South Devons hit 8400gns high at Bristol sale

The South Devons’ Autumn Show and Sale at Bristol saw prices peak at 8400gns for the bulls on offer and 5000gns for in-calf heifers.

Leading the way was the day’s male champion Welland Valley Crusader 5 forward by Malcolm and Thelma Broomes. With bloodlines going back to the Explorer and Hanbury families, he has already seen great success in the show ring with six male and breed championships to his credit.  Keen bidding in the ring saw the hammer finally fall to G Pluess, Trevoulter Barton, Bude, Cornwall at 8400gns. A second bull forward from the Welland Valley herd was also in demand selling for 5000gns to T Bailey, Huby, Yorkshire.  Welland Valley Warrior 1 is by Stretchford Dynamic 3, and out of Welland Valley Gem 1.

The reserve male champion, R R B and S J Harvey’s X Sexton Champ Poll Polaris, by AI Z Sexton Poll Hermes, achieved 3100 gns to polled South Devon breeder T H E Laity, Polkinghorne, Hayle, Cornwall.  The Harvey‘s also had success in the show ring with Sexton Bringgood 49, who was awarded Female Champion.  The heifer was bought by Mr R J Leach from Payhembury, Honiton, Devon for 3200gns and the same buyer also acquired Z AI Woodhayes Holly 29, a polled heifer bred by B G and J Z A Dart, for 3000gns.

A record-breaking top price of 5000gns was achieved for heifers with Newquay breeder R K Rundle’s Kestle Buttermaid 84  leading the way. This one sold to Cornish breeder M A and C Sandbach and Son, Wadebridge. 

The second highest priced heifer Foxhole Bonnie 7, consigned by K V and M A Plain, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire also broke the previous record by selling to K and A Watchorn and Sons, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire for 3800gns.

Averages: 7 bulls £3795; eight halter-broken bulling/in-calf heifers £2737; 10 halter-broken maidens £1160; 27 non halter-broken heifers £1100.

(Messrs Kivells, Hallworthy, Cornwall)