Farming Eye

Sale leader for Robert and Jean Graham’s Limousin offering of females in Carlisle this afternoon has topped at 17,000gns for Grahams Gayla. This is by Baileys Elderado, a Queenshead Altea son and is out of the Rammadan daughter Cavaliere and has a beef value of +30 and sold to Doug Mash for his Brockhurst herd.

Grahams Gayla 17,000gns

Next best was a call of 7500gns for Grahams Gemini, a Millgate Clinker daughter out of the Grahams Alexander daughter Grahams Donna. This one has been AI’d to Goldies Black Forever and sold to Esmor Evans, Mold, North Wales.

Grahams Gemini 7500gns

Then Grahams Gina, another Clinker daughter this time out of the Kaprico Bracken daughter Grahams Evelyn sold for 6500gns to Andrew Morton, Denny, Stirling. Again, she was offered having been AI’d to Goldies Black Forever.

Grahams Gina 6500gns

Then at 6000gns was Grahams Glory, another Millgate Clinker daughter out of the Utah daugher Grahams Diamond who is out of the 12,000gns Grahams Trendy. She sold to J Galbraith and Son, Linlithgow, West Lothian.

At 5200gns Grahams Daisy then exchanged hands selling to B Haigh, Newton Stewart, Glenluce. By Astucieux, this April 2008-born female is out of the Orient daughter Aimmee and sold having been PD’d in calf to Bagou.

Two females then shared a 5000gns price tag and both selling to Esmor Evans, Mold, North Wales, the first of which was Grahams Georgia, another Clinker daughter, this time out of the Kaprico Bracken daughter Grahams Eureka. The next at that money was another Clinker daughter, Grahams Gabrielle. This one is out of Saunders Edwina, an Anside Arnie daughter. Both heifers were sold having been served to Goldies Black Forever.

Average: seven served heifers £7650; one cow and calf £5460.

by Chrissie Long

Today’s Gold Cup open day has seen over one thousand visitors travel to see Shanael Holsteins at their home in Evesham. The Miller family have 60 special lots on offer in their Golden Celebration Sale.

The first notable price so far was for a choice of two full sisters Shanael Sudan Golden ET and Shanael Sudan Golden 2 ET selling for 9000gns. Born July 2012 they are by VA-Early-Dawn Sudan Cri and out of the very good 89 classified Shanael Bolton Golden. The heifers carry a GTPI of 2004 and 2103 respectively and are from eight generations of very good or excellent dams. R K and S G  Miller and sons purchased this pick for their Moorshard herd.

Just before that the very good 88 classified second calver Shanael Spirte Reba sold for 4200gns, she is be Cedarwal Spirte and out of the excellent 90 scored Shanael Gibson Reba. She is the seventh generation on very good or excellent cows and sold giving 44.7kg daily to A M Jones, Calcourt Farms.

Then at 4000gns was Shanael Alchemy Jodie ET, she is a Hunsberger Alchemy heifer born December 2012, her dam is the very good 87 classified Shanael Redman Jodie, a Valleyriver Ruben Redman Red daughter. She is from nine generations of very good or excellent dams going back to the prolific breeder Fradon Rudolph Jodie and heads over the water to the Haffey family, Northern Ireland for their Kilvergan herd.

Following her at 4200gns was the very good 88 classified Shanael Phoenix Amanda, this second calver is the ninth generation of very good or excellent cows. She is by the home bred Shottle son Shanael Phoenix and out of the Braedale River daughter Shanael River Amanda and sold giving 46.9kg daily to Messrs Royle for their Bolshaw herd.

Shanael Shamrock Eroy ET sold for 6000gns to Moorshard Holsteins, this March 2012-born heifer carries a GTPI of 2127. She is by Ladys-Manor PI Shamrock and is out of the very good 87 classified two year old Shanael Jeeves Echo ET, her full sister Nova-TMJ Jeeves Eleta sold for $18,000 at the International Intrigue Sale 2012. Shanael Shamrock Eroy’s full brother Shanael Elias ET is on test at Cogent and they are from seven generations of very good or excellent cows.

Next at 4300gns was Shanael Windbrook Echo, this May 2012-born Gillette Windbrook daughter is maternal sister to the previous heifer being out of Shanael Jeeves Echo. She was purchased by Walton Farms for their Shuttlewoods herd.

Shanael Gold Chip Melody ET made 4500gns selling to A and R Shufflebotham for the Avondale herd, this July 2012-born Mr Chassity Gold Chip heifer is out of the excellent 91 classified Shanael Allen Melody who is sister to the prize winning excellent 95 classified Shanael Gelpro Melody who sold for 20,000gns at the Genetic Elite Sale 2003.

On a few lots Shanael Alexander Asset ET classified very good 86 two year old sold for 5000gns, she is by Golden-Oaks St Alexander and out of the excellent 91 classified Shottle daughter Morningview Shtl Asset. She is maternal sister to Farnear-TBR Aset Abslute scored very good 87 that sold for $81,000 Parade of Perfection Sale 2010. This heifer has given 11948kg in 292 days and was still giving 42.7kg, she is back in calf to De-Su Freddie Galaxy and sold to Tom Cope, Staffordshire.

Her very good 87 maternal sister Shanael Sanchez Asset by Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez then sold for 4000gns, she had given 11903kg as a heifer and was purchased by P T G Jones for Parcgwyn Holsteins. Then her March 2012-born Windbrook heifer calf sold for 5000gns to Hale and Langley for the Valebrook herd.

At 4200gns was Shanael Fever Roxy, this Crackholm Fever daughter is out of very good 88 two year old Shanael Spirte Roxy and sold to Parcgwyn Holsteins.

Averages: 14 cows £3375; 29 served and maiden heifers £3182.59; 12 bulls £2240 (Auctioneers Norton and Brooksbank)

by Chrissie Long

With the Burke Trophy continuing it’s peripatetic existence and touring the major English shows this year it was the turn of the Royal Bath and West to host the competition and Staffordshire-based Danny Wyllie to undertake the judging duties.

Taking the title this year were the Aberdeen-Angus pair of Kingsbrompton Missethels Endeavour G563 and Tofts Prona D680, from Colin Hutchings and Paul and Kirsty Westaway, respectively.

The Burke Trophy winning Aberdeen-Angus pair

Endeavour is a son of Curzon Endeavour out of Colin’s former show cow Kingsbrompton Miss Ethel D292, while Prona D680 is sired by Blelack Lord Hildago A234.

Standing reserve were the Limousin duo of Foxhill Gracie and Culnagechan Giantscauseway from the Alford family and Nick and Lisa Hill. Gracie is a Vantastic daughter out of Bankdale Alice, a Sympa daughter, while Giantscauseway is sired by Carmorn Copilot and is out of a Tanat Mostyn daughter.

Reserve Burke Trophy champions, the Limousin pair

by Jonathan Long

Leading the way at Skipton’s multi-breed beef breeding cattle sale was a 2850gns bid for a British Blue cross bull from Simon Bennett, Silsden Moor. This Brookfield Columbo son is out of a Limousin dam and sold to T B Moorhouse and Son, Dacre, Harrogate.

The Oddacres pedigree Limousin herd of John and Claire Mason, from Embsay, again performed well at its local auction mart with the third prize 2011-born bull, Oddacres Guardsman, a Domino son. He caught the eye of previous buyers Ashfield Farms, of Lothersdale, when knocked down for 2600gns.

Charolais prices peaked at 2,000gns for Laverock Grouse, a 2011-born bull from W Richardson and Son, Laverock Bridge, Kendal. This son of Thrunton Laird remained in the area when joining A Guy and Son, Elslack.

The same selling price was achieved by a 15- month-old Aberdeen Angus bull from the Fox Foot pedigree herd of R C Turnbull and Son, Coxwold, York. Foxfoot Accelerate, by Weydale Everest, also sold locally to W Stapleton and Son, Hellifield. (Craven Cattle Marts).

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by Jonathan Long

It’s not a trick headline, a competition to find the most gorgeous cow in the UK has not only been held, but has been won by the Jersey female Bluegrass Sergeants Snowqueen with 12,000 votes on an online poll which ran over three months.

The competition was launched by gourmet yoghurt brand The Collective, with a total of 123 cows entered being narrowed down to a final six to be independently rated by a panel of judges.

Her owner Mark Davis, Honiton, won £1000 for submitting her picture to the competition. While the aptly named Snowqueen won a day of pampering by make-up artists and her very own Vogue photo shoot while parading round London landmarks. Images of the photo shoot can be viewed here.

This second calver was originally bred by Barry and Jenny Daw, she is by the Rock Ella Remake son Bluegrass Savannahs Sergeant and is the sixth generation of very good or excellent cows, she gave 6851kg at 7.74% butterfat and 3.62% protein as a heifer.

I guess we’re now left wondering what the most handsome bull will get (if there was such an award!).

by Chrissie Long

Trade for commercial breeding cattle was strong at Carlisle on Friday, however it was back on the year reflecting the late spring and lack of forage. Leading the trade was a British Blue cow and Limousin calf at £3500 from Mark Towers, Colt Park Farm. Another British Blue outfit from the same home sold for £2950.

Heifers and calves topped at £3000 for a Limousin heifer and calf from Messrs Dickinson, High Knipe, who also sold two units for £2900, firstly a British Blue heifer and calf and then a Parthenaise outfit. At £2950 was a Bazadaise heifer and calf from Mark Towers.

Bulling heifers sold to a top of £1760 twice for British Blue cross heifers from Messrs Hall, Ainstable. (Auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington)

Then on Saturday at Bridgnorth Market the Kirkton family, Ashledge, dispersed their commercial herd of suckler cows and followers to a top of £2700 for a Limousin cross British Blue cow with her one month old heifer calf at foot.

To read more of this report please click the tab below…

by Chrissie Long

Top price on Monday at the May Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton was £2250 for a fresh calved heifer from Jonathan Caygill, Rylstone, selling to Wilmot Blockley, Cheshire.

Fred and son Mark Houseman, Burton Leonard, took champion and reserve in the pre-sale show with their fresh calved heifers. The champion sold for £2180, she was 19 days calved and giving 34 litres; while the reserve was giving 27 litres and sold for £2100, both heifers were purchased by Wilmot Blockley, Cheshire.

At £2000 was a third prize heifer from Paul Baul, Bishop Thornton, she sold to H Goodall and son, Bradford.

Fresh calved cows sold to a top of £1760 for a second prize cow from Graham Bell, York, she also went to H Goodall and son, Bradford.

Alan Throup, Silsden Moor, sold three maiden heifers to a top of £770, purchasing this heifer was Malcolm and Robert Swires, Harrogate.

Averages: maiden heifers £740; fresh heifers £1760; fresh cows £1607 (Auctioneers CCM Skipton)

by Chrissie Long

The Belted Galloway Annual Spring Show and Sale at Worcester on Saturday saw 85 cattle from all parts of the country selling to a top of 2050gns for a served heifer from Sir Martin Arbib.

Howemill Shimmer stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show, this September 2010-born heifer is by Howemill River Rade and out of Howemill Lustre, a Mosstonmuir Polermo daughter. She sold in calf to Howemill See The Sky and sold to Tangent Estates, Malmesbury for 2050gns.

Second top price went to Hillfield Expo from Mrs Y Long, born September 2009 he is by Southfield Double O Seven and out of the Boxmoor Dante daughter Coates April Showers. He sold for 1900gns to National Trust, Woolbeding Estate, West Sussex.

Then at 1800gns was the August 2008-born Crossfield Rufus from Messrs Finch, a son of Mochrum Kingfisher is out of Crossview Henrietta, a Broadmeadows Lenny daughter. He was breed champion at Three Counties Show 2012 and interbreed champion at Pembrokeshire 2011, as well as many other championships across Wales. He was purchased by Melsop Farming, Scoulton, Norwich.

The pre-sale overall champion Crackley Marvel from Messrs Booth and Bell sold for 1580gns. This June 2011-born is by the Three Counties interbreed champion 2012 Bigginvale Malcolm and out of the Ballamor Hercules daughter Crackley Jenny.

Howemill Bluebell a 2002-born cow from Sir Arbib made 1300gns. She is by Mochrum Kingfisher and out of Lullenden Harebell 2, a Shiralee Moonshine daughter, she sold in calf to Howemill Puzzler with her September-born Whitepool Northern Light bull calf at foot. Purchasing the unit was J Langley, Redruth, Cornwall.

Averages:18 cows and calves £968.00; 11 in calf cows £720.00; six served heifers £1,095.00; 11 unserved heifers £661.00; six bulls £1,530.00 (Auctioneers McCartneys)

by Chrissie Long

Trade was steady at Dungannon yesterday for Charolais bulls with a top price of 4400gns for Mountjoy Harlequin ET, a 13 month old by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort and out of a homebred dam. Bred by C O McAskie, Omagh, County Tyrone, this one sold to J Dunlop, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Mountjoy Governor ET from the same breeder sold for 3200gns to B Barrett, Dromore, County Tyrone. Governor was a 20 month old by the 19,000gns Corrie Alan and out of a homebred dam.

Knocked down sold at 3900gns was Moorlough Harry from J McBride, Strabane, County Tyrone. With a TI of +41 and a SRI of +31, this 16 month old purchased by W Nixon, Strabane, County Tyrone and is by Doonally New and out of a homebred dam sired by Oldstone Egbert.

Calls of 3600gns were made twice. First to go at this money was the reserve senior male and reserve overall male champion Solitude Hannibal from J and W McMordie, Newtownards, County Down. An ET-bred Lisnagre Elite son and out of a Doonally New-sired homebred dam, he carries a TI of +40 and a SRI +34 and went home with D Allen, Richill, County Armagh. The same breeders took 3300gns from T Aiken, Kesh, County Fermanagh, for Solitude Hercules, a 13 month old ET-bred son of the 16,000gns Clyth Diplomat and out of Drumlone Anna.

Also sold for 3600gns was the 14 month old reserve junior champion Tullylagan Hammond, from S Hammond, Cookstown, County Tyrone. Sired by the 5200gns Gwenog Braveheart and out of a homebred dam, he sold to R Watson, Augher, County Tyrone.

The first prize winner Slievemore Glennellygim sold for 3500gns to T Brownlee, Loughgall, County Armagh. Bred by J and M N Bradley, Omagh, County Tyrone, this 23 month old was by Pirate and out of a homebred dam.

Heading the female entry at 1800gns was the two year old in calf heifer Moorlough Goodgirl by Goldies Champion and out of a homebred dam, from Mr McBride. Scanned as in calf to Pirrott, she went home with C Caragher, Newry, County Down.

Averages: 27 bulls, £2,978.89; 3 heifers, £1,609.65 (Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers’ Mart).

by Chrissie Long

Leading the trade at 4200gns for Beef Shorthorn bulls at Carlisle today was the reserve overall champion Wells Edward (lot 146) from John Wood. He is by Dacre Rock Star and out of Glenisla Waterloo Naomi, a Dunsyre Mercenary daughter. His sire was reserve male champion at the Royal Highland Show and male champion at Great Yorkshire Show 2012. He was purchased by E Belchier, Maybole, Ayrshire.

Wells Edward, 4200gns

At 3200gns was the overall champion, Cairnsmore Eric (lot 138) from the Landers family, he is by Captain Vortek of Upsall and out of Cairnsmore Tanzy, a Dunsyre Mad Max daughter. He sold to Liam Muir, Stormness, Orkney.

Selling for 3000gns was Dunsyre Esperanza (lot 142) from Carey Coombs, this is a Dunsyre Asterix son out of a home bred Dunsyre Wrangler daughter. Purchasing this one was Messrs Tailford, Riding Mill, Northumberland

To read more leading prices please click the link below…

by Chrissie Long