Carlisle suckled calves top at £2800

The recommencement of sales at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, got off to a strong start when a catalogued entry of nearly 1900 cattle came under the hammer at the major autumn show and sale of continental suckled calves.

Trade, though slightly back on last year was still buoyant and a packed ringside soon gathered to take advantage of the quality suckler-bred cattle on offer.

Topping trade at £2800 was a red Limousin cross heifer shown by Robert and Michael Scott, Thirlwall Castle, Greenhead. This greatly admired heifer and one of many in the offering from the Scott family, is a Cloughhead Titanic daughter, attracted keen competition and was sold to show enthusiast Neil Slack, Newby Penrith.

The championship ticket was presented to J Lee and Sons, Whitfield, Hexham for a black five month old Limousin cross heifer. This smart heifer, sired by the registered Limousin bull Greenfield Topper and out of a Belgian Blue cross Limousin mother, sold for £1400 to Messrs Bonsall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

The Reserve Champion ticket was won by Mike Harrison of Sleddale Hall with his Blonde cross steer which sold for £900 and sold to Farmtec, Coat House Farm.

Averages: steers £591.33; heifers £525.38 (Harrison and Hetherington).