Taking Stock

Only just beating last year's top price of 6200gns, the South Devon Herd Book Society's spring show and sale at Exeter saw a total clearance of 27 bulls and 17 heifers, with a top call of 6300gns.

Taking the top price on the day was Richard Harvey's polled bull Z Sexton Poll Hermes 2, which sold to J B Fentem and Sons, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Last week's South of England show was a particularly good one for Taking Stock with both regular contributors invoved in bringing forward champions.

For my part I managed to clinch the interbreed sheep title for the second year in a row with a Southdown shearling ram, while Chrissie helped Thorndean Farms to the Limousin breed title with a two year old heifer, Thorndean At Last, sired by Sheelin Nato.

Elsewhere in the beef lines it was the turn of Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean to lead out the winner, Charolais cow Mortimers Racey. By Gretnahouse Napoleon and out of homebred cow Mortimers Madonna, Racey was shown with a Mortimers Upstart sired calf at foot and just the week before had stood interbreed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

Unshown since 2002 when she lifted the breed championship at the Highland as a heifer, Racey beat the Angus champion, Andrew Brown's heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela into reserve.

Pamela, who stood native champion at last week's Suffolk Show, is by Blelack Black Beret and was led out by Kevin Byford.

Females dominated proceedings at last weekend's East of England Show, clinching the overall interbreed beef title, the commercial beef championship, the interbreed sheep championship and the interbreed pig silverware.

Leading the way was Doug Mash's French bred Limousin cow Segala from his family's Brockhurst herd. Imported just over a year a go and shown with her November 2006-born calf at foot, Segala now heads to the Royal and Royal Welsh.

Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus champion, Briston Echo, from Duncan Jeary's 60-cow herd. By Tegnose Pensboy and out of Briston Briarthorn, Echo was also shown with her March-born calf at foot.

Heading up the commercial classes was the Limousin cross heifer Miss Moneypenny from Sennybridge-based Elfed Williams. Brought out by Neil and Sally Lloyd of Black and Blue Show Team, Miss Moneypenny was bred by Andrew Davies and cost Mr Williams £7100.

Among the juniors it was the turn of another Limousin, Ironstone Brandy, from Smtihs of Bloxham's Ironstone herd which led the way. By Unesco, Brandy is out of record price Limousin female Bailea Umandy.

Narrowly pipped into reserve spot was Mike and Jean Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Splash, this one was bred by the Skidmore family.

Charolais cattle captured both the individual and pairs interbreed championships at the rain affected Three Counties Show.

Conditions were so bad that interbreed cattle judging was moved inside, where judge Jim Goldie found himself assessing a Limousin bull he bred.

Having made Shamleys Victoria, an outstandingly well grown Charolais heifer from Mrs Jamilla Robinson's herd at nearby Tenbury Wells, his champion, he called on independent referee Martin Jones to decide whether Goldies Trophy should be reserve champion. The bull he sold to Somerset breeder Colin Hutchings three years ago for 6000gns, was given the nod.

The South Devon Herd Book Society enjoyed a record-breaking show and sale in Exeter last week, where a polled bull smashed the previous top price by 1500gns.

Henry Laity’s three year-old bull Z Polkinghorne Nimrod set the ring alight, with the hammer eventually falling at 7800gns. Sired by Z Countisbury Cracker 2 and out of Z Polkinghorne Nobly Blitz 44, he has fully polled bloodlines on both sides.

The triumphant buyer was Richard Wright of Oxey Farm, Tilton on the Hill, Leicestershire, chairman of the society’s polled group. He plans to use the bull to improve the polled genetics of his own herd.

Record prices were seen at Midlands South Devon Cattle Breeders annual sale, with Juniper Geronimo, a two year-old bull topping at 5800gns. Sired by Welland Valley Grazier, out of Juniper Zaraffa, he sold to R and ML Drew, Cornwall from A and P Rickett.

Champion bull and breed champion was Goffe Cave Sturdy 6 a homebred bull by Trevassack Trusty 4. He sold for 5500gns to a Norfolk buyer from Mr Richard Ford, Leicestershire.

Female Champion making top female price of 1800gns went to a two-year old heifer by Sexton Centurion, out of Upper Norton Elderflower. Consigned by M and S Kettlewell, Oxfordshire she went to Miss C Hanton, Norfolk.

The South Devon cattle breeders had a welcome visit at the Royal Show from HRH Prince Charles this morning as he presented the champion exhibit with the silverware.

Taking top honours was David Smallcombe's senior bull Grove Brutus. Bred by the Scott famaily, he is by grove Hadrian and out of Grove Buttercup.

And the Scott's were back in the championship line up with their own animal, the female champion Grove Celandine 81 who stood overall reserve champion.