Farming Eye

One of the most promising young bulls in the Aberdeen-Angus breed capped a successful show ring career on Saturday by winning the yearling bull championship at the Black Beauty Bonanza show of Aberdeen-Angus calves and yearlings at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie,

Logie Politician

The 19 month old bull, Logie Politician L137, exhibited by Scotia Homes chairman, Bill Bruce, from his Logie herd at Ellon and paraded by stockman, Andrew Reid, was bull calf champion at the show last year and took the junior bull, reserve junior and reserve male championships at the Royal Highland Show in June.

He is one of the first crop of calves by Blelack Lord Hildago H972, supreme champion at the Stirling bull sale in February, 2010, when purchased for the Logie herd for 25,000gns, and is destined for next February’s Stirling sale.

The judge, Ian Campbell, Thrunton, Alnwick, Northumberland, described the bull as a “great prospect” and praised the overall standard of the show which is organised by the North East Aberdeen-Angus Club and attracted an entry of 105 calves and yearlings from Shetland and Orkney to Angus. “The tops in all sections were impressive and the standard of presentation exceptional,” he said.

Blelack Jubilant Eric

The breeder of the Blelack sire, Graeme Massie, from Dinnet also had a successful day, winning the bull calf championship with the seven month old Blelack Jubilant Eric M908, while his nephew, 15 year old George Massie, stood reserve with the seven month old Morven Kilo Master M896. Both were sired by Blelack Equity J127. George, who has two cows of his own, also won the award for the best animal from a herd of 10 cows and under.

by Jonathan Long

Just as in the sheep lines the cattle ring has been busy all morning and winning the second of the Limmy heifer classes was R Kingston with Ghost, a 578kg entry, second to this one was T C Edwards with Thrivon, a 574kg heifer and third was Tecwyn Jones with Black Beauty at 560kg.

In the next class of Limmy heifers the winner was Aeron and Berwyn Hughes’ heifer Sindarella at 678kg, second here was Mervyn Yates with Bobble at 616kg and third was T C Edwards with Miss Style at 678kg.

Winning the native heifer class was Elfed Williams with Smurf at 592kg, second was Messrs Walters and Kinnish with 512kg Welsh Maid and third was Stephen Griffiths with Pantmawr Laura at 470kg.

Taking top honours in the pedigree Welsh black heifer were W, M and A Davies with 560kg Eigiau Grugan 19, second was Derrick and Lynn Davies with Cwmbyr Ann at 540kg and third was E Evans at 572kg.

Messrs Howatson took the red ticket in the Pedigree Limousin heifer section with Brenig Gain at 524kg, while second was Paul Dawes with Dinmore Glorious at 552kg and third was P Jones and Son with Janos Geraldine at 596kg.

by Jonathan Long

In the first of the butchers’ weight classes, for pairs up to 73.5kg the winners were a pair from Robin Slade at 67kg, second was a pair from Roger and Jill Williams at 72kg and third was W Gittoes with a pair weighing 71.5kg.

The next class for pairs from 74kg to 79.5kg was won by John Hall with a pair at 74.5kg, second were the Williams with a pair weighing 78kg and third were David and Linda Wadland with a 78.5kg pair.

And taking the red ticket in the class for pairs from 80kg to 85.5kg was Dafydd Lewis with an 83.5kg pair, next were Steve and Sara Gibbons with a pair at 85kg and third were Roger and Jill Williams with a pair weighing 80.5kg.

The next class was for pairs from 86kg to 90.5kg and was won by John Hall with his pair at 90kg, second to him was Huw Rees Jones with a pair at 88kg and third was a pair of 90.5kg lambs from Robin Slade.

Winning the final butchers section class was a air from Phil and Carol Houldey at 92kg, with Steve and Sara Gibbons second with a 91kg pair and Michael Owens third with a pair at 95kg.

Top spot in the untrimmed lamb class was won by Stuart and Jen Clatworthy with a pair of 83.5kg lambs, second to these were David and Linda Wadland’s 85.5kg pair and third was Huw Rees Jones with a pair of 92.5kg lambs.

by Jonathan Long

Taking the red ticket in the first cattle class of the day at the Welsh Winter Fair was Roy Kinnish with his Blonde cross heifer Sue-Bo at 628kg, second was Andrew Bishop with a 624kg Blonde heifer J-Lo and third was D Thomas with a 512kg Blonde heifer Gwyneth.

The second class for Charolais heifers was on by the Jenkins Family with Charlie Girl at 540kg, with T and K Coney second with 582kg Chardonnay and John Owen third with Seren at 532kg.

In the first of the Blue cross heifer classes the winner was Elfed Williams with Blackberry at 598kg, second was the Jenkins Family with 568kg Miss Marble 2 and third was Hefin Parry with Adell weighing 538kg.

Then in the second Blue heifer class the winner was Aeron and Berwyn Hughes with Socs at 662kg, second in this class was Messrs Edwards with Adele at 612kg and third was Dylan and Yvonne Hughes with Flash Dance at 688kg.

Ann Lewis took top spot in the first of the Limousin classes, winning with Black Mist at 536kg, second was Messrs Donaldson and Hall with Misty at 548kg and third was Tecwyn Jones with Tequila at 500kg.

by Jonathan Long

Judging in the sheep rings here at Builth is progressing well, with Paul Slater cracking through the Continental section before moving on to the Butchers’ lambs.

In the first class of the day, the purebred Texel class the winner was a pair of 42.5kg lambs from Steve and Sara Gibbons, the same exhibitors then took the top ticket in the second class for Beltex lambs, this time with a pair of 44.25kg lambs. Second in this class were the Hall family, with a pair of 47kg lambs and third was Terwyn Glyn Davies with a pair of 41.75kg lambs.

In the AOB Continental class the winners were a pair of 40.5kg Blue Texels from Enfys Williams, with Steve and Sara Gibbons second with a pair of 47.75kg lambs and third was Dafydd Lewis with a pair of 49.25kg lambs.

Taking top spot in the first of the Hill lamb classes, the South Wales Mountain class, under judge Alwyn Davies, was a pair at 75.5kg from G M Groucott. Second to them was a pair from Adrian Watkins weighing 80kg the pair and third was Messrs Groucott and Morris with a 69.5kg pair.

The Tregaron Welsh Mountain class was won by Irwel Jones with a an 81.5kg pair and second here was D Morgan Evans with a pair at 80kg and third was Yvonne Edwards with a pair at 82kg.

In the Talybont Welsh Mountain class the winners were T C and A J Tyne with an 82.5kg pair, with Neil Dillon second with a 100kg pair and third were J and M E Price with their pair at 86.5kg.

Winning the Black Welsh Mountain class was the Workman Family with a pair at 71.5kg, the same exhibitor was second with a pair at 64kg and third was E O Williams with a pair at 70.5kg.

by Jonathan Long

Taking the individual carcass championship here at the Welsh Winter Fair was Robert Lewis with an E3L Beltex cross carcass weighing 22kg.

Reserve champion was Adrian Windsor with a 20kg E3L Texel cross carcass.

And in the pairs classes the champion was a pair of Beltex x Texel carcasses from B Blandford and Sons. these bot graded E3L, with one weighing 23kg dead and the other 22.5kg.

The reserve champion pair were from Robin Slade which graded E3L and had a combined weight of 42kg.

by Jonathan Long

A resolutely strong demand for top drawer heifers saw trade peak at 3200gns at Holstein Northern Ireland’s November sale at Moira.

Sale leader on a day that saw a complete clearance was fourth placed Ards Rosberg Magic from Harry Patton and sons, Wilson and Wallace, Newtownards, Co Down. Backed by six generations of VG and Ex dams, this heifer is by the home-bred Sandy Valley Bolton son, Ards Rosberg. Her dam is by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam and she joins W Gillespie’s herd at Portglenone, Co Antrim.

Second highest price of the day 2520gns, was also paid to Harry Patton and Sons for the September 2010 born Ards Russell T Monica. Sired by the home-bred Braedale Goldwyn son, Ards Russell, she sold to Mr Herron, Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh.

The Patton trio also took 2400gns for the day’s reserve champion Ards Russell Belinda. She is by Ards Russell, and is out of an Ocean View Zenith daughter which gave over 9000kg in her second lactation. Backed by seven generations of VG and Ex dams, this heifer is calved four weeks and producing 40 litres a day.

Ronald McLean and sons, Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, realised 2400gns for the October 2010 born Relough Jeves Danna 2. Sired by the Comestar Outside son, Ked Outside Jeeves, she is bred from the Jose daughter, Relough Jose Danna 2.

Regancrest Mr Drham Sam was behind the breeding of Relough Sam Lead which also came under the hammer at 2400gns. Backed by four generations of VG and Ex dams, she is bred from a Picston Shottle dam which gave almost 8000kg in her first lactation.

Cows peaked at 2350gns, paid to Holstein NI chairman Jay Warden, Bangor, for his honourable mention award winner Ballygrainey Ravenhill Darkie 5. Sired by Ards Ravenhill, she produced more than 8300kg in her first lactation. Calved two weeks and giving 45 litres daily she sold to Mr Herron, Co Armagh.

Mr Herron also paid out 2220gns to secure Abercorn IM Elegance consigned by David and Alan Wallace, Antrim. Sired by the Mascol son, Inch Mast, she is bred from a VG88 dam which gave more than 8400kg in her third 305-day lactation.

Following close behind at 2200gns was the supreme champion Ballyginniff Cyclone Beth 2, bred by John Patterson and Sons, James and Andrew, from Crumlin, County Antrim. Sired by the home-bred Pursuit September Storm son, Ballyginniff Cyclone, she is bred from a BKB Affirmed daughter and sold calved four weeks and yielding 29 litres daily. Buying her was Mr Stevenson, Maguiresbridge.

Average; 27 in-milk heifers and young cows £2059.05 (Taffe Auctions).

by Jonathan Long

Leading the trade at today’s sale of Suffolks hosted by Tom Bailey at Batterstown, Co Meath, was a gimmer from Gerry Killilea’s Carragh flock, HOL 110010, at €6200gns. She’s a Strathisla Speed daughter out of a dam by Cairness Star Flyer. She sold in-lamb to Solwaybank Razzle Dazzle and was breed champion at Tullamore last year.

Second best at €3000gns as another Carragh gimmer, HOL 11 048, a Baileys Supervalue daughter out of a Cairness dam by Stockton Savannah. She sold in-lamb to Cairness Castello.

Then following that at €2400gns was the best of the day from Tom and Jeff Bailey, a gimmer, HJW 11053. This Rhaeadr Rossi daughter is out of a dam by Cairness Almighty The Second and sold in-lamb to Cairness Bolt.

An €1850gns call was enough to secure another of the Baileys line up, a gimmer by Cairness New Approach. This was HJW 11047 and is out of a dam by Rossi. She also sold in-lamb to Bolt.

Just shy of that at €1800gns was Seamus Browne’s best from his Errigal flock. This was a gimmer, PBH 11033, a Thurston Chieftain daughter out of a dam by Solwaybank Special One. She was also in-lamb to Cairness Bolt.

And making €1550gns was another of the Carragh gimmers, HOL 11047, a Glenhead Black Diamond daughter out of a dam by Fordafourie President. She sold carrying twins to Baileys Supervalue.

Tom and Jeff Bailey then sold an aged ewe, HJW L83, a Langside Looks the Part daughter out of a dam by Boreland Buddah. She sold in-lamb to Rhaeadr Rossi.

by Jonathan Long

Top call at today’s sale of Texel females at Shrewsbury was a bid of 2000gns for a gimmer from Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale flock. This one BCM1100061, is by Hen Gapel Royal Gold and is out of a dam by Castlecairn Nile God. She sold in-lamb to Milnbank Special One and was knocked down to Henry and Tina Ashley, Lincolnshire.

Second best t 1500gns was a Tamnamoney Ned daughter from the Plasucha flock of Robert Bennett, BFE1100009. She is out of a Pen Parc dam by Mellor Vale Masterpiece and sold in-lamb to Ghyros Rambo. Taking her home was Alasdair Beaton, Falkirk.

Then at 1400gns was another from the same home, and again by Ned. This was BFE 1100018 and is out of a Pen Parc dam by Annan Jewel. This one had previously been first prize ewe lamb at the Shropshire and Borders progeny show in 2011 and sold to Alasdair Beaton carrying to Ghyros Rambo.

Making 1200gns was the best of the day from James and Hannah Draper’s Claybury flock, a gimmer, 1100106, by Glenside Royal Male and out of a dam by Annan Jewel. She was sold in-lamb to the English National champion, Mellor Vale Tomahawk, and went to an undisclosed Northern Irish buyer.

Following her at 920gns was an ET sister to the sale leader from Charlie Boden. This was, BCM1100062 and was also in-lamb to Milnbank Special One. She found a new home with Messrs Morgan, Aberystwyth.

Just behind that at 880gns was another from Plasucha, BFE1100023, another Ned daughter out of a Pen Parc dam by Annan Jewel. She again sold in-lamb to Ghyros Rambo and went home with Tom and Emily Morgan, Shrewsbury.

Average; 53 females £599.89 (Lawrie and Symington with Halls).

by Jonathan Long

Sale leader in the Charolais Christmas Cracker female offering today in Carlisle was the female champion Holstead Emdeholly (lot 58) from the Andrews family. This December 2009-born heifer by Burradon Talisman out of the Killadeas Jack daughter Holstead Sophie, sold for 5500gns to H P Whittaker, Tarporley, Chesshire, having been served in May to the easy calving sire Blelack Digger.

Holstead Emdeholly

Next best was a call of 4300gns which secured Breaklow Anastasia (lot 75) from Messrs Cox. By Gretnahouse Noel, this March 2005-born cow is out of the Baggrave Minstrel daughter Breaklow Solitaire. She sold with a bull calf at foot by Balthayock Aesop and having been served to Goldies Eddy to Crowhall Farms, Hexham.

Then selling for 3800gns was Gwenog Foxy (lot 60) from the Howells family. This Thrunton Classic July-born two year old is out of the Blelack Tycoon daughter Gwenog Bliss and sold having been AI’d to Dingle Hofmeister. Buyer here was Nugent Estate, Portaferry, Northern Ireland.

Trading at 3600gns was another from Messrs Cox, this time Breaklow Venus (lot 74), a March 2004-born cow Gretnahouse Noel daughter out of the Brampton Gladiator daughter Breaklow Panache. Again sold with a Balthayock Aesop bull calf at foot, she had been AI’d to Elgin Davinci and was knocked down to Moorhouse Farm, Isle of Man.

Then wrapping up proceedings, another from the Howells’ went at 3500gns. Gwenog Gigi (lot 62) is a January 2011-born yearling heifer by Thrunton Classic and is out of the Blelack Tycoon daughter Gwenog Blodyn. She sold with with a TSI of +37 and a SRI of +35 to previous buyer Nugent Estate.

Averages: 24 bulls £3640.00; 5 “Cracker” females £3843.00; 3 served heifers £2642.50; 4 maiden heifers £2021.25; 5 cows served and/or suckling  £3171.00 (Harrison and Hetherington).

And as we’re talking about Carlisle, the Farming Eye team would like to wish a very happy birthday to H&H’s Heather Pritchard. She’s been with H&H since 1979 and what a service she’s given them!! Both Jonathan and I would be lost without her efficiency when it comes to keeping us up to date with sales news and buyers. We often comment “every market needs a Heather!” so cheers – have a good birthday weekend!

by Chrissie Long