Taking Stock

At the sale of beef breeding cattle at Bakewell yesterday a new record price of £3000 was achieved for a Stock Bull.

The 24 month old Belgian Blue (non pedigree) came from Henry Critchlow of Alstonefield and sold to Mr Heathcote of Grangemill.

The animal was presented at a sale of breeding cattle which also included a number of suckler cows with calves these also sold exceptionally well with a top of £1100 and no fewer than seven outfits exceeding £1000.

A first-ever visit to Skipton Auction Mart by Nottinghamshire-based Limousin cattle breeders Barry and Jill Heald and their son Matthew paid rich dividends when the family landed championship spoils at Skipton's annual "Red Pedigree Event."

The Healds, from Home Farm, Grove, Retford, saw their 20-month-old home-bred bull Coachhouse Agreeable awarded the title by show judge Stephen Wilde, of Bradfield, Sheffield, who runs the Ewden Vale herd of pedigree Limousins.

Agreeable is by Fedneyhouse Nelson, out of Coachhouse Sillhouette, herself a product of Haltcliffe Picasso, the Heald's main stock bull, who won the East Midlands Limousin Breeders Best Stock Bull and Progeny 2006. Agreeable went on to sell for 2400gns to a North Yorkshire purchaser.

Although a heifer from the fold run by Glasgow City Council collected the female and overall championship at the annual sale of Highland cattle at Perth last week, it was a two-year-old bull from the Tiretigan fold owned by Tiretigan Farms that topped the trade at 1200gns after standing reserve for the supreme ticket.

The champion heifer, judged by Perthshire breeder Elizabeth Tosh of the Tullach Ard fold, made 850gns to T Gilmartin, Fife, but the ringside's favourite was Orran of Tiretigan. By Seamus of Drummygar, he was bought by P Gunn, Lairg.

A three-year-old bull from Mr Garrick, Banffshire sired by Fergus 1st of Heatherhills, made 950gns to T Day, Preston, Lancashire.

Commercial steers and heifers sold well with a pen of five Highland x Beef Shorthorn heifers from Major Gibb, Blairgowrie making £640 apiece. The buyer was A McElroy, Northern Ireland.

Averages: 6 pedigree bulls £708; 27 females £312 and eight females and calves £359. Commercial - 57 steers £271; 45 heifers £346; 11 females and calves £322; 14 females £162 and nine bulls £225. (United Auctions).

Some 2146 store cattle and suckled calves were forward at Hexham and Northern Marts special May show and sale.

A packed ring of buyers witnessed a strong show of cattle of all classes. Although trade in general was easier on the week, demand remained strong for quality sorts and despite a late finish, steady trade maintained to the end of the sale.

Sale topper on the day came from Ted Fox with his Belgian Blue heifer, which sold for £910. He also sold the top priced steer, a strong Charolais for £880.

Prior to the sale, Brendan Kelly from Ballymena, Co Antrim awarded the overall championship to Alan and John Dixon, Chairdon with their Belgian Blue cross heifer, which later sold for £750.

The reserve ticket was taken by regular Hexham goer John Smith Jackson, who sold his Limousin steer for £720.

For more sale highlights check out Hexham and Northern Marts website.

Now I know how you all love the under the hammer section of the magazine and I have been promising these pics, so here's the rest of the pics from the Hexham and Northern Marts store sale............................

Some 1700 cattle were forward, with one or two show potential calves hidden in the mixes as well. Trade was solid with older steers hitting the £755 mark and older heifers reaching £600. Heifers in the 16-22 month bracket were topping £750 (so not sure how you finisher boys will get your money back on those) and younger stores were in the £555-£640 range.

This Charolais cross was sure to keep an eye on the action.........

Putting your best foot forward........

And my buyers on the rail ladies and gentleman.......

Ermmmm....will I....won't I? Best not........

Although bull buyers picked their way carefully through the entry of Blonde bulls at the breed society's Carlisle fixture last week the outcome of a 5000gns top call and an average of £2638 for 24 deals left most vendors well satisfied.

And it was for a new name in the frame - both at the top of the bidding and figuring high in the awards - when the May 2005-bred Droit Ash realised 5000gns for owner Richard Mowbray who'd made the trip over from Co Tyrone.

Prices reached 1200gns on two occasions and another 15 made over 1000gns at the dispersal of the non-recorded herd of commercial Holstein Friesians for Steven and Sarah Higginson at Kinnersley, Hereford.

E Newton of Malvern, Worcestershire, paid 1200gns for a second calver dried off for calving again next month. The same buyer paid 1180gns for a third calver giving 37.5kg daily after calving five weeks ago.

Matching the 1200gns top price was a January third calver giving 38kg daily purchased by Tack Farms Ltd of Bromyard, Worcestershire.

In-calf heifers sold to 920gns to Kent buyers PHR Farms of Ashford, and a recently served heifer made 700gns with heifer calves reaching 440gns.

Averages:
49 cows (no calves) £851.57
11 unwarranted cows £421.91
7 in-calf heifers £861.00
1 served heifer £735.00
3 bulling heifers £539.00
3 heifer calves £402.50
74 head £756.14

For more info check out Gwilym Richards & Co

An outstanding show of cattle at the British Simmental Society sale, which included the dispersal of the Shellthorn Herd on behalf of Andy and Dianne Grossey, attracted a packed sale ring at the Bristol Sales Centre on Saturday.

The eagerly awaited dispersal of the Ilminster-based herd did not disappoint the expectant crowd, when a string of outstanding females entered the ring following a parade of the well known base cow Heywood Hannadante 28th.

The highlight of the sale, however, was a Sterling Flint daughter, Shellthorn Hannadante 6th when a keen bidding war including two telephone bidders, saw her finally knocked down for 8000gns to Messrs L J & A J Curry, Lowerdown Farm, West Lane, Felton, Somerset, to join their well known Winford Herd.

A stylish young cow born in 2003, she already has an impressive show career behind her and sold with her heifer calf Hannadante 19th, a daughter of Quanrose Kellog. She had been immediately preceded by Shellthorn Hannadante 5th another Kellog daughter also with an outstanding heifer calf at foot, Hannadante 17th, this time by Starline Pompous from the Blackford Hawk line.

Again from an outstanding show line, both she and her calf will no doubt bring further success to her new owner, Mr. Webster, Whittakers Barn Farm, Cracoe, Skipton, who paid 3600gns for the privilege.

Farmers Weekly have heard through the grapevine that the Queen's 180 cow pedigree Ayrshire herd is to be dispersed through the Ayrshire Cattle Society over the coming months.

Established by King George VI in 1951, the Windsor-based herd was passed to Queen Elizabeth II shortly after his death and has been run by the Royal household ever since.

This news has great pertinence to me, as I learnt most of my dairying knowledge milking this high profile herd.

Whether the dispersal of such a prominant herd is a result of the state of the industry remains to be seen, however it does bring home that no one is immune to the pressure faced by the dairy sector at the present time.

Watch this space as to how the story develops.......

Finally we're being proved right..........after having a chat with Iain Kerr and Richard Saunders on the Limousin stand at Beef Expo, I'm glad to report that bulls with superior EBVs are proving to sell to a premium, obtaining higher prices and clearance rates.

The number of Limousin breeders recording with Signet's Beefbreeder service is at an all time high and results from the recent Carlisle Limousin bull sale show that 22 bulls were sold in the Top 1% for breeding value, averaging £7130 and those 55 bulls sold in the top 10% averaged £4411.

"Buyers from Northern Ireland and Wales are continuing to look for bulls with high EBVs to fill a demand for grant funded cattle. Projects such as the welsh Beef Quality initiative and EBLEX Better returns Programme are providing increasing levels of technical support to producers seeking to enhance the efficiency of their enterprises."

Carlisle Bull Sale - May 2007

No sold Average price (£)
Top 1% 22 7130
Top 10% 55 4411
Top 25% 53 4136
Above average+ 19 2846

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!!

Yorkshire Dales dairy farmer Robert Crisp, exhibiting on behalf of his mother Sheila, bagged a debut Craven Dairy Auction championship success at the May show at Skipton Auction Mart.

The Crisps, from Nelson Farm, Calton, took the title with their newly-calven Holstein Friesian commercial cow, a second calver by the Cogent bull Jasper, out of a cow bred by Colin's sister Elsa Rushton, of Wigglesworth. Giving six-and-a-half gallons, the victor sold for £1220 to Alan Outram, of Bury.

March Craven Dairy Auction champion Robert Phillip, of Green Farm, Hellifield, had to be content with the runners-up slot this time around with his home-bred newly-calven pedigree Holstein Friesian heifer, giving 28 kilos. Awarded the BOCM Pauls Dairy Cup, the reserve champion sold for £970 to JH Bradley, of South Crossland, Hudderfield.

GB Jennings, of South Stainley, Ripon, had a newly-calven cow sell for £1,050.

The next Craven Dairy Auction takes place on Monday, June 18.

Just had the prices in for Hexham and Northern Marts weekly sale...yet another good day's trading with 59 cattle forward including 3 young bulls and 29 over thirty month animals.

Prime:

Charolais heifers; 121.5p and 117.5p(x2) Flotterton

Limousin heifers; 118.5p & 117.5p Stotsfold

Limousin steers; 114.5p Peacock House

Charolais steers; £788.67 High Warden, £784.13 Nunwick

Limousin steers; £747.57 Nunwick, £746.54 Peacock House, £744.13 Hallington New Houses

Charolais heifers; £739.94 Flotterton

As he prepares to embark on an antipodean adventure, young Ceredigion farmer Cennydd Eynon is next month putting his herd of pedigree Welsh Black cattle up for sale.

The 23 year-old who farms at Golygfa, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, established the Dyffryn Herd in 2000 with Castell, Cennen, Iwrch, Trefaes and Neuadd bloodlines forming the females, and the Iwrch herd forming the bulls.

His decision to sell the majority of his herd has resulted from his plans to take a year out to visit Australia and New Zealand.

The sale on June 2nd at Llandovery at 11am will consist of approximately 90 females and the senior stock bull Iwrch Banner.

Of the offering forward as part of the annual youngstock Limouisn sale at Carlisle, Andrew Roberts' May 2006 heifer Hafodlas Beren topped the sale, selling for 4200gns to an undisclosed buyer.

By Saphir, a bull in joint ownership with Harry Emslie, and out of a homebred cow Seren, Beren sells with a breeding value of LM+31. The Hafodlas herd also had the third highest price on the day selling a Ryedale Paragon son, Balnacraig Buzzbee, a May 2006 bull bought last June at the Balncraig dispersal as a young calf at foot. Buzzbee, with another breeding value of LM+31, changed hands at 2600gns to Northern Ireland breeders J and S Allen.

Hexham and Northern marts had forward an entry of 105 beef breeding cattle at their second special May sale.

Althogh heifers with calves at foot were a mixed selection with quality outfits short of requirements, the sale was topped at £1500 for an outstanding Limousin x Friesian heifer with a three quarter bred Limousin bull calf from Morrow Edge.

Cows with calves sold to £1150 for a Limousin cross 5th calver with a three quarter bred Limousin bull calf from Warden Law.

Bulling heifers were a useful selection selling to £790 for Limousin x Friesian heifers from Oaktree Farm, Bedale.

Leading breeders were to the fore at last weekend's Hampshire Down sale, Stratford, where the top bid of 850gns was taken by Tiverton, Devon-based Chris and Kay Westlake for their ram lamb by Parkstock Royal. With dam lines going back to Moybrick, he was sold to breed president Sally Horrell and her husband Charles' Podehole flock, Thorney, Peterborough.

Next top of 640gns was for the leading shearling from Kevin and Anna McCarthy, Comber, Co Down. Their shearling, by Ballyvester Apollo had previously stood second at the Balmoral show and joins Andrew and Caroline Ivinson's new flock at Martindale, Penrith. Also heading for the same Cumbrian home was the top priced shearling ewe at 460gns from the Banks and Green partnership, Norfolk.

Two more rams topped 500gns, firstly a two shear from Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith, Market Rasen which made 560gns to Francis and Sian Wigram, Lewdown, Okehampton, and secondly, a shearling from Henry and Hilary Derryman which saw the Atkinson and Smith partnership reinvest most of their earnings, spending 520gns on this Yarcombe Highjack son.

Top price in the ewe lambs was 400gns for John and Sue Davies' first prize winner by Kelsey Achilles. This one headed to Lanarkshire, with two other entries to form the foundation of a new flock for Alan Jackson, Covington Mill.

Averages: 12 ram lambs £319.17; shearling rams £381.43; 1 aged ram £588.13; ewe lambs £205.67; 12 shearling ewes £235.67.

A blistering trade for Beltex sheep at Worcester, despite the unseasonal timing of the sale, produced a top price of 660gns for a two-year-old ewe when Whatmore Court Farms dispersed its Whatmore flock.

Noted for its prime stock showing successes, the flock's dispersal attracted a big crowd but it was Carmarthenshire buyers D O Williams and Co who beat the competition to take the top priced ewe. She is by the Belgian sire Loot Van Biesheuval and had a ram lamb at foot.

Some 3600 head were forward at Borderway Mart, but it was an impressive Limousin cross heifer suckling a heifer calf consigned by Keswick farmer Keith Harryman that topped the sale at £4700.

Bought by Messrs Richardson, Ghyll House, she helped boost the Harryman family's average to £1691. A good run of Belgian Blue cross females from Mr Leggat, Broomelton Farm averaged £1990 and peaked at £3150 for a cow and calf taken by Messrs Butler, Ashford Hill.

Another Belgian Blue cross outfit from Keith Twentyman, made £3000. A great consignment of 20 Limousin cross heifers from Messrs Dodd, West View reached £1950.

The first major on farm production sale of Bazadaise cattle took place last weekend at J R Smith and Son's Grange Farm, Scalford - home of the Edmarc herd. Pedigree cows and calves topped at 2600gns to average £1471 an outfit.

Vendors Robin and Gill Smith with their son Marcus started the Edmarc herd after importing a female from France in 1989.

Top prices:

27 crossbred outfits top 1300gns (average £997)
20 pedigree outfits top 2600gns (average £1471)
5 pedigree in-calf cows top 2500gns (£1281)
12 in-calf or served heifers top 1080gns (average £914)
5 maiden heifers top 930gns (average £842)

Now the memory of expensive baby calves going through the ring isn't that much of a distant one, but I can't say I remember too many of this price!

Records were broken last week at Gisburn Auction Mart when an eight-week-old Belgian Blue bull calf sold for £428.

Out of a Friesian cow, it was sold by dairy farmer Jim Faud, of Great Harwood, to Ian Harrison of Cumbrian Quality Calves, Penrith.

Regular seller Geoff Blezard, of Ribchester, was also in the money with a pen of Belgian Blue bulls sired by the Irish bull, Chesnut Umpire, selling to £308.

It's been a hard grind for two decades but Beef Shorthorn supporters are now reaping their just rewards for the massive improvements they've achieved in this breed. And in Cheshire last weekend the trade sizzled as 40 entries were snapped up at the Shorthorn Society's fixture at Chelford reaching a top price of 2800gns - a day that saw them overshadow their dairy cousins.

For vendors making their first visit to Chelford, like Northamptonshire breeder Trevor Brown, the occasion was made even sweeter, as his white heifer Grafton Xsara - by Tugby Lucky Fellow - was offered suckling a white heifer calf by the Canadian-bred Glenisla Senor Gus. This outfit met a flurry of bids but the determination of north Wales buyer H Clothier secured her for his farm in Corwen at 2800gns.

Local herd owners G and B Bell from Tarporley topped the Western Holstein Club's fixture at Beeston at 2100gns with a calved heifer by Silky Gibson. Irthingvale Gibson Charity is out of a three-times 10,000kg-plus dam by Mason but that's where the records ended. It proved no deterrent and she was snapped up by Andrew Wilson for his Northshields herd at Cupar, Fife.

Smiddiehill Holsteins brought out a smart calved heifer by Ocean-View Zenith. Smiddiehill Zenith Ella is awash with VG and Excellent breeding and is out of an 11,300kg cow carrying the Primo prefix. She goes to south Wales with A Richards at 1650gns.

Averages: 13 cows £1165; 112 heifers £1259. (Wright Manley).

The sale of 500 cows and heifers with spring-born calves at foot and 180 in-calf cows and heifers with autumn born calves, along with 20 stock bulls, on behalf of brothers, Philip and Symon Simmers, Backmuir, Keith, Banffshire, was the biggest sale of breeding stock from a single consignor ever handled by Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

The packed ringside of buyers from all over the UK saw Allanton Farming, Darvel, Ayrshire, pay the top price for the five year old bull, Bailea Tyson, by Marron, bred by M T Jones of the Bailea, Senny, Sennybridge, Brecon, Powys.

The top quality offering of females sold to a top of £2900 (twice) for a Belgian Blue cow and her autumn-born bull calf to Gordon Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle, Argyll, and a Limousin cow and bull calf to K D Millar, Crookholm, Canonbie, Dumfries.

Cameron Baty, the well known cattle fitter and showman assembled a wonderful array of quality Holsteins for his first invited collective sale of high flyer Holsteins at Beeston Castle Auction under the gavel of Wright Manley.

The sale attracted buyers from all over, particularly from Northern Ireland, but the brilliant day undoubtedly affected attendance from the areas where silage has not yet been completed. However there were many great pedigrees and the very best individuals sold at good prices.

Top price was 9000 gns paid for the true red and white Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red from Ridgefield Farm Partnership of Loughborough. This November 2006 daughter of Rosedale-L Rampage Red is out of the recently scored (VG88-2yr) heifer Ridgefield Talent Sara Red, a daughter of the former RASE Champion and 30000 gns seller Copywood Integrity Sara Red (Ex93-2E) (Ex94-MS). She now goes across the water to join Mark Truesdale herd at Newcastle, Nr. Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

A cow and calf outfit that netted vendors Mike and Chris Candy a total of 4000gns topped the recent dispersal of the Highlight herd of 182 Brown Swiss cattle at Beeston Castle mart, Cheshire.

At 2400gns the dam Highlight Honeysuckle Florence (VG88) was buyers' clear favourite. Sired by R Hart TC Denmark and out of a Ensign dam she'd shown early promise on the regional show circuit. Now with her third calf - born in October 2006 - and giving 33kg milk she was taken by established Brown Swiss supporter Kevin Thomas for his Allstar herd based at Tavernspite, Whitland, South Wales.

Mr Thomas couldn't match local support for the next lot to enter the ring when Wem, Shropshire-based dairy farmer David Burden took Florence's calf, Highlight Dalton Honeysuckle 2, sired by Hilltop Acres PT Dalton for 1600gns.

However, Mr Thomas was not to be out-done quickly following his initial purchase with a further three of the top ten-priced cows at 1700gns, 1500gns and 1400gns all journeying across the border to Whitland.

Mid-summer can often be a cautious time for dairy stock prices, but there's no sign of that happening this year. You only had to be in Herefordshire last week to see how buyers are still clamouring for cows. At the dispersal of the Vedw Holstein herd, held on behalf of D J Farr, the 105 cows averaged £1080 an achieved a top price of 1600gns.

This was a day of solid trading for genuine cattle with plenty of milk behind them. Prices of £1000 and over were recorded for 54 lots with 11 others making over £900.

But the highpoint at Mr Farr's Pontrilas-based farm was the top call given for the calved heifer Vedw Cousteau Kitty. This Silky Cousteau daughter is due in December to Comestar Lee and is out of a 10,280kg dam by AV Solid Gold. Buyer was H E Hosken, Helston, Cornwall.

And he made the trip worthwhile with a 1450gns call to secure another calved heifer, Vedw Lee Honour. She is also by Lee and out of a 12,157kg dam by Southland Marker and is in-calf for August to Comestar Outside.

The dispersal of the late John Spalton's Sutton herd of Longhorn cattle at Worcester market last weekend drew a packed ringside of breeders who maintained the upbeat demand for Longhorn cattle that has been a feature of recent fixtures. And it was cows with calves at foot that pushed bidding into top gear establishing a strong trade that peaked at 2100gns.

The call came for a seven-year-old cow by the home-bred bull Bejon Boris and suckling a bull calf. The outfit was claimed by Reading Agricultural Consultants buying for a client in the Home Counties who is establishing a new herd.

And the same buyers made sure they secured several of the best on offer. They bought a total of five animals and paid the top price of 2500gns for the stock bull Gorse Moonman. Tow other cows with heifer calves at foot, also by Boris, realised 1900gns.

Northern Ireland breeder Pat Melvin was at the ringside and paid 1500gns for a served heifer while unserved heifers sold to 2200gns for an 18-month-old daughter of Bejon Dickie - a well known show winning bull that took the reserve breed title at Newark in 2005. Buyer was Mrs J D Botham, Brough, East Yorkshire.

Averages: 13 cows with heifer calves £1608; eight served heifers £1176 and 18 unserved heifers £1097.

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.

The summer sale of Limousin bulls at Borderway Mart met with a strong demand resulting in a 100% clearance of the 24 bulls offered and led by a top price of 5500gns.

Eight bulls in all made over 2500gns at this traditional final fixture of the summer round of official Limousin bull sales. The average for the bulls sold leveled at £2,372 which was up by £468 on the year.

Leading the trade was the well muscled Fieldson Andrew from East Midlands breeders J & M Fieldson, Poplar Farm, Lincolnshire. This December 2005 born bull by Fieldson Ultimate is out of the Greenwell Mike sired Fieldson Sugar. With a Beef Value of LM+25, Fieldson Sugar went to Aberdeenshire buyer W J Morrison and Sons, Banff.

The Republic of Ireland's final Limousin pedigree sale of the season proved to be a flying trade for the females on offer.

The majority of the heifers on offer were young maiden heifers which sold to an average price of €2421 (£1646) each, down €210 (£142) on corresponding sale last year, at an 82% clearance rate.

Commenting on the sale, Irish Limousin Cattle Society secretary, Ger Ryan, said: ``Another terrific sale for females with numerous new breeders snapping up the heifers on offer. The overall quality of bulls on offer was down on other society sales which were reflected in the prices achieved.''

The sale topper, at €4600 (£3128), was Curraghree Butterfly, from Pat Phelan, Drumree, County Meath. Pat had an excellent evening in Granard also achieving the third highest heifer price.

This stylish young heifer was crowned female champion after winning her class. A mid-April 2006 daughter of Espoir, she is out of Lisnacrann Sasha, a Domino daughter.

The final bidder was the well-known pedigree father and son duo of Stanley and Mark Richardson, Newtowngore, County Leitrim, to join their pedigree herd.

Next highest, at €3500 (£2380), was Ohill Blossom, from Patrick Beirne, Mohill, County Leitrim, with his late March 2006 heifer. A daughter of Nenuphar, she was out of a homebred dam, Ohill Teresa, a Mount Scott PJ son. A fourth prize winner in the show she now heads to the herd of Gerry Ryan, Aughrim, County Wicklow, who is purchasing some nice heifers for a new pedigree herd for son, Luke.

The third highest price of €3000 (£2040) went to Curraghree Amour from Pat Phelan to complete an excellent day's trading for him. An October 2005-born heifer, she is out of Lino and a homebred cow, Curraghree Matilda, a Jongleur daughter. A first prize-winner in the pre-sale show, she was sold to Sean Brady, Aughavas, County Leitrim.

Other leading prices were:
€2700 (£1836), to Philip Dunne, Bailieboro, for a daughter of Ionesco.
€2500 (£1700), to Stephen O'Grady, for a daughter of Louxor.
€2400 (£1632), to Joseph Lynch, for a daughter of Lino.
€2400, to Philip Dunne, for a daughter of Cornamundy Tino.

North-East Lancashire father-and-son dairy farmers Philip and John Bowen hit the bulls eye when landing their first Craven Dairy Auction championship at the June show at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday.

The Bowens, who trade as J Bowen and Son at Park Farm, Barrow, Whalley, clinched the title with a newly-calven Holstein Friesian commercial heifer.

Judge Robin Boothman, of Fence, said he could find very few faults with the victor - "a good heifer that will last a long time."

The reserve champion was a newly-calven commercial cow from L Simpson and Sons, of Red House Farm, Sutton Grange, Ripon. Giving 40 litres, the second calver sold for £1100 to G Parker, of Emley, Huddersfield.

Mr Parker also paid the day's top price of £1310 for the second prize newly-calven heifer from the Whinhill Holstein Friesian commercial herd of father-and-son dairy farmers Malcolm and Robert Swires, of Haverah Park, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.

The Swires had a good day in general, entering a total of ten cattle in the show, which sold to an average of £1082.

Best of the in-calf heifers from Malcolm Wood, of Wakefield, went to Josh Lancaster, of Horton-in-Craven, for £860, while regular exhibitor Robert Johnson, of Felliscliffe, Harrogate, paid £660 for the first prize maiden heifer from F Fryer and Sons, of Middleton, Ilkley.

Two newly-calven Shorthorn heifers from George and Gladys Emmott, of Steeton, also proved popular, the better of the duo selling at £900.

The next Craven Dairy Auction, a sale only, takes place on Monday, July 9, with the main monthly show and sale scheduled for Monday, July 30.

Numbers at the June Border and Lakeland Club Show and Sale were similar to last month with the quality shining through.

Judge Neil Brough from Carrock Holsteins, Dalston tapped forward Messrs Armstrong's, Wolfa Outside Favori 2 as Champion. An awesome VG85 3yr, old still giving 43kg daily in her second lactation. She was purchased for top price of the day at 2100gns by Mr AM Dixon, Smallthwaite House, Penrith.

Reserve champion of the day and second top price was Ingleview Kate 26 from R and E Butterfield, a recently fresh heifer by Pursuit September Storm. She was purchased by Mr J Heuchan, Gerranton, Castle Douglas for 1800gns.

The Butterfield's sold another fresh heifer for 1800gns; Ingleview Sept Storm Kimo was purchased by Mr C Cochrane of Nether Craig.

B and V Davidson sold a well balanced heifer by Lucente for 1700gns, purchased by Messrs H and G Mair, Townhead Farm, Mouswald. Messrs Mair also purchased Gerrard Roman Princess 36 from R and H Carter, Gerrard House for 1600gns.

The event of the Summer took place at Borderway Sales Centre with the World Wide Sires Ex-Factor Sale, attended by breeders from all over the British Isles and Main Land Europe.

Top price was paid for Acecroft Goldwyn Zulu at 28,000gns. This September born bull is a son of the Million Dollar Durham, Lylehaven Lila-Z. The bull's new owners The Z Syndicate managed by Dan Hovden, Iowa, in the US are excited about the tremendous opportunities this young sire brings to their business.

Although the bull wasn't actually present for the sale, his 20% ownership share was greated with great interest.

Second top price of the day was paid for a first choice Advent heifer from Windy-Knoll View Pledge EX92. Consigned by David Robinson of Kellywell Holsteins, this amazing money making opportunity was purchased by Michael Booth Snr and Michael Booth Jnr, Beechrow Holsteins, Co. Lois, Republic of Ireland for 10,000gns.

Incidentally Mr Booth purchased the Mr Sam daughter from Pledge's full sister the night before in Oldenburg for 15,000 euro.

Riverdane Shottie Sara sold for 6000gns to Jason Pollock, Garrick Holsteins, Northern Ireland. This beautiful Shottle daughter was consigned by Riverdane Holsteins and was a grand-daughter of the All Britain Copywood Integrity Sara EX93.