Longhorns sell to 2100gns at Worcester

The dispersal of the late John Spalton’s Sutton herd of Longhorn cattle at Worcester market last weekend drew a packed ringside of breeders who maintained the upbeat demand for Longhorn cattle that has been a feature of recent fixtures. And it was cows with calves at foot that pushed bidding into top gear establishing a strong trade that peaked at 2100gns.

The call came for a seven-year-old cow by the home-bred bull Bejon Boris and suckling a bull calf. The outfit was claimed by Reading Agricultural Consultants buying for a client in the Home Counties who is establishing a new herd.

And the same buyers made sure they secured several of the best on offer. They bought a total of five animals and paid the top price of 2500gns for the stock bull Gorse Moonman. Tow other cows with heifer calves at foot, also by Boris, realised 1900gns.

Northern Ireland breeder Pat Melvin was at the ringside and paid 1500gns for a served heifer while unserved heifers sold to 2200gns for an 18-month-old daughter of Bejon Dickie – a well known show winning bull that took the reserve breed title at Newark in 2005. Buyer was Mrs J D Botham, Brough, East Yorkshire.

Averages: 13 cows with heifer calves £1608; eight served heifers £1176 and 18 unserved heifers £1097.