Shorthorns sell to 2,450gns in rare Rugby sale

Heifers sold to 2,450gns at Rugby Farmers Mart in the first sale of pedigree Shorthorns in the Midlands for a very long time.

As proof of the breed’s popularity, Rugby Farmers Mart introduced a new section for beef Shorthorn cattle to its spring breeding sale on Saturday 14 May.

Of the 69 cattle for sale, judge Roger Elliott, Kislingbury, Northamptonshire, named maiden heifer Plynlimon Wheat by Christopher Evans, Herefordshire, his champion.

Plynlimon Wheat

Sired by Balgay Elden and out of Ballylinney Wheat 1025, Plynlimon Wheat went to Messrs Fenemore, Buckinghamshire, for 2,450gns.

Reserve champion Greenley Joyful from Graham Towers went for 1,950gns. The 16-month-old maiden heifer, sired by Chapleton Winsome and out of Podehall Joyful April, went to Robert Leach of Warmington, Banbury.

Greenley Joyful

Slightly ahead of the reserve champion in price at 2,200gns was Redhill F Eva Broadhooks 10, an in-calf heifer from Brenda Wear, Bristol. The two-year-old went to M Moss for his Uxbridge herd.

Other breeds

Outside the Shorthorn sale, Wroxall Fifi-Primrose, an in-calf Simmental heifer from the Wroxall herd, Warwickshire, took the top price of 1,780gns.

Due to calve for the first time in November, she went to C Tucker, Devizes, Wiltshire. From the same herd, Wroxall Fruitella-Primrose went for 1,600gns to Messrs Windridge, Coventry.

Meanwhile, Simmental cows and calves from the Peatling herd, Leicestershire, topped at 1,680gns. Peatling Ellie, a Chyanhal Wellington daughter with her two-month-old calf, went to Messrs Barnes, Rugby.

Averages: Two-year-old Shorthorn heifers, £1,828; Shorthorn yearling heifers, £1,571; two-year-old Shorthorn bulls, £1,585.