The Melton Mowbray Show & Sale of Traditional and Native Breeds saw members produce a strong entry of British White breeding stock with 27 lots forward for sale. Opening the multi-breed event on Friday 9th September was the show of cattle, which began by observing a minute's silence across the market in respectful remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Members and spectators gathered to watch the pre-sale show classes, which saw judge Mr Leslie Cook of the Albany herd, Cambridgeshire, cast his eye over the entries. His Breed Champion was the in-calf heifer Templar Libby 192 from local breeders K & RP Harding, Leicestershire, with the maiden heifer Woodbastwick Dram from Rotac Farms, Norfolk, in reserve. Speaking on his selections, Mr Cook commented: "An excellent display of heifers were put forward for the show, and my Breed Champion on the day stood out to me for her thickness and structural correctness. The heifer in reserve was feminine, well marked, and moved freely."
SHOW RESULTS
Date Friday 9th September
Judge Mr Leslie Cook, Cambridgeshire
Breed Champion, Female Champion
Templar Libby 192, K & RP Harding
Reserve Breed Champion, Reserve Female Champion
Woodbastwick Dram, Rotac Farms
Class 1 - In-calf heifer
1st Templar Libby 192, K & RP Harding; 2nd Templar Louisiana 194, K & RP Harding
Class 2 - Maiden heifer
1st Woodbastwick Dram, Rotac Farms; 2nd Templar Lady Zana 204, K & RP Harding; 3rd Woodbastwick Jabbel, Rotac Farms
SALE REPORT
The sale of cattle commenced on Saturday 10th September and, with British White breeding stock having been in high demand across several previous sales, a larger entry this time was no doubt a welcome sight for buyers selecting their next purchase. Topping the sale at 2900gns was an exceptional outfit from Melvern Elliott of the Highvale herd, Wymondham, with 2014-born cow Heathlands Luna - suckling her 7-month-old heifer calf at foot and PD'd back in calf again to Tollesbury Sir Cador - sold to David Sketchley, Tamworth, to join the Carthy herd.
As well as this sale-topping pair, Mr Sketchley also purchased a further 11 lots to include two very smart 2021-born females from local breeders K & RP Harding - in-calf heifer Templar Louisiana 194 for 2800gns and maiden heifer Templar Lady Zana 204 for 2500gns - as well as five lots from the Oldington production consignment from the Pennington family, Bridgnorth; Oldington Midnight Turquoise with heifer calf Oldington Meriol at foot 2500gns, Oldington Amethyst's Diamond (G78) with heifer calf Oldington Dela at foot 2450gns, Oldington Amolite with heifer calf Oldington Alette at foot 2400gns, and maiden heifers Oldington Drury Blackbird and Oldington Milvas at 1500gns and 1450gns respectively.
New Society member Edward Gibson of Sprinks Farm, Leek, added three more pedigree females to his herd with the purchase of Oldington Achill (GP80) and her registered heifer calf Oldington Avery at foot for 2150gns, and in-calf heifer Oldington Aurelia for 1700gns. Also at 1700gns was maiden heifer Oldington Avocet, selling to Brian and Sue Kendrick of the Bushwell herd, Coleorton, alongside stablemate Oldington Redwing (R) at 1500gns.
Two striking maiden heifers from Rotac Farms, Norwich, also found new homes on the day, one of which was the pre-sale Reserve Breed Champion Woodbastwick Dram, knocked down at 1600gns to Mark Turney, Northampton, for his newly-established Wolfage herd. Woodbastwick Jabbel reached 1400gns and joins the Carthy herd of Mr Sketchley, along with the first three lots in the consignment of 11 maiden heifers from John Hair, Market Rasen - Viking Menoitius at 850gns, and Viking Nona and Viking Nomos (R), both at 800gns.
Yearling bull Nidderdale Maverick from Andrew Fisher, Harrogate, may have been the only male forward in the British White section, but his quality and strength of breeding shone through for telephone bidder Jonathan Morgan of the Nant-Y-Rhos herd in West Glamorgan, who won the final lot of the day at 1800gns.
Many thanks and congratulations to all of our vendors, buyers, Society officials and the entire team at Melton Mowbray Market who have once again supported this sale and ensured its success! More sales will be planned at this venue in 2023, and we look forward to the continued participation of our members in the live sales platform.
AVERAGES
Cows with calves at foot, 5 sold to average 2480gns (£2,604)
In-calf heifers, 2 sold to average 2250gns (£2,362.50)
Maiden heifers, 18 sold to average 1041gns (£1,093.05)
Yearling bulls, 1 sold to 1800gns (£1,890)
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