Chelford

Saturday 3rd September 2005

STRONG FEMALE TRADE AT CHELFORD BLUE SALE

Confidence in the breed was highlighted by another tremendous sale for pedigree females at the British Blue Cattle Society’s 42nd National Show and Sale at Chelford last Saturday, even though demand for bulls was a little selective.

The excellent weather meant that a large number of both dairy and beef commercial producers stayed at home to finish harvesting or silage, with the result that demand for crossing bulls was hesitant at first, although growing stronger as the sale progressed as a few younger bulls with breeding potential came forward.

The female trade was a different story however, with breed enthusiasts keen to take home top quality replacement breeding stock.

The day’s leading price of 4,000 guineas was for the Female Champion, “Annanwater Valerie”, a December 2003-born heifer by “Affute de Ry Ossogne,” shown by her breeders, Andy and Brian Ryder of Moffat, and heading back to Dumfriesshire with K Watret of Annan. Valerie was out of Cowden Princess, who the Ryder’s regard as one of the best cows in their herd.

Messrs Ryder also sold their June 2004-born heifer “Annanwater Whisper”, by Osborne Van Terbeck and out of the good Belgian cow “Damelia Van De Wolvendreef”, for 2,800 guineas to M J Hughes, Newquay, Ceredigion.

Brian Ryder also contributed to the charity fund for the Sick Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh by bidding against strong competition up to £100 for the tin of Brazilian corned beef, complete with spoof CTS documentation, won as a raffle booby prize by crossbred judge Paul Walker the previous evening!

The leading Junior Heifer came from Bedfordshire breeder Doug Hazel. “Hazelwood Wanda” was sired by Arlequin du Pre Rosine, out of the Hazelwood Freshman-sired Blackhill Blue Josie and was knocked down at 3,200 guineas to Peter Mallaber, Drakelow, Derby.

Pedigree judge Danny Wyllie, of the renowned Tamhorn herd, had chosen as his Supreme Champion the powerful bull “Henlli van Dame,” from Anglesey breeder Geraint Williams. By “Philipper de Remichampagne” and out of “Ovatie Van De Wolvendreef”, he had been shown successfully this year at Anglesey and the Royal Welsh, but failed to meet his reserve of 5,000 guineas and passed out of the ring unsold.

The leading price for a bull was 3,000 guineas, paid by T & S M Sims of Ambergate, Derbyshire for “Twyning Ash Vegas”, from Gloucestershire breeders Richard and Julia Carter. “Vegas” is an “Astbury Taurus” son out of “Twyning Ash Nipper.” Graham Morgan of Bridgnorth sold his black bull “Almeley Vagabond” for 2,800 guineas to David Cheeseborough, Hexham, Northumberland. Vagabond is sired by “Democrate De Biert” out of “Almeley Ninny.”

Younger bulls sold well, D W & L E Morgan of Newtown, Powys seeing their January 2004-born “Ty-Isaf WKD,” sired by “Ty Isaf Remmi” out of “Ty Isaf Romantica” make 2,200 guineas to D Wilson of Lockerbie, whilst Doug Hazel’s June 2004-born Hazelwood Wolf also made 2,200 guineas, going home to Retford, Nottinghamshire, with S A Dawson. Wolf is sired by “Black Moor Rex,” out of “Hazelwood Pearl.”

In the commercial section a catalogued entry of some 60 crossbred steers and heifers drew buyers from the length and breadth of England and Wales.

With the present uncertainty within the beef industry, buyers were understandably cautious, but soon subscribed to the notion that quality cattle will always be marketable over and above their more commercial counterparts.

The judge, Paul Walker of Halesowen, West Midlands, chose his Champion from a superb class of steers. Bred and exhibited by Miss Nicola Beardsley of Muggington, near Ashbourne, ‘Eyecatcher’ who was sired by “Affute Du Ry Ossogne” held his audience, being the last lot offered, and sold to Ted Haste on behalf of an undisclosed West Country Showman for £2,000.

Reserve Champion Crossbred and Champion Heifer honours went to Messrs Blandford from Ledbury, Herefordshire, with a very smart 10-month old black heifer, which was sired by “Toga Et Van Daisel.” After spirited bidding, a telephone bidder was the eventual winner and the heifer will make her new home with Miss Emily Jones, Lampeter, at £1,400.

Averages:

23 Pedigree Bulls - £2,184.00
19 Pedigree Females - £2,021.25
20 Crossbred Steers - £612.78
25 Crossbred Heifers - £676.25
13 Crossbred Cows & Calves - £1,021.39
18 Pedigree Embryos - £395.25

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