Royal Welsh Show Results

The supreme champion Sportsmans Ladyship and reserve champion Balbithan Iona

Female champion Sportsmans Ladyship and reserve female champion Balbithan Iona

Male champion Goldies Jerry and reserve male champion Moelfre Magic

Junior male champion Moelfre Magic and reserve junior male champion Sportsmans Merlin

Junior female champion Sportsmans Maisie and reserve junior female champion Teme Magnolia

Supreme & Female Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Ladyship – s. Barnsford Ferny

Reserve Supreme & Reserve Female Champion
Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Iona – s. Chunal Dougie

Male Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Goldies Jerry – s. Goldies Formidable

Junior Male Champion & Reserve Male Champion
Kevin Thomas – Moelfre Magic – s. Balmyle Impression

Reserve Junior Male Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Merlin – s. Barnsford Ferny

Junior Female Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Maisie – s. Barnsford Ferny

Reserve Junior Female Champion
Mrs SM Corbett & Daughters – Teme Magnolia – s. Shraden Osram

Best Pair
Boden & Davies Ltd

Class 420 – Bull, born on or before 31.12.2014
1 – Boden & Davies Ltd – Goldies Jerry – s. Goldies Formidable

Charolais National Show and National Calve Show and Sale
at Magny Cours
“The Greatest Charolais event in France this year”
6^th 7^th and 8^th September 2017

Your tour includes:-

• 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation including Continental Breakfast at the 4 star Mercure Hotel just 20 minutes from the Charolais Centre at Magny Cours (Arrive Tuesday 5^th September and depart Saturday 9^th September)
• Coach Transfer from Airport to Hotel
• Transport to and from the show ground each day
• Farm Visits arranged to some excellent local breeders
• Tuesday Evening – Welcome Dinner with the French Charolais Society
• Wednesday Morning – Farm Visit
• Wednesday Afternoon – National Show Judging – Females
• Wednesday Evening – Invitation to the Breeders Dinner
• Thursday Morning – Farm Visit
• Thursday Morning – National Show Judging – Bulls
• Thursday Afternoon – Beef Cattle Show
• Thursday Evening – French Charolais Society Cocktail Party
• Friday morning – National Calf Show
• Friday Afternoon – National Calf Show Auction
• Friday Evening – Last Night Dinner – venue to be arranged
• Saturday transfer from Hotel to Paris CDG for return flights home

A must for the serious Charolais Breeder
Over 300 cattle at the National Show and more than 200 young stock at the National Calf Show

Estimated costing based on 34 * persons on tour

550 Euros per person for Double or Twin Room (GBP – £520)
670 Euros per person for single occupancy (GBP £615)

• The tour cost has been calculated based on 34 persons on tour – there will be an adjustment to cost to cover the coach transport if the numbers are less
• We are hoping to promote the tour in both the UK and Ireland to try and maximise numbers
• The costs do not include flights because the cost varies at the time of booking – however we are happy to help you with on line flight bookings – see flight information below.

• Flight Information from Dublin to Paris and return – Aer Lingus
• 5^th September 2017 Depart Dublin 09.40 arrive Paris CDG 12.25
• 9^th September 2017 Depart Paris CDG 13.05 arrive Dublin 13.50

• Flight Information for Manchester to Paris CDG and return – Air France
• 5^th September 2017 Depart Manchester 0845 arrive Paris CDG 11.15
• 9^th September 2017 Depart Paris CDG 13.10 arrive Manchester 13.35

Pedigree Tours general terms and conditions available upon request or visit our website www.pedigreetours.com

Email paul@pedigreetours.com  Tel. 07730 925756   Pedigree Tours 133 Bargates Leominster Herefordshire HR6 8QS

Minsups Female Champions from left: Harold Stubbs, Richie Devine, Jack Smith, Apryl Biddle (MD Minsups) and Carol Mooney

The Northern Ireland Charolais Club was delighted with the large entry of Charolais cattle entered in the MINSUPS Charolais Grand Final at Clogher Valley Show on the 26^th July 2017. The cattle entered came from across the whole of the province with several new breeders exhibiting for the first time in the championship. Qualifiers were picked up across the summer shows in a bid to increase numbers for the Grand Final.

Although it was a very wet day Judging got off to a good start the judge for the championship was Chris Currie. Chris is the new chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, he is a Northumberland breeder, who farms at Low Burradon, Thropton.

Our MINSUPS sponsor was represented at all qualifying shows; by local representatives as well as Apryl Biddle (managing director) who attended the launch at Balmoral Show and also attended Clogher Valley show along with Carol Mooney and Tommy McKenna.

Minsups Male Champions with Apryl Biddle (MD Minsups) and Chris Currie (Judge)

MINSUPS Charolais Championship NI Results:

Senior Bull born on or between 1 January 2016 to 31 July 2016
Champion – Mr Robert McWilliams – Stranagone Magic – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve Champion – Mr H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Mustang – s. Thrunton Bonjovi

Intermediate Bull born on or between 1 August 2016 to 31 December 2016
Champion – S & A McKenna – Ballyoak Max ET – s. Burradon Talisman
Reserve – Devine Bros – Brownhill Mickeyjoebadger – s. Thrunton Coldermort

Junior Bull born on or after 1^st January 2017
Champion – Mr Robert McWilliams – Stranagone Nugget – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – Mr M Ritchie – Brentwood Norman – s. Brentwood Jack

Senior Heifer born on or between 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
Champion – Mr Jack Smyth – Bessiebell Molly – s. Newhouse Bigal
Reserve – Mr Patrick Kelly – Clogher Maudsicecream – s. Clogher Finn

MInsups Senior Male Champion Stranagone Magic bred by the McWilliams family with Apryl Biddle (MD Minsups)

Intermediate Heifer born on or between 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016
Champion – Devine Bros – Brownhill Mo – s. Maerdy Fiend
Reserve – Mr J Armstrong – Currins Maddie – s. Goldstar Echo

Junior Heifer born on or after 1 January 2017
Champion – H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Nancy – s. Goldstar Echo
Reserve – H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Nellie – s. Goldstar Echo

A Champion and a Reserve Champion was chosen from each of the qualifying classes resulting in a final line up of six top quality Charolais Champions & six Reserve Champions.

The Northern Ireland Charolais club would like to thank our sponsor MINSUPS for their financial support and attendance at all qualifying shows & the Grand Final; to the British Charolais Society for their match funding of the championship. Thanks to the management of Clogher Valley Show for hosting the final and for all their assistance throughout the championship, to all show co-ordinators; qualifying shows and the press for coverage of the MINSUPS qualifiers and the Grand Final.

Bakewell Charolais and Interbreed Beef champion Newroddidge Jody

The dispersal sale of the Tutbury herd of JD Leavesley will take place at Welshpool on Wednesday 13 September at 5pm.

For more information please contact Welshpool Livestock Sales on 01938 553438

The catalogue will be available soon

Lot 1

Lots 3 & 38

Lot 3

Lot 4

Lot 5

Lots 7, 35 & 8

Lit 8 & 36

Lots 11 & 12

Lots 13 & 14

Lot 18

Lot 22

Lot 23

Lot 25

Lots 26 & 24

Lot 27

Lots 28 & 29

Lot 32

Lot 33

Lot 36

Lot 38

Lot 39

Lot 41

Lot 43

Lots 44 & 45

Lot 47

Lots 47 & 48

Lot 49

Lot 51

Lot 52

Lot 56

Lot 58

Lot 59

Lots 60, 63, 57 & 52

Lot 60

Lot 61

Lot 66

Lot 66

Lot 20

The dispersal sale of the Lockton herd of Mr RS Smith QC will take place at Boderway Mart on Friday 18 August at 1pm.

For more information please contact Harrison & Hetherington on 01228 406230

Click here to view the catalogue

Friday 18 August sadly saw the dispersal of the Lockton Charolais herd from Pickering, North Yorkshire, at Borderway Mart. The herd was established by Robert Smith QC in the mid 1980’s with the support of his herd manager Kenneth Brown, began with the purchase of three cows and a stock bull from Billy Turner but for the past twenty years the herd has operated a closed herd policy with no on movement of cattle where high quality AI sires have been selected to produce cattle of good conformation and ease of calving.

Lockton Gemma & Marigold – 4,250gns

The days highlight was the sale of the 2011 born Lockton Gemma and her October-born heifer calf Marigold, who were sold as a split pair for a total of 4,250gns. Gemma whose homebred sire Lockton Vigorous goes back to the 30,000gns Dingle Hofmeister was purchased by A Gallagher, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone, while her Vexour Freddy sired calf Marigold was snapped up by Tomos Rich, Cilcain, Flintshire.

Next in the trade stakes at 4,100gns, was another split lot. Tomos Rich was in a buying mood and purchased the 2012 born dam Lockton Honey, whose homebred sire was sired by the £25,000 Highland Show supreme champion Maerdy Impeccable. Her calf, the October-born Lockton Fortunate sired Marshmallow went home to Briston, Norfolk with Megan Atkins.

Following on at a combined price of 3,550gns, was a mother and daughter pair who again went on to different homes. Lockton Jennifer, a 2014 born daughter of the homebred Lockton Federico who was sired by the Perth junior champion Bromley Decisive, was purchased by JD Thomas and Co, Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire, who went on to buy two more. Messrs F and IM Potter, Kendal, Cumbria were the purchasers of her 10-month-old heifer calf Lockton Missie who is sired by the renowned easy calving Blelack Digger.

Just a few lots earlier JM and D Wise, Hutton Moor, Ripon purchased the mother and daughter pair Lockton Harmony and Lockton Madonna for 3,170gns. Harmony is a January-2012-born daughter of the Maerdy Impeccable sired Lockton Duarte and her October-born daughter Madonna is sired by Vexour Freddy.

Just behind at 3,050gns was another split mother and daughter pair, Lockton Delightful and her September-born heifer calf Lockton Mulberry. Delightful, a daughter of the aforementioned Lockton Vigorous took the fancy of Taste Tradition Ltd, Ripon, Yorkshire and previous purchaser Megan Atkins took home her Vexour Freddy sired calf Mulberry.

Averages: 50 cows and heifers served and/or suckling £2169.51; 10 maiden heifers £1047.90; 2 bulls £1968.75; 1 bull calf £1417.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington Ltd.

Brothers in Farms Young Show Stars Beef Winners 2017

Event Organiser Neil Lloyd with the winning Brothers in Farms team

The Charolais ‘Brothers in Farms’ team consisting Angus, Charlie and Donald Maclean were crowned the beef champions and awarded overall best promotional stand at the National Young Stars competition at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 August.

The event features seven different disciplines which include dressing a display area for which competitors must prepare materials in advance and this year the organisers introduced a theme for each section. The beef teams were asked to demonstrate why beef is more than just a Sunday roast and to promote their breed, the wider beef industry and convince the general public why beef cattle are a vital part of the Great British countryside.

Brothers in Farms promotional stand

Our boys embraced the challenge and came up with a comprehensive range of display materials featuring recipe leaflet, a video and a poster campaign to demonstrate how the quick finishing Charolais makes less of an impact of the environment and as it is more efficient is more sustainable for the future. Angus commented that “I have been brought up with Charolais and have always admired the breed for their power, docility, growth and strength.  I see the Charolais Breed re-gaining its place in the beef sector in the future due to the demand to feed the nation. The breeds ability for growth and consistency at the abattoir will surely meet the demand required by the industry and more importantly the consumer”.

On arrival, the lads first job was to settle the cattle then assemble the display which also featured a guess the weight competition, lots of giveaways and information about themselves and their cattle.

The oldest of the brothers at 22 is Angus Maclean who currently works as a stock manager for a pedigree herd in Gilford and his duties include embryo transfer work, semen collection and preparing animals for export. Angus previously worked as stockman on the Isle of Wight after finishing his Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Sparsholt College.

Second brother Charlie is 21 and after studying for his A Levels, left home to join Stamford Park Farm in Oxford on an Agricultural Apprenticeship, attending Sparsholt college on a day release basis. For the past year he has been working in Cambridgeshire as stockman for a pedigree herd which involves daily pedigree stock work which runs alongside a very successful seed business and renewable energy initiatives.

Youngest brother, 18-year-old Donald studied Engineering at college, gaining a distinction and is now starting his second-year apprenticeship as a welder/fabricator with an agricultural engineering company local to the family home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, where day to day he can be found working on forage harvesters, mending gates or 30ft up in the air on a 4-million-pound aggregate site.

All three brothers have been brought up with Charolais cattle as Dad Charlie manages the Mortimers Herd who kindly provided the cattle for the competition – Mortimers Lambada and Lovely. The herd was established in 1983 and have regularly exhibited having had considerable success in all age groups at National and County Shows including Overall Supreme Championship at the Royal Highland, The Royal, South of England and The Royal Bath & West – to name just a few. Mortimers have achieved seven female champions at the Perth sales, five of whom were sired by homebred Mortimers Josh. Mortimers Urovision was Breed Champion at the last ever Royal Show in 2009 and her dam Mortimers Mirage and grand dam Mortimers Image were both show champions in their day.

Quality is favoured over quantity and the Mortimers’ breeding objective has been to produce quality females and bulls for pedigree herds and the commercial farmer – focusing on ease of calving, conformation, temperament, milk and growth rates. A high health and welfare policy is paramount and the herd is a member of the Premium Cattle Health Scheme, accredited BVD, IBR and Johnes and the farm is in a low risk 4 yearly TB Parish.

After setting up their stalls the competitors were welcomed by the event host Neil Lloyd and announcer Clive Davies, before the stockjudging competition began which is unique in the fact that there are six cattle in the class. The three competitors each had to nominate the two that least fit the desired criteria which was breeding females for a commercial market, then place the remaining four in the traditional way.

The team put their heads together to answer the Skiil-a-thon questions

After the time was up the competitors were given a questionnaire to complete for the Skill-a-thon section of the competition while Charlie waited to be called to give his reasons.

After all the various stockjudging competitions had finished there was a BBQ and entertainment where the team joined in with the tug of war.

Angus, Charlie and Donald prepare the cattle

The team were up bright and early on Wednesday and after checking and feeding the cattle enjoyed a full English before they began the days first discipline which was to prepare the cattle for the show ring. The beef teams spent the morning washing and clipping their cattle and after a break for lunch finished soaping and combing to a fine finish. During this time the judges were moving through the lines and judging the competitors on their handling and preparation skills.

The team leads the cattle in the show ring

Once the cattle were ready it was time to exhibit them in the showring where Donald and Charlie led the cattle and Angus was called upon to answer questions on the breed and beef industry in general. The two heifers behaved impeccably under the team’s supervision and after all the competitors had been through the ring the teams relaxed and waited for the presentations of prizes.

The Butchery, Pig, Sheep and Dairy sections were all announced and then came time for the Beef results. We were delighted that the Brothers in Farms Charolais team were announced as overall beef champions with a total score of 866.5 out of 1000 and not only that, were awarded the prize for best promotional stand in show having only dropped one point in the presentation and promotional section. Congratulations to the beef section runners-up Team Canada and the Super Simmies and Limousin Leaders who placed third and fourth respectively.

The Society are extremely proud of Angus, Charlie and Donald who topped not only the promotional discipline but the ringcraft and stockjudging sections too and placed third in the interview. Thanks, must also go to their supportive mum and dad Karen and Charlie Maclean, to the event organisers and Ken and Charlie Piper from Mortimers Farm for providing the cattle.

Young Show Stars Competitors

The dispersal sale of the Balbithan Charolais Herd will take place at Sedgemoor Livestock Market on Thursday 12 October

For more information please contact Sally Mitchell at Greenslade Taylor Hunt on 01305 268786

The catalogue will be available soon

Wednesday 13 September sadly saw the dispersal of the Tutbury Charolais herd from Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, due to a change in farming policy. The herd was established by JD Leavesley just two years ago when he purchased the majority of the Newroddige herd which was founded in 2004 with the purchase of five females. The herd has had numerous successes in the show ring including eight breed championships and three interbreed championships in their two seasons of showing.

Top Priced Lot Newroddige Jody & Calf Tutbury Matilda

The sale topper at 7,200gns was a mother and daughter pair who sold as a split lot. Catching the eye of J Conn, Strabone, Co Tyrone, the February-2014-born Newroddige Jody who was recently crowned supreme champion at the Bakewell Show and awarded reserve supreme beef animal at the Staffordshire County Show in June. Jody is sired by the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger and out of Newroddige Delightful and goes back to the 18,000gns Derryharney Outstanding. She was accompanied by her nine-month-old heifer calf Tutbury Matilda who is sired by the French bred Unico SC who travels home to Ellon, Aberdeenshire with AJR Farms.

Next in the trade stakes was another pair, this time purchased as a set by MA and V Roberts, Botwnnog, Gwynedd. Dam Newroddige Jewfull is an April-2014-born daughter of the popular AI sire Alwent Goldbar and out of Newroddige Graceful who goes back to Maerdy Estyn. Her eight-month-old male calf Tutbry Navigator is another sired by Unico SC.

The very next lot sold for a combined price of 4,300gns, another mother and daughter pair who again went on to different homes. Newroddige Jazmin, a 2014 born daughter of sire Alwent Goldbar and dam Newroddige Chloe who is out of the Three Counties supreme champion Thrunton Versailles and sired by Oldstone Egbert, was purchased by AK Watkins, Kentchurch, Herefordshire. The afore mentioned AJR Farms of Aberdeenshire were the purchasers of her eight-month-old heifer calf Tutbury Noellla who is also sired by Unico SC.

Two pairs were sold for a total of 3,700gns a piece starting with the first lot of the day. Newroddige Isabelle and her September-born heifer calf Tutbury Marybelle were sold on to different homes. The 2013-born who Isabelle is sired by the 30,000gns Dingle Hofmeister and out of the 15,000gns Carlisle supreme champion Burradon Talisman daughter Newroddiige Aquila was purchased by BJ Mould, Dunston, Staffordshire, while her 10,000gns Esgob Ferrari sired calf Marybelle was snapped up by ER Hollingsworth, Middleton, Manchester.

The dam from second split pair to sell at 3,700gns was purchased by Mr P Weston, Ashbourne Derbyshire – Newroddige Farris, a 2010 born twin, sired by the 9,000gns Royal Show senior male champion Gretnahouse Archangel who sells served to the 12,000gns Elrick Legend. While Charlotte Boden, Bostock, Cheshire was the purchaser of her October-born heifer calf Tutbury Melissa, another sired by the French born Unico SC.

Following on at a combined price of 3,300gns, was the mother and daughter pair Newroddige Jessica and Tutbury Nikita. Jessica, an April-2014-born daughter of Alwent Goldbar and the Gretnahouse Archangel sired Newroddige Effie was purchased by DP and M Jones, Minsterley, Shropshire and the Unico SC sired Nikita went home with T Rich, Mold, Flintshire.

Also commanding a price of 3,300gns, this time from R Davies, Llangyneeryn, Carmarthenshire, was the Gretnahouse Archangel daughter and 2010-born Newroddige Fatimer with her three-week-old Elrick Legend sired heifer calf Tutbury Nellie.

Newroddige Linda 2,500gns

The heifers topped at 2,500gns and 2,100gns with two more purchases by AJR Farms. The January-2015-born Newroddige Linda was the highest priced and sold in calf to Balthayock Impression. She was shown in 2016 and crowned junior champion at the Ashby show and reserve breed champion at Bakewell and is sired by the 10,000gns Welshpool supreme champions Esgob Ferrari. The 20-month-old Tutbury Maisie, was AJR Farms final purchase at 2,100gns. Again, sired by Esgob Ferrari, she is out of Newrodige Finesse who goes back to Newroddige Banjo.

Averages: 25 females and calves: £3085.32; four dry cows: £1929.38; 19 heifers: £1565.10; one calf: £1785.00

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales

Charolais Breeders NZ are holding a 4WD tour in Southland, New Zealand from 5^th-8^th March 2018.

Get a feel for the working high-country farms and in the south, see the transition from the rock and the tawny brown of the high country as it gives way quite suddenly to the lush gree bountiful pastures of Southland.

South-drive hire is avaliable or it can be arranged for you to travel with someone else.

For more information please click on the links below or contact Lindy Lawrence at Charolais Breeders NZ office: lindy@pbbnz.com.

Charolais NZ Herd Tour Ad A5

Charolais NZ Herd Tour Itinerary A5

Charolais NZ Herd Tour Rego Form A5

Andrew & Beth White, Jane Haw Phillip & Ben Trim and the sale team

The Sedgemoor ring was filled to bursting for the dispersal of the Balbithan Charolais cattle and emotional goodbye to one of the breeds most renowned herds, on Thursday 12 October. The prices peaked at a sale centre record of 17,500gns and a new Charolais record average of £8550.65 for the 23 cows and calves sold, with cattle making their way to new homes in all four corners of the UK.

Andrew and Beth White established the Dorset based herd in 1987 with the purchase of just four females from the Warninglid and Cullum herds. In 1991 Herd manager Jane Haw joined the team and their combined passion has seen the herd become one of the most well-known in the country, securing numerous breed and interbreed titles including three Burke Trophy successes. The herd is most recognised for the powerful and graceful females who have dominated the show ring but its bulls have also shared the limelight, most notably Balbithan Vespasian who sold for 26,000gns at Perth in 2006 and who has gone to become a very successful sire for the Balthayock and Blelack herd, producing sons which have regularly featured at the Perth and Carlisle sales and have sold to 22,000gns.

Balbithan Faith

The day’s sale topper at 17,500gns was the seven year old and successful show cow Balbithan Faith, who counts amongst her many accolades the reserve supreme championship title at the Royal Cornwall Show, the reserve female championships at the Devon and Royal Three Counties Shows and red tickets at the Royal Bath and West and Royal Berkshire Shows. Faith who is sired by the 12,000gns Devon County Show male champion Newhouse Benson and is out of the homebred Balbithan Una who goes back to the 13,000gns Perth junior champion Simpsons Gregg, was accompanied by her April-born Goldies Eddy sired bull calf Balbithan Nelson.

Balbithan Nelson

Faith’s has been a consistently good breeder with two of her previous calves having gone on to secure show successes themselves including her 2016-born son Balbithan Mercedes, who sold for 7,500gns at Carlisle in May after being awarded reserve male champion at the Royal Cornwall show last year. The pair were purchased by Mark Switsun, Dunvant, Glamorgan who also went on to secure the National Show class winning and Balthayock Hamish sired maiden heifer Balbithan Mowlem for 5,500gns.

Balbithan Iona

Next in the trade stakes was another of the Balbithan’s renowned show cows sold with her bull calf at foot. Balbithan Iona who has twice been crowned the Charolais National Show champion and secured a total of 10 interbreed titles including as part of the 2016 Burke Trophy championship pair, was knocked down at 15,000gns to a Devon breeder, who purchased a total of six lots. The 2013-born Iona’s breeding includes the 10,000gns Stirling senior champion Chunal Dougie and the home-bred 10,000gns Inverlochy Topsire sired Balbithan Dixie. She was sold with her five-month-old Goldies Eddy sired son, Balbithan Nairn.

Balbithan Napoleon

Two cow and calf outfits secured a total of 14,200gns and both were sold as split lots. The first was mother and son Balbithan Gilly and Balbithan Napoleon. Balbithan Gilly who is a full sister to the 26,000gns Balbithan Vespasian, is no stranger to the show-ring herself and has also bred show winning daughters. The 2001-born Gilly is sired by the aforementioned Chunal Dougie and is out of Balbithan Tilly, who is in-turn sired by Balthayock Nougat. She was purchased at the top cow price of 9,000gns by Jonathan Crawford, son of the late Gilbert Crawford and new custodian of the Coolnaslee herd in Maghera, Co Derry. Her February-born son Napoleon who secured a bid of 5,200gns and is sired by Balthayock Hamish is going back to Throop, Dorset with Jane’s son Ben Trim.

Balbithan Georgia

The other cow and calf outfit to fetch a total price of 14,200gns was the mother and daughter pair Balbithan Georgia and Balbithan Nabraska. The cow Georgia was purchased for 5,400gns by JJ McGuigan, who is also based in Maghera, Northern Ireland. She is sired by Chunal Dougie and is bred from notable line of female show winners, her dam Balbithan Arizona was awarded the reserve heifer championship at the Newbury show and her grand-dam Balbithan Nadia was a Royal Show supreme champion and reserve Burke Trophy winner. Completing the pair and securing the UK record price of 8,800gns for a seven-month-old female Charolais calf was Georgia’s daughter Nabraska. Thor Atkinson, Ulverston, Cumbria was the man with his hand in the air as the hammer went down on this Davally Illusion sired heifer.

Stock bulls were sold next, averaged £5103 for five and two bulls shared the top price of 6,000gns apiece. First up was the 23-month-old Goldies Lawson who was purchased by the Balbithan herd in May at Carlisle where he was awarded the intermediate and reserve male championships. He heads down to work in St Austell, Cornwall with David and Bernadette Stacey, is sired by Goldies Formidable and his dam Goldies Violin who goes back to Thrunton Trademark has bred bulls to 26,000gns.

JH Davies, Citrea, Abbergavenny purchased the other 6,000gns bull, the homebred Balbithan Mackenzie who is a February-2016-born son of the 11,500gns Loganbar Goran bred out of Balbithan Hyacinth, a Newhouse Benson daughter. Another show goer, he won his classes at this year’s Charolais National and Royal Welsh shows, was awarded the junior championship at the Royal Three Counties show and the male and reserve breed championships at the Royal Bath and West.

Leading the heifers at 9,500gns was another purchased on behalf of Ben Trim. The January-2015-born Balbithan Lupin is a daughter of Goldies Eddy and Balbithan Daisy and was the reserve breed champion at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show.

Minutes earlier, the two-year-old Balbithan Louisianna was knocked down with a bid of 7,500gns from the aforementioned Thor Atkinson who purchased a total of four. Louisianna is out of the above-named Balbithan Georgia, sired by Goldies Eddy and is due to calf in January to Wesley Furnish.

Averages: 23 cows and calves £8550.65; four in-calf cows £4121.25; six in-calf heifers £6790; 10 maiden heifers £4557; five bulls £5103.

Auctioneers: Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt and Harrison & Hetherington Ltd

Tuesday 24 October saw a flying trade for Charolais bulls with 85 sold, averaging £6,079 (£405 up on the year for two more) and a whopping 19% increase on last year’s clearance rate to 82%. Prices peaked at 12,000gns twice and seven were sold for 10,000gns and above with a further 14 making over 8,000gns.

Society chief Peter Phythian commented that “We can attribute the demand for Charolais bulls to the success we are seeing in the suckler and store markets. The breed’s focus has been on improving calving ease and this combined with quicker finishing times and higher prices for Charolais sired progeny across the country, has seen both our averages and clearance rates increase at every Society sale this year”.

Maerdy Majestic – 12,000gns

The first of the 12,000gns bulls was an entry from Esmor Evans, Mold, Flintshire. The 17-month-old Maerdy Magestic is sired by the 20,000gns Royal Welsh supreme champion and Highland Show beef breeder continental champion Maerdy Grenadier, and goes back on the home-bred dams side to the French bred Victorieux. His new owners are Colin and Fiona Wight of Biggar, Lanarkshire.

Sportsmans Monarch – 12,000gns

The second to hit the 12,000gns mark was the youngest and final lot of the sale. Sportsmans Monarch who was tapped out first in his class at previous days show, is a son of the 70,000gns Royal Welsh supreme champion, Barnsford Ferny and Sportsmans Honeydew who in turn is sired by 45,000gns Stirling junior champion, Maerdy Express. The 15-month-old Monarch was bred and exhibited by Boden and Davies Ltd, Mellor, Cheshire, and heads over the water to work for John McGrath in Dromore, Co Tyrone. This is the first ever stock-bull purchase for John, who has previously served on the BCCS council, is a former Chairman of the Northern Ireland Charolais club and established his Drumconnis Charolais herd in 1993. When asked why he was tempted to purchase a bull after using AI for the past 24 years, John said “I was attracted by the character and power of this bull and I feel that his breeding will be a great asset to my herd of 20 breeding females. He has a good top-line, nice definition and I also took his EBV’s into account”.

Glenericht Majestic – 11,500gns

Next in the trade stakes at 11,500gns was a blue ticket winner from WK & P Drysdale, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, who caught the eye of Iain and Dorothy Goldie, Cummertrees, Dumfries-shire. The May-2016-born, 12,000gns Caylers Gladiator sired Glenericht Majestic, is bred out of the Royal Highland Show class winner Glenericht Gem, who goes back to the 16,000gns Stirling junior champion and Caithness show supreme champion, Clyth Diplomat.

Glenericht Matrix – 8,500gns

Adding to the Drysdale’s celebrations, they were also awarded the senior championship in the pre-sale show and secured a bid of 8,500gns for the 20-month-old Glenericht Matrix. The breeding here includes sire Highland Show reserve M&S junior beef interbreed champion, Glenericht Hollywood and the 12,000gns Coolnaslee Adversary sired dam, Elrick Fern and he was purchased by Mr A McArthur, Balfron Station, Glasgow.

Tweeddale Matador – 10,500gns

Commanding a 10,500gns bid from Hamish Goldie, Ruthwell, Dumfries-shire, was the Blelack Blackberet sired and April-2016-born Tweeddale Matador. Matador whose dam Tweeddale Icemaiden ET is by the proven high performing, short gestation and easy calving Blelack Digger, was the highest priced offering from Jonathan and Jane Watson, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, who went on to sell a total of six averaging £6,877.50.

Tweeddale Maximum – 9,000gns

The Watson’s next highest priced lot at 9,000gns was Tweeddale Maximum, who had placed second in his class the previous day. Again, born in April 2016 and sired by Blelack Blackberet but this time out of the 30,000gns Dingle Hofmeister daughter Graywood Ebony ET, he heads down to Caynham, Shropshire to work for Evans, Corfield and Son, Ashford Carbonell, Ludlow.

Kersknowe Matador – 10,000gns

Three bulls then came under the hammer for 10,000gns, with the first being offered by James Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Kersknowe Matador, an 18-month-old son of the 20,000gns Stirling supreme champion and Stars of the Future senior interbreed champion Inverlochy Fencer, out of the Kersknowe Topmodel sired Kersknowe Dido was purchased by Ellis Mutch, Forglen, Banff.

Balthayock Maestro – 10,000gns

Matching the 10,000gns price-tag and selling to J Irvine and Son, Tomintoul, Banffshire, was the 17-month-old red ticket winner Balthayock Maestro, from David and Nick Walter, Perth, Perthshire, who also sold a total of six which averaged £6,650. Maestro is the by the 20,000gns Royal Welsh supreme champion and Highland Show beef breeder continental champion Maerdy Grenadier, while the dam is Balthayock Glory ET, a cow by the 26,000gns Balbithan Vespasian.

Mornity Mushroom – 10,000gns

Jack Nicoll Farms Limited, Blairgowrie, Perthshire were the next to offer a 10,000gns bull. The May-2016-born Mornity Mushroom who is sired by the 14,000gns Westcarse Houdini and out of Mornity Icicle who goes back to the 12,000gns Elrick Frenchman, was snapped up by James Anderson and Son, Lauder, Berwickshire.

Kersknowe Matthew – 9,500gns

Messrs Millar, Tealing, by Dundee, then went to 9,500gns for another lot from the aforementioned James Jeffrey. The 19-month-old blue ticket holder Kersknowe Matthew is bred from Kersknowe Iceberg, an Inverlochy Fencer daughter and sired by Jurieshouse Hero.

Gretnahouse Macbook – 9,000gns

The first of two to secure a bid of 9,000gns was the April-2016-born Gretnahouse Macbook from Alasdair Houston, Gretna Green, Dumfries-shire. The sire here is the proven super easy calving and 12,000gns Carlisle reserve senior champion Wesley Equinox, while the dam is the Maerdy Padirac sired Gretnahouse Edwinesse ET and Mr G Mackie, Crieff, Perthshire was the purchaser.

Elgin Mojo – 9,000gns

Also bidding to 9,000gns were Mr RJ Brown and Sons, Stenton, East Lothian, this time for son of the 11,000gns Woodpark Elgin and the 12,000gns Perth reserve senior champion Goldies Banker ET daughter, Ugie Halfpenny. Elgin Mojo who was born in May of last year, was bred and exhibited by Roy Milne & Sons, Elgin, Morayshire.

Spittalton Massie – 8,500gns

Just behind on 8,500gns was an entry from J Burnett and Sons, Blair Drummond, Stirlingshire. Spittalton Massie ET who was purchased by Mr Mitchell, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch is a 17-month-old by the 31,000gns Carlisle reserve supreme champion Whitecliffe Highlight and out of the 11,000gns Maerdy Dublin sired Elrick Idelle.

Elrick Malt – 8,500gns

Matching the 8,500gns price tag and this time purchased by Mr Fraser, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, was the Supreme and Junior Champion Elrick Malt from Michael Massie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. The 16,000gns Stirling supreme champion Thrunton Fearless is the sire of the May-2016-born Malt and his dam Elrick Florida goes back to the 11,000gns Maerdy Dublin.

Female Section

Goldies Lullaby – 5,000gns

The previous afternoon’s Charolais female sale topped at 5,000gns for the 22-month-old reserve female champion from Hamish Goldie. Goldies Lullaby, who is sired by the 15,000gns Gretnahouse Heman and out of Goldies Bonney who goes back to Thrunton Trademark sold to DP Daniel, Launceston, Cornwall, who went on to purchase three more including another lot from Mr Goldie. Goldies Model ET, a 17-month-old who had been tapped out second in her class in the pre-sale show, is a daughter of the 34,000gns Perth supreme champion Goldies Uppermost ET and the 10,000gns Perth intermediate champion Killadeas Legend sired Goldies Champagne and secured a bid of 3,500gns.

JA and MF McMillan, Brechin, Angus were also in the money when their two-year-old, blue-ticket winner Dunesk Lady sold for 3,800gns. The Balthayock Hamish sired Lady is out of the Angus & Fettercairn Shows champion Dunesk Glory, who is herself a Blelack Digger daughter. Lady placed second in her class at the Stars of the Future show in 2015 and sold served by Davally Illusion to R McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian.

Swalesmoor Lois

Earlier in the day Mr D Sawrij, Galashiels, Selkirkshire had secured the female championship with the two-year-old Swalesmoor Lois, who went on to secure a bid of 3,000gns from RO Williams, Barmouth, Gwymedd. Lois is by the 22,000gns Yorkshire Show male champion Balmyle Headline and out of the home-bred Swalesmoor Iris who goes back to Balmyle Greylag.

The only cow and calf of the sale, exhibited by the above noted McMillan family sold as a spilt lot for a total of 3,650gns. Dunesk Glory who sells served to Balthayock Hamish, is a Blelack Digger daughter and caught the eye of J Hamilton, Linlithgow, West Lothian. While RF Miller, Braco, Dunblane purchased her eight-month-old, Davally Illusion ET sired calf Dunesk Northstar.

An added feature of the sale was the major reduction of the Baillieston Charolais herd which was founded in the Orkney Islands in 1978 and has grown from the initial purchase of three maiden heifers from the Sway herd, to 60 breeding females today. The Baillieston herd was awarded the Harman Charolais Genetick Improvement Award in 2011 and has claimed the supreme championship at the Orkney show no fewer than seven times.

Baillieston Madge

The top price was claimed by a maiden heifer which sold for 4,200gns. The 18-month-old Baillieston Madge who is sired by Blelack Digger and out of a home-bred dam going back to Balthayock Gunfire, was purchased by the aforementioned Boden and Davies Ltd.

The 14 cow and calf lots peaked at 4,000gns for the three-year-old Baillieston Jill and her April-born son Baillieston Norman who sold to separate homes. Baillieston Jill is a daughter of Balthayock Gunfire ET and Baillieston Colleen, who in turn is sired by the 17,000gns Mowbraypark Umpire, was purchased by C Mitchell, St Andrews, Fife, while her Blelack Digger-sired son Norman went home with Aldie Farm Partnership, Edderton.

At 3,200gns and going to DA Anderson, Eddleston, Peebles, who bought a total of four was the cow and calf pair, Baillieston Henrietta and her bull calf Baillieston Nevin. The five-year-old Henrietta is by the 15,000gns Maerdy Deiniol and her June-born calf Nevin is another sired by Digger.

Baillieston Gwin & Natasha

Close behind at 3,100gns was a mother and daughter pair. The Maerdy Deiniol-sired and six-year-old Baillieston Gwin and her June-born daughter Baillieston Natasha by the 25,000gns Stirling supreme champion Maerdy Hasse were purchased by RL Riddle and Son, Hexham, Northumberland.

Averages: 85 bulls £6079.00; 14 heifers £2,760.00, one cow and calf £3,833.00
Baillieston Averages: 14 cows and calves £2,823.75; five dry cows £1680.00; eight in-calf heifers £2165.63; seven maiden heifers £2,100.00

Auctioneers: United Auctions

Completed Stirling catalogue

Baillieston Sale

Show Results

Senior Champion
WK & P Drysdale – Glenericht Matrix – s. Glenericht Hollywood

Reserve Senior Champion
Jack Nicoll Farms Ltd – Mornity Moboy – s. Maerdy Hwre

Intermediate Champion
WD & JA Connolly – Brigadoon Maverick – s. Goldies Icon

Reserve Intermediate Champion
David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Mungo – s. Maerdy Grenadier

Supreme & Junior Champion
Mr MJ Massie – Elrick Malt – s. Thrunton Fearless

Reserve Supreme & Reserve Junior Champion
Esmor Evans – Maerdy Morellis – s. Maerdy Heracles

Female Champion
Mr D Sawrij – Swalesmoor Lois – s. Balmyle Headline

Reserve Female Champion
Hamish Goldie – Goldies Lullaby – Gretnahouse Heman

Champion Group of Three
WD & JA Connolly

Senior Classes

Class One – Bulls born on or between 01/11/2015 – 31/01/2016
1^st – WK & P Drysdale – Glenericht Matrix – s. Glenericht Hollywood
2^nd – BM Robinson Jnr – Shamleys Match – s. Rosanne Fameux
3^rd – Martin R McCornick – Mccornick Morpheus – s. Thrunton Hermes

Class Two – Bulls born on or between 01/02/2016 – 04/03/2016
1^st – WD & JA Connolly – Brigadoon Mozard – s. Goldies Icon
2^nd – WP Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Muffin – s. Balthayock Diplomat
3^rd – WP Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Moonlight – s. Blelack Forester

Class Three – Bulls born on or between 05/03/2016 – 24/03/2016
1^st – Mr MJ Massie – Elrick Magnum – s. Allanfauld Gambler
2^nd – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Matthew – s. Jurieshouse Hero
3^rd – J & E Campbell – Thrunton Matrix – s. Blelack Imperalist

Class Four – Bulls born on or between 25/03/2016 – 03/04/2016
1^st – Jack Nicoll Farms Ltd – Mornity Moboy – s. Maerdy Hwre
2^nd – Mr DE Evans – Maerdy Montgomery – Blelack Fabulous
3^rd – Mr AG Houston – Gretnahouse Macbook – s. Wesley Equinox

Intermediate Classes

Class Five – Bulls born on or between 04/04/2016 – 09/04/2016
1^st – Mr MJ Massie – Elrick Mighty – s. Elrick Impeccable
2^nd – Harold Stubbs & Alan Burleigh – Derryharney Myboy – s. Hillviewfarm Perfect
3^rd – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Michael – s. Inverlochy Fencer

Class Six – Bulls born on or between 10/04/2016 – 22/04/2016
1^st – Mr JH Christie – Westcarse Mac – s. Mortimers Highlandfling
2^nd – J Watson & Co – Tweeddale Maximum – Blelack Blackberet
3^rd – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Majestic – Balthayock Imp

Class Seven – Bulls born on or between 23/04/2016 – 03/05/2016
1^st – WD & JA Connolly – Brigadoon Maverick – s. Goldies Icon
2^nd – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Mungo – s. Maerdy Grenadier
3^rd – BM Robinson Jnr – Shamleys Minstrel – s. Rosanna Fameux

Class Eight – Bulls born on or between 04/05/2016 – 12/05/2016
1^st – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Maestro – s. Maerdy Grenadier
2^nd – WD & JA Connolly – Brigadoon Magic – s. Goldies Icon
3^rd – Mr D Sawrij – Swalesmoor Marquis – s. Balmyle Headline

Junior Classes

Class Nine – Bulls born on or between 13/05/2016 – 23/05/2016
1^st – Mr RA Milne – Elgin Moyness – s. Woodpark Elgin
2^nd – Mr RA Milne – Elgin Magnum – s. Woodpark Elgin
3^rd – Mr RA Milne – Elgin Master – s. Mortimers Infinity

Class Ten – Bulls born on or between 24/05/2016 – 03/06/2016
1^st – Mr MJ Massie – Elrick Malt – s. Thrunton Fearless
2^nd – WK & P Drysdale – Glenericht Majestic – s. Caylers Gladiator
3^rd – Mr DE Evans – Maerdy Mariano – s. Maerdy Grenadier

Class Eleven – Bulls born on or between 04/06/2016 – 12/06/2016
1^st – Esmor Evans – Maerdy Morellis – s. Maerdy Heracles
2^nd – Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Merlin – s. Barnsford Ferny
3^rd – DA & SM Miller – Crookdake Masterclass – s. Balthayock Hamish

Class Twelve – Bulls born after 13/06/2016
1^st – Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Monarch – s. Barnsford Ferny
2^nd – JH Wilson & Sons – Ballinlare Midas – s. Burradon Goodfellow
3^rd – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Mccoist – s. Gretnahouse Heman

Female Classes

Class Thirteen – Heifers born on or between 04/03/2015 – 08/12/2015
1^st – Mr D Sawrij – Swalesmoor Lois – s. Balmyle Headline
2^nd – JA & MF McMillan – Dunesk Lady – s. Balthayock Hamish
3^rd – RM Adam & Son – Newhouse Lilac – s. Oakchurch Icarus

Class Fourteen – Heifers born on or after 09/12/2015
1^st – Hamish Goldie – Goldies Lullaby – s. Gretnahouse Heman
2^nd – Hamish Goldie – Goldies Model ET – s. Goldies Uppermost
3^rd – Hamish Goldie – Goldies Lola – s. Gretnahouse Heman

Record breaking Charolais female trade at Dungannon

A bumper show of Charolais backed by soaring demand produced a record breaking trade at Dungannon on Friday 3 November, at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Autumn sale. Bidding peaked at 8,000gns in both the male and female sections and 26 bulls sold to an average of £3,428.65. The 8,000gns secured for the trade topping female Battleford Lola is a Charolais sale centre record.

Leading the bids for the bulls at 8,000gns was the May-2016-born Mountjoy Morgan, who had been tapped out first in his class at the pre-sale show for breeder and consigner Caldwell McAskie, Mountjoy, Co Tyrone. Morgan is sired by the Royal Welsh reserve male champion Montgomery Ianto and is out of the homebred dam Mountjoy Ultra who goes back to Gaer Positive. He goes on to work in Derryhouse, Co Armagh for Messrs McGinnity.

The supreme, male and senior champion Coolnaslee Martin was next in the trade stakes at 6,000gns. He was exhibited by herd manager Stuart Wilson on behalf of his owner and new custodian of the Coolnaslee herd Jonathan Crawford, Maghera, Co Derry, son of the late Gilbert Crawford. The 17-month-old Martin was snapped up by Seamus Conroy, Tassagh, Co Armagh, and his breeding includes his sire, the 10,000gns Carlisle intermediate champion Ratoary Icebreaker, who is rated amongst the top five percent of the breed for calving ease and dam Coolnaslee Gina who in turn is sired by the Balmoral Show supreme champion Goldies Carnival.

Another entry from Mr Crawford sold for 4,400gns. Coolnaslee Max a June-2016-born son of Ratoary Icebreaker and the Goldies Carnival sired Coolnaslee Honor was purchased by S Windrum, Ballygowan, Co Down.

Commanding a 5,200gns bid from the Rogers Family, Ballynahinch, Co Down, was the reserve senior male champion Sandelford Mason from breeder and exhibitor George Henderson, Revallagh, Co Antrim. The 17-month-old Mason is sired by the 13,000gns Stirling reserve intermediate champion Conval Frank and out of Sandelford Fern, a daughter of the 14,000gns Goldies Usher.

Liam Johnston Mountain herd from Tempo, Co Fermanagh was behind the next transaction, when Mountain Magnificent was purchased by Messrs McKeagney, Maghera, Co Derry for 5,000gns. Magnificent who was tapped out third in his class at the pre-sale show, is a 16-month-old son of the Ballymena Show champion Derrygiff Jester and the Oscar sired Derrygiff Clare.

The next highest price of 4,200gns was bid by James Watson, Portadown, Co Armagh for one of the youngest lots of the sale. The 12-month old Brogher Major who stood second in his class earlier in the day for consigner Trevor Phair, Bellanaleck, Co Fermanagh, comes from show-winning breeding, being sired by the 12,000gns Carlisle reserve senior champion Wesley Equinox and bred out of the Fintona Show class winner Brogher Gigi who goes back to the 55,000gns Balmoral Show interbreed champion Sportsmans Columbo.

Just behind at 4,100gns was the February-2016-born Cunnsallagh Mick from Vincent G Cunningham, Dromore, Co Down. This son of the 16,000gns Stirling junior champion Clyth Diplomat and homebred, Pirate sired Cunnsallagh Hermoine attracted a bid from Liam Mullan, Coleraine, Co Tyrone.

Staying local when snapped up by Robert O’Neill, Dunloy, Co Antrim was a yellow ticket winning entry from John Currie, Ballymena, Co Antrim. Tullygarley Marco, a June-2016-born by Davally Illusion and out of the Blakestown Endorse sired Tullygarley Harriet was sold for 3,600gns.

An 18-month-old son of the 10,000gns Perth supreme champion Thrunton Bonjovi, bred out of Ballymather Ivy, a Coolnaslee Asprey daughter, was next in the trade stakes at 3,100gns. Ballymather Matrix from Ian Rea, Nutts Corner, Co Antrim was purchased by WJ McClenaghan, Drumreagh, Co Down.

Females

The star of the female section was the two-year-old female champion Battleford Lola ET, who broke the sale centre record for Charolais females when she was knocked down at 8,000gns. This entry from Bartley Finnegan, Moy, Co Tyrone, who is sold in-calf to Blelack Immaculate, will be travelling across the water with her new owner Blair Duffton from Huntly, Aberdeenshire. She is sired by the Black Isle Show champion Lochend Apache and her dam Blelack Usp is sired by the 25,000gns Perth supreme champion and Royal Show junior male champion Thrunton Socrates.

Attracting a bid of 5,000gns when she was purchased by Clare Ferris, Millisle, Co Down, was the 19-month-old class winner Hillviewfarm Margo from Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Margo who is sired by the renowned easy calving and popular Blelack Digger is out of Hillviewfarm Gina who goes back to the 14,000gns Royal Ulster Show junior male champion Killadeas Jack.

The next three entries were all consigned by Robin and Agnes Todd, Corbet, Co Down. Firstly, selling for 2,600gns was the blue-ticket-winning Cappagh Lydia, sold served to Alwent Goldbar, the April-2015-born Lydia, by the 18,000gns Thrunton Fairfax and out of the 14,000gns Goldies Usher daughter Cappagh Esther, caught the eye of David Adams, Portglenone, Co Antrim.

Matching the 2,600gns price tag for the Todd family was the 25-month-old Cappagh Lois, this time going home to Teer, Co Down, with Phelim and Bronagh Caragher. The Blelack Goldenboy sired Lois, whose dam Cappagh Dawn is sired by 15,000gns Carlisle Supreme champion Burradon Talisman ,collected a yellow ticket at the pre-sale show and is sold served to the aforementioned Conval Frank.

Mr and Mrs Todd went on to secure 2,500gns for another 25-month-old Goldenboy daughter, this time out of the Burradon Talisman sired Cappagh Divine. Cappagh Lily who is in-calf to Davally Illusion was purchased by Stephen McGuinness, Greysteel, Co Derry.

The final lot to make 2,500gns was Drumlone Marina, who had placed second in her class for breeder and exhibitor Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh. Micheal McVeigh, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, was the man with his hand in the air when the hammer when down on this January-2016-born, Pirate sired daughter of the Irish-born Doon Eleonora, who in turn is sired by the 18,000gns Perth intermediate champion Fury Action.

Averages 26 bulls £3,428.65, 14 heifers £2902.50 Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart Sponsor: Excel Roofing and Cladding Judge: Robert McWilliams, Maghera, Co Derry

Female Champion, Battleford Lola ET for Barley Finnegan.

Stuart Wilson & Jonathan Crawford with the Senior & Overall Champion of the Show  Coolnashee Martin.

David Bothwell with Junior Champion & Reserve Overall Champion Killadeas Magnet.

Reserve Senior Champion for Gary Henderson with Sandelford Mason.

Reserve Junior Champion, Altnacree Macho with Anthony McGuinness, Jackie Conn & Eoin Kerrigan

Reserve Female Champion Burnside Miedi for Mcallister & Sons

HillviewFarm Margo, Junior Heifer Class winner for L.Richardson.

Show Results

Supreme Champion, Overall Male Champion & Senior Champion
Mr Crawford – Coolnaslee Martin – s. Ratoary Icebreaker
Reserve Supreme Champion, Reserve Overall Male Champion & Junior Champion
S & D Bothwell – Killadeas Magnet – s. Blackford Dynamite

Reserve Senior Champion
G Henderson – Sandelford Mason – s. Conval Frank
Reserve Junior Champion
O Kerrigan & J Conn – Altnacree Macho – s. Lochend Apache

Female Champion
B Finnegan – Battleford Lola ET – s. Lochend Apache
Reserve Female Champion
B McAllister & Son – Burnside Miedi – s. Brampton Nacodar

Class One – Bulls born between 15/11/15 – 08/04/16
1st – PJ & S O’Kane – Mccaldrick Miller – s. Prime Isac ET
2nd – WD & JA Connolly – Brigadoon Mork – s. Goldies Icon
3rd – I Rea – Ballymaher Magnum – s. Thrunton Bonjovi

Class Two – Bulls born between 22/04/16 – 30/05/16
1st – Caldwell McAskie – Mountjoy Morgan – s. Montgomery Ianto
2nd – A Armstrong – Tanhill Monty ET – s. Elgin Davinci
3rd – KS Brady – Derrygiff Matt – s. Pirate

Class Two – Bulls born between 01/06/16 – 17/06/16
1st – Mr Crawford – Coolnaslee Martin – s. Ratoary Icebreaker
2nd – G Henderson – Sandelford Mason – s. Conval Frank
3rd – JK Currie – Tullygarley Marco – s. Davally Illusion

Class Three – Bulls born between 22/06/16 – 18/07/16
1st – P Goodwin – Rocknacrieve Milo – s. Tonaghmore Augusto
2nd – Mr G Henderson – Sandelford Mac – s. Conval Frank
3rd – L Johnston – Mountain Magnificent – s. Derrygiff Jester

Class Five – Bulls born between 22/07/16 – 22/08/16
1st – O Kerrigan & J Conn – Altnacree Macho – s. Lochend Apache
2nd – Devine Brothers – Brownhill Mickyjoebadger – s. Thrunton Voldemort
3rd – Mr & Mrs JA Watson – Cornascriebe Maurice – s. Thrunton Flying Scotsman

Class Six – Bulls born between 04/09/16 – 26/10/16
1st – S & D Bothwell – Killadeas Magnet – s. Blackford Dynamite
2nd – T Phair – Brogher Major – s. Wesley Equinox
3rd – S & D Bothwell – Killadeas Material – s Gwenog Braveheart

Class Seven – Females born 17/04/15 – 27/10/15
1st – B Finnegan – Battleford Lola ET – s. Lochend Apache
2nd – Mr RS & Mrs A Todd – Cappagh Lydia – s. Thrunton Fairfax
3rd – Mr RS & Mrs A Todd – Cappagh Lois – s. Blelack Goldenboy

Class Eight – Females born between 07/11/15 – 12/02/16
1st – B McAllister & Son – Burnside Miedi – s. Brampton Nacodar
2nd – KC Veitch – Drumlone Marina – s. s. Pirate
3rd – A&O Quigley – Ardmachree Lala – s. Goldies Eddy

Class Nine – Female born between 13/03/16 – 07/08/16
1st – LA Richardson & Sons – Hillviewfarm Margo – s. Blelack Digger
2nd – HC Stubbs & AA Burleigh – Derryharney Molly – s. Davally Illusion
3rd – KC Veitch – Drumlone Miranda – s. Doonally New

A combination of pedigree and commercial interest saw a flying trade of Charolais bulls at Welshpool on Thursday 9 November. Bidding peaked at 7,200gns, while 13 lots traded at 5,000gns and above. The 43 bulls sold averaged £4444.19, an increase on last year of £588 and clearance rates were also up on the year by an incredible 31% to 84%, proving that the demand for Charolais bulls is on the rise.

Society CEO Peter Phythian commented, “We are delighted that Charolais trade is going from strength to strength, with every Society sale this year improving on numbers sold and average prices. The commercial producers were out in force today looking to secure a Charolais bull so that they can capitalise on the recent trend in the store markets where Charolais sired suckler calves are topping the markets on weight for age”.

Top Price & Reserve Champion Cliftonpark Madoc – 7,200gns

The sale leader at 7,200gns was the reserve champion Cliftonpark Madoc from Mrs JM Robinson, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire. The March-2016-born Madoc is sired by the French bred Rosanna Fameux and out of the homebred dam Cliftonpark Irish, who goes back to the 10,000gns Carlisle reserve senior champion Thrunton Bravado. He was purchased by Messrs P and M Davies, Sennybridge, Powys.

Moelfre Maestro – 7,000gns

Close behind at 7,000gns and the first of three to sell for breeder and exhibitor Kevin Thomas, Capel Iwan, Dyfed – whose sales averaged £6,300 – was the 18-month-old Moelfre Maestro. Maestro who was purchased by E Jones, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, is the first bull to sell by the 12,500gns Balmyle Impression, whose daughters have been retained, while the dam is the Gretnahouse Vigorous-sired Moelfre Dollar.

Moelfre Major – 6400gns

Also in the money for Mr Thomas was the yellow-ticket winner and April-2016-born Moelfre Major. Another son of herd sire Impression, this time out of Moelfre Ianna who in-turn is sired by the 16,000gns Royal Welsh show reserve male champion Anside Foreman, he was purchased by B Bayliss and Co, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire for 6,400gns.

Esgob Magnumgold – 6,800gns

Securing 6,800gns was the April-2016-born Esgob Magnumgold, who was one of three bulls to top his class in the pre-sale show, for breeder and consigner Gareth Jones, Bala, Gwynedd, who went on to sell all three for an average price of £6,055. Staying local when snapped up by J Roberts, Bala, Gwynedd, Magnumgold is sired by Alwent Goldbar and his dam Esgob Gold is a former Royal Welsh Show junior female champion by the 26,000gns Carlisle reserve supreme champion Anside Excalibur.

Esgob Mint – 5,500gns

Mr Jones next highest priced offering was the red-ticket-winning Esgob Mint, who is out of another Anside Excalibur daughter, Esgob Impulse and sired by Goldies Eddy. IW Roberts, Dolwyddelan, Conwy was the purchaser of this 17-month-old at 5,500gns.

Hendy Majestic – 6,000gns

Four bulls were knocked down at 6,000gns a piece, with the first coming from JAW Rees, Llanidloes, Powys. TJ and DA Stephens, Neath, West Glamorgan, were the last men in on the March-2016-born Hendy Majestic, who is sired by Tullygarley Rollerball and out of Hendy Topsy who goes back to Balthayock Matthew.

Champion Seawell Merlo – 6,000gns

Another to bring 6,000gns when chapped down to TN Lightfoot, Callington, Cornwall, was Peter and Sheelagh Donger’s supreme champion Seawell Merlo. The 19-month-old Merlo is a son of the French bred Maerdy Flambeau and Seawell Creative who in-turn is sired by the renowned Irish AI bull Doonally New.

Maerdy Myfanwy – 6,000gns

Also selling for a 6,000gns ticket price was the April-2016-born Maerdy Myfanwy who was snapped up by DT Edwards and Co, Trecastle, Powys. The breeding here includes sire the French bred Maerdy Gouverneur and dam Maerdy Glorious, a daughter of the Irish National Show champion Baladin. Myfanwy placed second in his class for breeder and exhibitor, Flintshire Vet Esmor Evans, who had a successful show also securing first and third places for his other entries.

Maerdy Morlo – 6,000gns

Equalling the 6,000gns price tag for Mr Evans was the 17-month-old, yellow ticket winner, Maerdy Morlo, who was purchased by Simon and Suzanne Frost, owners of his sire Vexour Freddy. Simon who runs a 125-spring-calving suckler herd in Bakewell, Derbyshire, did his homework before visiting the sale and selects his bulls very carefully on EBV’s as well as looks commented that, “He has an undoubtedly superior carcase and he has out-scanned his intermediate figures”. Morlo’s dam Maerdy Gwin is sired by the proven high performing short gestation and easy calving Blelack Digger.

Caylers Maverick – 5,600gns

Commanding a 5,600gns bid from Tynybryn Farms, Tregynon, Powys, was the April-2016-born Caylers Maverick. Sired by the Irish bred Rosanne Jupiter and out of the Maerdy Uniroyal sired Caylers Ella, Maverick was bred and exhibited by the Barker family of Caylers Charolais, Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire.

Teme Magnum – 5,500gns

Next in the trade stakes at 5,500gns was a 16-month-old bull offered by the Corbett family, Felindre, Powys, and purchased by Messrs Evans, Pwllhelli, Gwynedd. Teme Magnum who had been tapped out second in his class at the pre-sale show, boasts some top-class pedigree breeding behind him. His sire is the 70,000gns Royal Welsh supreme champion Barnsford Ferny, while his dam Pedr Indigo – who can count breed champion awards at both the Shropshire and Oswestry show amongst her many ring successes – is sired by the 12,000gns Royal Welsh show supreme champion Thrunton Classic.

The females on offer met with a ready trade, with all six finding new homes and averaging £2,826.25. Leading the bids at 4,000gns was the female champion from Gerwyn Jones, Nebo, Conwy.
The March-2015-born Graiggoch Lucy, is a daughter of the 16,000gns Stirling junior champion Clyth Diplomat and the 25,000gns Perth supreme champion Mowbraypark Orlando sired Thrunton Starband. She was purchased by Kevin Thomas who was in the mood to spend after doing so well with his bull sales earlier in the day.

The 18-month-old reserve female champion from EH Pennie and Son, Montgomery, Powys was next in the trade stakes at 3,100gns. Sarkley Marianna who was purchased by T Rich, Mold, Flintshire, is sired by Lisnagre Hansome and out of Sarkley Brianna who goes back to Roundhill Rocky.

Finishing off the female trade and trading for 2,700gns apiece, were a pair of two-year-old Anside Excalibur daughters, bred and exhibited by the aforementioned Gareth Jones. Esgob Lollypop and Esgob Lea who sold served to the 12,000gns Caylers Hustler, both took the fancy of Mr D Owen and went on home with him to Aberdovey, Gwynedd.

Averages: 43 bulls: £4,444.19; six heifers: £2,826.25
Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales
Show Judge: James Kimber, Chippenham, Wiltshire

Show Results

Supreme Champion
PM & SM Donger – Seawell Merlo – s. Maerdy Flambeau

Reserve Supreme Champion
Mrs JM Robinson – Cliftonpark Madoc – s. Rosanna Fameux

Female Champion
Mr G Jones – Graiggoch Lucy ET – s. Clyth Diplomat

Reserve Female Champion
EH Pennie & Son – Sarkley Marianna – s. Lisnagre Hansome

Class One – Bulls born between 15/12/15 – 26/2/16
1 – JC Bostock & Son – Roundshill Magnificent – s. Allanfauld Vagabond
2 – Caylers Charolais – Caylers McCarthy – s. Thrunton Goldeneye
3 – PM & SM Donger – Seawell Marillion – s. Coolnaslee Ivanhoe

Class Two – Bulls born between 02/03/16 – 27/03/16
1 – PM & SM Donger – Seawell Merlo – s. Maerdy Flambeau
2 – Mrs JM Robinson – Cliftonpark Madoc – s. Rosanna Fameux
3 – G Jones & Son – Tynddol Moses – s. Alwent Goldbar

Class Three – Bulls born between 02/04/16 – 14/04/16
1 – Mr GM Jones – Esgob Magnumgold – s. Alwent Goldbar
2 – PM & SM Donger – Seawell Muir – s. Alsnow Euro
3 – Mrs A Orr-Ewing – Foxacre Memnon – s. Wesley Forceful

Class Four – Bulls born between 15/04/16 – 28/04/16
1 – Mr GM Jones – Esgob Marlon – s. Oldstone Egbert
2 – Mr DE Evans – Maerdy Fyfanwy – s. Maerdy Gouverneur
3 – Mr KJ Thomas – Moelfre Major – s. Balmyle Impression

Class Five – Bulls born between 01/05/16 – 20/05/16
1 – PM & SM Donger – Seawell Mann – s. Culla Highflyer
2 – Roberts & Jones – Montgomery Major – s. Balmyle Harlequin
3 – C & R Currell – Solo Master – s. Nibheath Thoroid

Class Six – Bulls born between 26/05/16 – 30/06/16
1 – Mr GM Jones – Esgob Mint – s. Goldies Eddy
2 – Mrs SM Corbett & Daughters – Teme Magnum – s. Barnsford Ferny
3 – DE Evans – Maerdy Morlo – s. Vexour Freddy

Class Seven – Bulls born between 17/07/16 – 22/09/16
1 – DE Evans – Maerdy Midleson – s. Maerdy Heracles
2 – RA Owen – Trefaldwyn Monacle – s. Goldies Eddy
3 – RA Owen – Trefaldwyn Merlot – s. Goldies Eddy

Reserve Continental Senior Champion – Falleninch Mars

Reserve Continental Senior Champion, Charolais Senior Champion & Charolais Senior Male Champion
Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Mars – s. Fairway Jefferson

Reserve Continental Junior Champion – Formakin Narvana

Reserve Continental Junior Champion, Charolais Junior Champion & Charolais Junior Female Champion
McMurrich Partnership – Formakin Nirvana – s. Cyrano

Reserve Junior Champion – Allanfauld Napoleon

Reserve Charolais Junior Champion & Charolais Junior Male Champion
A MacGregor Ltd – Allanfauld Napoleon – s. Dingle Hofmeister

Reserve Charolais Junior Female Champion
J Watson & Co – Tweeddale Neena – s. Goldies Decider

Reserve Charolais Junior Male Champion
Mr DM Lyle – Loganbar Northwest – s. Westcarse Jumbo

Reserve Senior Champion – Blackford Monarch

Reserve Charolais Senior Champion
J & J Graham – Blackford Monarch – s. Clyth Diplomat

Charolais Senior Female Champion
G Russell – Lesliepark Molly – s. Barnsford Ferny

Reserve Charolais Senior Female Champion
J Morris – Olrig Minny – s. Blelack Blackberet

Class 16 – Charolais Heifers born 1st March to 4th May 2017
1^st – Mr T Atkinson – Balbithan Nabraska – s. Davally Illusion
2^nd – J & E Wight – Midshield Nadia – s. Blelack Jerrylee
3^rd – MR McCornick – McCornick Nutella – s. Balmyle Jupiter

Class 15 – Charolais Heifers born 2nd January to 12th February 2017
1^st – McMurrich Partnership – Formakin Nirvana – s. Cyrano
2^nd – J Watson & Co – Tweeddale Neena – s. Goldies Decider
3^rd – RA Milne – Elgin Nancy – s. Woodpark Elgin

Class 14 – Charolais Bulls born 1st Jan to 18th May 2017
1^st – A MacGregor Ltd – Allanfauld Napoleon – s. Dingle Hofmeister
2^nd – Mr DM Lyle – Loganbar Northwest – s. Westcarse Jumbo
3^rd – RA Milne – Elgin Neuer – s. Woodpark Elgin

Class 13 – Charolais Heifers born 24th October to 24th December 2016
1^st – J Morris – Olrig Minny – s. Blelack Blackberet
2^nd – Mr G Russell – Lesliepark Maggie – s. Mandela Dillon1
3^rd – DM Lyle – Loganbar Muriel – s. Westcarse Jumbo

Class 12 – Charolais Heifers born 2nd July to 21st Sept 2016
1^st – G Russell – Lesliepark Molly – s. Barnsford Ferny
2^nd – Mr DM Lyle – Loganbar Madame – s. Bostonia Invincible
3^rd – J Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Marie – s. Kilbline 1 Intigator

Class 11 – Charolais Bulls born 8th October to 25th December 2016
1^st – J & J Graham – Blackford Monarch – s. Clyth Diplomat
2^nd – J Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Mover – s. Blelack Giggsey
3^rd – J Morris Esq – Olrig Montblanc – s. Blelack Blackberet

Class 10 – Charolais Bulls born 20th July to 2nd Sept 2016
1^st – Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Mars – s. Fairway Jefferson
2^nd – J Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Morgan – s. Kilbline 1 Intigator
3^rd – Mr D Thornley – Dooley Matador – s. Davally Igolo

A small but high-quality offering of Charolais bulls saw a high of 5,500gns and an average of £3,304, for the 15 bulls sold at Borderway Mart for the breeds last official sale of the year on Friday 17 November. The clearance rate was up by 18% on the year, continuing the trend that has been consistent throughout every one of this year’s Society sales.

Whitecliffe Mountain – 5,500gns – Top price & Reserve Supreme Champion

The trade topper at 5,500gns was the reserve supreme and reserve male champion from breeders Mark and Jane Hayhurst, Kirbymisperton, North Yorkshire. The 18-month-old Whitecliffe Mountain is sired by the home-bred Whitecliffe Highlight and out of Whitecliffe Harriete, who goes back to the 38,000gns Perth reserve junior champion Goldies Champion and was purchased by G McClanachan and Sons, Torthorwald, Dumfriesshire. A delighted Jane said that “He was a great calf out of Whitecliffe Highlight who is producing progeny perfect for meeting todays market specifications. His homebred sons have sold to 6,200gns this year through the ring, are selling just as well from home and he is producing well on other farms too through AI sales. We also use him on our sucklers and his first commercial progeny sold this spring at just over 12 months old. One went to ABP at 12 months and nine days, with a dead weight of 446kg and making a total of £1498, while another sold live at 800kg, five days younger for £1450”.

Bassett Magnet – 5,400gns

Next and selling for 5,400gns to PL Heard, Okehampton, Devon, was the February-2016-born, yellow ticket winner Bassett Magnet, from Jean Atkinson, Malton, North Yorkshire. His sire is Bassett Inspector and his dam Bassett Dolly is sired by the Northumberland-bred Thrunton Troubadore.

Glenbuck Mint – 5,200gns – Supreme Champion

Following on at 5,200gns was Glenbuck Mint ET who had been selected by Judge Eimear McGovern as the day’s supreme and male champion. The 22-year-old Eimear travelled over from Clogher, Co Tyrone, with a film crew who have been filming the McGovern family throughout the year for the up-coming TV show Rare Breed – A Farming Year, which will be aired on UTV and TV3 in Northern Ireland from January, and will also available on ITV player. She commented “I feel very honoured to be asked to judge here today and chose Mint as Champion for his power, shape and locomotion”. The 19-month-old Major-sired Mint, whose dam Yambo Hanora who goes back to Doonally New was snapped up by AJ Ewing, Annan, Dumfriesshire, from breeders and exhibitors Robin and Damien O’Mullan, Rasharkin, Co Antrim.

Holstead Lottie – 3,800gns – Reserve Female Champion

Heading up the female section at 3,800gns was the reserve female champion from Fred, June and Emma Andrews, Holmfirth, Yorkshire. The September-2015-born Holtstead Lottie, is sired by Balthayock Hamish and out of the Royal Show senior male champion Gretnahouse Archangel-sired Thrunton Debutante. She was purchased in-calf by David Hazell, Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Also in the money for the Andrews family was a cow and calf outfit selling for 3,700gns to JR Germany, Coltishall, Norfolk, having been placed second in their class earlier at the pre-sale show. Mother Holtstead Imagine, who was crowned breed junior champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2014, is a 2013-born daughter of the 22,000gns Newhouse Bigal and Holstead Veronique, who goes back to 10,500gns Carlisle reserve supreme champion Gretnahouse Noel, and her 3-month-old daughter Holtstead Nigella is sired by Goldies Eddy.

As an added feature of the sale there were drafts from three Charolais herds. The first was the Gretnahouse herd of Alasdair Houston, Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, whose heifers took the fancy of aforementioned David Hazell from Bicester, who managed to bag four out of the five on offer. The highest priced at 2,400gns, was the June-2016-born Gretnahouse Mulona, whose breeding includes the 12,000gns Carlisle reserve senior champion Wesley Equinox and the homebred Gretnahouse Fulona who in-turn is sired by the 25,000gns Perth senior champion Thrunton Camelot.

Then D Smith and sons, Mauchline, Ayrshire offered four cow and calf pairs. The top priced at 2,200gns was a mother and daughter set, Lawersbridge Hope and Lawersbridge Nettle. Hope is a daughter of herd sire Smithston Elite and Redheughs Essex who goes back to the Northern Ireland National Charolais Show reserve male champion Glencoe Vision, while her daughter Nettle is sired by the Dumfries Show male champion Lawersbridge Iceberg. Both travel on to Balerno, Mid Lothian with purchasers Messrs Wardlaw.

Finally, there was a major reduction from the Ashby herd of David and Carol Noton, Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Their top priced was Ashby Lucy, who is an October-2015 born daughter of Blelack Digger and the Clyth Diplomat-sired Ashby Hyacinth, she also purchased by David Hazell, this time for 2,500gns.

Averages: 15 Bulls £3,304; two cow and calves £3,203; two heifers £2,730; five Gretnahouse heifers £2,331; four Lawersbridge cow and calves £2,021; five Ashby cow and calves £2,079; one Ashby cow £1,890, three Ashby heifers £1,820.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington Ltd.

Show Results

Supreme & Male Champion
R and Damien O’Mullan – Glenbuck Mint ET – s. Major
Reserve Supreme & Reserve Male Champion
M & J Hayhurst – Whitecliffe Mountain – s. Whitecliffe Highlight

Female Champion
D Smith & Sons – Lawersbridge Heidi – s. Blelack Digger
Reserve Female Champion
F, J & EC Andrews – Holtstead Lottie – s. Balthayock Hamish

Class One – Bulls born on or between 30/05/15 and 10/01/16
1st – MR McCornick – McCornick Morpheus – s. Thrunton Hermes
2nd – W Richardson & Sons – Laverock Logo – s. Cottage Devon
3rd – Hackleton Farms – Hackleton Manwell – s. Thrunton Doubletop

Class Two – Bulls born on or between 28/01/2016 and 31/03/16
1st – Jenny & John Rix – Wissington Mercedes – s. Thrunton Hammerstein
2nd – JD Leavesley – Tutbury Mecedes – s. Esgob Ferrari
3rd – Jean Atkinson – Bassett Magnet – s. Bassett Inspector

Class Three – Bulls born on or between 01/04/16 and 22/04/16
1st – R and Damien O’Mullan – Glenbuck Mint ET – s. Major
2nd – Ouston Farms – Ravensworth Max – s. Doonally New
3rd – JHC Campbell & Son – Thrunton Midas – s. Thrunton Gladiator

Class Four – Bulls born on or after 24/04/16
1st – M & J Hayhurst – Whitecliffe Mountain – s. Whitecliffe Highlight
2nd – JD Leavesley – Tutbury Matlock – s. Esgob Ferrari
3rd – Jean Atkinson – Bassett Monsoon – s. Bassett Inspector

Class Five – Cows served and/or suckling
1st – D Smith & Sons – Lawersbridge Heidi – s. Blelack Digger
2nd F, J & EC Andrews – Holtstead Imagine – s. Newhouse Bigal

Class Six – Served/Maiden Heifers
1st – F, J & EC Andrews – Holtstead Lottie – s. Balthayock Hamish
2nd – D Smith & Son – Lawersbridge Lulu – s. Lawersbridge Ferocious

This year’s Pedigree Calf Fair was held at Balmoral showground on Saturday 18 November and Councilman Neil Blyth from Elwick, Cleveland travelled over the water to judge the Charolais classes.

Senior Champion Hollywell Mojito and Reserve Senior Champion Currins Maddie with sponsor MSD Bovipast RSP and judge Neil Blyth

The senior championship was won by the 14-month-old Hollywell Mojito from John and Sandra Middleton, Upper Creevagh, Co Derry. Mojito is sired by the 18,000gns Thrunton Fairfax and out of the Doonally Nicefor-sired Hollywell Harriet. Placing in reserve was an entry from Josh Armstrong, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Currins Maddie is a November-2016-born son of Goldstar Echo and Drumlone Jasmine who goes back to Doonally New.

Junior Champion Brigadoon Newman

Both the champion and reserve in the junior section were won by the Connolly family, Ballynahinch, Co Down. Their champion was the seven-month-old Brigadoon Newman who is out of the Royal Captain-sired Brigadoon Icequeen and their reserve Brigadoon Nova is out of Brigadoon Felicity who is sired by the 18,000gns Sackville Claudius. Both entries are sired by the 10,000gns Stirling reserve junior champion, Goldies Icon.

Reserve Junior Champion Brigadoon Nova

Class Results

Class 31 – Bull, born on or between 01/09/16 & 31/12/16
1st – J&S Middleton – Hollywell Mojito – s. Thrunton Fairfax
2nd – S&D Bothwell – Killadeas Matador – s. Blelack Digger
3rd – R McWilliams – Stranagone Makemyday – s. Stranagone Jones

Class 32 – Heifer, born on or between 01/09/16 & 31/12/16
1st – J Armstrong – Currins Maddie – s. Goldstar Echo
2nd – A Richardson – Hillviewfarm Margaret – s. Blelack Digger

Class 33 – Bull, born on or between 01/01/17 & 31/03/17
1st – N&G Matchett – Birches Nutcracker – s. Inverlochy Ferdie
2nd – S Bradley – Slievemore Native – s. Thrunton Bonjovi
3rd – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Notorious – s. Goldies Icon

Class 34 – Heifer, born on or between 01/01/17 & 31/03/17
1st – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Nevada – s. Goldies Icon
2nd – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Nyoka – s. Goldies Icon
3rd – Kenneth Veitch – Drumlone Nancy ET – s. Major

Class 35 – Bull Calf, born after 01/04/17
1st – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Newman – s. Goldies Icon
2nd – S&D Bothwell – Killadeas National – s. Gwenog Braveheart
3rd – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Nemesis – s. Brampton Petition

Class 36 – Heifer Calf, born after 01/04/17
1st – WD&JA Connolly – Brigadoon Nova – s. Goldies Icon
2nd – N&G Matchett – Birches Nancy – s. Doonally New
3rd – A Richardson – Hillviewfarm Naughtygirl – s. Blelack Digger

The Oakchurch herd, owned by Jeremy Price from Herefordshire, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the most progressive herd of Charolais cattle based on the herd’s genetic merit and improvement in 2017.

Jeremy’s parents had kept the Charolais breed before which inspired him to set up Oakchurch in 2007. The herd is comprised of 20 cows with females kept as replacements and bulls sold for breeding.

In order to monitor performance, Jeremy started recording as soon as he set up the herd. Jeremy said: “I find if you enter accurate data you get useful information back. We have a good trade for cattle from home and sell privately to herds based on good data. People want an idea of what they are buying and performance recording really helps with that.”

Jeremy focuses on growth rates and says calving ease is essential with the commercial producer in mind. “No commercial farmer wants to be getting out of bed at night to calve a cow. We aim for cows that give birth unassisted, have a short gestation period, don’t suffer losses and produce calves with good growth rates and conformation. We are also aiming for a bit more fat depth.”

Carried out by the breeding company, Jeremy uses artificial insemination (AI) on his cows to out-source genetics to improve certain traits where possible. “At the moment, when choosing bulls, I am focusing on calving ease, growth rates and fat depth,” explains Jeremy. “When it comes to cows, we look at their pedigree, figures, and conformation.”

Over the last 10 years, Jeremy has used Blelack Digger who was a top bull for calving traits. “He really helped move the breed forward and commercial producers love him,” says Jeremy. He now keeps two stock bulls. Balthayock Jupiter has top figures with balanced traits, he has nice conformation, easy calving with a short gestation. “I have just bought Balthayok Marksmen who has good figures and will add fat depth to the cattle. Just over a year ago I imported semen from Palgrove Justice from Australia and used the semen via AI with the aim of producing easy doing cattle with added fat depth. The first calves by him have just been born so it will be interesting to see how they get on,” says Jeremy.

“It’s nice to have won the award for a second time. We want to carry on improving the breed so it is good to see we are still making good progress.”

The British Charolais Cattle Society are pleased to announce the details of the 2018 International Charolais Congress, which will take place in Sweden from Saturday 29 June to Saturday 7 July 2018.

The tour begins in Stockholm and includes farm, company and cultural visits throughout South Sweden. It finishes in Ystad with exit through Copenhagen airport.

Details of the post tour to Norway from Sunday 8 to Tuesday 10 July will follow shortly.

The last date for registration is 15 February and payment must be received by 1 March.

The cost of the Congress is listed in Swedish Krona and does not include international flights.  Field Farm Tours Ltd would be happy to quote for flights from your preferred airport as well as process your registration, sending one invoice in GBP that then provides financial protection for all monies paid to Field Farm Tours Ltd under the CAA’s ATOL Scheme. An indication of the Congress cost (the GBP equivalent cost will be determined at the time of the payment): SEK 25,000pp = GBP £2,300pp based on sharing a double/twin occupancy room. If you prefer a single occupancy room then an additional supplement of SEK 4,500pp is also due (approx. GBP £420pp).

Click on the links below for more information on the tour

Sweden 2018 Tour Invitation

Sweden Tour Booking Form

If you would like to book, please contact Caroline Cree at Field Farm Tours for more information on: Tel: 01636 616060 or Email: carolyne@fieldfarmtours.co.uk

It was a fine day last summer when we visited the JordanCastle herd of polled Charolais in Wellow, managed by Sydney Carr and his daughter Laura. Alongside their pure Charolais herd which they run on a commercial basis, they host school visits in their purpose-built education facility and entertain guests in their three holiday cottages set in the idyllic Nottinghamshire countryside.

The education enterprise is the brain child of Laura, who feels strongly about the benefits of teaching children how their food is produced. It was set up in partnership with the Higher Level and now Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme which enables them to offer free visits to schools. They also offer visits to other organisations whether it be farming or local interest groups.

Sydney is the third generation to farm at Jordan Castle Farm after his grandfather and uncle purchased the farm in 1939 and both he and his daughter Laura were born in the farmhouse. The 270-acre holding consists of 50% grazing and 50% arable which supports the winter feeding needs of the cattle with the remainder sold as milling wheat. The 200 cattle are fed hay and 1kg of barley per day in the winter and when brought in, are kept in their management groups sorted by age with the spring and autumn calvers kept apart.

Charolais cattle are renowned for their good temperament and this herd is a shining example. The Carrs have culled any cattle that show any signs of bad disposition and the result is a herd that are quiet, friendly and easy to manage. This is of paramount importance in this low maintenance system as the main day-to-day work is undertaken by Sydney while Laura is away working during the week. Sydney’s motto is “decent cattle, decent feed, it all comes down to management”.

Easier management was the reason why Sydney was initially drawn to polled Charolais with their reputation for being easier calving. He said, “It has paid off from the start. I have only had to assist one calving in the past year”.

Sydney joined the polled society, as it was then, in 1987 after purchasing his first polled Charolais bull in 1982 from Ralph Needham’s Cockerington herd. These days, the farm’s 75 breeding females produce stores to sell at nearby Newark in the Spring and Autumn, whilst heifers are kept for replacements and pedigree sales. The herd averaged £1100 for their 17-18 month old steers and heifers sold through Newark in 2016. Laura said “When we finish cattle they usually attain a U-grade and average £1250. Currently I am exploring the benefits of selling some of our animals as meat direct to the consumer”.

Stock bulls are selected for style and temperament and their latest addition Cockerington Justice has turned out to be the quietest they have had. There are three bulls running with the herd at present; the homebred JordanCastle Heathcliff and Alwent Impact are also earning their keep. Sydney comments, “We hope to keep one of Heathcliff’s sons for breeding in the future. Unusually we purchased Impact from Steve Nesbitt at just 13-months-old, but he has been a great success. We tend to work our bulls for six years, and bring in fresh bloodlines for our replacements”.

Calving is in the Spring and Autumn and is spread over a few weeks for ease of management. All the herds females were born on farm with the exception of one purchased from the Needhams at the same time as Cockerington Justice. Laura remarked, “Cockerington Jodie was a very nice Christmas present!”

Heifers are calved down at approximately two years nine months and are routinely still calving at 12 years old with the oldest mother this season being 16.

The Carr’s breeding bulls are usually sold at about 20-22 months and Sydney commented “People want to purchase bulls that are ready to work and by that age they can see what they’re getting. We advertise through our website, Sell My Livestock and the Newark Market newsletter. We also have lots of repeat customers who like our easy-calving, good-tempered bulls”.

On the day of our visit, James and his mum Serena Underwood of Gillingham, Dorset were visiting to look at the 22-month-old JordanCastle Lionheart. The Underwoods established their Pennymore herd in March last year, with the purchase of five cows and calves from the Cockerington herd. They obviously liked the look of Lionheart as he subsequently travelled to his new home in Dorset at the end of July. James recently commented “I chose him for his nice nature and good EBV’s. I am just starting out with Charolais and he has proved to be a lovely quiet bull who I move everyday and he has never given me any problems. He’s running with my eleven breeding females at the moment, and the five cows who I put him to first are due to calve in June and July. Working full time, I have chosen to calve in the long days of the summer months. I am looking to put him with some sucklers once he has his first calves on the ground.”

To find out more about the JordanCastle herd, visit their website www.pollcharolais.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram: Jordan Castle Polled Charolais