Heifers sell but bulls go slow
A SERVED HEIFER from the Mowbraypark herd realised 7800gns to lead the Christmas Cracker sale of Charolais females at Carlisle – but the same day’s bull fixture saw buyers in cautious mood.
Bull bidding reached 8000gns but only 30 head were sold from a catalogued entry of 114. A lively trade for maiden heifers in the Christmas Cracker section levelled at 2370.
The top-priced heifer, consigned by North Yorks breeders Mike and Margaret Atkinson, carries a wealth of the best breeding from their Mowbraypark herd. Mowbraypark Treasure, who stood reserve champion under judge Steve Nesbitt from Darlington, is by the Killadeas Jack son Mowbraypark Orlando whose first three sons have grossed 51,000gns.
Treasure, who is in the breed’s top 1% with a beef value of CH40, is out of a full sister to the 25,000gns Perth champion Mowbraypark Orlando and joins the Marwood herd of Roy, Jean and Neil Blythe at Hartlepool.
Alasdair Houston of the Gretnahouse herd at Gretna Green earned 6200gns for the served heifer Westcarse Tanya (beef value CH33). Bred by John Christie of Stirling she is by Lochnagar Imperator and took the female championship. She is a great-granddaughter of the show cow and Burke Trophy winner Lakeland Sagesse. Buyer was Sarah Burton of Loughborough.
New breeder A Brooke of Newton Stewart paid 5400gns for Thrunton Tania from the Campbell family at Alnwick. She is by Mowbraypark Orlando and out of a cow by the 20,000gns Moncur General.
Top bull bid came for the champion bull Esgob Union from Gareth Jones of Bala. By the good producer Simpsons Gregg he heads for the Isle of Man with buyer W Parsons.
Bassett Unicorn, a Bassett Pearlyking son from Jean Atkinson realised 7000gns to Iain Millar while herd mate Bassett Unicorn, by the same sire, made 4000gns to H Williams of Corwen.
There were two 5000gns deals: Bill Bruce’s Balmyle Uplift – by the 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar – and Harviestoun Ugadale from Lucy Poett, Clackmananshire.
Averages: Christmas Cracker – three served heifers 6790 and 14 maiden heifers 2370. Bulls – 30 head 2744. Maerdy – 43 heifers 1333 (Harrison and Hetherington).