The Show Most Go On At Walletts Mart
UK - Against the backdrop of decidedly poor trading conditions caused by Blue Tongue, TB and Foot & Mouth, the 16th Annual Premier Show & Sale of Salers cattle was held at Walletts Mart, Castle Douglas on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd of November.
5 November 2007
2 minute read
A fifth of the entries could not be brought forward as they were from within the Blue Tongue area, nor could cattle be taken to Northern Ireland, where interest in the breed is very strong, preventing a number of regular purchasers from participating.
Despite this, the consensus was that the quality of entries was again better than last year. The judge, Jim Innes from Deskie, Glenlivet, approached his task with the needs of commercial cattlemen in mind, and selected the June '05 born black polled bull, Rigel Heston Poll, from Rigel Pedigree (Messrs Pye), Middleton-on-Leven, Yarm as Male Champion, and Supreme Champion. Heston is by Rigel Othello ET Poll, making it a most successful year for Othello, as polled bulls by Othello also topped the Salers sale at Perth in February, and the Salers Spring Sale at Bristol in April.
A second Rigel bull, Rigel Norman, by Mosstock Intouch, stood second to Heston in his class, and followed all the way through to take Reserve Male Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion. The Female Champion was September '05 born Cuil Ulva, from Messrs McClymont, Newton Stewart.
The sale commenced with strong demand for commercial SalersX bulling heifers, and a 95% clearance rate was achieved in the ring. The top price of £680 went to the champion pen consigned by Messrs McClymont. The average was £536 (225 sold).
In the main part of the sale, the 2006 born heifer, Rigel Mithril, by the imported bull, Sagitaire, bred and entered by Rigel Pedigree took the top price of 3700 guineas, selling to Patrick Boyd, Isle of Tyree. This is the third year in succession that a Sagitaire heifer from Rigel Pedigree has topped the female trade. The Champion Female, Cuil Ulva made 2300 guineas also sold to Patrick Boyd. A second Sagitaire heifer from Rigel Pedigree, Rigel Pippa, sold for 2200 guineas to Seamore Farms.
Rigel Mithril had a memorable 2007 show season as a junior heifer, taking the Reserve Female Champion Salers at the Royal Show, the Junior Championship, the Female and Reserve Supreme Champion Salers at the Royal Highland Show, and the Junior Championship, the Female and Supreme Champion Salers at the Great Yorkshire Show.
At 3200 guineas, the top priced bull was the April '06 born Cleuchhead Vanguard from Rob Livesey, Lilliesleaf, Melrose. The Supreme Champion, Rigel Heston Poll made 3000 guineas, sold to the judge ! A second polled bull, Tullyneddie Polled Freedom, from Ian Wightman, Blairgowrie, sold for 2100 guineas.
Averages: 15 heifers £1670 (-£33), 14 bulls £1811 (-£698), Overall £1738 (-£429)
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