duo David and Robin Booth, who run the Smearsett flock of Old Hall Cottage, Feizor.

The title winner (pictured above), 2968/D30, is by the home-bred B13 Smearsett, also known as Black Tag, out of a dam sired by the £17,000 ram, W2 Lunesdale, from Gordon Rawsthorne at Nether Kellet, Carnforth. She sold to the Hewness flock of Kevin and James Wilson at Blubberhouses.

Meanwhile the reserve champion (pictured above), 2968/D43, is by C1 Shafthill, bred by John Smith-Jackson at Haltwhistle, near Hexham, while the dam, by T1 Lunesdale, also bred Peter Fell's renowned stock tup at Castle Hill, near Ulverston. She also sold for £800 and goes to join the Micklaw flock of Will Wildman in Kirkby Malham.

Other leading prices on the day included £650 for the first prize in-lamb female.  This 2-shear ewe 2782/B24, came from the Chelker flock of Joe and Nancy Throup at Berwick Intake Farm, Draughton. By the Dalehead sire 2945/A1 and in-lamb to the Cumbrian sire Y5 Hewgill, she sold locally  to James Middleton, of Arncliffe.

Next best at £600 was a home-bred gimmer hogg from the Ilkley Moor flock of 2011 show champions Ellis Brothers, of Addingham Moorside. By Ilkley Moor B23, a son of Neil Marston's Z4 Hundith, and out of an ewe by the Ellis's own Kirkby Redgate sire, she found a new home with Brontë breeder A P Percival, who runs a small flock of Blue Faced Leicesters at Haworth and also purchased last year's title winner.

The show was judged by Chris Heath of Macclesfield, who breeds Blue Faced Leicester, Mule, Swaledale and Beltex.

A strong trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society's Spring Bull & Female Sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart yesterday realised a centre record average of £3,135.

In all, 29 out of the 30 bulls found homes to achieve a 97% clearance rate with averages up over £400 on the year. Nine out of the 11 heifers forward  sold to an average £2,292 - up £789 on the corresponding sale in 2011, and another record average.

Top price of the day went to the Overall Supreme Champion, Rahoney Fantastic, bred by Messrs H & D McFarland, Trillick. This May 2010 born bull carries a Beef Value of LM+37 and was sold for 4,800gns to Mr R Matthewson, Newtownstewart, for his commercial herd.

Rahoney Fantastic is sired by the herd's stock bull Drummin Beau, a Mas Du Clo son purchased privately from Mr J McInerney, Limerick. The dam of Rahoney Fantastic is the homebred Homebyres Visitor daughter, Rahoney Bethany, who also holds Tanat Mostyn bloodlines. Judge Mrs Mary Reynolds, Buriton, Petersfield, Hampshire had earlier put him up as her Champion in the pre-sale Show. 

Second top price of 4,700gns went to Ballynahone Fantastic bred by Mr R Henderson, Tobermore and sold to Mr N Donagh, Londonderry. This September 2009 bull had been placed second in a very strong intermediate class where the top three placed bulls averaged £4,130. Ballynahone Fantastic is sired by the prolific 42,000gns Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the dam Sarkley Velveteen, a Ronick Gains daughter. He was sold with a Beef Value of LM+40.

Next best were two bulls at 4,100gns apiece. First into the sale ring was Ballyrobin Firestone, the Reserve Senior Champion, consigned by Miss J Gilliland, Antrim. May 2010 born, he is sired by Ironstone Bomber and is out of the homebred dam, Ballyrobin Scallywag. Purchaser was by Mr P Rafferty, Forkhill.

Also achieving the price of 4,100 gns was Millgate Finlay, the Junior and Overall Reserve Champion. This September 2010 born bull, bred by Mr M Loughran, Dunamore is by the AI sire Rocky and is out of the Pelletstown Ken daughter, Carmorn Tanya. He sold with a Beef Value of LM+27 to Mr W Ferguson, Wheathill, Derrygonnelly.

Three more bulls fetched bids of 4,000gns. Mr & Mrs R J Campbell, Templepatrick, Ballyclare achieved this price for both their bulls: Ashmore Fivestar, sired by Wilodge Vantastic, when heading to Mr D Clark, Antrim; and Ashmore Floyd, sired by Milbrook Tanko, when snapped up by Mr K Farrell, Fivemiletown. Also achieving 4,000gns was the Intermediate Champion Eniver Fran, a Rocky son bred by Mr M McKeefry, Garvagh when going under the hammer to Mr E Charlton, Honey Haugh, Forfar, Scotland.

Female trade was equally strong with a top price of 3,800gns for the Female Champion, Grenville Frances, brought forward by Mr G Clarke, Keady. This September 2010 born heifer is sired by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the dam Aghadolgan Buttercup, a Sarkley Sebastian daughter.  Grenville Frances now heads to the herd of pedigree breeder Mr A Geary, Keady.

Second top price of 3,000gns fell to the March 2011 born heifer Aghadolgan Great bred by Mr RAG Savage, Coleraine.  This young heifer is sired by Sympa and is out of the homebred dam Aghadolgan Blossom, a Haltcliffe Underwriter daughter. Her new home is the pedigree herd of Mr M McKinstry, Nuttscorner.

Third top price of 2,800gns went to Erne Fannyanne bred by Mr R Crawford, Maguiresbridge.  This September 2010 born heifer is by the French-bred bull Vigot and is out of the dam Cloughhead Cracker. New owner is Mr O Miskelly, Belfast who runs the pedigree Chefcog Herd.

Averages: 29 Bulls £3135.30 (+£403.30), 9 Heifers £2292.15 (+£789.15)  

>> Pictures to follow

Charolais and Simmental breeders look like being on a fairly safe wicket at next week's Stirling Bull Sales if the opening fixture was setting a trend.

Bidding kicks-off next Monday with an entry of 175 Simmental sires followed by 250 Charolais on Tuesday.

This premier fixture for Charolais breeders marks the start of the breed society's 50^th anniversary year but while pedigree breeders may be in celebratory mood it's the exceptionally strong demand for Charolais store cattle in recent months that's expected to produce stiff competition for crossing bulls among suckled calf producers.

But while EBV figures will continue to factor in a growing number of bull buyers' selections, the challenge will be choosing bulls that demonstrate the breed's reputation for high growth rate along with the "safety factor" of a good Calving Ease figure.

Dig deep enough into the catalogue ahead of the sale and those bulls are there. Achieving a Terminal Sire index of over +60 and a Calving Ease of over +10 is achievable and the bulls are available - but the "curve bender" sires are bound to be the ones that quickly ratchet up the bidding next week.

Banffshire breeders John and Raymond Irvine were in the limelight when they took the championship at the Stars of the Future event at Forfar last November with their Charolais bull Inverlochy Fencer. By the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger - the Dingle Hofmeister son that sired the breed's 70,000gns record breaker - he has a Terminal Sire Index of +44 and a Calving Ease figure of +10.5. Fencer looks like one to watch.

Hofmeister comes through strongly in entries from Carlisle-based breeder Peter Vasey who offers a Terminal Sire Index of +45 and Calving Ease figure of +8.2 with the Hofmeister son Edenhurst Faberge while Robert and Kay Adam's Newhouse entries by the 10,000gns Balmyle Churchill boast EBV figures bound to command attention.

And there's no shortage of aspirational vendors parading Bollinger sons, among them Fifeshire's Andrew Stevenson with Bonerbo Fire  - a bull with a Terminal Sire Index of +44 and Calving Ease figure of +13.2.

Neil Massie's string includes Blelack Fantastic, the first son of the 15,000gns Goldies Dynamite and out of a cow by the 25,000gns Thrunton Socrates. Fantastic has a Terminal Sire Index of +82 and a Calving Ease figure of +1.7 Major Walter's Balthayock bulls by Balmyle Churchill and Balthayock Adonis will certainly find favour among those demanding high ranking performance data.

And it's a case of "back to the future" for those who remember the furore caused by the introduction of polled genetics into the Charolais breed almost 30 years ago. Now the poll-factor is back with bulls on offer next week by the French sire Unico from Charlie Boden's Sportsmans herd and Danny Wyllie at Newroddige.

Lancashire Simmental breeder Michael Barlow returns with another string of bulls by Ashland Tornado - the bull that sired his 17,000gns top priced Denzies Amazon at this fixture last year. And Michael Durno of Ballindalloch is hoping for more good fortune with sons of Saltire Talent who sired the 20,000gns Auchorachan Wizard at this sale two years ago.

Back in 2009 Dressogue Victorious was the first bull to be sold by Co Tyrone breeder Seamus O'Kane. He made 14,000gns and stood reserve champion. Next week Seamus will lead his sole entry Dressogue Barney into the ring - a full brother to Victorious and with a terminal Sire Index of +65.

Farm manager Adrian Ivory brings the first sons of Victorious to next week's sale from the Strathisla herd backed up by some good Breedplan figures.

Skerrington Vanguard, the Corskie Proton son bought for 10,000gns in 2008, has bred well for Finlay McGowan at Dirnanean. Vanguard sons with EBV figures bolstered by strong maternal traits from Dirnanean will be worth checking out.

Lachlan Quarm's only entry is Annick Brandy which stood reserve junior male champion at the Scottish National Simmental Show and is one of the first sons to be offered by the successful show winning bull Annick Valentino who is by Sterling Nelson.

Willie Robson and Sons bring a strong team from their Kilbride Farm herd at Ballyclare including the Seaview Prince Charming son Kilbride Farm Benone. Reckoned to be one of the heaviest and fastest growing bulls ever bred in the herd, his terminal Sire Index of +88, Calving Ease figure of +2.4 and Self-Replacing Index of +90 gives him a top 5% breed ranking. He achieved 858kg at 400 days and is out of a powerful cow by Dovefields Gallant. Who said size doesn't count?

(United Auctions)

The first "suck" lambs of the season went under the hammer at Exeter Market today and topped at £96.50 for a pen of 54 kg pure-bred Poll Dorsets from Messrs DH & H Mildon & Son of Cadbury, near Exeter. Overall average was 213.75 a kilo or £87.12 a head.

Although the sale was somewhat overshadowed by an unexpectedly large entry of just over 1000 hoggets, the 104 suck lambs met a good trade and were up nearly £9 a head on the year. Top price per kilo was 233p for a pen of 37.4 kg lambs from Mr F E Tucker of Pennymoor, Tiverton.

Dennis Mildon, who runs 400 Poll Dorsets, started lambing at the end of October and despite the wet winter had managed to keep ewes and lambs outside.

"They've been on grass all the way through and the lambs have had some creep, but they've never been inside," said Mr Mildon.

Although prices were up on last year he had expected a bigger lift. "But this is only the first sale and our lambs may have been a bit heavier than we like them to be but most were singles that we'd kept hold of for this sale."

He sold 22 lambs on the day at an average weight of 45.5kg. "We'll be selling lambs every week now but the ideal weight for this trade is 42-44kg."

A spokesman for Exeter Market Auctioneers said the coming weeks would see suck lamb numbers steadily increase. "Last year it was March 14^th before we had above 100 lambs and numbers jumped to 368.

"But I think some traditional sellers have lambed a bit later this year in the hope of targeting more lambs at the Easter trade which should start to have an impact on prices by late March."

(Exeter Market Auctioneers)

The e-commerce company Semenstore has announced the export sale to France of semen from the British-bred Limousin bull Carmorn Copilot.

The sale is thought to be the first semen sold, from a UK-bred Limousin bull, back to France - the home of the Limousin breed.  Details of the semen sale have followed hard on the heels of the first export sale to France of a British-bred Limousin bull, Grange Gervaise, just under a fortnight ago.

A quantity of 150 straws of Carmorn Copilot has been sold on behalf of the bull's owner, Derek Hume, Maghereagh Road, Randalstown, Northern Ireland to KBS Genetic, Beauvalet, France. KBS now plans to market this semen to pedigree and commercial Limousin breeders within France.

Commenting on this export first, Jean-Luc Kress of KBS Genetic said: "I first saw Carmorn Copilot together with his calves and his dam in April 2011 and took the decision there and then to import semen. I like the shape of UK Limousin genetics and think they will work well on French cows. I'm delighted to be importing the first semen straws from a UK-bred Limousin bull back to France."

KBS Genetic was set up in 1998 and sells semen throughout Europe and Australia. It also exports livestock Europe-wide, having recently been responsible for the export of 700 head of pedigree cattle to Russia in 2011 with another shipment of 1,000 head planned to Kazakhstan in 2012.

The four-year-old Carmorn Copilot was bred by Francis McAuley, Toomebridge, N Ireland and has a wealth of breeding behind him.  He is sired by the prolific 42,000gns Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the dam Carmorn Penny, whose sire is Pelletstown Ken. Penny has been a consistent breeding cow and has sold calves up to 10,500gns at auction.

Carmorn Copilot is owned by Derek Hume who farms in Randalstown, Co Antrim alongside his wife, Heather, and sons Graham, Gary, Ian and Ryan who all share an interest in the farm. Heather also works part-time as Secretary of the Northern Ireland Limousin Cattle Club. The Humes' Culnagechan pedigree herd has expanded to between 50 and 60 pedigree Limousin breeding cows over the last 9 years since its establishment in 2003.

A sample of bulls on offer from the Newhouse herd of Messrs R M Adam and Son, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar, saw the big bids in the Limousin ring with their entry of nine bulls seeing an average of £8,377.

Topping the trade at 16,000gns was black bull, Newhouse Black Fullback (Lot 580) with 95% black genetics black coat. The fact he was homozygous for black and polled genetics was the main attraction for purchaser, Keith Redpath, Redpath Farms, Spylaw Farm, Kelso.

"It's hard to find a good black bull with these features. I was needing new genetics and this bull had everything that I haven't got in my cattle. I have a lot of black heifers needing something to go on them."

Fullback, which is a son of Tamarvalley Boscastle and out of Newhouse Bess, will join the herd of 10 cows and will possibly have semen collected from him to be sold through Mr Redpath's AI stud. He has a beef value of +33 and a calving ease EBV in the top 25% of the breed.

Next best at 15,000gns was another offering from the Newhouse herd, this time (lot 579 below) Newhouse Black Frisky - a Tamarvalley Boscastle son with a beef value of +55.

 Overall champion Elrick Falcon (lot 508 below) from Mr M J Massie, Mains of Elrick, Ellon, was secured for a 12,000gns bid from Murray Alexander, Mains of Mause, Perthshire.

This one is by Wilodge Vantastic and out of Elrick Caroline and sold with a beef value of +34.

Then at 11,000gns was the reserve senior champion (lot 518) Dyke Fugitive from Messrs J R MacGregor, Dyke Farm, Milton of Campsie.

Dyke Fugitive has a beef value of +18 and an above average figure for calving ease. This Drumduff Champ son sold to C Coubrough and Co, Whelphill, Crawford.

Snapped up for 10,500gns was Stephick Flashi (lot 574) from local bidder Stephanie J Dick, Westerton of Cowie, Cowie.

This is the first bull to be sold from the Stephick herd and has come from a run of show successes last summer, including reserve breed champion at Kinross Show and third place at the national Limousin show. He has a beef value of +40 and sold to Drunhilla Farm, NI.

At 9,000gns it was lot 589, Newhouse Fabain from the Newhouse herd. This Hudscales Bigboy son sold to A and R Paton, Easter Greenhill, Falkirk. He has a beef value of +34.

At 8,000gns was another black bull from the Newhouses, this time lot 581 Newhouse Black Freelander. He is by Hudscales Bigboy and out of Newhouse Vivian and has a beef value of +51. He sold to Macmillan, Ballimartin Farm, Isle of Islay.

Averages: 75 bulls forward, £5,202 (88% clearance) United Auctions

Caption: Lot 603,Mr P Boyd's Drumaglea Yeoman   

There are 10 Saler bulls forward for the sale, with the first of the classes just underway:

Class 1: Bulls born on or between 17 October 2009 and 4 April 2010

1st Lot 604 Messrs Pye's Rigel Hotspur

2nd Lot 603 Mr P Boyd's Drumaglea Yeoman - apparently this bull has turned a few heads around the ring due to his shear size

3rd Lot 608 Whitebog Fantastic from Mr A MacKenzie

Class 2: Bulls born on or after 5 April 2010

1st Lot 611, R and K Livesey's Cleuchhead Zoro

2nd Lot 612, Messrs Pye's Rigel Mars

3rd Lot 614, Cumbrian Camelot from Farmstock Genetics

In the male championship, the top title has gone to Rigel Hotspur from Messrs Pye.

He is a Casimir daughter out of Rigel Horizon. In reserve was Drumaglea Yeoman - a Sancy son, out of Drumaglea Pearl and put forward by Mr P Boyd.

Now on to the female classes:

Heifers born on or before 8 April 2010

1st Lot 631 J and S Manners' Seasmore Faberge

2nd Lot 635 Messrs Pye's Rigel Liga

3rd Lot 630 Messrs Pye's Rigel Prima Donna Poll

Class 4: Heifers born on or after 9 April 2010

1st Lot 638 Seamore Fantastic from J and S Manners

2nd Lot 636 Seamore Rench Rose from the same vendor

3rd Lot 640 Farmstock Genetic's Cumbrian Veritable

Now for the female championship. In the top position it's Lot 631, J and S Manner's Seasmore Faberge. This is a Sire Uktra son out of Sire Vodka.

Reserve spot is from stable-mate, Lot 638 Seamore Fantastic, out of Seawell Betty and by Seawell Beau.

The overall championship title has been awarded to the senior champion (lot 508), Erick Falcon MNU10-008 from Mr M J Massie.

This March 2010 born Wilodge Vantastic son is out of Elrick Caroline and has a beef value of +34.

Judge Eric Norman also favoured the senior class for his reserve overall spot, placing Dyke Fugitive from Messrs J R MacGregor (lot 518) in the second spot. He has a beef value of +18 and an above average calving ease EBV.

Speaking about his champion, Mr Norman said Falcon was a "fine example of what a Limousin bull should look like with plenty of length, good shape and real style."

I've just had a wander around the ringside at the start of the Limousin showing this morning - quite a sparse crowd compared to the last two days. The mood seems to suggest the fireworks will be seen next week at Carlisle, rather than at today's fixture.

A lot of bulls are still yet to be seen in the show ring, but as yet, there doesn't appear to  be a specific favourite ringside.There's 86 animals forward, after a number were rejected at the inspection last night.

We'll keep an ear to the ground to see if the mood changes as more bulls make it out into the ring....

After the females, we're now on to the bull classes here at the show ring in Stirling.

The Limousin showing is well underway at United Auctions here in Stirling where judge Eric Norman has awarded the title of female champion to Mr M Burns' Shaws Florence (lot 623). This one is by Ronick Gains and out of Lowbarn Baccia.

Visitors to the Perth Bull sales not only witnessed a new individual Shorthorn breed record, but also a new breed average record..

In all, a total of 71 out of the 79 bulls put forward went under the hammer, with the breed average up £354 on the same time last year to £4,991.

And the Shorthorn Society's Frank Milnes puts much of the breed's renaissance and flying trade down to the Morrisons premium which has seen demand for the breed grow among commercial beef producers.

"This is the most bulls we've sold since the nineteen sixties.  It's been a great sale with one or two breeders looking for new stock bulls, but also a lot of demand from commercial producers and new buyers," he said.

Falling not far behind this new breed record of 15,000gns, at 13,000gns, was Harry Horrell's Podehole Drummer (lot 412).  A son of Trojan of Craigeassie and out of Podehole Madeline Tiffany, this one has a TSI of +17 and a SRI of +15.  He was snapped up by M D McMillan, Moneydie Roger Farm, Perth.

There were also two bulls selling at 10,000gns.  Up first was The Hon. G. Turton's Dakota of Upsall (lot 461 above); a son of Broughton Park Thunder and out of Upsall Jilt, this one has a TSI of +17 and a SRI of +21, and was bought by John Scott at Fearn Farm, Tain.

The second bull to hit 10,000gns was another Major J.P.O. Gibb's Glenisla Dam Buster (lot 465).

 This one is by Glenilsa Badendum and out of Glenisla Eva Broadhooks.  It boasts a TSI of +25 and a SRI of +22, and was bought by Dorset-based breeder A Cooper.

Meanwhile, the female champion Chapelton Duke (lot 404), another one from Donald Biggar, sold for 8,500gns to Alvie Estates, Kelso.  This one is by Chapelton Typhoon and out of Chapelton Duchess, and has a TSI of +36 and a SRI of +28.

While the reserve, Blelack Major (lot 422) from Mr G Massie & Sons, sold for 7,000gns to Playfair Farms, Kelso.  This one is by Blelack Secret Service and out of Blelack Mavis, and has a TSI of +13 and a SRI of +11.

A new beef shorthorn breed record has been set in the first half an hour of the bull sales at Perth.

Lot 406 Chapelton Dauphin from Mr D J Biggar sold for 15,000gns. This one is a chapelton Typhoon son out of Chapelton Nettle and has a TSI and SRI of +19.

More information to come.... 

The shorthorn bull sale is just about to begin, first in the ring is lot 391, Crichton Motivator from Mr B Walling - he's sold for 2,800gns.

Lot 392, Triumph of Skaillhouse from Messrs C Macadie and Sons - unsold

Lot 393 Lintonpriory Duke from G R Brooke, sold for 3,000gns on the tictac

Lot 394 Lintonpriory Dollar from G R Brooke, secured for 3,800gns

Lot 395 Sandwick Draughtsman from A and C Ivinson unsold

Lot 396 Holmeere Jugganaught from Mr M A Holmes sold for 2,900gns

Lot 397 Uppermill Jerimo from Mr J Porter, selling for 2,000gns

Lot 398 Langalbuinock Dynamite from R and P McAlister bought for 3,000gns on the tictac

Lot 399 Drednaught of Upsall from the Hon. G Turton, secured for 5,000gns

Lot 400 another from the same vendor, Drummer of Upsall - sold for 6,200gns

Lot 401 Again from the same stable - Dumas of Upsall unsold

Lot 402 Mountbenger Davinci from J F Irvin and Son- gone for 4,000gns

An 18,000gns call topped the Aberdeen Angus trade at United Auctions when J Robert Galloway Esq of Scotbeef Meat Packers, Longleys, Bridge of Allan, sold Cardona Potter to Bob Lane for his Penguin Herd.

This Blelack Prince Conqueror son, out of Cardona Palava has a SRI of +34 and a TSI of +29.

Judge Colin Hutching's picks on the first day of the sale proved popular in the sale ring, with his supreme champion bull, Eastfield Jacobite selling for the next best of 17,000gns.

 This April-2010 born, Rawburn Rochester son is out of Eastfield Jess and sold with a TSI of +35 and a SRI of +38. Put forward by Messrs T H Brewis, Lempitlaw Farm, Kelso and headed to Glassel Farms, Mains of Glassel, Kincardineshire.

Close behind was junior champion and reserve overall champion, Skaill Dido which was secured for 16,000gns from Colin J Davidson Esq, Skaill Farm, Sandwick, Orkney.

He has a TSI of +25 and a SRI of +33 and is by Nightingale Proud Jake. His dam, Skaill Diana was reserve champion Angus RHAS as a two year old with calf at foot. He went to A R Grieve, Carlhurlie, Fife.

Messrs T H Brewis' Eastfield Foreman (lot 299) - picked as a favourite around the pre sale show ring the previous day - then went for 15,000gns. He has a TSI and SRI of +34 and is by Rawburn Rochester and out of Eastfield Fawnia. He sold to G C Taylor Farms, Moncur, Perthshire.

At 14,000gns was The Moss Quebec (Lot 333), an entry from Mr and Mr J Moores.

This May-2010 born bull is by Wedderlie Blackdown and out of The Moss Queenie. He has a TSI of +34 and a SRI of +45 and went to J Porter, Old Glenort Farms, Lisburn.

Next best was Eastfield Justy, the junior reserve champion, which was again sold by Messrs T H Brewis, this time for 13,000gns. This is a Rawburn Rochester son, out of Eastfield Java and has a TSi of +30 and a SRI of +34. He joins the herd of D W Sinclair and Co, Sandwick, Orkney.

The senior champion, Glenbuchat Bruce from David M B Sole, Glenbuchat Farms, Castle Lodge, Glenbuchat, proved popular by ring goers at the pre-sale show, but failed to translate into big money in the ring, leaving the unsold at 11,000gns. However, this Devron Latimer son, out of Dacre Bashful was later secured in a deal outside the ring from M Bruce and Partners, Logie House, Mains of Logie, for 12,000gns.

Again at 12,000gns (lot 329) was Hallington Evolution, a Nightingale Defiance sond from Messrs Alan R Lawson and Son. He sold to G and W Henderon, Ardgay, Sutherland.

 Skaill Doubletake (Lot 339 below) was also secured for the same money. He is a Nightingale Proud Jake son, out of Skaill Diana and has a SRI of +45 and a TSI of +35. From Colin J Davidson Esq, he sold to Macfarlane Farms, Berwickshire.

At 11,000gns was Haymount Willinger from Messrs J and W Arnott, Haymount, Kelso. This Bardrain Eiger son sold to T A and P Johnson, Clarence House, Farm, Brandsby, with a TSI of +33 and a SRI of +42

A 10,000gns bid secured Blelack Lord Hudson (Lot 191) from Messr N F Massie and Sons, Blelack, Dinnet. He is a Netherallan Peter Pershore son out of Blelack Lady Heather whose grand dam, Lady Heather W63 of Blelack is the grand dam of Lord Hidalgo which was Stirling champion and sold for 25,000gns. This one sold to Schivas Estate, Ythanbank, Aberdeenshire, with a TSI of +41 and a SRI of +52.

Messrs T H Brewis' Eastfield Black Buddy (lot 286) also hit the 10,000gns mark. This is a Rawburn Rochester son, out of Eastfield Blackbird and has a SRI of +38 and sold to N I Cahill.

At the same figure was Netherton Mr Admiral (lot 343) from Messrs W and D McLaren, which found a new home with A N G Glennie, Threeburnford, Lauder.

Wedderlie Kallander (Lot 372) from Messrs J and J Campbell also sold for 10,000gns, this time to E S Harcus and Co from Orkney.

Averages: 144 bulls (74% clearance), £5,080;

Lot 271, the supreme champion, Eastfield Jacobite from Messrs T H Brewis just entered the ring and has been secured for 17,000gns.

Lot 319, Junior champion, reserve supreme, Skaill Dido sold for 16,000gns.

Lot 192a, Glenbuchat Bruce had people talking round the ring yesterday, but unsold in the ring at 11,000gns.

Lot 202, reserve senior champion, Castlegate Exocet from C S Addison Esq - secured for 4,000gns