Taking Stock

I see the catalogue for the Border Belgian Blue Club's annual calf show is out. Anyone that knows me will know I have a hankering for the Blue and having looked at the catalogue, I'd say my money is on anything sired by Wilodge Ulex or the notorious Dafydd D'Ochain. I wouldn't be suprised to see the cheque books come out for a few sweet females as well, there are some good male and female lines among that list.

Most farmers would struggle to justify paying more than £1400 for an in-calf heifer, but some cull cows are now hitting these dizzy heights.

Weighing in at 886kg an eight year old Belgian Blue sold at £1.64/kg compared to £1.50/kg paid during the same sale at Market Drayton Mart, Shropshire, for a 975kg Belgian Blue cull bull, fetched £1461.

The cow which was bought as a heifer in Belgium, is now en-route back to her homeland for processing having grossed £1451.

A packed ring side at Friday's evening show of Belgian Blues was a taster for the huge crowds that gathered for the Saturday morning sale at Chelford. The sale quickly assumed a multi-national dimension, selling cattle to Southern and Northern Ireland, Spain, Italy, Holland, as well as parts of Scotland, England and Wales, proving one of the best the society has seen in recent years.

The day's top call of 8600gns was paid for the May 2005 born, Arcanna Alfie, a well muscled black and white bull by the renowned AI sire Twyning Ash Troy, out of a homebred cow, Arcanna Vida. One of the first bulls to be offered for sale by Messrs Deverall, he sold to Orkney-based David Eunson.

Calling all you Belgian Blue fanatics (myself included of course), anyone want to take a guess as to what the famous Wilodge Ulex will make at the major proportion sale to be held in May at Carlisle?

Having had such a tremendous show record, including wins at Beef Expo in 2004 right through to last year taking breed championships at the Royal, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire, no doubt breeders will be desperate to take the opportunity to secure some of his bloodlines in the sale, not to mention the big man himself. If he looks as good now, as he did all last summer, he certainly will cause a stir.

Also up for grabs will be the recently acquired Radieuse - the powerful 2002-born white cow purchased at Carlisle in 2006 for 4,500gns from Andrew Coppinger.

I'm waiting to hear from Christine Williams as to what else will be in the sale, so I will let you know - but bagsie I have first dibs on the sweet yearling heifer she had out last summer (if it's entered of course!).

A vibrant buzz round the sale rings at Dungannon Farmers Mart resulted in an almost full clear out of Belgian Blue bulls and averages creeping £600 up on last year's sale for the Northern Ireland Belgian Blue Club's first export sale.

Auctioneer Trevor Wyllie commented after the sale on the lively trade with a strong demand for quality stock, with nearly half of the bulls forward being sold for export to Southern Ireland.

Yet again the Annanwater herd came up trumps at this year's annual Border Belgian Blue Club open calf show at Borderway Mart.

The male championship went to the Moffat-based Ryder family's Annanwater Brock, a May 2006 son of Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur and out of the Tamhorn Sheba flush.

The female and overall championship also went to the Ryder's with Annanwater Bina - a May 2006 full ET sister of Annanwater Brock.

Having taken Paris' SIMA show by storm earlier this year, Limousin bull Sauvignon, owned by the Crawford Brothers is set to have a star role at this year's Beef Expo, Skipton on 17 May.

Sauvignon will take pride of place on a stand booked by the Crawfords to promote semen from their stock bulls to the export market.

Earlier this year Sauvignon and herdmate Vigot became the first Limousin bulls in the UK to have sexed semen available. Later this year Sauvignon will appear at the Royal Highland, Royal and Royal Welsh shows.

The only other breeder taking space at is Phil Hallhead of Norbreck Genetics who will be exhibiting pedigree Belgian Blue cattle by sires from which he has semen available.

Beef Expo may be the technical event of the beef industry, but once again it was the show of suckled calves which drew the crowds.

Judge for the day was Hugh Dunlop and it was no surprise his task took him a little longer than expected, with a wealth of quality calves before him.

Having caught the eye of noted Smithfield champion exhibitor Mr Dunlop the minute she walked in the ring, the Belgian Blue x Limousin heifer Black Beauty from Tecwyn Jones sparkled in the lightweight heifer class, to go on and take the Continental heifer championship and overall title.

Described as being in just the right condition for this time of the show season, Mr Dunlop told Taking Stock he had no hesitation in selecting the animal as his champion. "I came here not knowing whether I would place a suckled calf or a well fleshed animal, but she had my attention right from the start, oozing great style, ring presence and fantastic locomotion."

The 402kg, nine month old heifer from Carmarthenshire-based Mr Jones, who also runs 45 pedigree Welsh Black's under the Seisiog prefix, was bought privately for an undisclosed figure from noted show cattle producer Trefor Jones. Black Beauty next heads for the Royal Welsh and will ultimately end up at the Welsh Winter Fair.

Well after a rather long drive back from Carlisle - I bring good news from the Belgain Blue sale. I knew when I announced on here there was going to be a few gems from the Wilodge herd entered in the sale, that the sale would see a few history makers, but at that time predications were on a certain bull to top the day's sale.

However, it was the Belgian bred cow Radieuse that caused a stir catching the eye of Northern Ireland Blue and Limouisn breeder Raymond Crawford. Bidding was electric and the dazed and confused look on Christine Williams' face said it all - 30,000gns - she couldn't beleive it!!

Neither could a few other faces round the ring, some of whom had seen the powerful cow knocked down to Wilodge in the same ring back in the autumn!!

Suffolk show as always proved its worth as a true farming show this week, with strong livestock entries in all sections and large farming crowds thronging the judging rings.

Continentals ruled the championship rings as a Charollais ram took top honours in the sheep rings and a Charolais cow rearing twins scooped the beef interbreed silverware.

The sheep leader cam from Jonathan and Carol Barber's Crogham flock of 120 ewes and was bought two years ago for 600gns in conjuction with Stuart Dudley of the Hyde flock.

Bred in Northern Ireland, the tup is by noted sire Southam Bob the Builder and out of a Mawhinney ewe, he previously stood interbreed at last year's Royal Norfolk Show and has been used extensively in both the Crogham and Hyde flocks.

Reserve spot in the sheep lines was taken by the Suffolk champion, a ram lamb from Gordon and Elizabeth Beddie's flock from Swaffham, Norfolk. This January-born lamb had stood first in a strong class under breed judge Helen Goldie before beating off stiff competition to clinch male and breed championship.

In the beef rings the leader was seven year old Charolais cow Moathall Roney from the Wicks family's 80-cow Moathall herd from Mellis, Eye, Suffolk. Roney who was shown with her twin calves at foot was described by judge John White, of Midlock, Biggar, as having an exceptional head and superb topline.

Standing second to Roney was the Limousin leader, Segala from Doug Mash's Brockhurst herd. Five year old Segala was imported from France last year and now heads on to Rutland, East of England, the Royal and the Royal Welsh.

And the Charolais also triumphed in the interbreed pairs competition, beating off stiff opposition from the Belgian Blue pairing to lift the title.


But the Blues did one better taking the group of three title - from the Barwood and Padfield team came Ridge Dean Sherry, Ridge Dean Wren (both with their two heifer calves) and the homebred bull Piggots Artful Dodger.

In the Native championship it was a win for the Aberdeen Angus heifer of Andrew Brown, Hawstead Lodge Pamela.

Meanwhile, the dairy championship was dominated by traditional breeds, with the Jersey leader standing champion ahead of the top British Friesian.

Bolderston and Partners' 2002-born cow Tetfor Hall Danni lead the way having calved in April and given 40kgs a day at the peak of her last lactation. Danni runs as part of the partnership's 80 cow mixed herd alongside Ayrshires and Holsteins.

Following closely behind was 2000-born British Friesian cow Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34 from the Burroughs family's Beccles-based herd.

Taking the Dexter title for the fourth year running was Roseamry and Stuart Creasey with their February 2005 born heifer Langley End Alison, a heifer that had taken the title the year before.

Among the pigs it was another interbreed success for Guy Kiddy's Withersfield herd of Large Whites. Taking the honours for Mr Kiddy this time was his July 2006 born gilt Withersfield Blackberry 151, shown by Shuttleworth college student Stuart Warby.

Reserve pig champion was Carol Knights' Gloucester Old Sow boar Also Sambo from Mrs Knights 12 sow herd.

Among the commercial pigs it was another win for Peter Reeder with a homebred gilt. His winner was a Maximus x Large White x Landrace.

Last week's South of England show was a particularly good one for Taking Stock with both regular contributors invoved in bringing forward champions.

For my part I managed to clinch the interbreed sheep title for the second year in a row with a Southdown shearling ram, while Chrissie helped Thorndean Farms to the Limousin breed title with a two year old heifer, Thorndean At Last, sired by Sheelin Nato.

Elsewhere in the beef lines it was the turn of Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean to lead out the winner, Charolais cow Mortimers Racey. By Gretnahouse Napoleon and out of homebred cow Mortimers Madonna, Racey was shown with a Mortimers Upstart sired calf at foot and just the week before had stood interbreed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

Unshown since 2002 when she lifted the breed championship at the Highland as a heifer, Racey beat the Angus champion, Andrew Brown's heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela into reserve.

Pamela, who stood native champion at last week's Suffolk Show, is by Blelack Black Beret and was led out by Kevin Byford.

Good quality beef cows and calved continue to meet a strong trade, with last Wednesday's sale at Newport Market topping at £1160 for a Belgian Blue cross cow and her March born Limousin sired heifer calf.

Meanwhile, native crosses traded at a top off just under £1000, with a smart 2003-born Hereford cross cow and her April-born Limousin cross steer calf making £910.

A flying trade was also seen for in-calf cows and they topped at £780 for a Belgian Blue cross, while Hereford cows peaked at £770.

A pedigree Limousin bull had drawn a large number of admirers and was finally knocked down at £2050 after some fierce bidding.

Averages: 29 cows and calves - £825; 2 in-calf cows - £720; 1 stock bull - £2,050.

Females dominated proceedings at last weekend's East of England Show, clinching the overall interbreed beef title, the commercial beef championship, the interbreed sheep championship and the interbreed pig silverware.

Leading the way was Doug Mash's French bred Limousin cow Segala from his family's Brockhurst herd. Imported just over a year a go and shown with her November 2006-born calf at foot, Segala now heads to the Royal and Royal Welsh.

Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus champion, Briston Echo, from Duncan Jeary's 60-cow herd. By Tegnose Pensboy and out of Briston Briarthorn, Echo was also shown with her March-born calf at foot.

Heading up the commercial classes was the Limousin cross heifer Miss Moneypenny from Sennybridge-based Elfed Williams. Brought out by Neil and Sally Lloyd of Black and Blue Show Team, Miss Moneypenny was bred by Andrew Davies and cost Mr Williams £7100.

Among the juniors it was the turn of another Limousin, Ironstone Brandy, from Smtihs of Bloxham's Ironstone herd which led the way. By Unesco, Brandy is out of record price Limousin female Bailea Umandy.

Narrowly pipped into reserve spot was Mike and Jean Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Splash, this one was bred by the Skidmore family.

Charolais cattle captured both the individual and pairs interbreed championships at the rain affected Three Counties Show.

Conditions were so bad that interbreed cattle judging was moved inside, where judge Jim Goldie found himself assessing a Limousin bull he bred.

Having made Shamleys Victoria, an outstandingly well grown Charolais heifer from Mrs Jamilla Robinson's herd at nearby Tenbury Wells, his champion, he called on independent referee Martin Jones to decide whether Goldies Trophy should be reserve champion. The bull he sold to Somerset breeder Colin Hutchings three years ago for 6000gns, was given the nod.

The British Belgian Blue Cattle Society is intending to change its name to the ‘British Blue Cattle Society’ in a bid to create its own identity and promote its cattle in the future as British Blues.

Society secretary John Fleming says that after 25 years, breeders have established a ‘British type’ of Blue, suited to the market demands of the meat trade, a trade with incredibly different objectives and attitudes from the continental trade in Belgium.

"We live in times where local sourcing of food is fast becoming a major issue in the UK. This is particularly important when it comes to branding a product for marketing purposes, so the name Belgian Blue does not sit comfortably in these changing times.”

The judging is finally over of the Northern Ireland Belgian Blue herd competition, which has been won this year by Jim Sloan's Ballygrange herd, Kilkeel, Co Down.

Praised by judge Jim Barber of the Astbury herd, Chehsire as being a very good cow herd in every way with not a bad animal to be seen, he even said he'd be proud to own some of the stock himself.

Mel Lucas of Sevenmile Straight, Antrim took reserve overall champion with his Lukeroyal herd, noted by Jim as comprising incredibly consistent cattle.

The best brood cow was Zara Chestnutt's (daughter of Farmers Weekly's Farmer Focus writer Victor Chestnutt) Reinbeck Optica, with Greenfield Bloom belonging to Basil Dougherty awarded the best heifer title.

Springback Blackstar on the Kilkeel farm of Corrina and Ivan Gordon was judged best bull in the 350 mile round trip of Northern Ireland.

With Foot and Mouth movement restrictions likely to be in place for some time, British Belgian Blue Cattle Society secretary has said he is unsure as to what the restrictions will mean for next month's society sale to be held at Chelford.

"It is obviously too early for any decisions to be made, so have no information as to what this will mean for the sale.

"While the source fo the outbreak looks like being linked to the Pirbright lab, we must all keep our guard up and put in place strict bio-security measures on farm as well as being extra vigilant, looking for symptoms."

Although mainland UK had all movement restrictions stopped last Friday night due to the Surrey Foot and Mouth outbreak, the show still went on for exhibitors at the Northern Ireland British Belgian Blue Club Calf Show on Saturday.

Taking the overall championship ticket was Woodview Bertha, exhibited by Coleraine breeder Andrew Craig and family.

The reserve champion’s rosette when to male champion Ballygrange Boss shown by Jim Sloan of Kilkeel, the second triumph inside a fortnight for a British Blue Society vice chairman fresh from winning the breed’s NI Herd of the Year BBG Trophy.

The autumn sale of Belgian Blues at Chelford, which was due to take place on 7th and 8th September has been re-scheduled for Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd September.

The Gala Evening, which will involve a meal for all breeders and show goers, will take place on the night of Friday 21st September.

For more news ont he show and sale go to the Belgian Blue website.

Richard Duff from the Irish Republic plans to judge the only British Blue Cattle Society show and sale likely to take place this October.

The Society’s Northern Ireland show and sale is planned for Saturday, Oct 27 in Dungannon Farmers’ Mart, Co Tyrone with a strong entry expected for this export status event. Judging commences at 10.30am with auctioneer Trevor Wylie in action from 1pm.

For catalogues and directions to this easy access mart tel; (028) 8772 2727.

After many re-schedules and disappointments due to foot-and-mouth and bluetongue movement restrictions, the British Blue Cattle Society finally held a sale at Carlisle last week in conjunction with the Border Club autumn show and sale. And although there was a much smaller offering available prices managed to peal at 6500gns.

Top price on the day went to the much sought after second prize bull Droit Archie from Irish breeder Richard Mowbray, Co Tyrone. A December 2005 son of Hazelwood Freshman and out of an Annanwater dam by Visconti, he now heads to Anglesey-based J Lewis and Son.

The second highest price of the day went to an additional entry from R W and L A Jones. Hazelwood Barnabas, a February 2006 son of Hazelwood Upton, Barnabas also took the reserve male championship under judge Andy Ryder from the Annanwater herd, Moffat. He now joins the Clarebrand herd of Messrs W C McMiken, Castle Douglas.

Having taken the overall championship at Melton Mowbray's primestock show, Josh Bustance's pure Belgian Blue heifer weighing 481kg solf dor 370p/kg to the judge Phillip Andrews of Lincolnshire Meat Co.

....More images from Melton to follow soon.

At the recent Border British Blue calf show at Carlisle, the male championship and overall championship was awarded to Mark and Elaine Hartley, Roughlee, Nelson with Pendle Catterpillar ET a January 2007 son of Serum D'Anloy (IS) and out of the Pendle Wave Flush.

Annual progeny show judge Ernie Hemmings, of the Paulern herd, presents the young handler award to Thomas Hartley, of Nelson, Lancashire, centre, and his helper Robert Capstick.

The British Blue Cattle Society website, was accessed by 6673 visitors in January, making it the most popular UK beef breed on the internet, according to the society.

Visitors read 36,434 pages on a breed. “That the British Blues have the most accessed website of the 22 beef breeds in the UK reflects the steadily growing role of the internet in communicating with progressive farmers,” says breed secretary John Fleming.

Even the regular move from Chelford to Beeston didn't deter strong bidding at the weekend's British Blue Show and Sale.

Topping the day's trade at 9200gns were local producers Keith and Janet Belfield, Derbyshire. Having already regarded Boothlow Batman as the best bull they have ever bred, he has already had a successful show season. Batman is sired by Affute out of a Hazelwood Freshman daughter and was knocked down to Davies and Millichap, Mid Glamorgan.

I've just had all the pictures through from Beeston British Blue sale now, so take a look............I know she was sold open to serve, but I think the wilodge female (Tofleur) was a steal at 3200gns!

A British Blue-cross took championship honours for Ken Fawcett and Sons, of Dale Head Farm, Barden, at the annual Spring show and sale of young feeding bulls at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday.

It was the second year in succession that the Fawcetts had clinched the title with a ten-month-old home-bred BB-cross youngster. Like their 2007 victor, it is by Brookfield Vaughan, bought from Stephen Potter, Thirsk, and now in its third year as a sire on the Fawcett suckler herd.

Exhibited by John Fawcett, the 2008 champion sold for the top price of £960 to Steven Swales, York, who also bought last year’s title winner for £800, signifying improved trading levels this time around.

It was the reserve champion and son of Tamhorn Sumo that got trade going at the British Blue's Dungannon sale on Saturday with a top call of 4200gns.

Ballydougan Brandy, put of Chatham Utility, from Barry Chambers, County Armagh, sold to James Winters, Louth.

Taking the chmapionship honours was Ballylucas Buster, a son of Dafydd D'Ochain. Forward from Downpatrick breeder Sam Cleland, he later sold to G Cowan, County Tyrone for 3500gns.

Local farmers Ken Fawcett & Sons were again in championship-winning form at the store cattle with show potential fixture at Skipton Auction Mart, yesterday.

A ten-month old British Blue-cross white-faced heifer from the Fawcetts, of Dale Head Farm, Barden, landed the spoils, just two weeks after the family had sent out the title winner – another British Blue-cross ten-week-old – at Skipton’s annual Spring show and sale of young feeding bulls.

Both their home-bred champions are by the BB Society-registered Brookfield Vaughan, bought from Thirsk-based Stephen Potter – and now in its third year as a sire on the Fawcett suckler herd.

Exhibited by John Fawcett, the April victor sold for £910 to Jeff Burrow, of Hanlith, Kirkby Malham.

The reserve champion, a Limousin bullock from Chris Akrigg, of Cray, went on to make the day’s top price of £935 when acquired by Matt Townsend, of Laneshawbridge, who also bought a British Blue heifer from the Fawcett family for £900.

Taking the championship at the Border British Blue club's primestock show and sale at Carlisle was W T McMiken, Nether Ernambrie with a heifer weighing 547kg and selling for 177.5p (£970.93) to Mike Atkinson

Taking the reserve championship was M and J Cowen, East Curthwaite Farm with another heifer this time weighing 661kg and selling for 174.5p (£1153) purchased by Charles Kirkaptrick.

For more class results and prices go to the British Blue website.

Harrison and Hetherington held their annual special prize show and sale of store cattle at Kirkby Stephen Mart on Monday where an entry of 1315 head was forward. Trade for quality stores was exceptionally strong resulting in an overall average of £638.76 up £75.63 on the year.

Judged by Andrew Geary, the champion went to D and C E Marston, Easegill Head, whose British Blue cross heifer later sold for £2300 to I Pickup.

I'm just flicking through the catalogue for British Blues at Carlisle and we could be in for a little treat on Saturday.

Anyone care to take a punt on how much Woodview Witchy (lot 183) from Andrew Craig is going to sell for?

Described in the catalogue as one of the best breeding females from the Woodview herd, Witchy is out of the herd's most prolific cow Trixie who has 33 calves registered in the herd book under the Woodview prefix alone.

In terms of bulls it will be interesting to see what the Belgian judge does with last year's show winners, namely Croftends Bruno (lot 14) - last years male champion from the RHS, junior male champion from the Royal Show and reserve overall male champion from the Yorshire.

Results are beginning to trickle in from Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland with the first championship of the day happening in the British Blue classes with Andrew Craig's homebred cow leading the way.

Here's a list of British Blue championship winners so far with pictures to follow shortly........

Supreme Champion - Woodview Britney - bred & exhibited by Andrew Craig

Reserve Supreme - Clougher Wilma - bred & exhibited by Zara Chestnut

Champion Male - Magheradroll Benjy - bred & exhibited by John Young

Champion Female - Woodview Britney bred & exhibited by Andrew Craig

Senior cow - Clougher Wilma - bred & exhibited by Zara Chestnutt

Pairs - Springhill Coconut and Springhill Barbie - bred & exhibited by Martin Bros

For all of you out there who plan to be keeping up with the action on Saturday for live sale coverage of the British Blue sale in Carlisle I have a huge apology to make.

We're currently going through loads of technical changes to the way blog posts go up (too technical to bore you all with and believe me I don't really understand them either) and I've just been informed that Taking Stock will be out of action on Saturday as it is undergoing more changes.

This obvioulsy means I might not get live coverage of the Blue sale out to you until later Saturday afternoon or even later that evening - sorry! I'll do my best I promise!

I will be ringside at Borderway Mart on Friday afternoon so should be able to bring you the section championships, as well as a few predictions on the sale. If anything big happens I'll keep you updated on the Farmers Weekly forums during the sale.

Topping trade at Tuesday's annual store sale at Middleton in Teesdale was a second prized Limousin steer from J C and J white, Rigg Farm selling for £1150 to T D Hough and Sons.

The champion on the day also came from the White family and sold for £960 to J Fenwick.