West's South Devon cattle breeders fill the top spots at Worcester society sale - Devon Live
Westcountry breeders of quality beef cattle were rewarded with positive prices when the South Devon Herd Book Society hosted its principal autumn sale.
Held at Worcester Livestock Market on Tuesday, October 5, bull averages were up since 2020 by £666 for this venue, with in-calf heifers increasing £1,103 and bulling heifers up by £610.
Judge Robert Shinner selected his male champion, Colcharton Clyde 2, from a lovely line-up of bulls. Bred by R J & C J Edwards, Tavistock, this 18-month-old is by top price sire of 2019 Trewint Clyde, and out of homebred dam Colcharton Tulip 235.
This bull was also judged best on a combination of performance and inspection points, and had the highest measured frame score. He went on to top the market at 5,800 guineas, selling to R J Leach & Son from Payhembury, Honiton, and goes to join their Slade Barton pedigree herd.
Reserve male champion was Hadley Farms Ltd's polled bull Z Knightcote General 4. By Z Sexton General 45 and with bloodlines including from the Northwick and Colcharton herds, this bull was one of two acquired by Collins Farms Ltd, Devizes, Wiltshire for 2,950 guineas and 2,900 guineas.
The female section saw a very strong run of in-calf and maiden heifers. Mr Shinner, from the Stretchford herd in Buckfastleigh, found his champion in the shape of Mr R K Rundle's two-year-old in-calf heifer, Kestle Hilda 15. She is sired by Welland Valley Dominator 2, who has produced many prize-winning breeding animals from this herd.
Reserve champion was Waddeton Hilda 107, one of the best female pair from the Tully Partnership, Brixham, Devon. This heifer is by Grove Claudius 102 and in-calf to a polled bull.
Best female on a combination of inspection and performance was in-calf heifer Foxhole Cerys 6 from K V & M A Plain, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and by Trewint Magnetto.
In the sale ring, following top price bull Colcharton Clyde 2 at 5,800 guineas was Grove Claudius 151, sired by 2019 national breed show champion Grove Brutus 151. The Grove herd from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire recently won the accolade of best South Devon herd in the national herd competition. Claudius sold for 4,800 guineas to M R & R J Rowe, Menheniot, Cornwall. A second bull from the Grove herd sold for 3,800 guineas to Mr C Grisedale, Llanon, Ceredigion.
Heifers topped twice at 4,000 guineas for the female champion Kestle Hilda 15 to Mr S Clarke, Dunstall, Staffordshire, and for the Tully Partnership's Waddeton Hilda 108 to Mr C Grisedale. Third highest price was for the reserve female champion Waddeton Hilda 107, who sold for 3,700 guineas to Mr S Carpenter, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire.
In the maiden heifer section, top prices went to Mr & Mrs M Rushbrooke, Bewdley, Worcestershire at 1,950 guineas for Brettles Gypsy 33 to Miss R Dennis, Okehampton, Devon, and to Mr N & Mrs E Bunkum, Merrymeet, Cornwall at 1,850 guineas to Miss H Ashcroft, Okehampton, Devon.
Auctioneer Clive Roads, from McCartneys said that the positive prices had reflected the quality of cattle forward.
Averages: 6 x bulls £3,806; 7 in-calf heifers £2,850; 6 x bulling heifers £1,535. Auctioneers: McCartneys, Worcester.
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