Annual ‘Bellingham’ Suckled Calf Show & Sale
Hexham Auction Mart
Bellingham Sale
Hexham & Northern Marts held their special annual prize show and sale of spring born suckled calves; traditionally the ‘Bellingham’ sale and offered an increased entry on the year of 952 calves from Northumberland, County Durham & The Scottish Borders.
The prize show was once again sponsored by Carrs Billington, Zoetis Animal Health & The Limousin Cattle Society and was expertly judged by Mr Rob Mallison, Leicestershire . Faced with a small but select show of calves the judge made his awards as follows;
Limx Steer – 1st Glower Oer Him, 2nd Woodhall
Limx Heifer – 1st Harlow Bower, 2nd – Haggate
Other Contx Steer – 1st Woodhall (BBX)
Other Contx Heifer – 1st Cottonshope (Charx)
Native Breed Steer/Heifer – 1st Cottonshope (AAx Str), 2nd Cottonshope (AAx Str)
With his five class winners in front of him the judge tapped out the very correct, well-grown and exceptionally shaped red Limousin cross heifer from Messrs Armstrong, Harlow Bower as his Overall Champion. No strangers to the Championship award at this sale Messrs Armstrong were delighted to be awarded The Michael Walton Trophy once again and brought forward another fantastic run to this renowned sale which they target every year with their offering from high off the Whitfield tops.
Standing in Reserve was the equally flashy Red Limmy cross bullock from Jonathan Craggs, Glower Oer Him, Sedgefield, County Durham. Not Unlike Messrs Armstrong Mr Craggs also often consigns well-bred bell ringers to this sale and today was no exception.
At 12 noon the two were brought into the sale ring and the Champion quickly set sail with bidding fast and plenty with the hammer eventually falling at £1400 in favour of Messrs Wigham, Hargill House, Coanwood.
The Reserve Champion followed and rose rather more quickly with high-end bullock finishers keen to take the topper home and travelling straight to the top price of the day at £1500 selling to the judge much to the delight of Mr Craggs.
The entire sale saw a buoyant trade throughout with buyers assembled from as far a field as South Wales and Northamptonshire with all classes experiencing a significant lift on the year and many vendors reporting increases of £100 – £120 per head on the same sale in 2021.
The compliment of buyers round the ring were steadfast all day and with many attending only once in a year to vie for the quality calves brought to Hexham from the surrounding hills and dales their resolve to take something good home was stronger than ever. First cross; three-quarter; hill-bred; Limmy; Charly; Angus; Steers and heifers – all were a great trade and testament to the stockmanship of our breeder customers.
We thank all involved in this special sale which continues to be a highlight in the cattle calendar at Hexham.
Leading prices;
Cattle 10 months and under
Limousin x steers – £1500 Glower-Oer-Him, £1420 Woodhall, £1360 East Loanend, £1300 Haggate & East Loanend (x2), £1280 East Loanend (x2), £1250 Edges Green, £1230 Morley Hill, £1220 Edges Green, £1210 Cawfields, £1200 Prospect Grange, £1190 Cawfields & Haggate
Charolais x steers – £1200 (x2), £1180, £1140, £1100, £1070, £1060 West Wharmley, £970 The Raw
British Blue x steers – £1225 Morley Hill, £1210 Willimoteswick, £1200 Woodhall, £1140 Willimoteswick, £1080 Morley Hill & Penpeugh, £1050 Morley Hill, £1045 Willimoteswick, £1020 & £1000 Morley Hill, £980 Woodhall
Angus x steers – £1010 Shilmoor, £970 Featherwood, £940 The Raw, Featherwood & Mirlaw House, £920 Cottonshope, £910 The Raw (x2), Featherwood & Whitchester, £900Shilmoor, The Raw & Cottonshope
Beef Shorthorn steers – £880 & £800 (x2) Cottonshope, £770 Mirlaw House
Saler x steer – £895 & £890 (x2) Whitfield Estate, £880, £860, £840 (x2), £830 & £810 Low Bishopton, £795 Whitfield Estate
Blonde Aquitaine steer – £1100 Penpeugh
Limousin x heifers – £1400 Harlow Bower, £1360 Morley Hill, £1310 Glower-Oer-Him, £1280 Haggate, £1270 Harlow Bower, £1180 Allensgreen & East Loanend, £1160 Morley Hill, £1130 Willimoteswick, £1110 Prospect Grange (x2) & Glower-Oer-Him
Charolais x heifers – £1200, £1140 & £1120 West Wharmley, £1110 Cottonshope, £1000, £975 & £925 West Wharmley
British Blue x heifers – £1080 Woodhall, £960 Morley Hill, £870 Morley Hill & Woodhall
Angus x heifers – £930 Shilmoor, £920 The Raw, £910 The Raw (x2) & Featherwood, £905 Cottonshope, £900 Featherwood & Cottonshope, £890 The Raw, £880 Featherwood, £870 The Raw, £850 Featherwood & Sindaysight
Beef Shorthorn heifers – £780 & £725 Mirlaw House
Saler x heifers – £770, £750 (x2), £740 & £730 Low Bishopton