Ellesmere herd sells to 4,500gns for cow and calf outfit

Prices rose to 4,500gns for a cow and calf outfit at the dispersal of the entire Ellesmere herd of Limousin cattle on behalf of Messrs AHM Lea and Son, Shropshire, last week (6 January).

The herd, which was a commercially run pedigree herd and established in 1972, was being dispersed following the death of its founder the late Graham Lea in 2015.

See also: More livestock sales news

Young bull Ellesmere Lost sold for 3,200 gns. © John Eveson

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Mr Lea’s son Mark said he was pleased with trade on the day. “We had a number of interested genuine buyers and the prices averaged out well.”

The prefix is being retained should the family wish to establish a herd in the future. 

Sale leader was 2013-born Ellesmere Ida and her February 2016-born calf Ellesmere Monty.

They sold for a combined 4,500gns (2,800gns and 1,700gns) to RW and CS Richards, Park Farm, Craswell, Hereford.

Ida is by the Mas Du Clo son Uskudar and out of Ellesmere Roxette and is described as being a “deep-bodied cow”. She sold with a 400-day growth estimated breeding value (EBV) of 87.

Selling for the highest single lot was the maiden heifer Ellesmere Lenny.

By the Objat son Chaumeil and out of Ellesmere Horgeous, who is by the Mas Du Clo son Uskudar, she sold to an undisclosed buyer for 3,000gns.

The highest price calf, Ellesmere Mark, sold for 2,300 gns © John Eveson

Leading the calf prices at 2,300gns was the bull calf Ellesmere Mark.

The bull calf’s dam, Ellesmere Lindy, boasts a 400-day growth of 94.

Mark is sired by Ellesmere Hugo.

Next in the money at 3,200gns was the young bull Ellesmere Lost.

This Chytodden Conan-sired bull is out of Castleview Virulent and has a 400-day growth EBV of +92. He sold to Powell partners, Upper Newton Farm, Newton, Vowchurch, Hereford.

Red House Farm, Newtown, Powys, snapped up many of the day’s top priced lots, including many of the heifers.

Top of their heifer purchases was Ellesmere Jatiere.

By the Objat son Ellesmere Duke, she is out of Ellesmere Tango and sold for 2,750gns.

They also purchased heifers to 2,600gns twice and 2,500gns.

Averages: 39 cows and heifers served and/or suckling, £2,492.81; 15 served heifers, £2,117.50;14 maiden heifers, £1,168.50; three young bulls, £2,537.50

(Harrison & Hetherington in conjunction with Welshpool Livestock Sales)