Chelford Autumn 2000

Pedigrees

The Chelford Agricultural Centre saw very keen interest in nearly twice the number forward over last year, of Pedigree Belgian Blues at the National Show and Sale.

Judge Bob Ansty of Binegar, Somerset, delighted North West British Blue Cattle Breeders Club members when he slapped the rump of 'Boothlow Rambo', as Show Champion. 'Rambo', by 'Savant De Pierrecome out of 'Sunk Island Heather' and bred by local breeders Keith and Janet Belfield, Buxton Derbyshire, then went on to top the sale by being knocked down to Anthony Hale of Caerleon in South Wales for 2950 gns. 'Rambo' had weighed 597kgs at 400days and is within the top 1% of the breed with a Beef Value of 26.

The trade on Saturday was selective, with most animals realising their value and reflecting the quality forward. Many potential purchasers looking for coloured bulls. Jane and Danny Wyllie, Tamworth, Staffordshire, paid 2550gns for Mr and Mrs Gregory's 'Gregmaur Rambo', by the famous 'Hazelwood Freshman' out of 'Westpit Ginny'. J G Derbyshire of Warslow, Buxton, went to 2400gns to secure 'Cowden Regal', bred by A & K M Barnes, Great Harwood, Lancs. 'Regal' , a white bull demonstrating tremendous locomotion, along with extreme muscling is by 'Odilio van Boshoek' and out of 'Walnut Tree Isobel'.

Demand for females was strong throughout. G E Tomlinson sold his Champion Female, the in-calf heifer, 'Astbury Orchid' to K N S Properties of East Hawden, Northants for 2500gns. 'Boothlow Opal', by 'Savant de Pierrecome' out of 'Padlan Jill', with her heifer calf 'Boothlow Susan', by 'Inexes de la Croix de Mer', was knocked down to C H Harries, Llanddeusant, Carmarthen, for 1850gns. A feature of the female trade was the demand for a run of smart, well grown, in-calf heifers, from Ted Haste's Stoneleigh Herd, Beaworthy, North Devon and an all white heifer, in calf to 'Hooton Pumpkin', bred by his son Andrew, 'Ash Personality', by 'Glenavy Kristofferson', out of 'Stoneleigh Lovelace', which was sold for 1450gns.

A number of purchasers were attracted by the final dispersal of the 'Portway Herd' for Michael Sparey of Ludlow in Shropshire. His 'Portway Olive', with her January born bull calf, 'Portway Sambo', by 'Brookfield Luther' making 2200gns to Derbyshire breeder N Richardson of Buxton.

Society secretary John Fleming commented 'It was pleasing to see twice the number forward at this Autumn sale at Chelford, with quality stock leading to a strong trade, especially for females.'

Commercials

The 153 commercial crossbred cattle presented for sale, at this, the 34th National Show and Sale at Chelford reflected the quality, once again, of the Belgian Blue cross. Quality cattle, as always, commanded a premium with a Limousin X Belgian Blue steer from Andrew Davis, Llangadog, taking top honours. The steer was not shown at the preview but attracted a lot of pre-sale attention, final call went to Anita Padfield of Norfolk at £1600.

The Show Champion, judged Jim Hutchinson of Thulston, was a heifer from Michele Wilde, Leighton Buzzard, and sold to Mr J K Manson of Caithness for £710.

Quality cows and calves also attracted fierce competition with a pedigree outfit from Messrs Morgan of Swansea realising £1360 to Paul Barwood of Norfolk.

Auctioneer Jonathan Farrell commented 'Once again the Blues have proved that they are the way forward for commercial cattle'

44 Pedigrees Bulls averaged £1674 (24 £1973)

22 females averaged £1276 ( 11 £1293 )

Commercials

49 Commercial Steers averaged £578 with a top of £980 (46 £665 )
74 Commercial Heifers averaged £524 with a top of £1600 (68 £571 )
7 Cows and calves averaged £640 with a top of £1360