Ridge Dean British Blues sell to 7500gns
The virtual dispersal of the Ridge Dean herd of British Blues for Michelle Wilde at Newark on Saturday 11th October 2014 saw a top call of 7500gns and demand strong throughout the sale.
Featuring some the finest British Blue genetics to come to the market in a number of years the sale drew interest from across the UK, with cattle sold to buyers across the UK, including animals heading to Orkney and Wales.
Commenting on the sale auctioneer Paul Gentry said it was an event likely to never be repeated. “Michelle Wilde’s 34 year dedication to the Blue breed and to breeding for natural calving and locomotion is something few breeders will ever rival.
“Demand for Ridge Dean Blues has been exceptional throughout the herd’s history and the demand seen for this sale was a mark of the esteem in which both Michelle and her cattle are held by Blue breeders everywhere.”
Ridge Dean Izabella
Leading the trade was the September 2013 born Ridge Dean Izabella, a Boothlow Dynamo daughter out of Ridge Dean Della, an Empire D’Ochain daughter, in the top 5% for growth and Carcase Profitability Index, she sold to C B Parsons, Sutton-On-Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Ridge Dean Della
Next best after that were a pair which sold at 6000gns, with the first of these being the herd’s noted brood cow Ridge Dean Della, herself in the top 10% for growth, Carcase Traits and Profitability Index, being the dam of the 7500gns Izabella.
This Empire daughter is out of Ridge Dean Valentine, a Radar Van Terbeck daughter and is due in November to Cromwell Fendt. This one sold to Tim and Kitty Bodily, Abergavenny.
The second lot to take a 6000gns call was Ridge Dean Groovey, a 2011-born Boherard Cantona daughter out of Ridge Dean Delight, a Ballygrange Alex daughter, in the top 10% for growth and Carcase Profitability Index. She was another high priced animal to head home with Messrs Parsons, Sutton-On-Trent.
Then trading at 5700gns was her dam, Ridge Dean Delight. This Ballygrange Alex daughter is out of Valentine and sold with a heifer calf at foot by Dictator and back in calf to the same sire again. With excellent growth figures and in the top 10% for Carcase Traits, taking this one were Swindells Livestock, Brant Broughton, Lincolnshire.
Following on at 5000gns was the young bull calf Ridge Dean Justino. This March-born son of Boothlow Dynamo is out of Ridge Dean Fuchsia, a Ballygrange Alex daughter and sold to K Allen, Cattleton, Derbyshire.
Then taking the first of four 4500gns calls was Ridge Dean Florence 2, a Blue Stone Union Jack daughter out of Ridge Dean Ursula, a Savant De Pierrecome daughter. In the top 10% of the breed for Eye Muscle Area and low birth weight, she found a new home with Brian Joseph, Church Stretton, Shropshire.
Ridge Dean Gem, an Empire D’Ochain daughter out of Ridge Dean Valentine, then traded at the same money when bought by Ian Rowe, Chesterfield.
Next at this level was Cromwell Icandy, a Cromwell Fendt daughter out of Hematite D’Ozo, a Fausto Et Du Peroy daughter. Originally bred by Adam Neachell, in the top 25% for Carcase Profitability Index, this one was the choice of Messrs Brown, Pickering.
And the very next lot, Ridge Dean Jasmine, then completed the quartet at this level when selling to Brian Jones, Church Stretton. She’s by Kilowatt D’Ochain and out of Ridge Dean Della.
Then selling at 4200gns was Ridge Dean Georgia May, a Bringlee Blackstar daughter out of Ridge Dean Bonnie, a Dafydd D’Ochain daughter. In the top 10% for growth and Carcase Traits, she was bought by M and J Ward, Harwood Dale, Scarborough.
Close behind that and taking a bid of 4000gns was Ridge Dean Jaeger, a Kilowatt daughter out of Della, with this one selling to Mary Brown.
Also at this money was Ridge Dean Jerrel, a full brother to Jaegar, with this one selling to Messrs Foulbister, Orkney.
Making the next best price of 3600gns was Ridge Dean Giggles, a February 2011-born Ridge Dean Dictator daughter out of Ridge Dean Cocola, a Dafydd C’Ochain daughter. Sold with her Aberdeen-Angus cross heifer calf at foot and with a carcass profitability index of +25 (twice the breed average!) and in the top 5% for growth and Carcase Traits, she went home with M and J Ward, Harwood Dale, Scarborough.
And making 3500gns was Ridge Dean Incredible, a March 2013-born heifer by Empire D’Ochain out of Graymar Electra, a Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur daughter. In the top 3% of the breed for growth and the top 15% for Carcase Profitability Index, she found a new home with David and Jane Coulson, Middle Rasen, Lincolnshire.
The leading prices reflecting cattle with high EBV and index figures.
Speaking after the sale Michelle Wilde said the decision to stage the sale had been a hard one, but it was not the end for Ridge Dean genetics. “I would like to thank all those who attended the sale for their support and wish all buyers the very best of luck and enjoyment with the cattle.”
Averages; five cows £4436.25, five cows with calves £3906, 10 maiden heifers £4242, embryo calves £3402, five recipient dams £868
