Welsh Breeders Lead Solid Limousin Trade
07/05/05

A high clearance of bulls was seen at the annual Limousin Society May show and sale in Carlisle on Saturday with five animals reaching over five figures.

Leading the sale at 19,000gns was a much admired  junior bull from AH & GW Roberts of Gwynedd with their homebred bull Hafodlas Valour.  This January 2004 born son of Cloughhead Royal and out of one of the herds brood cows Fieldhouse Eleanor, Valour was keenly bid for and finally purchased by Procters Farm Ltd for their Procters herd based near Clitheroe, Lancs.

The supreme champion bull, Sarkley Unrivalled from EH Pennie & Son of Montgomery, also created great interest and sold for 17,000gns.  This outstanding son of the noted Nenuphar sire and out of Sarkley Pollyjen whose first calf sold for 15,000gns at this sale last year, Unrivalled sold carrying a beef value of LM+31 to bull sale judge Mark Quick for the family's Loosebeare herd based at Crediton, Devon.

Local breeder Stephen Illingworth sold his junior bull, Glenrock Valiant, for 12,000gns.  Another Nenuphar son and out of the imported cow Princesse, he was knocked down jointly to J Handley of the Gunnerfleet herd, Carnforth and W & R Lawson of Stubbsgill Farm, Workington.

One of the last bulls to be sold through the ring was Bridgeford Versace from Northern Ireland breeder Bryan McElroy of Co.Down.  Versace, a February 2004 son of Liberal-Mn and out of the ILC Female Supreme Champion Bridgeford Saskia, is no stranger to the show ring as he has already won the Autumn Calf Championship 2004 at Moira Show.  Selling for 11,000gns he now joins the Glenturk herd of BG & L Allan at Newton Stewart. 

Also selling for five figures was Cloughhead Uist from local breeder GL Hutton of Setmabanning, Keswick.  At 10,000gns this Genial bred son and out of a Heros bred daughter, was knocked down to GW Lee & Son of Stockley Burn Farm, Bishop Auckland.

In the female sale the evening prior, the leading price of 3,000gns was achieved twice.  Firstly was the female champion from Terry and Sheila Jones of Bowley, Hereford with their maiden heifer Sherry Uricka.  This Jockey bred daughter and from a Rake Terence mother, was sold to E Blenkhorn & Son of Elder Farm, Goole, Humberside.

Also selling for 3,000gns was Goldies Upperclass from JK Goldie of Townfoot, Dumfries.  Upperclass, an incalf heifer by Lascard and out of the imported cow Jacinthe was purchased by Mr  Mrs PA Kermode of Isle of Man.

Averages - 52 senior bulls £2,850.38,  72 intermediate bulls £3,006.35,  51 junior bulls £3,518.57,  175 bulls £3,109.29.

3 cows served and/or suckling £2,495.50, 2 heifers with calves at foot £1,575.00, 11 served heifers £1,765.91, 38 maiden heifers £1,376.05.

Female Judge - Liz Vance, Bridgehouse Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart.

Male Judge - Mark Quick, Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon.

Sponsors - Burnetts, Borderway Insurance Brokers, Showtime, Bank of Scotland.