263 STORE CATTLE AND CALVES

The Man From Essex and the wonders of AI

He has done it yet again. One and a half lorry loads of top quality Suckler Bred Cattle, superbly presented (and I mean that) sold to incredible levels in front of the best Buyers in England, including the Beast from the East, the King of the North and the Baron of Cantley.  He sold small Heifers from £1460 to £1800, and stronger Cattle to £2400 and £2280.
Before the sale, I googled a question asking how would quality Suckler Bred Cattle sell in Norwich today and looked at the AI answer on my phone. It was astounding, mentioning 
the entry from Margaretting Hall and the provenance and quality of the cattle and most of all "The Man from Essex factor" - Amazing !!
Todays entry also included a great dispersal of Herefordx, Angusx & Limousinx Suckler Cows and Calves plus In Calf Cows from Messers WA Ketley & Sons, Colchester. There were 12 separate buyers for the 35 Cows on offer and Gerald received an excellent trade, especially when considering the time of year, feed and forage situation, price of diesel etc.  Outfits sold to £2750 for a Red Cow and Heifer Calf and £2300 for a 9 year old Limousin x Cow PD 3 months in Calf.  Other highlights from this Ladies Day Show included the Championship winner - a marvellous Blonde Cow with Bull Calf at foot from Matt Barker which sold to £3200 to Andy Tomson.

HIGHLIGHTS
STEERS
Limx 23mo £2400 Margaretting Hall Farm
Limx 18mo £2280 Margaretting Hall Farm
S/Devon 17mo £2140 Holkham Livestock
S/Horn 18mo £2100 Holkham Livestock
Hfd 17mo £2080 Holkham Livestock
S/Horn 18mo £2080 Holkham Livestock
S/Horn 19mo £2040 Holkham Livestock
Hfd 28mo £1950 ESM Popp
Limx 20mo £1920 Robert Lakey
Limx 15mo £1920 Robert Lakey

HEIFERS
Limx 23mo £2080 R & D Penn
Limx 18mo £2080 Raven Bros
Limx 18mo £2020 R & D Penn
L/Red 17mo £2000 R & D Penn
B.Blue x 24mo £2000 ESM Popp
Limx 17mo £1960 Raven Bros
Limx 7mo £1800 Margaretting Hall
Hfd 18mo £1800 PRJ & LR Vincent
Limx 12mo £1750 Margaretting Hall
Limx 7mo £1700 Margaretting Hall

CALVES (17)
A flyer, as they say.
Top price went to CB & SC Gapp with Blues at £710, closely followed by Alex Dann with a Charolais Heifer at £700. Herefords from Alex reached £640 and Angus £590. Smaller Blues from RJ Barnes sold to £640

SHEEP (420)
Smaller entry than expected with a few Farmers travelling North to the big Breeding Sheep Sales. Norfolk looks more encouraging with grass coming through.

PRIME LAMBS (211)
A mixed bag of quality with many rare breeds on offer today. Bures Farm Partners topped with 386.90ppkg and EE Rudd & Son selling to £181.00

STANDARD LAMBS (33) 318.90 TO 351.40 AV 332.86 £116.00 TO £132.00 AV £123.66
MEDIUM LAMBS (93) 315.90 TO 386.30 AV 330.61 £130.00 TO £170.00 AV £142.28
HEAVY LAMBS (72) 314.20 TO 362.50 AV 333.71 £149.00 TO £174.00 AV £158.31
HEAVY + LAMBS (13) 280.30 TO 354.90 AV 306.95 £162.00 TO £181.00 AV £169.50

CULL EWES (79)
A few good sorts with meat, but generally lacking. Topped at £175 for DJ Barnard.

£5.00 to £175.00 av £120.58

CULL RAMS (6)

£50.00 to £148.00 av £120.67

STORE LAMBS (101)
This section had many Rare Breeds and pockets of Quality Texels, something for everyone. HM & IC Stiff stealing the show with Dutch Spotted to £135.00

£14.00 to £135.00 av £91.94

BREEDERS (22)
Harry Wade sold 6T NCM to £140.00
                         6T Texel to £140.00
                         6T Suffolk to £148.00

GOATS (1) Pygmy Wether to £40.00