Sales round up: Black Welsh Mountains to 3,600gns, Kerry Hills hit 4,200gns, Holstein bulls reach 7,500gns and Beltex to 5,000gns

Kerry Hill sale peaks at 4,200gns

Trade peaked at 4,200gns at the Kerry Hill Flock Book Society show and sale at Ludlow.

Sale leader was the pre-sale champion, Pentrenant Dafydd, from John and Phillipa Owens, Woodhouse 2 flock, Shobdon.

Bred by Robert and Jean Price, Pentrenant flock, Churchstoke, the three-year-old ram by Fronarth Arbennig out of a Pentrenant ewe, was champion ram lamb in the 2023 Society flock competition and first in the aged ram class at this year's Royal Welsh Show. It was knocked down at 4,200gns to the Howells family, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire.

听Next at 2,800gns was the ram lamb Penygelly Guinness by Woodhouse 2 Chaos from Stuart Lane, Newtown, which sold to Daryl Brown, Sutherland.

A bid of 2,400gns secured Dorddu Frank, shearling ram from S. A. Hamer, Llanidloe. By Pentrenant Brandy, it sold to Will Evans and James Etheridge, Tenby.

At 1,700gns was a shearling ram by Woodhouse 2 Bonanza from G. W. Roberts, Denbigh, which sold to J.S. Croose, Leominster.

听The reserve male and reserve overall champion, Glenariff Fontayne, from the Barrett family, King's Lynn, sold for 1,600gns to D.S. Duggan, Aymestrey, D.P. Bevan, New Radnor and Messrs Croose.

Also at 1,600gns was Woodhouse Fighter by Woodhouse 2 Diamond from Hannah Owens, of the Woodhouse flock, Shobdon, which went to A.F. Bevan and Co, Knighton.

Females to 2,000gns

Leading the main female offering at 2,000gns was ewe lamb Downwood Go Getter from Jim Rowe and Tom Webb, Shobdon.

By a Downwood ram by Glenro, it sold to Huw and Kate Williams, Talley, Carmarthenshire, and Chrissie Long, Bishops Frome.

Shearling ewes topped at 1,700gns for Messrs Evans and Etheridge for one by Downwood Charlie which was knocked down to Messrs Williams.

听Pentrenant dispersal

The sale also included the dispersal of Robert and Jean Price's Pentrenant flock which peaked at 2,000gns twice.
First at this money was a ewe lamb by Pentrenant Cracker and out of a Woodhouse 2-sired Pentrenant ewe, which sold to the Owens.

Also selling at 2,000gns was ram lamb Pentrenant Gene, again by Pentrenant Cracker which was knocked down to Sion Jones, Llanon.

Aged ewes sold to 1,500gns for Pentrenant 29304, a Woodhouse 2 daughter which also went to the Owens.

Averages: 4 aged rams, 拢1,351.88; 28 shearling rams, 拢902.22; 10 ram lambs, 拢957.60; 24 aged ewes, 拢488.25; 71 shearling ewes, 拢582.53; 26 ewe lambs, 拢642.52.

Auctioneers: McCartneys.

Breeding sheep in demand at Bentham

TOPPING the breeding ewes at Bentham at 拢440/head were Suffolks from W. Middleton, Cowan Bridge.

The first-prize pen of Mules was from Fox Farms, Withgill.

Texel cross ewes, from T. and S. Binns, Clitheroe, sold to 拢315/head. Commercial runs of Mules were 拢220-拢250/head. There was a limited demand for Mashams which sold to 拢220/head for C.C. and D.A. Fawcett, Cowan Bridge.

Mule shearlings were judged by Ashley Caton, Skipton, and Michael Swerling, South Molton, with Chris Hewitt, Tatham, taking the red rosette and selling for 拢410/head to C. Rathmell, Tong, with the third-prize pen from the same home selling to 拢400/head.

D.W. and D.M. Elliot, Mungrisedale, took second-prize, topping the section at 拢420/head.

Vaccinated sheep, especially those for Bluetongue, sold at a premium. The overall average was 拢265/head, up 拢39/head on the year.

The 726 Cheviot Mule shearlings averaged 拢297/head. The first-prize pen from I.D. and T.J. Gregory, Buxton, topped the section at 拢380/head, followed by non-prize winners from J.S. and K.M. Wilson, Helsington, at 拢330/head, equalled by Hamlet Farming, Chipping's best pen. A run of 190, from R. and E. Dean, Chipping, saw a pen of 40 sell to 拢312/head to average 拢299/head.

The largest show of Scotch Half Breds for some time saw a run from G.A .Stephens Sheep Co, Melton Mowbray, top at 拢365/head.

Suffolk shearlings topped at 拢360/head for P. and A. Fell, Ulverston, with the strongest pens 拢260-拢300/head.

Continental shearlings averaged 拢281/head, up 拢34/head on 2025. Better-bred and pure- bred shearlings were 拢400/head plus, with a single Texel from J. Garth and Son, Keasden at 拢1,000.

The first-prize pen of Masham shearlings, from Joan Jackson, Yealand Conyers, sold for 拢270/head.

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.

North Country Cheviot rams peak at 1,800gns

THE sale of North Country Cheviots at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre saw Jac George, Talley, sell shearling rams to 1,800gns. Katy Davies and Dafydd Owen, Penybont, sold shearling rams to 1,750gns, and Rhys Davies, Maerdy, sold his first-prize winner for 1,450gns.

A big entry of yearling ewes topped at 1,000gns for the champion from R. and A.M. Howell, Lundy, which was snapped up by S. Reed, Blaenannech.

Sam Pedrick, Devon, sold yearlings ewes to 600gns twice. A. Sandle, Spring Bank, also sold Caithness-bred sheep at 600gns twice. Ffloyd Lewis, Brynowen showed a pen of 听Allanshaws-bred sheep, topping at 550gns. This was matched at 550gns and 500gns by Messrs Davies and Owen who also sold older Park ewes at 650gns and 600gns.

Ewe lambs topped at 400gns for the first-prize winner from K. and P.M. Griffiths, Kilgetty.

There was a smaller entry of Hill sheep on the year, affected by both weather and bluetongue. First-prize aged ewe and champion from Cobie King, Rowleys, sold at 280gns to G.A. Livestock, Suffolk. Yearling ewes sold to 250gns and 230gns for A.T. and P.R. Jones, Clytha, with ewe lambs to 100gns from Russ Jones, Cwmdu flock. 听

Auctioneers: Monmouthshire Livestock Centre.

Holstein bulls sell to 7,500gns at Carlisle

Warnelview R Impact, a July 2025-born, by Rager Red, claimed the Holstein championship under judge Peter Waring, Beverley, before going on to sell for the top price of 7,500gns at the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club autumn bull sale at Carlisle.

Consigned by Kevin and Christine Wilson, Thursby, and bred from six EX dams, it sold to Messrs Jackson, Dumfries and Galloway.

The Warnelview Herd sold 11 bulls from their best cow families to average 拢4,211. This included production champion Warnelview Ninja by Duckett Diesel, which made 5,000gns when selling to Messrs Paterson, Maybole.

Winning the senior bull class and going on to sell for 5,200gns was Annandale Dumbledore, from the Armour family, Moffat, which was knocked down to Messrs Wilson, Kendal.

The champion British Friesian title and overall reserve championship went to Winnoch Rodeo by Winnock Navy Seal, consigned by the Brocket family, Renfrewshire, which made 3,200 to Messrs Whitwell, Clitheroe.

Reserve British Friesian champion was Whinnow Promise by Inch Mint, from the Blamire family, Thursby. It sold for 4,200gns to Messrs Gray, Harrogate.

听Averages - 35 bulls overall, 拢3,577.77; 19 Holstein bulls, 拢3,804; 10 British Friesian bulls, 拢3,192.13.

听Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Matt's flock tops Skipton Beltex

A SHEARLING ram from 听Matthew Burleigh, Co Fermanagh, claimed the championship before selling for the top price of 5,000gns at the Northern Beltex Club show and sale at Skipton.

This was Matt's Lord Voldemort, a son of the Todhall Hurricane-sired Matt's Knaughty Boy, which was knocked down to Mark Ireland, Shamrock flock, Whalley, Lancashire. 听

The reserve, a shearling ram by Rathbone Tony, from William and Elizabeth McAllister, Co Antrim, made 4,500gns when sold to Geoff and Ann Robinson, Harrogate. 听

Hitting 3,000gns when sold to David Thornley, Dooley flock, Dysworth, Leicestershire, was a Lurg shearling ram by Katie's Jungle George, from Alan Miller, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. 听

John Green, Lilliesleaf, Melrose, received 2,800gns from A.R. Sutcliffe, Carlton-in-Cleveland, for Greenall Lost In Time, a shearling ram by the 18,000gns Airyolland Goldmine.

A son of the 21,000gns Faughhill Kealey, also from Mr Miller, made 2,400gns when sold to D. Hutchinson, Pickering.

Messrs McAllisters's female champion, a shearling gimmer by Derryogue Juicy Fruit, topped the female section at 1,100gns when sold to Owain Lloyd-Jones, Anglesey.

A Dunrod Knockout-sired lamb, from Harry Wood's Dean Brown flock, Dutton, Preston, led the ewe lambs at 750gns when sold to Messrs Ryder, Silloth.

Averages 鈥� Shearling rams, 拢1,207; ram lambs, 拢931; shearling gimmers, 拢546; ewe lambs, 拢412.

Auctioneers: CCM.

Records set at Hexham

AT the opening show and sale of Mule ewe lambs at Hexham, the NEMSA championship went to a pen of 25 lambs from J. Hunter and Sons, Bellingham, which went on to sell for 拢340/head to J.H. and S.M. Mason, Keasden Head.

The Stuart Ridley Memorial Trophy for the best run of 100 or more lambs went to W. and C.M. Ridley, Wark, with 177 lambs which averaged 拢258.70/head.

The Ridleys also set a new sale centre record of 拢360 for Blackface-bred Mules. Overall, the sale averaged 拢218.11, up 拢12/head on the year.

Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.

Dairy heifers to 拢3,600 in Gisburn听

BOTH pedigree and non-pedigree newly-calved heifers reached 拢3,600 at Gisburn's dairy sale.

Leading the pedigree trade was Abbeyhouse Altaflashback Kathy, from Jennings Farmers, Ripon. The heifer, which is giving 32 litres a day, is out of a Stantons Adorable dam. Heading the non-pedigree price list at the same price, was a fresh heifer from R. W. and M. Laycock, Keighley.

Second-highest price in the pedigree section at 拢3,380, was a Stantons Chief daughter, from the Whitecarr herd of T. Cowelll, Kirkham. Selling for 拢3,180 was a Rubicon heifer听 from the Beaconside herd's Ceres Anderson family of A. Bretherton and Sons, Preston,

Pedigree newly-calved cows sold to 拢2,950 for a second-calver from A. N. Drake, Cononley, Skipton. 听A. R. and C. A. Parkinson, Chipping, Preston, led the in-calf trade at 拢2,380, with the best of their four heifers in-calf to the Angus, while close behind at 拢2,350 was Farrick Farms, Chipping.

Averages - Pedigree newly-calved heifers, 拢 2,513; pedigree newly-calved cows, 拢2,234; non-pedigree newly-calved heifers, 拢2,589; in-calf heifers 拢1,891.

Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.

Robin Amy tops Breachgorse dispersal

THE dispersal of the Breachgorse pedigree Holstein herd on behalf of Doug and Katherine Leadbetter, Kilwinning, Ayrshire, at Carlisle, topped at 4,000gns for two-year-old, Breachgorse Robin Amy by Koepon Robin Red.

The buyer was Messrs Owen, Wrexham.
Selling for 3,800gns to the Cote 51AV视频Partnership, Lancashire, was a daughter of Costeau, whose dam sold earlier in the sale in its fourth lactation for 3,350gns.

Breachgorse Lambda Sweetpea, recently calved with its second, sold for 3,600gns to Messrs Waring, York.

Another daughter of Costeau caught the eye of the busy ringside and went on to to sell for 3,600gns. Breachgorse Costeau Modesty had calved late June and was giving 41kgs. Its six-week-old daughter by Raiton sold for 900gns.

Also making 3,600gns was Breachgorse Pikachu Agnes, which went to Messrs Dixon, Cumbria.

Averages - 72 cows in-milk, 拢2,401.14; 31 heifers in-milk, 拢2,931.53; 10 faulted/three-quartered cows, 拢1,244.25; 13 in-calf heifers, 拢2,278; 16 short-bred heifers, 拢1,558.59; 22 bulling heifers, 拢1,682.38; 听48 heifer calves, 拢1,221.09.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Strong store cattle trade at Cutcombe

The sale of store cattle at Cutcombe topped at 拢2,500/head for 24-month-old Charolais cross steers from S.J. and R.J. Webber, Wheddon Cross, which sold to Alice Frost, Northampton.

Messrs Webber also had the leading average of 拢2,340 for 10 cattle sold.

The same buyer paid the top heifer price of 拢2,450/head for 15-month-old Charolais crosses from D.W. and A.E. Entricott, Ashbrittle, which averaged 拢2,189/head for 31 steers and heifers.

D.W. Robbins, Saunton, sold 39 Aberdeen-Angus crosses to average 拢1,807/head, and R.F. Jones, South Molton, averaged 拢1,782 for 51 younger cattle.

Grazing cows sold to 拢1,980 for an Aberdeen-Angus cross from Steve McCraken, Brayford, and to 251p/kg for a Limousin from J.W. and J.M. Stanbury, Lynton.

Auctioneers: Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions.

High of 3,600gns at Black Welsh Mountain sale

AVERAGES doubled in some sections at the show and sale of Black Welsh Mountain sheep at Monmouthshire where the male champion went on to top the sale at 3,600gns.听

This was a shearling ram from Glenda Why Hughes, Caernarfon, which was bought by D.G. and E.M. Clarke, Newtown.听

Next, at 3,000gns, was the female champion, a shearling ewe from M.D. and D.L. Evans, Abergavenny, which stood champion at the Royal Welsh Show. It also sold to Messrs Clarke.听

I.B. and H.A. Jones, Llanbrynant, sold their shearling ram to S. Barnett, Bridgwater, for 2,500gns.听

Messrs Evans received 2,000gns from N.J. and J.O. Tamplin, Abertridwr, for their second-prize shearling ewe, as well as 1,600gns from M.D Bufton and J.D. Pryce, Newtown, for a shearling ram.听

Ram lambs sold to 1,400gns for the reserve male champion from W. Workman, Trecastle, which was bought by E.O. Williams, Talybont on Usk.听

The second-prize pair of shearling ewes from C. Garn, Monmouth, made 1,150gns to Messrs Clarke, who paid a further 1,000gns for the first-prize pair of shearling ewes from Messrs Hughes.听

Leading the ewe lambs at 750gns was the reserve female champion from Messrs Garn which sold to H. Davies, Blackwood.听

Averages 鈥� 25 shearling ewes, 拢688.38; 14 ewe lambs, 拢426; 4 aged rams, 拢456.75; 10 shearling rams, 拢1,292.55; 8 ram lambs, 拢644.44.听

Auctioneers: J. Straker, Chadwick and Sons.听

Pro-cross cattle in demand

DAIRY cattle sold to 3,800gns twice at the dispersal of the Shenrick Pro-cross dairy herd, held at Carlisle on behalf of Ian and Liz Burgoyne, Crocketford, Dumfries.

First, when sold to Crochmore Holdings, Dumfries, was a fresh fourth-calver by the Swedish Red sire, VR Vimo, and out of a Montbeliarde-bred dam by Maserati. It changed hands giving close to 50kg.

Also at 3,800gns was a Fleckvieh-bred third-calver by Wildnis and out of a Holstein dam by Sahara Baloo. It sold to Messrs Hogarth, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, giving 42kg.

Messrs Hogarth paid 3,700gns to secure the dearest of the milking heifers, an Augusta Red daughter, Flora. 听

Another heifer. Janice, this time by the Swedish Red sire, Hakin, sold to Messrs Martin, Dumfries, for 3,650gns.

In-calf heifers reached 3,400gns for a polled heifer due in November to the Angus.

Averages 鈥� 80 Cows in milk, 拢2,849.44; 27 heifers in milk, 拢3,243.33; 2 faulted 戮拢1,890; 4 in-calf heifers, 拢3,123.75; overall, 111 Pro-Cross dairy cattle, 拢2,955.13.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.听

Averages improve for Mule gimmer lambs

MULE gimmer lambs selling at the opening NEMSA show and sale at Skipton rose by 拢25.85 compared the 2025 sale as 3,324 cashed in to average 拢188.60.

Claiming the pen of 10 ticket was an entry from John, Claire, Anabel and James Mason, Embsay, which went on to top the sale at 拢400/hd when sold to co-judge, Steve Deeming, Rugby.

Messrs Mason received a further 拢300 for the fifth-prize pen and sold 178 to average 拢203.91.

Second top price of 拢375 was paid for a pen of 10 from Stephen, Tracey and Samantha Fawcett, Drebley, whose 30 levelled at 拢335.

Lambs from Francis and James Caton, Weston, claimed the pen of 20 ticket which went on to realise 拢280, as well as the second-prize pen of 10 which made 拢340.

Combined with other pens at 拢355 and 拢350, the Messrs Caton sold 184 to average 拢233.22.

Messrs Kitching, Threshfield, sold pens of 10 for 拢330 and 拢320, as well as pens of 20 for 拢270 and 拢230 as they sold 275 to average 拢206.25 and 50 to average 拢213.52.

Third-prize pens in both sections came from Kevin Wilson, Blubberhouses, which made 拢310 for 10s and 拢265 for 20s.

Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

Pedigrees hit 2,700gns at Worcester

A BELTEX ram from Aled Groucott realised 2,700gns to top the multi-breed show and sale of pedigree sheep at Worcester.

His Lapley Lethal Weapon from his Swffryd flock, Crumlin, was bred by Lin Calcraft and is sired by Lurg Jet it. Champion at the pre-sale show, it is bred from a Lakeview Doozer daughter, Hackney Goosey Gander, and sold to A.P. James, Bridgenorth, Shropshire.

Making 2,400gns when sold to E.G. Morgan, Brecon, was Xana Lokus, a Xana King Kreole son from Emma Carr and Mandy Friend, Deal, Kent.

Blue Texels reached 2,000gns for the champion, Brutey's Blues Lillibet from Paul and Delyth Brute, Brecon. This ewe lamb is by Brutey's Blues Ketchup and sold to Adrian Davies, Glyn Coch flock, Llaneilo.

Making 1,500gns was Wind-mill Kingsley, a shearling ram from Victoria and Gillian Bowring, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. It is by Ettrick Jetsetter.

Also making 2,000gns was the dearest of the Badger Face Texels, a shearling ewe from Steven Ley and Hannah Payne, Dawlish, Devon. Their Tordown Glory, which also stood champion, is by Corra Elvis and sold to Kelly Sharrock, Chepstow, Monmouthshire.

Miserden Havana, a ewe lamb by Miserden Fandango from Aubrey and Sue Andres, Stroud, Gloucestershire, made 900gns, also to Kelly Sharrock.听听

A small offering of Rouge peaked at 1,000gns for the champion, a shearling ram from Simon Wright, Axminster, Devon. Selling to Messrs Davies, Brecon, Wrights Dallas 1 is by Grassknop Culli.

Averages 鈥� Rouge 鈥� 5 shearling rams 拢630; 4 ewe lambs, 拢393.75. Badger Face Texel 鈥� 4 aged ewes, 拢643.13; 4 shearling ewes, 拢745.50; 6 ewe lambs, 拢624.75; 1 aged ram, 拢577.50; 3 shearling rams, 拢658; 3 ram lambs 拢448. Blue Texel 鈥� 12 shearling ewes, 拢581; 9 shearling rams, 拢781.67; 15 ram lambs, 拢577.50. Beltex 鈥� 1 aged ram, 拢472.50; 26 shearling rams, 拢926.83; 12 ram lambs, 拢596.75; 30 shearling ewes, 拢476.70; 5 ewe lambs, 拢294.

Auctioneers: McCartneys.

Rams reach 拢4,000 at Cockermouth

RAMS met a 93% clearance rate at Cockermouth where a Beltex shearling ram from Harry Wood's Dean Brow flock, Preston, topped the entry at 拢4,000.

Mr Wood sold further entries for 拢2,000 and 拢1,800 twice as his 11 rams cashed in to average 拢1,763.64.

A Texel aged ram from W.G. and D. Wilkinson, Consiton, sold for 拢2,000 as Messrs Wilkinson sold five to average 拢1,540.

That 拢2,000 was matched by a Texel shearling from K.J. and C.S. Wilson, Thursby.

Also making 拢1,800 was an entry from Messrs Wales, Carlisle, who claimed the champion pen of rams and sold six to average 拢1,516.67.

Ram lambs sold to 拢1,000 twice 鈥� a Suffolk from A. and C. Watson, Whitehaven, and a Texel from Roy and Liz Campbell, Cockermouth.

Auctioneers: Mitchells Auction Company.

Bulls top breeders at Gisburn

BREEDING cattle peaked at 拢3,900 twice for bulls at Gisburn 鈥� for a Hereford from Leondard Cox, Little Lever, and again for a Limousin from Bowland Pork, Lancaster.

Cows with calves reached 拢3,600 and 拢3,500 for British Blue heifers with calves from R. and K. Crossley, Halifax, as well as 拢3,550 for a Limousin cows with calf from Bowland Pork.

Included was a dispersal of continental cows with Charolais-sired calves at foot from J. and R.M. Sunter, Worsthorne, reached 拢3,250 at Gisburn. With further entries to 拢2,000, the dispersal averaged 拢2,476.

Feeding cows sold to 拢2,190 for a British Blue from R. and E.A. Smalley, West Manchester.

Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.

Breeding sheep in demand at Hereford

The Farmers Guardian supported sale of 4,541 yearling and aged ewes at Hereford averaged 拢273.66.

According to the auctioneers, Welsh Mules were the trade of the day, selling to 拢342/head for a pen of coloured-faced Mules from S. Morris, Lower Pentrecaeau, with others from the same home to 拢320/head.

Two pens from S. Williams and Son, Broadaxe, sold at 拢325/head.听

White-faced Welsh Mules sold 拢310/head for S. Lloyd, Llanyoyne, with 拢308/head hit twice 鈥� first for E. Davies and Co, Llwyncwtta, and second for M. and A.D. Jones, Tyllwyd.听听

Leaner/smaller sorts showing signs of the summer sold from 拢225 to 拢260/head.听

North Country Cheviot Mules sold to 拢290, 拢285 and 拢282/head and North Country Mules to 拢270/head.

The best Texel Mules were in strong demand topping at 拢328/head for M.J. Williams and D.J. Piggott, Leominster, with S.N., R.D. and J.R. Powell, Werndansey, at 拢325/head.

There were several mixed-breed Texel crosses forward which sold from 拢220-拢248/head.听

Suffolk Mules peaked at 拢325/head for J. Morgan, Tynllwyn, with several vendors sharing second place at 拢310/head. Several pens traded at 拢290 to 拢305/head, with only a handful in the 拢280s. The more farming type Suffolk cross yearlings changed hands between 拢260-275/head with smaller and leaner sorts 拢235-拢255/head.

The annual consignment of Aberfield cross Cheviot ewes, from D.P. Jones, Pannau, topped at 拢312/head with the whole consignment of 164 ewes averaging just over 拢291/head.听

Pure Suffolks sold to 拢380 twice for F. Cox, Moorfields; and Texels to 拢370 for E. Davies and Co, Llwyncwtta.听

Charollais crosses sold to 拢365/head for D.R. Jones, Highfield, with Cheviots to 拢250/head, Llanwenogs to 拢250/head and Lleyns to 拢240/head.

Two-year-old Welsh Mules sold to 拢325/head and 拢305/head for R.B. and D.M. Read, Upper Marston. Suffolk cross two-year-olds sold to 拢250/head from the Halford Partnership, Kempsey, with Texel crosses to 拢280/head and 拢270/head from A. Parry, Martins Nest.听听

Auctioneers: Hereford Market Auctioneers.