The dispersal of the commercial suckler herd from the Gasciones group, Southwell brought a great crowd to Newark Livestock Market on Saturday 1 July. Over 500 head of cattle were available at what auctioneer Mr Paul Gentry described as one of the most significant commercial herd dispersals in recent times.
Such solid interest once again confirms that the genetic -merit of the breed continues to resonate powerfully with commercial producers. With the industry continuing to move even more towards one being driven by efficiency and profitability the breed which provides medium sized cows and fast growing calves with top grades, good yields and high killing out percentages is evidently delivering for commercial producers.
Topping prices on the day at £7,500 was one of the herd’s pedigree Limousin stock bulls, Ironside Godzilla. The 2011 born son by the noted Wilodge Vantastic out of the 29,000gns French cow Unicite was knocked down to R F Turner and Son, Fordham, Ely. The next best price went to another herd stock bull, Millington Hampton. Also by Vantastic, this 2012 born bull which is out of Brockhurst Option sold with a beef value of +42 to Fristling Hall Farms, Essex.
Autumn calving cows were the pick of the female trade, selling to a high of £3,500 for a Limousin cross cow which was bought by I and J Dunn, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire. The same buyers took home a handful of cattle from this segment of the sale. Spring calving cows were keenly sought after with Fristling Hall Farms taking the top priced outfit at £2,650. However, such was the demand for these cows that a handful in this section achieved £2,500 or above.
In the calved heifers the lead calls again came for the autumn calvers, with a top bid of £3,200 paid by P H and G B Shucksmith. The same buyer took further lots at £3,000 and £2,900. Spring calving heifers reached a high of £2,250 for a Limousin cross outfit bought by J and T Waring.
Heifers due to calve this autumn reached £2,400 for a Limousin cross knocked down to J T Mitchell and Sons, Thursford. A handful of autumn-born maiden heifers reached £1,400 with Fristling Hall Farms taking two home. A Limousin-cross achieved the top price for spring born maiden heifers; she was sold to R F Turner and Son for £1,250.
Averages
Eight Stock Bulls – £3,300.00
Autumn Calving Herd
- 81 cows with autumn born calves at foot and served again £2,279.01
- 21 heifers with autumn born calves at foot and served again £2,566.67
- 13 cows due autumn 2017 £1,530.77
- 25 heifers due autumn 2017 £1,768.00
Spring calving herd
- 74 cows with spring born calves at foot £2,009.56
- 23 heifers with spring born calves at foot £1,768.00
- 30 maiden heifers born autumn 2015 £1,231.67
- 24 maiden heifers born spring 2016 £1,130.83
