And now we're on to the Salers sale...

 

The British Blue sale at Carlisle  got off to a flying start with a bid of 7,700gns for lot 4. October 2009 born bull Strathbogie Elliott is by Nether Hall Buster and out of Strathbogie Britney and was put forward by J C Innes and Sons.

Second best was Lot 2, bull Rathylon Dave selling for 6,800gns. This is a entry from Malcolm Telfer and Helen Claxton and is by Empire D'Ochain and out of Rathlyon U-Beauty.

 

Then at 6,000gns was the male champion, Lot 3, Seaclan Duke. This one is by Empire D'Ochain and out of Bringlee Baroness - a Sady x Baron daughter. Duke won second prize at the National show in Tullamore.

 

Springfield Freddy (Lot 7) from A J and D A Wilkinson was then secured for 6,000gns. This June-2010 born Blak Du Baty D'Eprave son is out of Springfield Astra.

 

Next best was in along the females, with a bid of 3,500gns for Rathlyon Dinah put forward by Malcolm Telfer and Helen Claxton. She is a Heros Du Peroy daughter out of Bringlee Baroness - a full sister to Bringlee Blackstar and Solway View Dynamite.

 

The special sale of British Blue bulls and females is kicking off at 1pm today with the show starting at 11am. FW can't make it up there today, but we have our spies out so we'll bring you the prices as they happen....

A total of 15 calves from a 77-strong entry topped £300, with an overall selling average price of £205, at a solid opening New Year show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart.

 

With many fresh faces at a packed ringside, notably from the east and west of the region, prices peaked at £380 for the show champion (pictured), a five-week-old British Blue bull calf from West Craven's John Dinsdale, of Rainhall Farm, Barnoldswick.

 

Mr Dinsdale was stepping up on his reserve championship success at the opening 2011 calf show. Buyer of his 2012 title winner was Michael Wilshaw, Warrington.

 

The reserve championship fell to the first prize five-week-old Limousin heifer calf from Mark Ashworth, of Fishes and Peggy Hill Farm, Clitheroe. The daughter of the Genus sire Mighty Prince sold for £345 to CG & AJ Sutcliffe, of Wetwang, Driffield, who also bought the first and second prize dairy bull calves at £145 and £140 from Malcolm Mossley, Riddlesden, and Ken Wright, Airton.

 

Mr Ashworth also had the top price Limousin bull calf at £295, which joined another east coast buyer M Ward at Harwoodale, who secured two further top price performers in the Charolais and Simmental bull calf classes at £375 and £365 respectively. Both were shown by Geoff Eccles, Worsthorne.

 

Mr Ashworth was also responsible for the first and second prize native bull calves, the Aberdeen Angus red rosette winner joining P & A Rowley, Wigan, for £265. The same buyers also paid £345 for the top price Limousin heifer calf from Graham Hayton & EC Stocks, Bolton Abbey, and £310 for a Hereford bull calf from JR CJ & D Drake, Thornton, Bradford.

 

Geoff Booth, Lothersdale, presented the first and second prize British Blue heifer calves, the victor becoming a further acquisition at £335 by Michael Wilshaw, the blue rosette winner selling at £330 to Paul Drinkall, Gargrave.

 

A black and white bull calf from first time exhibitor Ian Goss, Wortley, Sheffield, and a Murray Grey bull calf from Vickers & Richardson at Langdale End on the east coast both sold at £300. British Blue bull calves averaged £365, heifers £305, and Limousin bull calves £214, heifers £240.

(CCM Auctions)

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In the cross bred steer sired by a pure bred British Blue class, the first prize has gone to 670kg Ice Man (93) from R J Wright. In second it was Sticky-Wicket from Michael Kirby (87), weighing 630kg and in third, 628kg Mr T (96) from Mr J Clayton.

 

The Cross bred heifer sired by a pure bred Charolais bull class has been won by 604kg Queen Bee from Hugh Dunlop. In second, it was 540kg Hips Don't Lie from the same exhibitor and in third, Edge of Glory from J Nisbet.

 

The cross bred steer sired by a pure bred Charolais class has been won by Dazzler (103) from W M Owen. This one weighed 638kg. Then in second was (114), 646kg Mr Brightside from Hugh Dunlop. Third was awarded to Golden Delicious from Ewan McPherson and Sons. He weighed 490kg.

 

Michael and Melanie Alford won the Cross bred heifer sired by a pure bred Limousin 530kg and under class with 512kg Real Thing. In second was another from the family, Smarty Pants. Third was 528kg Miss Chevious from Bett and McKay.

 

In the 531-580kg category, B E Williams walked away with the top prize with Apricot. In second was Berwyn Hughes' Mercedes and third was taken by 536kg Sedgewick and Slack's Flossi.

 

In the class for Limousin sired heifers 581-625kg, it was T A and L C Lyon and Son with Cher, weighing 596kg. Second was Rosey from Mr K Ludgate and third, C N Red from the Rice Family.

 

In the last of the Limousin heifer categories, for animals weighing 626kg and over, it was

Arfon R Jones' Secret Obsession. Just 4 Play from Sedgewick and Slack was placed second, weiging 666kg and third was Dance With Me from J Nisbet.

 

Mickey Finn from Hyslop and Richardson was placed first in the cross bred steer sired by a pure Limousin bull 530kg and under. He weighed 518kg. Swagger Jagger from J Nisbet came second and weighed 524kg and Red Star from K D Harryman, third.

 

In the 531-600kg category, I'm Your Man from Mr and Mrs M Alford took to top spot, weighing 548kg. Second was Rockafella from Ewen MacPherson and Sons weighing 544kg and third, Pocket Rocket from T A and L C Lyon and Son.

 

In the crossbred steer sired by a pure bred Limousin bull 601kg and over, Sedgwick and Slack has secured the number one spot with The Real Deal. In second it was M Morris with The Game and third, Top Gun from Berwyn Hughes.

 

Heifer sired by any other continental breed went to David Hall's Bazadaise x, Penny Lane, which weighed 654kg.

Limousin x, Tyson from Mrs R Parker has won the cross bred steer sired by any other continental breed. Second was British Blonde x, Hot 4 Blonde from Louise Todd. Both weighed 616kg.

 

 

 

A dispersal of Limousin and British Blue Cattle held at Venton Farm, Whiddon Down on the edge of Dartmoor for Mr Alan Cottle who is selling the farm saw a top price of £2,230 achieved for a pedigree Limousin cow with calf at foot.

Nimboboteign Topgirl a June '02 born female with her six month old bull calf at foot lead trade with plenty of others close behind with the top four lots selling to an average of £2,047.

In the British Blue department the pick of the sale of females with their spring born calves at foot topped at £1,970, a good percentage up an over the £1,700 barrier.  A run of 27 British Blue incalf heifers hit £1,110, with 15 exceeding the £1,000.

Auctioneer Alan Webber at Kivells and Husseys we were delighted to see a massive crowd of buyers in attendance and ready to purchase quality travelling to the sale from Lands End to Bristol ensuring that all classes of stock on offer sold at premium price levels.

A Limousin bull, Tomschoice Finite, triumphed at the annual autumn pedigree event for beef breeding cattle at Skipton Auction Mart this week.

The 17-month-old bull from the North-East Limousin Society champion Tomschoice herd of Jamie and Sarah Cooper at Hill Top Farm, Harrogate, sold for 2,600gns to RP Holt of Rossendale.  This one is by Brontemoor Aceofspades and out of Tomschoice Ultra.

Other leading prices included 2,350gns for a 20-month-old British Blue junior bull, Littlebank Felix, from the Littlebank herd of HR & WJ Maudsley at Rathmell, Settle.  This one is by Bluegrass Cyclone and out of Pendle Chattocks.  It goes to a new home with Jimmy Baines of Trawden.

While, a 19-month-old junior Limousin bull, Brontemoor Flashback sold for 2,100gns to Philip Huges, Angram, York.  This one was put forward from the Priestley herd and is by Doonbeg Andrew and out of Brontemoor Uturn. 

Only one of the three British Blue bulls on offer, secured a sale at Stirling, with champion Tamhorn Friar Et (Lot 471) going for 4,500gns to Mr Gordon from Achnahannet, near Grantown on Spey. This one was put forward by D & J Wyllie from Tamworth. It is a son of Ballgrange Alex and out of Tamhorn Wee Daisy, and boasts a British Blue pedigree breeding index of +14 and a British Blue caracse yield index of +14.

Reserve champion Headlind Eyecatcher (Lot 467) from T Allan Jackson went unsold at 1,600gns, and Harestone Freddy Et (Lot 470) from Neil R Barclay was also unsold at 1,800gns.

Salers female sales went along a similar route with only one of the five on offer securing a sale in the show ring. The top price went to Rigel Elise (Lot 504) from Messrs Pye, which sold for 2,200gns to Mr Murphy at Craigiedaff, Kincardineshire. This one is a daughter of Rigel Othello and out of Rigel Elizabeth.

The outlook was slightly better for the Salers bulls with four of the nine on offer securing new owners in the sales ring.

The top price went to MacKenzie's champion bull Whitebog Ensign (Lot 453), which sold for 6,800gns to McConchie from Mains of Penninghame, Newton Stewart. This one is a son of Uni and out of Whitebog Laura.

The reserve, Drumsleed Blaze (Lot 455) from G & M Smith went for 3,600gns to Mr Murphy from Craigiedaff, Kincardineshire. This one is a son of Poldean Umbro and out of Rigel Colleen.

The breed averages from yesterday's sales are in. They are as follows:

Males:

Aberdeen Angus: £4,650 (42 sold)

Shorthorns: £4,125 (7 sold)

Limousins: £4,350 (54 sold)

Salers: £4,278 (4 sold)

British Blues: £4,725 (1 sold)

Females:

Aberdeen Angus: £3,697 (26 sold)

Aberdeen Angus, Kitewood dispersal: £2,821 (44 sold)

Shorthorn: £2,601 (91 sold)

Limousins: £1,561 (12 sold)

Salers: £2,310 (1 sold)

United Auctions

Reserve champion - Headlind Eyecatcher (Lot 467) - from T Allan Jackson, unsold at 1,600gns.

 

(Lot 470) Harestone Freddy Et from Neil R Barclay unsold at 1,800gns.

 

Champion, Tamworn Friar Et (Lot 471) from D & J Wyllie, secured at 4,500gns.

MacKenzie's Whitbog Ensign took first place in the Salers class 1 category and overall male champion title.  This one is a son of Uni and out of Whitebog Laura.

British Blue bulls sold to a high of 8000gns at Carlisle on Saturday, with the sale topper Richard Mowbray's Droit Ebenezer, a Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur son out of Droit Alana, an Affute Du Ry Ossogne daughter. This ET bred bull sold to J C and S E Little, Thursby, having stood second in the pre-sale show.

Second best sale was a 7000gns bid for Solway View Extreme from Maulscastle Farming Company. Another by Gitan, this one is out of Broomfield Vixen, a Baron Du Bois Bauloye daughter and sold in a two way split to H Cockburn and Partners, Leadburn, West Linton, and J and S Wilson, Saline, Dunfermline.

A trio then traded at 6000gns, with the first at this money being Kelowna Ferdinand from R S and C L Pattinson. This Bluegrass Cyclone son is out of Kelowna Brandy, a Dafydd D'Ochain daughter and has a carcass yield index of +23 and an pedigree index of +21. He was knocked down to J L Hartley, Much Wenlock.

Following on at this price was Tamhorn Ferdinand from Danny and Jane Wyllie. Sired by Empire D'Ochain he is out of Tamhorn Tinkerbelle, a Cristal De Somme daughter and sold with a carcass yield index of +17 to E J Ivinson and Son, Skirwith, Penrith.

The final 6000gns bull was another from the Wyllies, Tamhorn Fagan. This ET bred son of Ballygrange Alex is out of Tamhorn Wisteria, a Ministre Du Bouchelet daughter and has a carcass index of +18 and a pedigree index of +22. He found a new home with T P and E A Clayton, Boston Spa, Wetherby.

And making 5000gns was Whiterock Firestorm from G R Jones. This is by Serieux De Fooz and out of Ridge Dean Jessie, a Park Daimler daughter. He headed to Norfolk with Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield.

In the females on offer the best call was a 2500gns bid from Michael Kirby, Holsworthy, Devon, when buying Lukeroyal Faberge from Mel Lucas. This Lukeroyal Battle Axe daughter is out of Lukeroyal Confetti, a Twyning Ash Vaughan daughter and has a carcass index of +12.

Averages; 38 bulls £3605.92, six maiden heifers £2065, five recipients with calves at foot £2089.50, one in-calf recipient £1837.50 (Harrison and Hetherington). 

A strong show of suckled calves, many with show potential sold to an eager ringside at Carlisle on Saturday, with the overall average rising more than £190 on last year.

The top call of the day of £3500 was paid for a Limousin steer from Robert and Michael Scott, Thirlwall Castle.  This steer was by Cloughhead Titanic and out of a Limousin x cow and was purchased by Gavin Scott, Gateside Farm, Linlithgow.  

The Scotts also had the next top call at £2800 this time with a red Limousin heifer by Hafodlas Vance.  She was purchased by Gordon Park, Henmoss.  The overall champion from the pre-sale show achieved the day's third top price at £2600. This was a black Limousin heifer from Philip and John Trafford, Bassenthwaite. Sired by the herd's stock bull Sablier and out of a ⅞ British Blue cross dam, she sold to Mike Rowland, judge for the pre-sale show.

Breaking the £2000 barrier again were three excellent black Limousin heifers from Thirlwall Castle by a home bred bull. The sold at £2500 and £2100 (twice) and were bought by Gavin Scott, Gateside, K D and D E Millar and Partners, Crookholm, Canonbie and T C Edwards, Corwen, respectively.

Also at £2100 was the first prize British Blue heifer from Andy Ryder, Blackhamilton Farm, she was purchased by Willie Timm, The Reddings, Strathaven.

The last to hit the £2000 mark was another Thirlwall Castle heifer which was purchased by Trevor Lyon, Lintre House, Thurlby.

Averages; steers £1004.55, heifers £908.96 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Saturday's sale of Show Potential cattle ay Sedgemoor reached a peak of £1410 for the pre-sale champion, a Charolais x Limousin x British Blue steer from D E and S J Cheacker, Bristol. This one is eight months old and likely to appear on the winter show circuit.

At £1200 was the reserve champion on the day, a Limousin cross steer from Vicky Maynard and Matt Smith, Cullompton.

A run of 11 purebred Limousin steers from Messrs Counsell Partnership, Cheddar, sold to a high of £1135 and averaged in excess of £1000, with the entire run by Rombalds Utah.  (Greenslad Taylor Hunt).

 

Taking home the title of baby beef champion, was a heifer from M LL Howatson and Son, Ty Newydd, Denbigh.

 

Minnie M is by a Limousin and out of a Limousin cross British Blue. This was the first major show for the heifer, having been placed second and third in two local shows.

 

Weighing 422kg, she is one of 130 sucklers farmed by the Howatsons and was shown in the ring by Glyn Howatson. Her next outing will be at the Limousin Society's 40^th anniversary show at Carlisle.

 

In reserve was Take a Chance on Me, a heifer from I Tudor Edwards, Bronddwyryd, Corwen. This one is by a Limousin and out of a Limousin cross British Blue.

 

Overall commercial beef champion went to the senior commercial champion, Black Beauty.

 

 

Weighing in at 518kg, this homebred heifer was put forward by Tecwyn Jones, Ty Newydd, Llanrwst, and shown in the ring by Gerwyn Jones.

 

She had been placed first in her class at the Shropshire Show earlier in the year and will be heading to the National Limousin Show at Carlisle next weekend. This one is by a Limousin sire and out of a British Blue cross dam. She is one of 40 cows owned by the family including 30 pedigree Welsh Blacks and 10 commercials.

 

For his reserve spot, judge Mr C J Hutchings bought the reserve senior commercial champion, Look at Me from Robin and Leri Roberts, Mathafarn Bach, Llangefni, into the ring. This heifer was put up against the baby beef champion. However, he eventually favoured the younger beast, Minnie M.

 

Commercial classes:

 

Heifer, 425kg and under

1st: M LL Howatson and son's Limousin cross British Blue, Minnie M;

2nd: I Tudor Edwards' Limousin cross British Blue, Take a Chance on Me

 

Heifer 426kg and over

1st: Tecwyn Jones' Limousin cross British Blue, Black Beauty;

2nd: Robin and Leri Roberts' Limousin, Look at Me

 

Senior steer champion (over 426kg)

Tecwyn Jones' Jager Bomb; res, T C Edwards a'I Feibion's Oh Boy

 

Champion senior commercial animal

Tecwyn Jones' heifer Black Beauty; res, Robin and Leri Roberts' heifer, Look at Me

 

Baby Beef commercial champion

M LL Howatson and Son's heifer, Minnie M; res, I Tudur Edwards' heifer, Take A Chance on Me

 

Supreme commercial champion

Tecwyn Jones' heifer Black Beauty; res M LL Howatson and Son's heifer, Minnie M

 

 

Fourcrosses Maximus Pineapple, a Jersey cow in milk bred and exhibited by ME & AW Wright of Tixall, Stafford, took the Dairy inter-breed Championship at last weekend's Newport Show, Shropshire amid stiff inter-county competition.

 

Praised by Lancashire-based judge James Tomlinson for its correctness and style, Pineapple comes from a herd of 200 Jerseys run by the Wright family which has enjoyed several show successes already this summer. Pineapple pipped local Holstein breeder Wilfred Maddocks' cow in milk Wyndford Mr Sam Margi 5 - that took several top national titles in 2010 and was on its first outing of 2011 - into Reserve.

In the Beef inter-breed Championship Christine Williams of Shifnal, Shropshire saw her Jan 2010-born home bred Limousin bull Wilodge Fastrac take its first overall inter-breed Championship of the 2011 show season under the scrutiny of judge Alistair Smith from Leicestershire.

 

Described as a tremendously powerful beast by Mr Smith, Fastrac made it a trio of titles from a trio of 2011 show outings having been acclaimed Breed Champion at Devon County Show and Overall Inter Breed Junior Championship at the East of England Show earlier this summer.

 Commercial Beef Champion title went to Gilbert Brooke's smart Belgian Blue cross heifer purchased at last winter's English Winter Fair, Stafford having subsequently taken the Commercial Beef title at the recent Staffs County Show. 

Sheep inter-breed Championship went to Robert Gregory's two-shear home-bred Charollais ewe Edstaston Jodie which accumulated most points from the multi-breed panel of judges. "Having only taken a fourth here last year this is tremendous," said a jubilant Mr Gregory who has 70 pedigree ewes selling surplus stock as replacements.

 

.

Top price at Saturday's sale of British Blues at Chelford was a 5000gns bid for female champion from the pre-sale show Chalford Manor Elite a January 2009 born heifer from David Plested.

This one is a Tamhorn Sumo daughter out of Lukeroyal Wee Beauty. She was sold in-calf to a Limousin and went home with G E Davies and Son, Newtown, Powys.

Best of the bulls was the male and overall champion from the pre-sale show Ashledge Emale, from A G Kirton and Sons. This powerful July 2009, Bringlee Volkawagon son is out of Ashledge Angleina and realised 4000gns to Messrs Baldwin, Wigan.

Selling for 3800gns was Graymar Europe from Matthew Jones, Shrewsbury.  This November 2009 son of Sjaka Zoeloe Van Zwaanhof is out and out of Deeside Abigail, a Blak Du Baty daughter. He sold to J S Stevenson, Skipton. 

A pair then sold at 3500gns, with the first being Inishfree Erazmus, the reserve male champion from Nottinghamshire based Alan Bromyard.  Erazmus is a Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur son, out of Inishfree Willow and  sold to commercial producers Messrs Mycock and Bright.

Also making 3500gns was the first bull in the ring, May 2007 born Newton Blues Chico from A M and E Hartley, Lancashire, who went home to Oswestry with S Hudson. 

At 3300gns was New Close Express Star from Messrs Wilson. He is by Bringlee Blackstar and sold to J H Pridgeon, Louth, Lincolnshire.

In the females the next best call was a 3300gns sale for Lukeroyal Ellen, an August 2009-born heifer bred by Mel Lucas, but offered this time by Drew Coppinger. She sold to Mr Stevenson, Skipton.

Another heifer from David Plested, Chalford Manor Echo, by Gitan and out of the Vigoureux sired Court Ursula made 2900gns to Messrs Greenwood, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

Commercials

Top call of £1900 in the commercial cattle forward was paid for Nigel Pritchard's six month old heifer, which had stood first in her class and reserve champion crossbred in the pre-sale show.  The heifer was snapped up by Kevin Watret, Annan, Dumfriesshire.

Next best at £1700 was the champion commercial a 10 month old steer from T M and E E Williams, Llandidloes. The hammer fell to R J Clayton, Bradford.


Averages; bulls £2915, females £2222, crossbred steers £1073, crossbred heifers £1217 (Frank Marshall).