Recently in Charolais Category

Scottish Charolais breeder Murray Lyle has landed an export deal to send a batch of semen from Lamerpark Champion to the Mexican Charolais Society, via UK Sire Services.

Champion is by Weybread Archie and out of the homebred Lamerpark Ripple; he has a TI of +33 and a SRI of +32.  He was bred by Dr D G White, Wheathampstead, Herefordshire, and has previously won overall Scottish National Charolais Show campion and Royal Highland Show junior interbreed champion.

The export deal comes about following a visit by the Mexican Charolais Society to the Perth Bull Sales in autumn last year, which also resulted in visits to various Charolais herds across the UK.

Commenting, Mr Lyle said:  "The delegation selected Champion for his frame and the growth that his genetics will offer to Mexican pedigree and commercial producers to enhance their already high performance Charolais.  They were also very impressed with his muscling and easy fleshing qualities."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charolais females met a solid demand selling to a top of 6,300gns in Welshpool last week when Kevin and Sioned Thomas, Newcastle Emlyn, staged a major reduction from their Moelfre herd.

Sale topper at 6,300gns was Moelfre Eirlys TI +33, SRI +35, a two year old Burradon Talisman daughter, out of a Moynton bred dam and sold in calf to Gretnahouse Vigorous. The buyer was breed newcomer, Mark Swistun, Llanforlais, Gower who went on to buy two more lots including at 4,000gns Moefre Crystal TI +29, SRI +17, a Major daughter sold with her five month old heifer, Moelfre Gail by the 8,500gns Newhouse Chicago.

Next at 6,200gns was the split cow and calf pair, Moelfre Aur, a six year old Killadeas Jack daughter and her eight month old bull, Moefre General by Chicago. Aur went for 2,800gns to DL George and Son, Cardigan, while General made 3,400gns to CM Hughes and GT Jones, Machynlleth.

At 5,500gns, Moelfre Desire TI +31, SRI +23, a three year old Greatnahouse Vigorous daughter and out of a Mowbraypark bred dam sold to AL Evans, Coedbryn, Llandyssul. She was accompanied by her five month old heifer, Moelfre Goldie by Allanfauld Norseman.

Moelfre Becca TI +54, SRI +55, a five year old bred by Gretnahouse Ultimate and out of a Ffynnon bred dam, together with her bull calf, the five month old Moelfre Gladiator, by Texan made 5,200gns to JS Abel, Cwmdelan, Llanidloes.

Two entries shared a 5,000gns bid. First in the ring was the split lot, Mowbraypark Starshine, a 10 year old by Brampton Chopper and her yearling bull, Moelfre Freddy TI +26, SRI +17 by Chicago. Starshine sold in calf to Chicago for 1,800gns to DG Davies and Sons, Aberaeron, while Freddy made 3,200gns to TWC Williams, Llanwrddfa, Carmarthen.

The second 5,000gns call came from J McGuigan, Maghera, County Derry for Moelfre Arian TI +30, SRI +26, a six year old by Thrunton Torreador and out of a homebred dam by Allanfauld Norseman. She was offered with her Chicago sired four month old twin heifers, Moelfre Goldilocks and Moelfre Glena.

Averages: 21 cows and calves £4,140; 11 in calf heifers £3,131; 11 maidens £2,367; 2 bull calves £4,620. (Welshpool Livestock Sales)

It was smiles all round at the British Charolais Cattle Society's show and sale at Welshpool where a new centre record of 12,000gns was paid for a bull from Kevin Thomas's Moelfre herd.

The average of £3744 for the 70 bulls sold was also a record for this venue on a day that saw a storming trade for Charolais bulls and a strong demand from suckler calf producers prepared to go the extra yard for top-notch sires.

Speaking after the sale, BCCS chief executive David Benson said buyers were clearly responding to the solid trade for suckled calves this autumn.

"We're seeing resurgence in demand for Charolais bulls and there were plenty of new buyers at the ringside. The market was chokka-block with people - the biggest crowd we've ever seen at this sale."

Top call came for Moelfre Fabulous TI +57, SRI +43. This 21-month-old bull is by the 8,500gns Newhouse Chicago and out of a homebred dam from Kevin Thomas's herd at Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn. Buyer was Mark Swistun, Llanforlais, Gower who takes him to head-up his new pedigree herd after using Charolais sires on his Welsh Black suckler herd.

Fabulous stood reserve breed champion at the 2011 Royal Welsh Show but at Welshpool he took the supreme ticket awarded by judge Alasdair Houston of the Gretnahouse herd.

"Fabulous was a well-balanced, well finished and powerful bull with breed character; he stood out in his class as well as the final line up and had all the attributes to join a pedigree herd," commented Alasdair.

Mr Thomas also sold two more sons of the 8,000gns Inverlochy Verne. First to go at 5,800gns was Moelfre Feisty TI +43, SRI +38, a 20-month-old out of a homebred dam going back to Mowbraypark Paramount. The buyer was Greystoke Castle Farms, Penrith.

At 4000gns Moelfre Fanfare TI +33, SRI +39 was taken by E Lewis, Lower Chapel, Brecon.

The day's second highest bid of 7,800gns came from W Price, Llaithddu, Llandrindod Wells to secure Wesley Folio TI +48, SRI +48, a 17-month-old entry by Balthayock Aesop and out of a cow by the 20,000gns Thrunton Trojan. Bred and exhibited by Wesley Estates, Markfield, Leicester, Folio was the final entry to be sold from the 150 head herd which was dispersed last month.

Herd mate Wesley Fugitive TI +34, SRI +37 made 4,200gns to Gipsy Hall Farm, Wilmcote, Stratford upon Avon.

At 7,500gns Seawell Festival TI +53, SRI +53, a 17-month-old bull by the 30,000gns Thrunton Voltage and out of a homebred dam going back to Maerdy lines, was sold by Peter and Sheilagh Donger, Foxley, Towcester to J L James, Clydach, Swansea.

Seawell Ferguson TI +64, SRI +55, an 18-month-old son of Seamore Archie and out of a Maerdy sired homebred dam, made 5400gns to E Lewis and Sons, Forge, Machynlleth.

Belan Format, by Moelfre Champion and consigned by J Abel, Cwmbelan, Llanidloes, made 7,200gns to near neighbour M Bound, Tylwch, Llanidloes while a bid of 6,800gns secured the reserve champion Trefonnen Foynavon for J and P Owens, Shobden, Leominster. He was bred and exhibited by Mr and Mrs Roy Hughes and is by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort.

There were two bulls at 6,000gns: Carrigbeg Frankie (by Goldies Unbeatable) from R J Butler, Rudford, Gloucester sold to T Lightfoot, Callington, Cornwall while Pedr Fonzy (by Blelack Tycoon) TI +41, SRI +43 sold to W Bowen and Son, Llanbister, Llandrindod Wells. Vendor was Peter Howells, Llanwenog, Llanybydder.

Averages: 70 bulls £3,774; 4 heifers £1,955.63; 2 cows and calves £1,680.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales 

There was 100% clearance in the 19 females presented for sale with the top money seen for the Caithness herd reduction of D and M Campbell, Cruachan, Lingland, Lybster.

A 3,000gns call was shared by three entries, the first of which being (lot 924) Caithness Dotty. This one is by Caithness Torpedo and out of Caithness Susan.

At the same money was (lot 929) Caithness Erin, an in-calf heifer by Fairway Aircontrol and out of Caithness Topsy.

Then (Lot 928) in-calf heifer Caithness Elenor sold for the same money to Mr Iain Goldie. She is by Fairway Aircontrol and out of Caithness Viera.

Close behind at 2,700gns was Caithness Elisa (lot 927), a Fairway Aircontrol daughter out of Caithness Morag.

The last of the day was Allanfauld Duray (lot 935), this time from A MacGregor, Allanfauld Farm, Kilsyth, Glasgow. Duray sold with her male calf, Allanfauld Glayva at foot for 2,500gns. She has a SRI of +32 and a TSI of +37 and is a Hareston Tyrol daughter out of Allanfauld Uray.

The Charolais breed record has been smashed with a whopping 70,000gns bid for Barnsford Ferny (Lot 858) from first time sellers, Tom and Sheena Gatherer of Barnsford.

Bought by Charlie Boden, Mellor Hall, Stockport for his Sportman's herd of 70 cows, this is a new breed record which replaces the 56,000gns record set in 1989 by Maerdy Director and is the dearest bull ever sold in Scotland.

To make the sale even more exceptional Ferny is the first animal ever put up for sale by the couple who have three cows at 9 Brownsfield Holdings, Barnsford, Inchinnan - a herd which was only established in 2007.

The bull is by Balmyle Bollinger and out of Alwent Broom and has a TSI of +39 and a SRI of +44. And helps take Mr Boden's five year spend on Charolais genetics up to £200,000.

The overall male supreme champion and intermediate champion Thrunton Fearless (Lot 806) was then secured for 16,000gns.

From J H C Campbell & Sons, this one is by Burradon Talisman and out of Thrunton Tranqulity. Fearless is full brother to Thrunton Crownprince supreme champion in Perth February 2009 which sold for 20,000gns.

Two bulls made 14,000gns, the first of which was the reserve intermediate champion, Brampton Fugitive (lot 797) from Mr G W Turner, Brampton Hall, Skelton on Ure, Ripon.

This one is a Trefonnen Crouch daughter, out of Brampton Rumandraisen and has a SRI of +21 and a TSI of +19.

The second at this money was Godlies Fantastic (lot 880) from Mr H Goldie, South Bowerhouses, Dumfries.

He is by Goldies Ambassador and out of Goldies Verynice and was snapped up by a telephone bidder. This one has a SRI of +65 and a TSI of 68.

Greenall Franklinroosevelt (lot 792) from Mr J R Green, The Craggs, Lilliesleaf, Melrose, then went for 11,000gns. He's a Newhouse Bigal son and out of Thrunton Cascade, with a TSI of +42 and a SRI of +29.

Another two then went for 10,000gns, the first being Harestone Funky (lot 849) from Mr N R Barclay, Harestone Farm, Crathes, Banchory.

 This one has a SRI of +40 and a TSI of +45 and is a Goldies Unbeatable daughter out of Harestone Arene.

The reserve senior champion, Blelack Fabulous (lot 765) then made the same money.

He's from Mr N F Massie, Culblean, Blelack, Aboyne and has a SRI and TSI of +57. He is by Swalesmoor Bayonet and out of Blelack Usweet.

Lot 858 Barnsford Ferny has fulfilled pre sale predictions, selling for a whopping 70,000gns - the dearest bull ever sold in Scotland.

This one is from T and S Gatherer and by Balmyle Bollinger and out of Alwent Broom and has a TSI of +39 and a SRI of +44.

Bought by Charlie Boden, Mellor Hall, Stockport for his Sportman's herd, this is a new breed record which replaces the 56,000gns record set in 1989 by Maerdy Director.

Mr Boden has spent £200,000 on Charolais genetics in the last five years, including a 26,000gns bid on a Goldie bull and 45,000gns for Maerdy Express in February this year.

Mr Boden picked out Ferny in the pens yesterday and chose his new bull for his style, presense and locomotion. He will become the main stock bull for his herd of 70 cows and they may also take semen from him.

Ferny is the first animal to ever be sold by the Gatherers who have a three cow herd at 9 Brownsfield Holdings, Barnsford, Inchinnan which they established in 2007.Following their sale, they are looking to move up to five cows.

When Gemma was out by the show ring yesterday, the general feeling around the ring was that there were three bulls to look out for in the Charolais sale ring:

Thrunton Fearless (Lot 806) from J H C Campbell and Sons - this one is by Burradon Talisman and out of Thrunton Tranqulity and has a TSI of +44 and and SRI of +47. He was overall champion yesterday.

Lot 858 could also do well - this is Barnsford Ferny from T and S Gatherer. He's by Balmyle Bollinger and out of Alwent Broom and has a TSI of +39 and a SRI of +44.

Third is Lot 764, Blelack Figaro from Mr N F Massie - he's got a TSI of +49 and a SRI of +46 and is a Balthayock son, out of Balmyle Ursula.

The sale starts at 10.30am - so we''l keep you up to date with live results as the sale progresses....