- 86% clearance of the 28 bulls forward
- 6 bulls clear 5,000gns and more
- 35 Limousins (24 bulls and 11 females) gross over £120,000 in just over an hour.
- 24 bulls average £4,073.12 (up £413.53 year on year)
Following on from the fantastic sale period of early May, all eyes descended on Carlisle on Friday 15th June for the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Summer Sale of bulls and females. The solid trade didn’t disappoint at what is traditionally the final sale of the spring/summer season. A superb 86% clearance of the 28 bulls forward resulted in a strong average of £4,073.13, up over £400 on the corresponding fixture last year.
Six bulls cleared 5,000gns or more and demonstrating the depth in the trade only five bulls sold for under 3,000gns. In just over an hour over £120,000 changed hands. With commercial buyers at the fore this sale provided yet more evidence of the robust demand for the breed at the sharp end of the trade. Producing carcases fit for market requirements is crucial for commercial beef producers. Over recent years, the BLCS has placed emphasis on meeting these needs, providing Limousin genetics and cattle that meet and surpass their level of expectation in consistency, performance and profitability.
A lot late in the sale secured the top price of the day. January 2017 born Haltcliffe Norse, from the Wigton based Haltcliffe Herd of Craig Ridley sold for 5,800gns. Sired by the Haltcliffe Vermont son Haltcliffe Gentry and out of the Cloughhead Umpire daughter Haltcliffe Dasher, he is on his way to Messrs Pearson, Caldbeck, Wigton.
On what turned out to be a good day for the Haltcliffe team, the gavel went down at 5,200gns on the next lot in the ring Haltcliffe Nijinsky. This Ampertaine Elgin son, born February 2017, is out of Haltcliffe Jezebelle. He was knocked down to G T and M A Wearmouth, South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen.
The second lead price of the day, 5,600gns, went to the January 2017 born Goldies Nintendo from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries and Galloway. Nintendo is sired by the already mentioned Cloughhead Umpire and out of Goldies Favourite. The Petunia son Cloughhead Umpire has made a considerable mark in both the Haltcliffe Herd and as an AI sire used heavily in the BLCS herdbook. He was bought by Messrs Thwaite and Son, Lartington, Barnard Castle.
At 5,500gns came Arradfoot Newyork from Thor Atkinson of Newland, Nr Ulverston. Another bull born January 2017, he is described as an exceptionally long calf, with great muscle. Sired by the well-known Goldies Comet and out of Wilodge Iona, he made his way home with D E and A M Hodgson, Shap, Penrith. Also selling well for Thor at 4,800gns was the last but one bull in the ring Arradfoot Newark. The April 2017 bull, also carrying good muscle and length, is by the easy calving sire Netherhall Jackpot and out of Foxhillfarm Infinity. He was knocked down to Messrs Edmondson, Broughton Beck, Ulverston, Cumbria.
Two bulls hit the 5,000gns mark. The first was Proctors Nielsen from Proctors Farm Ltd, Slaidburn, Nr Clitheroe. This February 2017 born Ronick Hawk son out of Goldies Gracious was knocked down to Messrs Johnson, Oddendale, Shap Penrith. Just two lots later came Longhirst National from the Longhirst Herd of D W Jordan, Morpeth, Northumberland. The March 2017 bull, by the Mas Du Clo son Rachels Ferrari and out of Longhirst Happydays made his way north of the border with Messrs Allison and Sons of Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Following on from the bulls on the day was a tidy cohort of females. With no difficulty attracting buyers, two cow and calf units from Jim and Elaine Pattinson, Kirtlebridge, Lockerbie sold to an average of £2677.50. Both went to T S French, Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Nine of the 11 heifers forward made a solid average of £1,995.00. Leading the way at 2,500gns was a 13-month old from the Blair Drummond based Spittalton Herd of J Burnett. Spittalton Neve, by the Requin son Huntershall Jeroniomo and out of Spittalton Eve, was knocked down to T P Wigham for his Hargill Herd at Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Two heifers are destined to travel overseas having been purchased by a repeat buyer based in Spain.
Averages
24 Bulls £4073.13
2 Cows with calves at foot £2677.50
9 Served/Maiden Heifers £1995.00
