May Show & Sale of Store Cattle & Sale of Store Sheep
Store Cattle
Hexham & Northern Marts held their Special May prize show and sale and offered a sizeable catalogue of 808 top quality store cattle consigned by noted herdmasters from across Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria and The Scottish Borders.
The prize show was kindly sponsored by Stoneacre Motor Group and expertly judged by Mr Peter Blackshaw, Derbyshire. A tremendous entry of 25 calves were presented before the judge and the cracking preliminary classes were a credit to all exhibitors with quality-a-plenty.
From his five class winners Mr Blackshaw tapped out another superb offering from the Rochester & Murray team, Glebe Farm, Butsfield, County Durham – an enterprise which is now synonymous with this special sale at this centre. The outstanding Champion calf was a sleek, jet black Limousin cross steer at just 9 months of age that had all the hallmarks of quality for which this noted family farming team is renowned and stood a worthy victor in a very strong show.
Likewise the reserve champion – another jet black beast – was the first prize Limousin cross heifer and another that flew the flag for County Durham from noted showman Philip Robson, Middle Horsleyhope, Waskerley. Older and larger in stature than the Champion this one too stood out amongst the high standard of entries and would no doubt fare just as well in any show ring during this traditional cattle sale month of May.
Prize List
Simmental cross steer – 1st Chirdon, 2nd Chirdon.
Blue cross steer – 1st Glebe Farm, 2nd Chirdon.
Blue cross heifer – 1st Middle Horsleyhope, 2nd Glebe Farm, 3rd Chirdon.
Limousin cross steer – 1st Glebe Farm, 2nd Glebe Farm, 3rd Agars Hill.
Limousin cross heifer – 1st Middle Horsleyhope, 2nd Agars Hill, 3rd Harwoodshield
Champion – Glebe Farm Limx Steer
Reserve Champion – Middle Horsleyhope LImx Heifer.
The company would like to thank all exhibitors, our judge and sponsors without whom such a spectacle would not be possible.
The first quarter of the catalogue was made up of older forward sorts and demand for these appeared marginally easier than of late. That said the sale leaders all came from this portion of the sale and this week were dominated by the female entry. Willie Woodman, Great Chesters sold two fabulous females; a Charolais and a Limmy, both at twenty months that both attained £2400 with another Charolais cashing at £2180. This honour was shared with the leading native heifer on the day – an Angus cross at 20 months from Adrian Hutchinson, Hollin Close that led the Allendale consignors run.
Messrs Woodman offered another sterling run of cattle comprising twelve steers and fourteen heifers and demand for these was palpable with bidders from as far South as Bristol and as far North as Aberdeen vying for the noted sorts. With Limmy steers topping at £2160 and a super pen of four Charolais cashing at £1970 the great run averaged £2024 – a well deserved return for the hard work and efforts of Messrs Woodman.
The main focus of the day was the unsurpassed level of quality in the yearling cattle which attracted buyers from all over the UK – both regular, weekly supporters and occasional, seasonal purchasers that know full well the benchmark of quality available on this day at this centre.
Trade for the younger classes was blistering at best and a furious pace at worst with the sale average increased on the year by a whopping £215 per head – steers returning at £1394 throughout and heifers levelling at £1339 per head.
Leading the charge in this class were, of course Messrs Rochester & Murray who presented what many were calling the best run of yearling cattle to be seen at this market and with bags of style, shape, scope and outcome the family was well-rewarded once again at Hexham. Steers peaked at £2000 twice and the younger show champion was purchased by the judge at £1750.
With heifers scaling to £1720 the day was topped for father and son Ashley & John Murray, ably assisted by stockman Thomas Wilson by their sale average of £1563 for 37 cattle sold representing a lift of £236 per head on the year and just reward for twelve months astonishing effort.
In an often seen twist the Show winners were ‘flipped’ in the sale ring and it was the reserve champion that took top honours amongst the rosette holders with Messrs Robson heifer climbing to a straight £2000. This one was closely followed by the pen leader from Andy Thompson, East Unthank, which at 12 months of age rocketed to a worthy £1920 for the Haltwhistle based breeder.
A great many cattle on this day are brought to Hexham from the far reaches of the county and from many a high hill top – not least those from Alan & John Dixon, Chirdon high in The North Tyne. Their cattle figured highly in the show ring and then caught the eye of many buyers particularly with their cracking quality heifers that topped at £1590 and with several others over £1500 heading to the far north to make cows the father and son team went home more than happy.
Likewise another such father and son team came down from The Roman Wall – Dennis and Stuart Charlton, Whiteside and both saw the full benefit of the Hexham ring in full flight selling both steers and heifers to £1460 and averaging £1342 for 18 sold.
Cumbria was well represented on the day and Messrs Athey, High Loveladyshield took the front of the charge down the A686 to Hexham selling well-bred, well-presented Limmy steers to £1640 and with heifer sisters at £1620 and £1600 enjoyed one of the trades of the day to average £1422 for 22 sold – a lift of £106 per head on the year with half as many sold again this time.
Also on the Alston ‘bus’ were regular consignors Messrs Walton, Farnbury who traded heifers at £1560 and steers to £1510 to average £1368 for six sold.
On a day dominated by the Limousin breed in the main the Charolais banner and indeed the Saltire was flown high by Steven Crozier, Raggetsyke, Ecclefechan who sold steers to £1620 and heifers to £1530 to average £1517 for two of each.
On a day filled with highlights a sale report could very easily become a tome which would read very well indeed but at Hexham the figures speak for themselves!
Entries are invited by 12 noon next Tuesday for the May Term sale on Friday 12th however if you feel compelled to enter cattle during the coronation celebration weekend please contact either Chris Armstrong (07808 721957) or Drew Patrick (07854 361967) who will be thankful of the break from toasting the new King – we know who wears the crown!
Leading prices;
Leading prices;
Cattle 23 – 30 Months
Limousin x steers – £2000 Great Chesters, £1980 Beacon Rigg, £1940 & £1920 Great Chesters
Charolais x steers – £1970 Great Chesters
Angus x steers – £1960 Hollin Close, £1910 Fairley
Limousin x heifers – £2400 & £2080 Great Chesters, £1920 Beacon Rigg, £1880 Great Chesters, £1860 & £1840 Willimoteswick, £1780 Beacon Rigg, £1760 Lunns House
Charolais x heifers – £2400, £2180, £2160, £1940 & £1930 Great Chesters
Angus x heifers – £1460 Stoop Rigg, £1410 Stoop Rigg & Berwick Hill
Cattle 17 – 22 Months
Limousin x steers – £2160 Great Chesters, £2100 Heugh Farm, £2020 Great Chesters, £1980 Beacon Rigg, £1940 Springwell Cottage, £1880 Great Chesters, £1860 & £1840 Beacon Rigg, £1740 Cheviot, £1600 Low Eshells
Charolais x steers – £1870, £1850, £1820, £1810, £1800 & £1700 Satley
Angus x steers – £1820, £1680, £1600 & £1550 Fairley, £1540 Bingfield Combe
Simmental x steers – £1700 Satley
Limousin x heifers – £1420 New Houses & Cheviot, £1380 Hard Riding, £1360 Berwick Hill, £1340 Hard Riding, £1320 Cornhills
Charolais x heifers – £1480 White House
British Blue x heifers – £1380 & £1320 Hard Riding
Angus x heifers – £2180 & £1680 Hollin Close, £1560 Fairley, £1500 Stoop Rigg
Cattle 11 – 16 Months
Limousin x steers – £2000 (x2) Glebe Farm, £1940 Heugh Farm, £1850 Glebe Farm, £1820 Glebe Farm & Springwell Cottage, £1790 Rusheylaw, £1780 Glebe Farm & Morley Hill, £1770 Glebe Farm & Springwell Cottage, £1760 & £1750 Glebe Farm, £1710 Springwell Cottage & Cowburn Rigg, £1700 Glebe Farm & Heugh Farm (x2), £1690 Armond Carr, £1680 Dukesfield Hall, Springwell Cottage & Cowburn Rigg, £1660 Springwell Cottage, £1640 High Lovelady Shield, Heugh Farm & Armond Carr , £1620 Dukesfield Hall & Glebe Farm
Charolais x steers – £1620 & £1530 Raggetsyke
Simmental x steers – £1340 Chirdon
Angus x steers – £1470 Bingfield Combe, £1400 Lowfield, £1300 Moorhouse Gate, £1290 & £1270 Lowfield
British Blue steers – £1860, £1640, £1600, £1500 & £1480 Glebe Farm, £1460 Woodhead, £1440 Morley Hill, £1400 Glebe Farm & Chirdon, £1380 West Moorhouses & Rusheylaw, £1355 Agars Hill, £1310 Agars Hill & Woodhall
Limousin x heifers – £2000 Middle Horsleyhope, £1920 East Unthank, £1720 Glebe Farm, Low Middleton & Armond Carr, £1680 Armond Carr, £1620 High Lovelady Shield, £1610 Low Eshells, £1600 High Lovelady Shield & Glebe Farm, £1560 Heugh Farm, Glebe Farm & Farnbury, £1550 Agars Hill, £1540 High Lovelady Shield, £1520 & £1500 Glebe Farm, £1490 High Lovelady Shield, £1480 High Lovelady Shield & Brokenheugh, £1460 Midgeholme , Glebe Farm & Low Eshells, £1450 Low Middleton, £1440 Glebe Farm, £1430 High Lovelady Shield, £1420 Agars Hill
Charolais x heifers – £1530 Raggetsyke, £1490 Wydon, £1460 Lough Green, £1390 Raggetsyke
British Blue heifers – £1660 (x2) Glebe Farm, £1590, £1550 & £1520 Chirdon, £1440 Middle Horsleyhope, £1425 Morley Hill, £1340 Chirdon, £1300 Harwood Shield, £1290 Morley Hill
Angus x heifers – £1260 & £1200 Lowfield
Cattle 10 months and under
Limousin x steers – £1750 Glebe Farm, £1580 Longlea, £1500 Agars Hill, £1480 Springwell Cottage, £1440 Glebe Farm & East Unthank, £1400 Longlea, £1390 Whiteside & Longlea, £1380 Longlea, £1360 Whiteside & Farnbury, £1340 Chirdon & Whiteside, £1330 Whiteside, £1320 Woodhead
British Blue x steers – £1330 Wallend, £1300 Harwood Shield
Charolais x steers – £1100 Wydon
Limousin x heifers – £1580 East Unthank, £1560 Harwood Shield, £1460 Whiteside, £1400 Low Middleton, £1360 Longlea, £1330 & £1320 Whiteside, £1300 Longlea
Cast Ewes
Hexham Auction Mart sold a total of 747 at their weekly Sale of Cast sheep to another great trade.
Top spot was taken by a pair of Texel ewes at £242 from Messrs A J & H Gordon & Son, Old Deanham. With the same home also selling another pair of ewes to £232.
Suffolk cross ewes sold to a top of £184 from Messrs R H Thompson & Son, Fitches Grange.
Blueface Leicester Ewes realized £168 from Lewis Browell, Capheaton Hill Head.
Mules peaked at £160 also from Fitches Grange.
Blackie Ewes sold to £125 for a penful from Messrs Rowell, North Cocklake.
With Swales selling to £96 for a trio from Mr S J Charlton, The Shield.
Please remember to enter your stock with an Auctioneer so we can advise buyers on the numbers expected.
Contact Jack on 07739 440457
Contact Harrison on 07895 761102
Contact Brian on 047801 862792
Texel – £242 & £232 Old Deanham
Texel x – £192 Crook Dene, £190 Fell Lane Farm, £180 Low West House & Evistones, £176 Sunniside & Palm Strothers, £175 Low West House, £172 Hareshaw, £170 Old Deanham & Hill Head, £169 Barker House, £164 Rawfoot, £160 Lords Lot Farm
Suffolk x –£184 Fitches Grange, £178 Low Stanley, £156 Fitches Grange, £153 Sunniside, £148 The Tofts, £144 Lords Lot Farm, £142 Fitches Grange
Leicester-£168 Hill Head, £162 Broomhope, £158 North Cocklake
Bleu de Maine-£160 Craigshield
Charollais x – £138 Fitches Grange
Cheviot – £132 Barrasford Green
Cheviot Mule – £127 Old Deanham
Mule – £160 Fitches Grange, £158 Hill Head, £148 Fitches Grange, £146 Evistones, £138 Fitches Grange, £137 Broomhope, £136 Parkside & West Shields, £135 Crook Dene
Blackface – £125 North Cocklake, £118 Quarry House, £112 Great Tosson, £102 North Cocklake, £100 Waterloo, £99 Broomhope, £97 The Hott, £96 New Dotland
Swaledale – £96 & £94 The Shield, £88 White House Farm, £82 Farneyshield, £79 Barker House, £78 Ling Riggs
Cast Tups
Cast Tups sold to £242 for a massive Blueface Leicester from Mr M Wallace, Farneyshield.
A trio of Texels sold to £220 from Messrs A J & T Snaith, Great Tosson.
Texel – £220 Great Tosson, £208 & £180 Brownchesters
Suffolk – £192 Brownchesters
Charollais – £205 Great Tosson, £192 Sunniside
Leicester – £242 Farneyshield
Bleu De Maine- £142 Craigshield
Swaledale – £120 Ling Riggs
Blackface-£118 The Hott
Store Hoggs
Hexham and Northern Marts sold 385 Store Hoggs to a staggering trade leaving a sizzling average of £101.96 for the whole lot.
Top price today was £170 for a monstrous Suffolk cross hogg from G & JH Tomlinson & Son, Sunniside.
Not far behind at £166 were a pen of four Suffolks from JHC Campbell, Thrunton.
Mule hoggs peaked at £144 for a pair from W L Patterson & Son, Broomhope.
Charollais x-£166 Sunniside
Texel x –£155 Thrunton, £150 Palm Strothers, £144 Great Tosson, £139 Waite Farm, £136 & £134 Palm Strothers, £130 Blackburn, £125 Hopesley House, £122 Moorlaws & Old Deanham, £121 Cowbyre, £120 Craigshield, £117 Dyke Head, £115 Hopesley House, £114 Blackburn, Barker House & Cowbyre
Blue Texel-£136 Craigshield
Suffolk x –£170 Sunniside, £166 (x2) Thrunton, £159 Sunnside
Leicester-£120 Farneyshield
Cheviot- £121 Barrasford Green
Mule – £144 Broomhope, £132 East White Hill
Beltex x-£100 Great Tosson
Blackface – £113 Craigshield, £105 Holling Hill & Great Tosson, £95 New Dotland, £90 Great Tosson
Swaledale – £85 Ninebanks