Charolais females meet solid trade peaking at 7,500gns Baggrave and Lincolnshire dispersals

Charolais females commanded a solid trade throughout selling to a top of 7,500gns at Newark Mart on Saturday 3 October when two East Midlands based herds were dispersed - Baggrave, owned by Baggrave Farms, Hungarton, Leicester and Messrs Wilson’s Lincolnshire herd, Irby on Humber, Grimsby.

“This fixture, one of the largest female Charolais sales for years, attracted a busy ringside with buyers being selective and prepared to bid good money for cattle accompanied by high Estimated Breeding Values and with quality calves at foot,” commented auctioneer, Paul Gentry of Newark Livestock Mart.

Sale leader at 7,500gns was Balmyle Virgo, a five year old Dingle Hofmeister daughter and out of a cow by Balmyle Ochtertyre from the Lincolnshire herd. Virgo who was accompanied by an Self Replacing Index (SRI) within the breed’s top 1% at SRI +46, was sold with her 10 month old heifer calf, Lincolnshire Donna, by the 10,000gns Maerdy Othello to father and son team, Cyril and Andy Smith, Keelby, Lincoln.

The same buyers paid 6,500gns, the day’s second top price for another Lincolnshire lot, this time Balmyle Sophia SRI +38, a Brampton Nacodar daughter with her January born heifer calf at foot, Lincolnshire Eloise by Balmyle Statesman.

Topping the Baggrave dispersal at 6,400gns was a cow and calf split; Baggrave Annushka, a Harestone Unclesman daughter was bid to 3,800gns by Messrs Paton, Kinross while her March born heifer Baggrave Elue by Gower Universe went for 2,600gns to breed newcomers, Gordon Jones and Sarah Warner who purchased 12 lots in total for their Brixworth, Northants based Cardigan herd. They included the 4,000gns Baggrave Violet, a five year old by Balmyle Pretender together with her bull calf, Baggrave Dreamboy, a rising yearling by Erudit.

Next from Baggrave at 6,000gns was Baggrave Carnation, a two year old ET maiden heifer by Baggrave Hidalgo and out of Ambiance. She was knocked down sold to breed newcomer, B Hadley, Halstead, Essex, along with five more lots including Baggrave Sancere at 5,500gns. A 2001 born Dingle Hofmeister daughter, she was sold in calf to Baggrave Hollandais.

A second 5,500gns call was made for another Hofmeister daughter, this time Balthayock Ada SRI +35, from Neil and Graeme Massie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Consigned by the Lincolnshire herd, the four year old Ada was out of a Balthayock dam going back to Balmyle Laurier and she was sold with her April born bull calf, Lincolnshire Earl by Maerdy Othello.

Another entry heading up the road to Aberdeenshire was Lincolnshire Cristal SRI +29, a two year old in calf heifer by Maerdy Othello who commanded a 5,200gns bid from Iain Thomson’s Airdlin Partnership, Ellon.

Two Baggrave entries shared a 5,000gns bid. First to go was Baggrave Summer, a Balmyle Pretender daughter sold with her April born bull, Baggrave England by Maerdy Ulm. She travelled to Cornwall with Messrs Hopper, Bude.

The second 5,000gns lot was sold in a cow and calf spilt; Baggrave Umberleigh, a Maerdy Polo daughter sold in calf to Gower Universe made 3,600gns to David North, Lincoln while her 10 month old calf, Baggrave Dustyrose by Mowbraypark Orlando went for 1,400gns to David Cormack, Norwood, Otley.

Other leading entries from Lincolnshire included Balthayock Vignette SRI +43, at 4,800gns. A five year old Dingle Hofmeister daughter offered with her May born bull calf, Lincolnshire Epic by Maerdy Othello, she went to join Neil Barclay’s Harestone herd, Crathes, Banchory. Lincolnshire Destiny, a 19 month old maiden by Blelack Ladysman was secured for 4,300gns by John Gough, Newport, Shropshire.

Four lots from Baggrave shared a 4,000gns price tag. First to go was Baggrave Shaunna, a Balmyle Pretender daughter, out of a homebred cow by Maerdy Gabriel and offered with her nine month old bull, Baggrave Embassy. The buyers were David and Helena Lewis, Llandysul, Dyfed.

Next at 4,000gns was Baggrave Utisha, a six year old by Maerdy Polo and out of another homebred cow by Gabriel. She was knocked down sold with her April born bull calf, Baggrave Eskimo by Maerdy Ulm, to Mortimers Farm, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Another 4,000gns cow and calf pair, this time Baggrave Victoria, a 2004 born Baggrave Hidalgo daughter offered with her six month old April bull Baggrave Ensign by Ulm was secured by John Wight, Midlock, Biggar.

Averages: Baggrave, 15 cows with calves £3,675; 18 in calf cows £1,767; eight in calf heifers £1,641; 21 maidens £1,460. Lincolnshire, 11 cows with calves £3,508; four in calf cows £1,798; four in calf heifers £2,428; four maidens £2,008.

Auctioneers: Newark Livestock Mart