Something for everyone in Carlisle Limousin catalogue

With a total of 347 head entered the catalogue for next week’s Limousin sale at Carlisle is certainly a weighty tome and after a brief scan throught its pages I think its fair to say that once again there will be cattle there to suit all tastes and budgets.

Whether the sale can live up to the February fixture’s levels in terms of trade only time will tell, but without a doubt, going by breeding and figures there are some crackers entered.

My picks, for what their worth, cover a range of breeding, but for anyone wanting a combination of figures and breeding Harry Emlies first entry in the catalogue, Emslies Colossus would take some beating. This September 2007-born son of Objat has a beef value of +45, including a muscle depth of +7.7. And to add to that his dam is Ballymoney Noisette, dam of Ballymoney Veronica which was Scottish female of the year in 2006 and won seven interbreeds, including junior interbreed at the Highland in that year.

Another with good figures and breeding is Cowin Casanova from Dyfan and Carrol James, by Kype Orkney, a Cloughhead Lord son, he’s out of Drysgol Miolta and has a beef value of +43 and was second in the local club’s herd competition’s young bull class.

Harry Emslie has another which will draw interest in Emslies CLK (someone up there at Peterhead is a Mercedes fan I’m guessing). This one is a Vivaldi son out of Pennys Tess and has a beef value of +41. Pennys Tess was unbeaten as a maiden heifer and as an in-calf heifer at four Royal Shows.

Lim society chairman Jim Bloom, a long-time supporterr of EBVs has one of the highest ranked bulls in the catalogue with Scorboro Cognac having an EBV of +48. By Mas Du Clo and out of Scorborrow Toffee, a Ionesco daughter, Cognac has a muscle depth of +9.4.

Anyone looking for a cow breeder might take a shine to Ronick Hawk son, Harveys Callander. Bred by George Harvey, this one is a full brother to Harveys Atique which was first at the Royal Highland as a heifer and reserve female champion at Great Yorkshire in the same year and then sold at Red Ladies Day for 6000gns.

And, those who miss out on Emlies CLK, have several other opportunities to buy the same breeding with three ET bred brother also offered all with EBVs of +33 or more.

Jonathan Watson, Tweeddale has a good figured bull in Tweeddale Cormick. This one is by Sarkley Pepsi and out of Tweeddale Tottie, a Grahams Poncho daughter and has beef value of +46.

French bulls are certainly in vogue at the moment, and Messrs Handley, Gunnerfleet, are offering an imported bull which might attract interest. Cajouben, a November 2007-born entry was bred by GAEC Benoit, Les Augeres, and is by Objat and out of Umarieben, a Neptune daughter.

Topping the figures is Newhouse Cyclone from Drew and Bob Adam with an impressive beef value of +52. Again by Vivaldi, he is out off Newhouse Tramp and goes back to Dauphin on his dam’s side.

Messrs Ridley, Halcliffe, again have a strong line up entered and the pick for me would be Haltcliffe Conquer. This Sympa son is full brother to Haltcliffe Braveheart a half share of which sold for 25,000gns at Carlisle last May. His beef value is +34.

Messrs McKay, Nothern Ireland, never disappoints with bulls from Ampertaine and I suspect Ampertaine Commander will be worth a look for anyone wanting muscle. By Glenrock Ventura, he’s out of Ampertaine Annabella, which was reserve champion heifer in the NI Derby at 12 months old.

Bruce Goldie also has a couple of stong figured bulls late in the catalogue in Goldies Craftsman and Goldies Classic. Both by Terrence, Craftsman is full brother to 10,000gns Goldies Anchorman and has a beef value of +44, while Classic is out of Goldies Vitality, dam of Goldies Comet, reserve champion and 23,000gns at Carlisle in February.

Black bulls are a rare sight in Carlisle, but Brian Jones has one forward in Bailea Black Caviare. By Edwards Sirloin, he’s out of Bailea Viva.

My final few choices are late in the sale and include Hannem Dominator from Mike and Sarah Potter, Oxfordshire. He’s by Bailea Vantage, an impressive bull I’ve seen in the flesh, and out of Thorndon Titania. He sells with an EBV of +46.

And finally in my list is Castleden Dynamite. He’s by Castleden Apollo which goes back to Grahams Poncho and is out of Castleden Una, a Cannon granddaughter and has a beef value of +47.

These are of course my rudimentary selections and could be (probably will be) completely off the mark compared to what breed officianados think, but hey I’ll stand by them for now, until I see the bulls in the flesh!!