Upbeat Blues sale takes bids to 3,000gns

The annual Sale of pedigree and crossbred British Blues at Chelford on Monday (7 September) attracted lively bidding throughout on a reduced entry of pedigrees.

Leading the trade at 3,000gns was the March 2013 born bull Nantyderri Icon, from Abergavenny-based breeders Adrian and Val Cooke. By the Wacko sired Nantyderri Empire, and out of Valerie, a daughter of the Royal Show winning Battlesden Marshall Miggs, he went home with Messrs Burke,Timberley, Altrincham.

The second youngest bull in the sale, the May 2014 born Birdswood Joker by the imported bull Lotto, and out of Tweeddale Glow, made 2,350 gns. Consigned by the Okell family he sold to R and V Brown, North Yorkshire.

The July 2014 born Glewstone Jethro, from Ross-on-Wye’s Sam Madeley, made 1,850 gns to
DJ Watkin, Lixwm, Mold.

Blue Crosses of show potential have long been a feature of the Chelford Blue sales. Leading the trade was a Limousin x Blue heifer from DW and L Morgan, Adfa, Newtown. This blue roan heifer, which auctioneers described as being suitable for Christmas primestock and an exciting breeding prospect sold for £1,620 to Mr R Allsop, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Regular Chelford supporters John and Denise Davies travelled from Rugby and saw the best of their pen, another heifer, make £1,360 to Richie Cobbledick, Warbstow, Cornwall.

The same buyer was in again for a steer from Messrs Davies at £1300.

Top price out of the pen from G E Davies, Sarn, Newtown made £1,310 to Chelford stalwart and local finisher Lawrence Bradbury, Davenham on behalf of daughter Caroline.

New customer, Jonathan Hall, Youlgrave consigned some smart Blue x Limousins and saw his heifers to £1,080 and steers to £1,070.

Averages Blue cross steers, £1,003.44; Blue cross heifers, £1,060.00
(Wright Marshall)