Ringside : 17/12/04

HOLSTEIN

The Palmer family’s Sherdon herd at Chulmleigh, Devon, staged its eighth production sale and drew a top call of 2000gns for an October-calved heifer by Ricecrest Emerson.

She had six generations of Excellents behind her. The red-and-white third calver Limebeers Constance Red 48th, by STBVQ Rubens, made 1300gns to Brembridge Farms.

Averages: 21 calved and dry cows 1016; 33 calved heifers 1171. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).

BELTEX

Sheep from the Worcs-based Frazier family”s Coningswick flock achieved two of the highest bids at the breed society’s Carlisle sale. A Dutch-sired shearling made 1300gns. She is in-lamb to Pentland Hero – the breed’s 6800gns record-breaking ram lamb.

Buyer was Mrs J Cruickshank of Castle Douglas.

Averages: 42 shearling gimmers 573 and 12 ewe lambs 456. (Harrison and Hetherington).

TEXEL

Two deals at 2200gns topped the Solway and Tyne Breeders Club sale at Carlisle.

The reserve champion, a shearling from the Stainton flock of Cumbria breeder Peter Woof, sold jointly to Mrs J Lodge, Doncaster, and S Richardson, Barnsley.

Shropshire flock owner Steven Williams also paid 2200gns for a shearling by Claybury Istabraq from John Forsyth.

Averages: 77 shearlings 400. (Harrison and Hetherington).