Manx grant cuts cost of high BV bull
Manx grant cuts cost of high BV bull
A SPECIAL grant available to Isle of Man beef farmers was used by Ballamanaugh Farms to secure the 4100gns top price animal at the British Simmental Cattle Societys spring event.
The £500 grant, payable by the islands agriculture department to beef producers who buy stock bulls with a Beef Value above the breed average, provided a useful discount on Arkmill Fawkes, a first prize winner from David Miller, East Lothian.
This Ravensworth Carefree son had a Beef Value of 42. Thats 18 above the Simmental average.
The event saw an average of £1912 for the 37 bulls sold, a rise of nearly £80 on the year.
Dr R and Mrs E Hedley, who run 30 pedigree cows, sold their Brinkton Brilliant sired Hopwell Flavius at 3400gns to G L Clark, Cupar Fife.
This marked the Hedleys first visit to the mart from Ockbrook, Derbys.
Changing hands at the same figure was the supreme champion Astcote Flintsone from Stephen Evanss herd at Towcester.
He went to long-time breed supporters Delfur Farms, Banff which run 250 Simmental-cross commercial sucklers.
And the next bull in the ring, Miss Alison Skeltons Rooklea Fraser, also made 3400gns. This Gretna House Supersonic son from her herd at Cockermouth went to J Salisbury, Northants.
Shellthorn Gigolo, by Brinkton Bonzo, was the first bull to be sold at Carlisle by Mr and Mrs A Grossey who keep just four pedigree cows at their home in Bridgwater, Somerset.
They were delighted when he not only stood reserve overall champion, but also figured among the top prices making 3100gns to N Stephenson and Son, Durham.
Leading the females at 2300gns was John Salisburys Salisbury Elite, a heifer with her four-month-old heifer calf by Brinkton Brilliant at foot. Buyers were R and * Nixon, Newcastle.
The female champion, Gerald Smiths served heifer Drumsleed Fantasy, went to Mrs A Wise, Thirsk at 2000gns.
AVERAGES: 37 bulls £1912; 13 females served and/or suckling £1522 and seven unserved females £1295. (Harrison and Hethering-ton)