Long journey proves fruitful
Long journey proves fruitful
THE long trip from Northern Ireland with just one bull paid dividends for Madden Blondes whose Madden Paolo realised the top price of 3300gns at the Blonde dAquitaine Cattle Societys summer show and sale at Carlisle.
By Romer Major and out of an Ignace-sired dam, this May 1999-bred bull had earlier stood reserve male and reserve supreme champion under judge Malcolm Telfer, Stocksfield, Northumberland. Paolo stayed in Cumbria with buyer CR Lowis of Howtown, Penrith.
The Madden Blondes also sold another Macho son, Loosebeare Peter, at 2000gns to Beck High Farms who run a large suckler herd at Reedham, Norwich, and who claimed three of the higher priced bulls as well as the reserve female champion.
Top of the list was a 2800gns call for David and Sue Knights Doncombe Plantagenet from their 80-strong herd at Chippenham, Wilts. This April 1999-bred bull weighed 772kg on the day and was awarded the junior championship. He had a 400-day weight of 650kg and a Beef Value of 22. Plantaganet is by Druk Lance whose semen is being used in an ET programme in Australia to improve commercial cattle.
The Doncombe herds success went some way to compensate for the disaster that befell the Knights during their last visit to Carlisle when their best bull, entered for the society sale, injured himself in transit and had to be destroyed.
Also on the day, the dispersal of the Anglesey herd for North Wales breeder J Roberts peaked at 1500gns paid by Mrs PA Griffin, Driffield, Yorks for Challonsleigh Lady Di, a cow by Bradbury Evan with an April-born heifer at foot (Harrison & Hetherington). *