Recently in British Blue Category

Once again the Richardson family of Ghyll House, Dufton, were the dominant force at this year's show and sale of show potential cattle at Penrith. Fast becoming the specialists in their field the Richardsons put forward both the champion and reserve in the pre-sale show and collected the top five prices in the sale.

Leading the money was their August-born Limousin cross heifer Double the Trouble at £9200.

Saturday's sale of British Blues at Chelford may have lacked a five figure headline sale, but there was a strong demand for the cattle on offer, and, according to the society buyers were attracted by the breed's strong cull values among other attributes.

Top price of the day was a 7500gns sale for the best of the bulls on offer, Ballykeel Diesel from Daniel Rogers, Northern Ireland. This son of Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur is out of Ballykeel Angel, an As De Trefle daughter and stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show. He sold to commercial producers Messrs Wood, Reddich.

Then at 6300gns was Holirow Cannonball from Mark Hambleton. This one is by Cajoleur De Rettigny and out of Widewath Voluptuous, a Serieux De Fooz daughter. He was taken by S and C Morris, Craven Arms.

Selling for 6100gns was Whitmanor Designer from Martin Clarke, Brackley. Sired by Wilodge Ulex and out of Whitmanor Rhapsody, an Inexes De La Croix De Mers daughter, this black bull sold to D Sawris, Halifax.

Bentham Auction saw a new centre record price for Store Cattle achieved at this Tuesday's Great Annual March Show and Sale of store cattle.

A fantastic entry of 38 excellent quality show cattle, were presented before judges William Ketley, Colchester and John McAlister, Falkirk, with both judges praising the quality of stock.

In the championship line up it was Graham Jackson, Bentham with his first prize senior heifer that was tapped forward by William Ketley to be the overall champion. This 15 month Limousin heifer bred by M and W Richardson of Buttermere, is by Hudscales Volvo.

Reserve champion went to the first prize junior heifer from D Broadbent, Ludenfoot. The 11mo Lim x BB Heifer was homebred by Mr Broadbent.

The sale saw a packed ringside of prospective purchasers and spectators when the champion from Graham Jackson entered the ring. After much frenzied bidding it knocked down for the tremendous price of £2120, achieving a new centre record price for store cattle, with the successful bidder being Ian Pickup of Great Harwood.

The Reserve Champion from Mr Broadbent was purchased by the pre-sale judge for £950. Mr Ketley also purchased the first prize junior steer from Nether Hall Farms for £1100. 

Championship honours at last week's Border British Blue Club calf sale went to the Croftends herd of the Bellas family, with Croftends Emma, an Empire D'Ochain daughter out of Croftends Belle. This ET bred calf goes back to Daffyd D'Ochan on her maternal side and was born in January last year.

Reserve overall was the reserve female champion Lyonpark Evelien from Carrrick Primestock. Again ET bred this one is out of Woodview April by Gitan Du P'Tit Mayeur and has lines back to Gagnant Du Moulin Derbaix. She was born in February last year.

Meanwhile top spot in the male classes was won by Kevin Watret, Annan, with Solway View Emirates. He is by Bringlee Blackstar and outt of Annanwater Venice. He is also ET bred and was born in January 2009.

In reserve spot in the bulls were Mick Gamble and Sarah Rigg, Hownham, Kelso, with Sharplaw Engineer. This is an ET bred son ot Empire D'Ochain out of Cowden Blueberry.

Here's a selection of photos and top prices from Saturday's sale of show potential calves at Ruthin. I've not got the full report yet, so don't the buyers of these top priced lots, but will update you once I've got the right information.

Top price was a £4600 call for a Limousin cross steer from Messrs Bowen.

Last Wednesday's sale of show potential calves at Skipton saw prices reach a high spot of £2100 - a new centre record - for the overall champion, a seven month old British Blue x Limousin heifer from Chris Askrigg, Manor Farm, Cray. This one is by the herd's stock bull Almeley Sweep, bred by Graham Morgan.

The champion then went on to sell the show judge Richard Priestley, Denholme, Bradford. Mr Priestley then also bought the second highest priced lot of the day, a seven month old pure British Blue heifer from J C Walker and Son, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe.

Messrs Walker also sold the first prize bullock from the British Blue class to Geoff Burrow, Kirkby Mallam, at £1100. First prize heifer from the Limousin class from E and M Townley and Son, Clapham, sold for £1100 to TWH Farming, South Yorkshire.

Two calls of 9000gns topped British Blue trade in Carlisle today, both of whihc securing bulls from Michele Wilde's Bedfordshire herd. The first was for the March 2008-born Ridge Dean Dynamo (lot 21) who stood male and overall supreme champion under judge Richard Carter of the Twyning Ash herd.

This ET-bred son of Empire D'Ochain is out of one of the herd's great cows Ridge Dean Navette. With good performance figures culminating in a carcase yield of +22, he knocked down at 9000gns to NG Beveridge, Top Law, Co Durham.

The next at the same money was a half brother Ridge Dean Delta (lot 22). Again by Empire, this one is out of Ridge Dean Navette and sold with a carcase yeild score of +24 having stood third in the same class to SG benson, Ulverston, Cumbria.
Second highest bid of the day from the shown bulls on offer was one of the earlier lots in the ring, Clonmore Ben (lot 5) from Oliver McGuinness. This October 2007-born bull is by Baron Du Bois Bauloyeand out of Clonmore Violet. This one is no stranger to life on the Northern Irish show circuit where he picked up the junior male, male champion and overall breed champion at Balmoral. He also won the Bull derby at Castlewellan. He sold for 8500gns to commercial producers Messrs Metcalfe, Penrith, Cumbria. 

Next at 7800gns and the best from Co Londonderry-based Andrew Craig's offering was the first prize Woodview D Best (lot 36). Again, by Empire, this one is out of the Ridge Dean Physical daughter Woodview Alice. He sold with a carcase yield value of +25 to Richard and Julia Carter for their twyning Ash herd in Dursley, Glos. His full ET brother Woodview Dave (lot 32) sold for the next highest price of 6200gns to HG Blaxell and Sons, Norwich, Norfolk.

After years importing Belgium Blue semen and cattle from their Belgium homeland, one of the UK's main 'Blue' genetics companies has reversed the trend.

This month, Norbreck Genetics saw their 10 month old British Blue bull, Norbreck Express depart for Belgium.

Express is a son of Bringlee Volkawagon out of Norbreck Baltimore - one of Norbreck's highest index, naturally calving brood cows. He was sold to the Belgium owned AI company, FABROCA whose team were impressed by the bull's pedigree and confirmation.

The British Blue is recognised globally for the functionality that UK breeders have introduced into this heavily muscled animal, says Philip Halhead, Norbreck Genetics MD.

"After successfully completing the rigorous health and genetic defect tests we finalised the sale and shipped our bull to Belgium."

Norbreck has been working with FABROCA for some time and have already exported two bulls on behalf of other breeders, but this is the first Norbreck bull out of a naturally calving cow to be exported.

"Whilst selling Blues to Belgium could be describes as selling snow to Eskimos, the UK is producing a more modern animal," says Mr Halhead.

"These early stages are just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few years, UK breeders must look at export markets to strengthen sales of the British Blue, particularly from high health herds."

The champion and first British Blue bull in the ring from Andrew Bellas, Croftends Dan, an ET bred son of Hazelwood Freshman out of Clonberton Petrinia, sells for 3500gns to Terry Coghill, Orkney.

The next, from Carrick Primestock, Lyonpark Dendermonde, by Widewath Ace out of Unthank Amy, sold for 3900gns, while from the Greens, Oxcroft Dragonslayer by Kisinger sold for 3300gns.

Store cattle at yesterday's show and sale at Carlisle hit a top call of £1105 for a Charolais cross steer from Rose Farm. Others of the same breed sold to £1060 for Sideway Bank.

Limousins from Rose Farm also topped that breed, with a £1060 bid, another from the same home made £1050, while one from Millerhill sold to £1055.

Champion on the day was a Limousin steer by Easegillhead Triumph from the Trafford family, Bassenthwaite Hall Farm, which went on to sell for £1045 to D A Wilcock, Gladden Hay, North Ashton.

Both the official British Blue Society sale and the Bringlee production sale due to take place at Carlisle next Friday have been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions which are forecast to continue for some time to come.

They have been rescheduled for Friday 19 February. The Deehaven Holstein sale which was postponed on Wednesday has been rescheduled for 20 January.

Following the sale of British Blues at Carlisle next week will be the second Bringlee productions sale, and like the first there look to be some real gems on offer next week.

First to take my fancy is Bringlee Damy, a Bringlee Waldo daughter out of Carrock Amy, a Daffyd daughter. This black heifer's dam is half sister to an 11,000gns bull and she carries a carcass value of +16.

Then comes Bringlee Duana, a Raciste daughter out of the exceptional show cow Bringlee Sandy. As a maternal brother to Waldo, Volkawagon and a host of other bulls this one really is one to watch.

Next up is Bringlee Desiree, a Sandy daughter by Sjaka Zoeloe Van Zwaanhof. She stood first at both Agri Expo and the Welsh calf Show where she was also champion. then immediately after is her full sister, Bringlee Dorinda, she was shown twice as a calf, standing second both times to herd mate and previous lot Bringlee Desiree.

And a few lots later is Bringlee Emma, a Waldo daughter out of Burton Ulrika, she is full sister to Bringlee Darcy sold for 6000gns last year as a calf.

Following that is Bringlee Electra, a Bringlee Blackstar daughter out of Belgian cow Cerise 2120 Neuve Cour. She was breed and interbreed champion at Nantwich and looks one to watch for this year.Her full sister Elvina sells next and could be another to watch.

Close behind is another of interest is one from Boomer Birch's guest consignment, Boomer Ebony. This is by Waldo and out of Boomer Bambi, a Daffyd daughter.

After that catching my eye are a brace of Sandy heifers by Graphite, these could be an interesting combination of genetics. The first is Bringlee Estelle, while the second is Bringlee Elvadine. Estelle was first prize intermediate heifer at the Welsh calf show.

Among the embryos on offer is one by Gamin Des 3 Frontiers and out of Boomer Armani, dam of Boomer DKNY and Boomer Dior, both of which made their mark on last year's show circuit, this is already implanted into a recipient and is due in June.

As always this is only a brief selection from the catalogue and there's bound to be more you take a shine to than I've mentioned so please feel free to add a comment or two.

One of the first pedigree cattle sales of 2010 will be the British Blue sale at Carlisle next week and its an interesting move by the society to hold a sale in January, here's hoping the weather improves a little by then to allow a good company of vendors and buyers to reach Borderway Mart.

Looking through the catalogue a few lots have caught my eye, although as ever there's bound to something you've marked which I haven't, so feel free to add a comment later.

The first I've spotted is the fifth lot, Clonmore Ben from Oliver McGuinness. This Baron son has an impressive show record having been breed champion at Balmoral last year and also the winner of the bull derby at Castlewellan show. He should be of interest to a few breeders.

Then lot eight, Bringlee Christo, out of the famous show cow Binglee Sandy and by Flash D'Izier is offered. Sandy is one of the most sought after female lines in the breed, so this ET bred son may well attract the bids.

And then I've spotted what look's like the best on offer from Michelle Wilde, Ridge Dean Dynamo. This Empire son is out of the good breeding cow Ridge Dean Navette and has a carcass value of +22.

ET bred exactly the same way is Ridge Dean Delta. He's has an even more impressive carcass value of + 24 and must rank well in Michelle's eyes as she's used him on heifers at home.

Combining some of the best blood available is Snowy Ridge Dynamite. This is by Ballygrnage Alex, Danny and Jane Wyllie's impressive stock bull which was champion at last year's Royal, and out of Ridge Dean Wondering Gem, a Ridge Dean Jessie daughter.

And speaking of Alex, the next lot in is a maternal brother to him. This is Ballygrange Dudley, a Twyning Ash Vaughan son out of Ballygrange Roxy.

Andrew Craig has an interesting run of ET bred bulls on offer, the pick for me being Woodview D Best, an ET bred son of Empire out of Woodview Alice. He carries a carcass value of +25. Full ET brother Woodview Dojo has a carcass value of +21.

Weanling trade at Carlisle maintained recent high prices with a Limousin steer from Closehead selling for a top call of £740 .

Close behind was a British Blue heifer from Low Plains selling for £730.

A Limousin heifers from High Wood Nook took the next best money of £708.

Two entries then sold for £690. The first of which was a Gelbvieh steer put forward by Closehead. The second was a Limousin bull from Hill Top Farm.

Also from Closehead was a Limousin heifer which sold for £680.

Two British Blue steers from Garriestown Farm went on to sell for £668 with two Limousin Steers going for £650 a head.

Five British Blue heifers put forward by Low Plains went for £648.

Among the bulls two entries from Campingholm sold for £632. The first of which was a Limousin bull, the second a Blonde d'Aquitaine.

The cattle judging at AgriLIVE started this morning with the suckled calf classes.

In first place in the suckled heifers weighing 319 to 343kg was the heifer calf, Tinkler Maidgie, a Limousin from Hugh Dunlop, Ayr. She is by Silex and out of a Limousin cross and weighed in at 331kg.

In second place was J and S Wareham's heifer, Black Betty. She is by the British Blue, Pendle Valley and out of a Limousin.

Close behind was Fi Fi, a eight month old Limousin put forward by J L and D A Davies, Warwickshire.

The first prize for suckled heifers weighing 374 to 396kg went to Poker Face from Charlotte Alford. This 11 month old was bred by Dick Dunmore, Falkirk and is by the Limousin, Attila and out of a Limousin cross British Blue.

In second was Peaches, a eleven month old by the Limousin, Vivaldi and out of a Limousin cros British Blue.

Among the steer calves, born after 1^st January and weighing up to 425kg, Bees Knees from A and E Vance took home first prize. This one is by the Limousin Dyke Triumph and out of a Limousin cross.

In second place was Red Rob, put forward by J L and D A Davies. This six month old is by the Limousin, Wilodge Vantastic and out of a British Blue cross Limousin.

A 590kg British Blue cross steer secured the top price of 250p/kg at the recent Christmas Fatstock Show and Sale, Hull.

He was put forward by T and B Boothroyd and Son, Crown Farm. Welwick and was purchased by show judge, Brian Laverack of A Laverack and Son Butchers Shop, Holme.

At the next best money was a Limousin cross steer weighing in at 535kg. He was exhibited by J L White and Son, Eastrington and sold to Mr Laverack for 212p/kg.

The reserve champion pen on pigs exhibited by ACMC of Beeford sold for 135p/kg to F Dillon, Hessle Road, Hull.

The champion pen of pigs, put forward by the same exhibitor went for 130p/kg to R and S Wholesale Butchers, Hull.

Among the sheep, the champion pen from Bishop Burton College, Beverley sold to T Wallis, Ye Olde Pork Shoppe, Beverley for £162/head. And the reserve pen from N Harland, Walcot went for £89/head to D and J Coulson Livestock.

A British Blue heifer from the Walker family, Dunsop Bridge, took the championship at Clitheroe's Christmas show and sale of prime cattle.

This one weighed in at 460kgs and sold at 340p/kg to Alan Beecroft of Country Style Meats, Clitheroe.

Reserve champion was awarded to T W Pickard and Son, Great Harwood, with another British Blue heifer which weighed 426kgs and sold at 219p/kg to the same buyer as the champion.