Pig fate sees champion sell for 5000gns
Pig fate sees champion sell for 5000gns
By Jeremy Hunt
North-west correspondent
IT was a red-letter day for the Leics-based Glenbarry herd, but most breeders left Carlisle disappointed after a poor trade for bulls at the British Blonde Society sale.
Only 14 bulls were sold to average £2392, with 17 females levelling at £886.
But for Melton Mowbray breeders Barry and Christine Allsop it was a day to remember, and largely thanks to an unlikely twist of fate involving two pigs.
A few years ago Barry Allsop, who runs just 20 pedigree Blonde cows, had two pigs to take to Melton Mowbray market. He could not resist having a look around the fat cattle pens and spotted a pedigree Blonde heifer.
"She had a backside like a Belgian Blue. She was registered, but I bought her out of the fat ring for £670," he recalled.
Mr Allsop decided to run her with his stock bull Avonparks Milkybar, Royal Show champion in 1999, and she produced a bull calf in February 2000.
That calf, Glenbarry Renegade, stood senior champion at last weeks sale, and sold for 5000gns. He was bought by RL Maclean and Sons, Rochester, Kent to run with commercial beef heifers.
The Allsops also won the reserve senior male title with Glenbarry Rocket – also by Renegade – and out of a show-winning cow bred in the Hadley herd. Buyers were G Johnston and Son, Carlisle for 3200gns.
Hillhead Blondes from Co Down, Northern Ireland sold Hillhead Ramjam at 4400gns to M W Skidmore and Son, Bishop Auckland. Ramjam is by Romer Major and stood reserve supreme under judge Johan Jamieson (Forres, Scotland).
Other leading prices included 3100gns for Millend Roco from G Bowden and Son to J R Worrell, Castle Douglas, and 2600gns for Doncombe R2D2 from the stable of David Knight to J R and * * Thomas, Montgomery, Powys.
Mr Knights Doncombe Rembrandt stood supreme and realised 2000gns to M Hose, Stranraer (Harrison & Hetherington). *
Ian Maclean with his purchase for 5000gns, Glenbarry Richards. He will be heading to Rochester, Kent to work on a commercial suckler herd.