Many native breeds unsold at Melton Mowbray

Many leading animals left the sale ring unsold at the Traditional Native Breeds National Show and Sale at Melton Mowbray Market, as purchasers and vendors found it hard to agree on what was a fair price.

Of the 74 animals that did sell averaged at £705.49. In the sheep rings 311 sold to average £84.63.

Show champion Southfield Flight, a March 2005 born Longhorn heifer consigned by David and Angela Blockley, Bradford topped the bidding at 3100gns, but remains in the herd after failing to meet their expectations.

Topping the trade at 2000gns was a March 20007 born heifer, Blackbrook Reflection from John and Pat Stanley, Leicestershire. The heifer sold to A K Clarke, Essex.

Coming close to the top bid was the British White Champion, the September 2002 cow Whispers Prestwick  from Dr Christabel Barran, West Sussex. She was sold for 1880gns to A Carter, Norfolk.

Also making four figures was the reserve show champion the May 2004 Dexter cow Linford Pineapple from Mark and Darryll Bowles, Leicestershire. She was sold with a five month old steer calf at foot for 1050gns to Messrs Munn and Bell, Northamptonshire.

Trade in the sheep ring was also selective, although Galway, Oxford Down, Kerry Hill and Jacob sheep breeders all left the ringside delighted with their breed’s results.

Top price of 310gns was paid for the Southdown breed champion, a March 2007 born ewe from D A and P Humphrey, West Sussex by D William, Lincolnshire leading the way.

The Wensleydale breed champion, a February born ram from J and S Thompson, Powys also made 3000gns, bought by Mr P D W Soden, Derbyshire.

Show champion was a Shropshire shearling December 2006 born ewe consigned by Marion and Aubrey Webb, Leicestershire. She sold for 260gns to Alan Oliver, Doncaster.

On the pig front top price paid was 480gns for October 2007 born boar Bexurrell General, from the Eustice family, Cornwall and bought by Mr Padfield, Lincolnshire.

But a top bid of 780gns failed to persuade Derek Harrison to part with his July 2007 born gilt Penllwyn lulu 24.