Then at 2600gns was the best of Myfyr Evans run, a lamb by Parkgate Hurricane out of a dam by Trevadlock Dynamite.

And at 2000gns was the pre-sale show champion from D J Curran. This one was by oulrice Eurostar and out of a homebred dam.

Meanwhile, the Royal Highland Show interbreed champion, Logie Durno I'm Yer Man from Willie and Carol Ingram has now been sold outside the ring at 3750gns, having passed unsold earlier at 3200gns.

First at this money was Banwy Jetsetter from Arwel Owen. He's by Gawsworth Fieldsman and out of a dam by Rutland Ensign. He sold to a Dutch buyer.

And Arwel's second in the ring was the next to make 1900gns. This was Banwy Just the Job. Again by Fieldsman, he's out of a dam by Southam Easy Rider.

The Royal Highland Show interbreed champion, Logie Durno I'm Yer Man from Willie and Carol Ingram went unsold at 3200gns. But the pre-sale show first prize shearling ram Logie Durno Iron Bru, by Logie Durno Hurricane, sold at 1500gns.

More results and pictures to follow in due course.....

This one, from the WernFawr flock, is by good breeding sire Foulrice Eurostar and out of a homebred ewe. Standing reserve was another tup lamb, this time one from Willie and Carol Ingram's Logie Durno flock. He is by Rockvilla Golden Promise, last year's Royal Welsh Show interbreed champion, and out of a homebred ewe. He's a Myomax Gold lamb and is out of a dam by Foulrice Chieftan.

The Ingram's were also successful in the shearling tup class, taking first prize with an entry by Logie Durno Hurricane. This was Logie Durno Iron Bru and is out of a dam by Foulrice Apache.

It will though be a poignant reflection of the management of the show that it will close its doors in the same year as the Royal Highland has achieved record attendance numbers and the Royal Welsh has record livestock entries and is anticipating a huge crowd too.

Along with that the Great Yorkshire also has record stock numbers, backing its claim to be the best show in England - a title few could argue with.

But back the point. Next week is the last proper Royal Show, no matter what comes in its place - if anything - there will not be a Royal next year or at any point in the future according to RASE and that is a shame whichever way you look at it.

Admittedly to many people the practice of showing stock is an old fashioned and outdated way of assessing animals which does little to reflect their genetic potential. However, showing still has a massive role to play in educating the public about the best of British farming and teaching the stockmen of tomorrow the finer points of a structurally correct beast. As much as I'm a fan of performance recording no computer yet has been able to assess a sheep's jaw or a bull's locomotion.

So, as the industry mourns the passing of its former flagship event it must look to the future and be proud of the stock it still produces. It is no coincidence that many eastern European countries have looked to the UK in recent years for stock to improve productivity.

As for next week's show Taking Stock will be there to bring you all the action from the judging rings and more than likely a little bit of the news from the bars too and with the Shorthorn Society hosting the Royal Wake Thursday night is set to be fair one I'd say!

If you see either myself or Tim rushing about to get results and pictures be sure to stop us, particularly if you're offering a thirst quenching pint.

Second highest price was a 2100gns sale for a Mascol daughter calved eleven days which was taken by M Reid and Sons, Fulton, Lockerbie. Just 50gns less saw Linstockcastle Brad Angela sell to N and S J Sanderson, Lanercost, Brampton. She is by Carp-Pyr Basar Brad.

Top price cow on the day was a Roylane Jordan daughter sold for 2000gns to M J Wilson, Uldale, Wigton.

Averages; 35 fresh cows £1352.11, 33 fresh cows £1659 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Taking reserve was Paul Churchyard, Norwich, and his Large Black.

This homebred March 09 cow is by Beauchamp Ferrari out of Weybread Olivia. She has already taken the reserve overall championship at Suffolk as well as interbreed champion at East of England Show.

Taking the reserve spot was Smiths of Bloxham with their senior herd sire and reserve Limousin champion Nebo Viking.

This one has also been on strong winning form for stockman Andy Bishop this year as he picked up the interbreed championship at the recent Lincoln Show.

Standing was the Ayrshire champion Middle Oranje Neuky from Pearn Wyatt and son, Snetterton. This one is born in March 2005 and is by Middle JJ Sublime.

Taking reserve spot was Graham Allenby's Hampshire Down shearling ewe.

Standing reserve was Mike and Jean Dickens with their homebred Limousin steer Bisto. This one is out of a Blue cross steer.

In the Limousin classes, it was another win for Peter Gooderham with his young cow Sundale Bon Bon.

Smiths of Bloxham stood reserve with their senior stock bull Nebo Viking.

In the Simmental section, Boddington Estates won with their cow and calf, while Abram Farms were reserve.

Taking reserve champion was Shadwell Estates with their two year old heifer Shadwell Pam. This one is by Lockerley Bruno out of Shadwell Blackbird. She had to be shown last minute by haulier and showman Mark Harrison as stockman Tony Miller suffered a dislocated shoulder on the eve of the show while out exercising one of the show team.  

Pictures to follow shortly.....

Steer trade averaged at 174.9p/kg for 47 sold.

In the heifer section, a Limousin cross fromBridgend Farm, Dingwall led trade at 183p/kg and averaged at 175.4p/kg for 30 sold.

Working dogs and pups sold to a flying trade to buyers from all over the country at Bentham Auction Marts Inaugural Sale of Sheep Dogs this week.

Three quarters of the 44 forward sold to a top of 1400gns for Working Dogs and 880gns for unbroken dogs & pups.  Local farmer Nigel Barker was unsuccessful with a bid of 2700gns for 'Wenndale Nell', a 3 year old bitch with a pedigree of field trial champions from local trainer and breeder Richard Briggs, Wennington.

Nigel did, however, secure 'Mist' a three year old Black and Tan bitch from Mr Belfield, Macclesfield, for the top price of the day. Seven trained dogs exceeded the 1000gns mark and an 8 month old tri-coloured unbroken dog named 'Jim', just beginning to work, with lots of potential from Richard Briggs sold to Frank Brennand, Chapel-le-Dale for 880gns.

The sale generated a great deal of interest from farmers both locally and nationally, with dogs sold into Wales and as far south as Devon and Cornwall. We also had buyers out of Scotland and sold dogs onto the Isle of Luing and more locally the Isle of Man.

Quantity of buyers and quality of stock reflected in the prices paid, with heifers topping at 199.5p/kg. Consigned by Len Skelton, Low House, they sold to Jim Mulholland, Great Orton.

Mr Mulholland also purchased the next top lot, a limousin heifer consigned by Messrs Dodd, West Way, which sold for 193.5p/kg. A Limousin bullock consigned by Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor Farm sold at 186.5p/kg to Pioneer Foods.

Prime bulls With more than 85 prime bulls up for auction, prices remained firm. Topping trade was Messrs Little, Greenhill Farm, with a British Bull bull selling for 189.5p/kg to Owain Llyr. Messrs Wheatley and Son, Home Farm, sold aa Limousin bull for 173.5 to Bowland Foods.

A run of bulls from Messrs Carruthers, Glenzier Foot topped at 172.5 also purchased by Bowland Foods.

More than 2000 sheep were forward for sale, with 11 active bidders ensuring a competitive trade, with many l,ab achieving £25 to £30 over the weight.

Better fleshed sorts fetched between 180-200p with an overall average of 160.36p being achieved. Top price a head was 3106 for a Suffolk lambs consigned by Mr I R Barbour, Beech Grove, Annan, purchased by Rob Skelton.

Pedigree Guernsey's topped 1100gns for a second calver at the Nuthurst dispersal last week. The Myown Shot Blastoff bred cow, Nuthurst Serena calved in April and is currently producing 28kg daily. She joins the Kenprest herd, Dereham, Norfolk.

The top price bulling heifer on the day was from the last of the renowned Princess family, Nuthurst Princess 610^th, selling for 800gns at eighteen months.

The Serena family was also keenly sought after with the unserved heifer-Nuthurst Serena 3^rd also being taken by Mr Prestidge, Norfolk for 500gns at six months old.