Suckled calf averages jump at Carlisle

A strong show of suckled calves, many with show potential sold to an eager ringside at Carlisle on Saturday, with the overall average rising more than £190 on last year.

The top call of the day of £3500 was paid for a Limousin steer from Robert and Michael Scott, Thirlwall Castle.  This steer was by Cloughhead Titanic and out of a Limousin x cow and was purchased by Gavin Scott, Gateside Farm, Linlithgow.  

The Scotts also had the next top call at £2800 this time with a red Limousin heifer by Hafodlas Vance.  She was purchased by Gordon Park, Henmoss.  The overall champion from the pre-sale show achieved the day’s third top price at £2600. This was a black Limousin heifer from Philip and John Trafford, Bassenthwaite. Sired by the herd’s stock bull Sablier and out of a ? British Blue cross dam, she sold to Mike Rowland, judge for the pre-sale show.

Breaking the £2000 barrier again were three excellent black Limousin heifers from Thirlwall Castle by a home bred bull. The sold at £2500 and £2100 (twice) and were bought by Gavin Scott, Gateside, K D and D E Millar and Partners, Crookholm, Canonbie and T C Edwards, Corwen, respectively.

Also at £2100 was the first prize British Blue heifer from Andy Ryder, Blackhamilton Farm, she was purchased by Willie Timm, The Reddings, Strathaven.

The last to hit the £2000 mark was another Thirlwall Castle heifer which was purchased by Trevor Lyon, Lintre House, Thurlby.

Averages; steers £1004.55, heifers £908.96 (Harrison and Hetherington).