All roads led to Borderway Mart on Saturday 20th October 2018 for the British Limousin Cattle Society’s 41st autumn sale of pedigree bulls.
Against the backdrop of a challenging summer for suckler producers and uncertainty about what the new year will bring commercial buyers were out in force, underpinning a vibrant trade. The hammer went down on a total of 118 bulls, five more than in the corresponding sale last year. A superb clearance rate of 83%, which is also well ahead of October 2017, highlighted just how sought after commercial types are at the moment.
Leading the way at 17000 gns was Pabo Niro from W P Hughes and Son who made the journey to Carlisle all the way from Anglesey. The July 2017 born bull had been placed as Reserve Junior and Reserve Overall Champion in the pre-sale show on Friday 19th October. By Netherhall Jackpot out of Pabo Icemaden the winning bid was made by Gary Bell for his commercial enterprise at Haas Side Farms, Lockerbie.
Limousins tick all the boxes for Gary, of his purchase he said “I am looking for style and quality, and I see it right here in Niro. It’s my second purchase from the Hughes family having previously taken Mr Muscle from them, I have every confidence that Niro will go onto feature in my ambition to produce top quality calves”
At 16000gns came the stylish, hard muscled Huntershall Nutcracker from Stephen Nixon, Wigton, Cumbria. Born April 2017 he is a Plumtree Fantastic son out of Huntershall Josie. Taking him home was K D Harryman, Keswick, Cumbria.
While 13 bulls made over 10000gns, almost half of all the bulls sold for between 4000 and 10000gns, highlighting the depth of trade coming from the commercial side of the business. Commenting BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said “There has been strong demand for Limousin bulls throughout 2018, and it was great to see it continue at Carlisle, with increased numbers sold and a stronger clearance rate than last year. A feature of the day was the emphasis commercial buyers were putting on bulls that had strong calving figures and good health statuses. Beef producers are looking for easy calving, easy care cattle that are feed efficient and produce a high end suckled calf with tremendous carcase attributes. The Limousin breed is synonyms with these characteristics and that’s what’s driving the trade”
Averages
- 34 Senior bulls £4782.36
- 46 Intermediate bulls £5141.63
- 38 Junior bulls £6921.71
Overall average £5611.36
full report to follow
