Devons meet demand at final Taunton sale

The Devon Cattle Breeders Society’s autumn show and sale at Taunton produced a top price of 6500gns for Knoll Majesty 2 after the bull stood champion on a day that saw new buyers in action and claiming many of the highest priced entries.

The “red ruby” top priced bull was paraded by Vicky Jones and bred in her highly successful Knoll herd. Taking the championship under judge Gavin Hunter, this son of Champson Chieftain – a bull that had also taken the title at this event – was snapped up by new breeders Swell Wold Farming Ltd, Stow-on-the-Wold who also bought 24 heifers to supplement their newly established herd.

Clannaborough Brigadier 4, from the May Farming Partnership based at Crediton, stood reserve champion. This January 2006-bred son of the breed’s highest priced bull Challenge Brigadier 3, goes to Mr and Mrs A Gibbs who run the Gratwicke herd at Bristol at 3600gns.

A cracking trade for the 80 females saw bidding reach £3150 for the impressive heifer Bollowal Cherry 4th from Jeff and Pat Thomas, Penzance. With a pedigree overflowing with show winners, she is in-calf to Bollowal Nimrod who was part of this year’s native breed Burke Trophy winning pair at the Royal Show. Buyers were Tony and Julie Benneworth, Yeomadon.

Breed society chairman Mike Wright sold the in-calf heifer Orswell Hannah 2 at £3100 to new breeder Peter Masters, Highbridge, Somerset.

Maiden heifers reached £2100 for a 16-month-old entry from the Frogmore herd of John Bowles. She joins the Bagnell herd of Philip Gay.

Averages: Nine bulls £2625; 41 in-calf heifers £1622 and 30 maiden heifers £881. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).