South Devon bulls realise 8,800gns high

South Devon bulls reached a high of 8,800gns at the breed society’s spring show and sale last week (25 March). Auctioneer Mark Bromell described the trade as selective and said there was strong demand for the top end of bulls.

Top price went to Richard and Shirley Harvey for a homozygous polled bull, Z Sexton General 45 by Z Northwick General 10 and out of Z Sexton Snowdrop 616. This March 2013-born bull sold to the Knightcote herd, Hadley Farms, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Two bulls from Douglas Scott’s Grove herd, Moreton-in-Marsh each sold for 4,800gns. The first, Grove Domitian 30 went to J and B Fentem, Ashbourne, Derbyshire to join their Alsop herd; and the second, Grove Brutus 139 also by AI Woodhayes Homer 5, sold to J R Nicholls and Son, Totnes, Devon.

The May 2013-born champion bull from the Stretchford herd Stretchford Herman 7 is by George Teign Harold, and with female bloodlines going back to Grove Drusus 7. He sold for 4,600 gns to A and C Farms, Langham, Rutland.

Next highest priced bull came from Peter and Ashley Rowe’s Trewint herd from Cornwall, making 4,000gns. Trewint Magnetto 15, with Trewint Magnetto as grandsire on both sides joins CG Bonner and Son’s commercial herd in Milton Keynes.

In the female section, the female champion and reserve champion sold for 1,350gns and 1,300gns respectively who, together with an unhaltered bulling heifer also born March 2013, were acquired by the same buyer, G K Griffin, Saltash, Cornwall.

Averages: 24 bulls, £3,329; 3 bulling heifers, £1,383
Auctioneers: Kivells