Third in class but top of the sales for UK pedigree breeders
UK - For the second year running, the top-priced female at the annual premier sale of pedigree Salers at Castle Douglas came from Rigel Pedigree, of Middleton-on-Leven, Yarm.This year, the 17-month heifer, Rigel Petra, topped the females at 2,200gns, selling to Eric Graham from the Shetland Isles. Petra is by their imported French stock bull, Sagitaire.
In the pre-sale show, Rigel Petra came third in the junior heifer class, just behind second-placed Rigel Hetty, which was later sold to a Northern Ireland breeder.
In the senior heifer class, Rigel Brigitte came second. Rigel entered six heifers, all of which were sold, averaging 1,883gns. These were the subject of particular interest, as they were all in calf to Rigel bred polled Salers bulls.
Breeding naturally polled cattle is increasingly recognised as necessary from an animal welfare and labour saving point of view, and Rigel Pedigree were the only breeders to enter cattle carrying the poll factor.
A Sagitaire son, Rigel Hector, was third in the senior bull class, and his full brother, Rigel Homer, took first place in the junior bull class. Hector later sold for 2,700gns, and Homer for 2,600gns.
Source: The Darlington and Stockton Times