Rescued Charolais draw top calls at Carlisle sale
Keeping his head above water took on a whole new meaning for Cumbria-based Charolais breeder Peter Vasey when he accounted for three of the leading prices, including the top call of 5500gns, at the breed society’s latest fixture at Carlisle – with heifers that had almost drowned in last winter’s floods.
Bad weather again hit Cumbria hard last weekend, but the blizzard conditions failed to deter bidders.
Mr Vasey’s Edenhurst Unity (beef value 26) stood second in her class at the sale, but later stirred ringside buyers into top gear.
By the good producer Oldstone Egbert, she is out of Lynedraw Gamelia, who was purchased from the dispersal of breed stalwart George Stoddart’s herd for 6000gns.
Unity, in-calf to Gretnahouse Ultimate, goes to breed newcomer A McKie, Pewsey, Wilts.
The three Edenhurst heifers – all offered in the Christmas Cracker section of the sale – netted 12,700gns.
All were by the Oldstone sire and included Edenhurst Virtue (beef value 23) at 4200gns taken by Woldingham, Surrey, buyer Jan Boomaars. He also gave 3000gns for Edenhurst Utopia (beef value 22).
The served heifer Alsnow Unity (beef value 26) from Alan Lawson and Son, Newcastle upon Tyne, looked a good buy at 5000gns.
By Mowbraypark Orlando and out of a Glenisla cow, she is in-calf to the 11,000gns Blelack Jaguar and won her class on the day.
She joins Mr McKie’s new herd along with the 2800gns Mowbraypark Viva (beef value 40) from Mike and Margaret Atkinson’s herd at Ripon.
Viva has two lines to the top producer Killadeas Jack.
Also making 5000gns was Thrunton Thistle (beef value 25), one of five females from the Campbell family at Alnwick, Northumberland.
By Mowbraypark Orlando and sold with a nine-month bull calf by Thrunton Rustler, she goes to J Gibson and Son, Hexham.
Leading the bulls at 5000gns was Allanfauld Victory (beef value 33).
This Gretnahouse Noel son was bought by G and G Mair, Lockerbie.
Averages: 35 bulls 2307. Christmas Cracker females – 17 served heifers 2245 and eight maiden heifers 2441 (Harrison & Hetherington).