All time first for pedigree beef female
All time first for pedigree beef female
By Jeremy Hunt
A FIRST ever unhaltered sale of pedigree beef females for the British Charolais Cattle Society saw bidding reach 1650gns for a heifer from the Wilts-based Foxacre herd.
Snapped up by Neil Young, who is setting up a new Charolais herd of his own alongside the one run by his parents at Waverton, Wigton, Cumbria. He bought Foxacre Rosamundi, who was by Foxacre Magnifique, a son of the French bull Hardie.
She was in-calf to Balmyle Magnate and was consigned by Ann Orr-Ewing, Swindon.
Mrs Orr-Ewing brought seven entries to the sale and took 1300gns for another Magnifique heifer secured by AJ Ewing, Annan, Dumfriesshire. Foxacre Reverie was out of a Guthrie Dazzler cow and her beef value of 23 puts her in the breeds top 25%.
At the same money, herdmate Foxacre Rapsodie sold to JR Benzie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. This maiden heifer is by Grove Victor and has a beef value of 29. She is full sister to Foxacre Maximus, a previous Royal Show champion and performance recorded 400-day trait leader.
Local buyer F Graham, Cockermouth, Cumbria, gave 1400gns for Cotehouse Pearl from ED Marshalls herd in Derbyshire. This heifer, by Riddlecombe Enrico and out of a Tattenhall Impeccable cow, was suckling a bull calf by Cotehouse Remus and was in-calf to him again.
D Ferguson and Sons, Bewcastle, Carlisle, took three of the highest priced lots, paying 1250gns, 1200gns and 1100gns. Their highest call was for the second calver Moynton Orphelia bred by Peter Old in Dorset, but one of several entries from the Lancs-based herd of Messrs Smith, Salmesbury.
Orphelia is by Thrunton Ideal and out of a Lamberhurst Volunteer dam. She was sold suckling a month-old bull calf by Foxacre Maximus. Messrs Ferguson paid 1200gns for Bega Poise, an in-calf heifer by Allanfauld Vagabond from J and C Wrigley, St Bees, Cumbria.
Averages: 22 cows and heifers served or suckling £1054 and 10 bulling heifers £992 (Harrison & Hetherington). *
Top price at the Charolais unhaltered female sale, Foxacre Rosamundi from Ann Orr-Ewing of Purton, Wiltshire, which sold for 1650gns.