Pedigree cattle and dairy sales: Market highlights

The recent show and sale of Beef Shorthorns in Carlisle showcased notable sales. Scorpio of Skaillhouse, the pre-sale show champion, commanded the highest price of 8,000gns. This March 2022-born bull, sired by Podehole Rock Nebula and out of Eva Wildeyes 13 of Skaillhouse, was acquired by Messrs Reeves, Ipstones.

Following closely at 7,500gns was Headlind Stockman, a November 2022-born progeny of Dunsyre Horatio and Headlind Holly Nutmeg, sold by Allan Jackson, Headlind Partners, Kirkfield Bank, to Messrs Sleigh and Son, Turriff.

Stonehills Sandy Lane, another impressive bull born in December 2022 by Podehole Rock Master, fetched 5,800gns and found its new home with Messrs Foy, Conder Green, from G.L. Riby, Bridlington.

Hallsford Snowstorm, the reserve male and reserve overall champion born in March 2022 and sired by Meonside Northern Light, was sold for 5,500gns to Messrs Hagon, Ulverston, from A.N. and H.S. Tomkins.

Other notable sales include Redstones Snowman, the first prize winner by Napoleon of Upsall, which sold for 5,000gns to Messrs Longlands, Northumberland, and Langhams Gypsy Summer, the champion heifer born in April 2022 by Langhams Nebraska, which topped at 4,200gns and was acquired by Messrs Page, North Humberside.

Averages: 17 bulls averaged £4,805.29; 25 females averaged £2,641.80; and 10 Ballard herd females averaged £2,299.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Limousin Bulls at Darlington:

At the North East Limousin Breeders Club show and sale in Darlington, bulls achieved a top price of 6,500gns with an impressive 95% clearance rate.

The highest-selling bull was Wanthwaite Rolo, a four-year-old bull by Kingshaugh Nice, which carries two copies of the F94L gene. Bred by the Bell family and consigned by Willie Barron, it was sold to R.A. and S.L. Wearmouth, Long Newton, for 6,500gns.

Next in line was Longhirst Trevor, a September 2022-born bull, also a double F94L carrier, which sold for 5,500gns to R. Falconer and Son, Milham, from the Jordan family, Morpeth.

Holywell Tyson, a December 2022-born bull by Plumtree Fantastic, fetched 4,800gns from Mark Marley and Jo Gibson, Northalleton, and was sold locally to Peter Jopling and family.

Pedigree Heifers: Pedigree heifers achieved a top price of 2,150gns for Barrons Unifloss, a 14-month-old heifer, sold by Willie Barron, Morrow Edge, to local breeder Eileen Wilson.

Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.

Breeding Cattle at Barnard Castle:

The show and sale of breeding cattle at Barnard Castle witnessed robust trading, with prices reaching up to £3,600. The top price was achieved by a British Blue heifer with a Limousin-sired bull calf at foot, consigned by P.J. Donnelly, Great Ayton.

Championship Winner: The championship title was awarded to a British Blue cross heifer with a bull calf at foot from D.W. and D.M. Elliott, Mungrisedale, which sold for £3,550.

Store and Feeding Bulls: The top price in the store and feeding bull section was £1,725 for a Limousin bull from D. and P.H. Brown, Aldbrough St Johns.

Store Steers and Heifers: Store steers peaked at £1,705 for a Limousin consigned by T.M. Bellas and Son, Barnard Castle, while heifers reached £1,695 for a Limousin from the same home.

Over-30-Month Cattle: Over-30-month cattle sold to £2,544.90 (£249.5p/kg) for a British Blue stock bull, from B. and J.D. Beadle, Staindrop.

Averages: Bulls averaged £1,426.50; steers averaged £1,356.60; heifers averaged £1,249.43.

Auctioneers: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Co.

Boclair Herd Leads Carlisle Dairy Trade:

At the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club show and sale in Carlisle, the Boclair herd stole the spotlight, with the top price of 5,000gns going to the second-place senior heifer, Boclair Rubels Apple Red, from the Brewster family, Glasgow.

Champion Heifer: The champion, Boclair Lambda Celebrity, bred from the PR Barbie cow family, was sold for 3,100gns to the judge, Ewan Paul, Johnstonebridge.

Reserve Champion: Stowbeck Ferraro Mavis by OCD Ferraro, from Skirwith Hall Farms, Penrith, fetched 2,800gns and was sold to St. Main Dairy Farming Company, Perthshire.

Other Notable Sales: Wormanby Hanley Ricki by Siemers Hanley, from the Hodgson family, Carlisle, made 3,000gns to Messrs McCulloch, Stranraer, and another heifer from the same home by King Doc was acquired for 2,900gns.

Averages: 8 cows in-milk averaged £2,283.75; 79 heifers in-milk averaged £2,441.17.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.