Fantastic Show of Calves at Hexham
2011-03-14

Hexham & Northern Marts at their Special March Prize Show & Sale of Store Cattle & Suckled Calves had forward an increased entry on the year of 1196 head on Friday 11th March 2011.

The Champion - a Limousin cross steer calf
bred by Ashley & John Murray
© Robert Smith Photography

Prior to the sale the show, kindly sponsored by Armstrong Watson Accountants, Scott Mitchell & Associates Vets & Allflex Livestock Identification was expertly judged by Miss Elaine Sedgewick of Long Myers, Durham.

A fantastic show of 39 calves were presented for the judge in total comprising 17 Limousin cross, 10 British Blue cross, 6 Charolais cross & 4 Blonde D'Aquitaine cross. Following the hard fought breed classes the Judge awarded her championship to an absolutely outstanding Limousin cross steer calf bred by Ashley & John Murray, Glebe Farm, West Butsfield, Tow Law, Co. Durham . The 14 month old bullock was sired by the breeders French Limousin Bull 'Ulm' out of a British Blue cross bred cow, the beast went on to sell for £1120 and was purchased by the Judge. The Murrays were presented with the John Davison Millenium Cup by Mr Davison himself.

In a close fought contest the Reserve Champion rosette was awarded to The Johnson family, West Wharmley , Hexham for their first prize Charolais cross bred steer. The 11 month old calf was bred at home by a 'Maerdy' bull out of a British Blue cross bred cow. The calf went on to sell for £1000 and was purchased by Ian Granger Esq, Wigton.

The award for the best presented calf in show went to a tremendously turned out and halter lead Limousin cross bred heifer calf from Messrs Lee of Harwood Shield. The very correct heifer made £990 and was also purchased by Mr Granger of Wigton.

Besides the prize show the catalogued entry included many top drawer consignments from across the region which combined to make this sale one of the premier spring sales to be held in the country offering a first class selection of cattle. A total of 73 different buyers were successful in making purchases at the ringside which highlights the centre's attraction to committed cattle finishers up and down the country. Once again a good entry of over 200 forward cattle sold well with numbers into double figures selling at £1000 and over. Two noted annual consignments of well bred Charolais cross bullocks in the 20-22 month age bracket both sold well to average figures similar to those achieved last year. The entire sale average was only back £23 per head on the corresponding sale last year.

Solid Demand for Dungannon Charolais Peaking at 5,200gns
British Blondes National Herd Competition 2010
Wilodge Enrico Sells in £30,000 Private Deal