FRENCH JUDGE LOVES BRITISH BEEF AT CHELFORD
FLYING TRADE FOR PEDIGREE AND CROSSBRED BLUES

Supreme Champion Boothlow Ted

Quality cattle inspired competitive bidding at the 36th National Show and Sale of pedigree and crossbred Belgian Blue Cattle at Chelford Agricultural Centre, last Saturday, with a virtually complete clearance of all stock offered for sale. Despite the short entry a large crowd had gathered, with fast trade throughout.

Bulls peaked at 3550 guineas for Seifion Solar Power; a powerful November 2000 born bull from Huw and Gill Evans (the Society Chairman), by the homebred Seifion Opic, a son of Springhill Kentucky, out of the Clown du Tilleul sired Seifion Jewell. Solar Power had been much fancied prior to the sale and was snapped up by Cheshire dairy farmer George Platt and his son David, who enjoyed success in the early days of ‘Blue’ breeding with their Platinum Herd.

Messrs J & K Webb of Westerham, Kent, brought forward Kingscote Saxon, a well grown, June 2000 born, coloured bull by Nether Maestro, a son of the popular Urbi De Bois Borsu, who was bought by local suckler producer John Green of Bostock, Middlewich for 3000 guineas. Tim Walwin from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, another regular Chelford supporter, sold Chancellors Taurus, born in January 2001 and sired by the multiple prize-winning Jules, for 2600 guineas, to John Gleave of Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.

Left to right: Nichol Brown (Interpreter), Gwyn Williams( FR Marshall), Monique Cauchy, Etienne Cauchy (Pedigree Judge), John Fleming (Society Secretary)

The highlight of the show, however, was Keith and Janet Belfield’s third successive Supreme Championship at Chelford, this time with the young April 2001 born Boothlow Ted. Based near Buxton, Derbyshire, they have carefully improved their herd over several years and are now reaping the benefit of selective breeding. Show judge Etienne Cauchy, President of the French Society, liked the potential of Fridays show and at the sale Ted headed for Cleator, Cumbria with Mr T G O’Fee for 2500 guineas.

Top Price Seifion Solar Power

The Reserve Championship went to Ripon, Yorkshire based Damian Stelling’s White Thorpe Tip Top, a June 2001 born heifer by top-rated bull Totem De Chocquenee, who made 1000 guineas, to Peter Crossmore, Nantwich, Cheshire, whilst George and David Platt paid 2550 guineas to take home the August 2001 born heifer, Marsh Blue Tripple Treat, from Chorley, Lancs based breeder Andrew Bethell.

Auctioneer Gwyn Williams commented “although disappointed at the low entry, we were delighted that the competitive bidding always seen at Chelford, ensured an excellent trade for all Pedigree and crossbred ‘Blue’ cattle.”

Commercial Feeding and Show Men out in force at Chelford

Champion Crossbred from TP Galligan

A shortage of decent stores nationally, has created tremendous demand for quality cattle, as the Belgian Blue breed made its mark once again at Chelford.

With a catalogued entry of 91 cattle, representing some of the best cattle in the country, it was the Welsh contingent that took top honours, with Andrew Davies of Llangadog, topping the steer and heifer sections respectively. The steer, born November 2001, sold for £1450 and the heifer £1220 (March 2002), both purchased by Andrew Powell, of Knighton for renowned Herefordshire showman, Derek Winney.

Local suckler-man, Tom Galligan, Bramhall, took Champion and Overall Supreme Champion, with a steer bred by renowned High Peak breeder, Stephen Drabble; out of a Charolais x Belgian Blue cow and by the 'Blue' bull, this tremendous steer reached £980 selling to the judge Lance Bamforth of Halifax.

Reserve Championship was awarded to Brecon based Brian Jones, with his 12month old steer, which won its class at the Royal Welsh. Bidding peaked at £850, the buyer, Chelford regular and famous show-team, John and Debbie Madeley & Son, Ross on Wye.

Cow and calf trade was on fire with top honours of £2200 going to the Almor Herd of A & B Morgan, Swansea. This pedigree cow was sold with her 3rd calf at foot, to Mr Tim Arnold, North Walsham, Norfolk.

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