Bulls to 6,600gns and heifers to 4,100gns at Hereford Cattle Society Spring Show and Sale

Messrs R A Bradstock and Partners, Tarrington, Hereford saw their 24 month old Free Town Mentor (960kgs) sell for 4,600gns to judge, David Smyth, Magheraknock Herefords, Co Down.

The reserve overall male and junior championships went to the 12 month old Moralee 1 Novak (645kgs) bred by T and D Harrison, Stocksfield, Northumberland, selling for 6,000gns to D J Deaville, Alderville Herefords, Belper, Derbyshire.

Top price of the day went to another North of England breeder, Mrs Caroline Fletcher from Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria who saw her 25 month old Barwise 1 Mach One (935kgs) sell for 6,600gns to Speirs Farms Ltd, Pepperstock Herefords, Luton, Bedfordshire. “Mach One”, a Superior Carcase Sire in the top 1% for calving ease and retail beef yield, showing the importance of performance results now required by customers of the top bulls.

Another Superior Carcase Sire, the 26 month old Fisher 1 Monarch M414 (1,015kgs) demonstrating excellent carcase EBVs, bred by W J Hutchings and Sons, Chichester, Sussex, sold for 6,000gns to M Shaw, Thornysure Herefords, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.

A third Superior Carcase Sire, 24 month old Auckvale Masterclass 1472M (910kgs) sold for 4,300gns to commercial producers, T L and E M Clarke, Narberth, Pembrokeshire. Again this bull, with both carcase and weight EBVs in the top 5% and 10%.

The reserve senior male champion, 23 month old Danish bred bull, SMH Liga 107L (1,150kgs) recently imported by L R and A M Ayre, South Molton, Devon, captured the attention of a number of bidders, eventually selling for 5,000gns to local breeder, G Blandford, Bosa Herefords, Bosbury, Herefordshire.

Somerset breeder, J D Moorhouse from Taunton saw his 26 month old Cato 1 Marksman (935kgs) sell for 4,000gns to Peter Walker Partnership, Pentry, Wiltshire.

Other leading prices included 24 month old Harveybros 1 McBeath (990kgs) from Harvey Brothers, Balfron, Glasgow selling for 3,800gns to N Davies, Crow Wood Herefords, Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire.

22 month old Fisher 1 Magnus M427 (840kgs) bred by W J Hutchings and Sons, Chichester, Sussex selling for 3,800gns to W S Turner and Son, Church Stretton, Shropshire and the 18 month old Coley 1 Nelson (925kgs) bred by Miss H Whittaker, Halifax, West Yorkshire also realising 3,800gns selling to local breeders, M and M Roberts, Bromley Herefords, Hoarwithy, Herefordshire.

32 bulls sold for £105,315 to average £3,291.09

In the show heifer section, the grand female champion, 15 month old Pepperstock 1 Butterfly N293 bred by Speirs Farms Ltd topped the female trade at 4,100gns selling to newcomer to the breed, W Shaw, Kirkby-Moorside, North Yorkshire.

The reserve grand female champion, 18 month old Dendor 1 Anna Mary 32nd, bred by D E, E D and A L Jones, Caersws, Powys, following close behind selling for 3,500gns to Mrs R Williamson, Wardle Herefords, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Upholding the success for the breeders from the North of England, G and M C Shepherd, Woodplumpton, Preston, Lancashire saw their 12 month old heifer, Moorside 1 Evita 8th, sell for 3,100gns to P Poole, Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury.

Other leading prices included the 14 month old Fisher 1 Susan N436, bred and exhibited by W J Hutchings and Sons, Chichester, Sussex selling for 2,600gns to K E and L R C Edwards, Chepstow, Gwent and 19 month old Fisher 1 Cherry N430 sold for 2,500gns to W Shaw, Kirkby Moorside, North Yorkshire. Also, 19 month old Normanton 1 Jurana 9th, exhibited by T D and W T Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicester, selling for 2,550gns to A G Whittle, Whittle Herefords, Lancashire.

12 show heifers sold for £30,187.50 to average £2,515.63

A draft of heifers offered at the end of the sale saw E R and C A Kirby, Buxton, Derbyshire, top this section with two 23 month old heifers, Tydesmoor 1 Minola selling for 1,800gns to Mrs D Watkins, Craven Arms, Shropshire and Tydesmoor 1 Kimberley selling for 1,600gns to Grove Farms, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

9 heifers sold for £12,757.50 to average £1,417,50

Breed secretary, David Prothero, commenting on the sale said he was more than satisfied with the 75% clearance of the bulls offered and an 87% clearance of the females, adding that it was also good to see that three of the top price sale bulls were Superior Carcase Sires, demonstrating the importance of breeders participating in the Breed’s Performance Recording Scheme.

Auctioneers – Brightwells, Leominster.