STRONG TRADE FOR FEMALES; BULLS TOP AT 6500 GNS SOUTH DEVONS’ AUTUMN SHOW & SALE AT BRISTOL

With the commercial demand for this high-performing native breed showing no sign at all of slowing, the South Devon Autumn Sale catalogue attracted a number of new buyers to swell the existing crowd of pedigree breeders – from Cornwall & Devon, across the country to Norfolk and Cheshire, and into Wales.

Breed Secretary, Caroline Poultney commented that “high health status, DNA testing and performance recording are all additional information tools to complement the excellent breeding quality of the animals forward, and together they offer real value for money for buyers.”

Judge of the Show was Mr Stewart Ward from Besowsa, Grampound Road, Truro, Cornwall.  His male champion and winner of the Roskymer Cup came from M E & T E Broome’s Leicestershire herd, Welland Valley Handsome, a March 2012-born bull by AI Upper Norton Duncan and out of Edmeston Hilda 327.  This bull was also awarded the Thornton Cup for most points on a combination of inspection and performance points.  He sold for 2800 gns to G Collins Farms, Lavington, Wiltshire

Reserve male champion was an August 2012-born bull from The Tully Partnership’s Brixham, Devon, herd, Waddeton Persius 1, the first registered male by this sire in the Waddeton herd by Goffe Cave Persius 9, and out of Waddeton Ann 97.  Bidding was fierce in the sale ring, with the hammer finally falling at 6500 gns to M R & R J Rowe, Menheniot, Cornwall.

Best pair of males came from Mr W H D Scott’s Grove herd from Gloucestershire, winning the Macfarlane Cup; and best polled bull was Z Colcharton Wessex from R J & C J Edwards, Tavistock, Devon, a March 2013-born bull by Z Delhorn Wessex 1, who went to the same buyer as the male champion, at 3250 gns.

In the female section of the Show, Mr Ward’s champion heifer and winner of the Waddeton Perpetual Cup was from the same stable as the male champion - M E & T E Broome, Thorpe Langton, Market Harborough – Welland Valley Candy 24, an in-calf heifer by Welland Valley Crusader 6 and out of Welland Valley Candy 3, one of 31 Candy’s pedigree registered to date.  She sold to M A & C Sandbach & Son, Wadebridge, Cornwall for 2700 gns.

Reserve female champion and winner of the Kestle Cup was one of a pair of smart heifers from D T & W E Trewin, Callington, Cornwall – Higher Manaton Dima 3, and by Tregondale Balti 2.  She sold for 2000 gns, whilst her half-sister, Higher Manaton Rebecca 3 topped the female section at 3350 gns, both selling to G Martyn & Sons, Launceston, Cornwall.

The best pair of heifers had travelled from Tollerton, Yorkshire, offered by Mr J P Harrison; and best polled heifer was Z Delhorn Polly Patch 9 from Mr & Mrs J A Hopkins, Lympsham, Somerset.

Other top prices for bulls were Welland Valley Adonis from M E & T E Broome at 3000 gns to Mr & Mrs R C Burrough & Sons, Axminster, Devon; and Mr W H D Scott’s Grove Pompey 74, selling to D A & J Hedgeman, Wareham, Dorset for 2900 gns.

Mr R K Rundle’s sought after Kestle breeding returned strong prices for his two heifers forward – Kestle Dorothy 180 by Kestle Brut 2, selling to Mr C Read from Malpas, Cheshire for 2700 gns; and Kestle Dorothy 187 by Welland Valley Hadrian 5, selling to Mr R J Dimond, from Wincanton, Somerset for 2800 gns. 

Averages: 12 bulls avg £3019; 17 haltered in-calf heifers avg £2125; 11 haltered maiden heifers avg £1790    

Auctioneers: Messrs Kivells