Charolais Sales

Moynton Charolais sell to 5,600gns

Moynton Unique, the female leader at 4,200gns

Charolais met a buoyant demand selling to 5,600gns at the Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Bridgwater on Saturday 4 April at the ‘Retirement Sale’ of the renowned Moynton herd owned by Peter Old and managed by Mike Yeandle.

 “The ringside was standing room only with breed enthusiasts, who are more than aware of the commercially led demand for Charolais, both for crosssbred calves and finished stock, as well as the barren cow trade for Charolais cows. In fact the Charolais breed is going through a renaissance since the export beef trade restrictions have largely been lifted,” commented the British Charolais Cattle Society’s David Benson.

 Sale topper at 5,600gns was Moynton Caspar, a two year old bull by Seawell Offshore and out of Moynton Violetta. He went to join Ann Orr-Ewing’s Foxacre herd based at Purton, Swindon.

 The 13 month old Moynton Dante, another same way bred bull, sired by Offshore and out of Violetta made 4,000gns to commercial producer, Andy Crane, Brayford, Barnstaple. Dante is within the breed’s top 5% on Self Replacing Index, with an SRI +39.

 Two more Offshore sons were among the catalogue’s leading prices. Next at 4,600gns was Moynton Crispin SRI +39, a rising two year old out of a homebred dam by Balthayock Nougat. He was knocked down sold to AS Cowling, Clatworthy, Taunton.

 A bid of 4,100gns secured Moynton Carlton SRI +39 for J Wylde, Woolavington, Bridgwater. This two year old Offshore son went back to Moynton Marianne, full sister to the herd’s most successful show cow, Moynton Freesia who amassed 15 interbreed championships in her career, along with three times winner of the best exhibitor bred title at The Royal.

 The day’s female trade was led at 4,200gns for Moynton Unique, a six year old cow by Pti Prince, and sold with her five month old heifer calf, Moynton Dominique, by the 16,000gns Perth reserve junior champion, Balmyle Vagabond. The pair went to join Kevin Thomas’ Moelfre herd, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen.

 Minutes later, Mr Thomas invested 3,700gns in Moynton Adella, a four year old who is within the breed’s top 10% at TSI +32, SRI +37. She was sold in calf to Burradon Talisman, sire of the 55,000gns Perth champion, Thurnton Voldemort.

 At 3,000gns, Mr Thomas also secured the sale’s highest maiden heifer, Moynton Cerise, a two year old by the 45,000gns Thrunton Ideal.

Two lots shared a 4,000gns price tag. First to go was Moynton Celine TSI +40, SRI +43, an eight year old successful show cow. Sired by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a Stirling bred cow going back to the Burke Trophy winning Chesham Hercules, she was sold in calf to Talisman. The buyers were James and Vanessa Webb, Billesdon, Leicester.

 The second 4,000gns bid secured Moynton Bonnie TSI +37, SRI +40, a three year old Inverlochy Resolve daughter for Griff and Carolyn Morris, Llanstephen, Carmarthen. She was offered with her recently born heifer calf by Seawell Offshore.

 Another cow and calf pair came under the hammer sold this time for 3,300gns to David Lewis, Llandysul, Ceredigion. Moynton Anetta TSI +31, SRI +38 whose homebred dam went back to Balthayock Nougat, was offered with her first calf, Moynton Donetta, a six month old heifer by Moynton Voltaire.

 A second 3,000gns call was made for Moynton Bijou TSI +28, SRI +34, a Moynton Stafford daughter offered with her newly born bull calf by Thrunton Ideal. The buyer was BG Clarke, Higher Ashton, Exeter.

 Averages: 12 cows in calf £2,397; five cows with calves at foot £3,675; nine maiden heifers £1,767; nine young bulls £3,733.

 Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt