The gavel went down at 7,000gns after a fast-paced exchange of bids for 21 month old Fisher 1 Valentino at the Hereford Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre, which saw bulls average £3,720.

Fisher 1 Valentino from RJ Hutchings sold for 7,000gns

Purchased by DJ and JM Blaxell, Antingham, Norfolk, it is a son of Fisher 1 Prospect P464 which was breed champion at the 2019 Royal Three Counties Show, and out of Fisher 1 Eva N433, a female line which does so well for breeder Reg Hutchings, Chichester, W Sussex.

Harveybros 1 Va-Va-Voom from G and S Harvey sold for 5,500gns

Next in the money was March 2021-born Harveybros 1 Va-Va-Voom which made the trip south from Glasgow with breeders George and Sophie Harvey and sold to a call of 5,500gns from DN and LF Williams, Llanidloes, Powys. Reserve senior male in the pre-sale show, as judged by New Zealand breeder Gray Pannett, it was named reserve bull of the year at the society’s annual awards dinner the night before. It is by the memorable Normanton 1 Laertes and out of Harveybros 1 Crocus E2.

Hollybush 1 Viscount from G and R Watkins sold for 5,000gns

The day’s reserve grand male champion Hollybush 1 Viscount from G and R Watkins, Little Hereford, Shropshire went through the ring at 5,000gns, and joins the Barbern herd of Bernard and Barbara Rimmer, Scorton, Lancashire. Noted as being a ‘deep, very good bull’ during the judging, it is a son of Romany 1 Redemption BL R21 and out of a home-bred daughter of Australian sire Wirruna Daffy D1.

Rempstone 1 Vegan N621 from M Ludgate sold for 4,800gnsRempstone 1 Vegan N621 from M Ludgate, Thame changed hands at 4,800gns going to Peter Eccles of Rockness Herefords, Tranent, East Lothian. Reserve native interbreed champion at Herts County Show this summer it is by the Ludgates’ herd sire Solpoll 1 Nobility and out of a home-bred female, by Solpoll 1 Hollywood.

Glenvale 1 Fanfare from TG, EI and EN Thorne sold for 3,600gns

At 3,600gns was Glenvale 1 Fanfare from Pembrokeshire breeders TG, EI and EN Thorne which makes its way across the Irish Sea to join Matthew and Rita Goulding’s Co Kerry-based Gouldingpoll herd at 3,600gns. By stock bull Vexour 1 Palmer, it is out of the Polly line, one of the breeders’ best cow families.

A robust average just shy of £3,000 was seen in the show heifer section and continues the buoyant female trade the breed has enjoyed in recent times, although buyers’ selectiveness throughout reflected the winter of high costs and forage shortages ahead.

Normanton 1 Chanterelle 17th V779 from TD and WT Livesey sold for 4,600gns

Leading the female trade was Normanton 1 Chanterelle 17th V779 from TD and WT Livesey, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire selling at 4,600gns to Anthony Whitfield, Derrington, Staffordshire. A class winner at this summer’s National Poll Show, it also stood at the head of its class in the pre-sale show. It is a daughter of Dendor 1 Rosco P. Coltrane, which stood reserve male champion at Shropshire County Show in 2019.

Kinglee 1 Oyster Girl 665 from P Cobley sold for 4,300gns

At 4,300gns was Kinglee 1 Oyster Girl 665 from P Cobley, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, secured by MJ Sharlot, Weston under Wetherley, Warwickshire. Having produced many successful cattle in recent times, this heifer is by Cleland 1 Nelson and out of a home-bred female.

Porton House 1 Jane 2nd from P and V Moyle sold for 4,000gns

From Paul and Vicky Moyle, Newport, Gwent, Porton House 1 Jane 2nd, the winner of the junior heifer class at the Royal Welsh this year, sold at 4,000gns to C Codd and R Lewis Trefgarne, Haverfordwest, remaining in southern Wales. It is by Dendor 1 Sherlock and out of a Panmure 1 Nugget daughter.

Panmure 1 Plum V5 from JM Cant and partners sold for 4,000gns

Another at 4,000gns was Panmure 1 Plum V5 from JM Cant and partners, Arbirlot, Tayside, purchased by the same buyer. By Fisher 1 Rancher R483, it is out of a Romany 1 Distiller A84 D53 daughter, with the Plum line consistently performing for these Scottish breeders.

Auckvale 1 Pansy 2041V from W and R Kemp and sons sold for 4,000gns

At the same money was Auckvale 1 Pansy 2041V from W and R Kemp and sons, Bishops Auckland, Co Durham, and headed home with WD and SB Roberts, Capel Coch, Anglesey. It is by Auckvale 1 Resolution which was imported as an embryo and has been running with Dendor 1 Muttley.

Hoghton View 1 Emmal 1st from S and E Walker, Preston, Lancashire made 3,200gns on their first time consigning a female to public auction and was also purchased by WD and SB Roberts, Capel Coch, Anglesey. By Danish sire Moeskaer Magnetic 1579, it is out of Whitehill 1 Emmal.
Another heifer from W and R Kemp and sons, this time Auckvale 1 Liveley 2043V, realised 3,000gns, selling to Daniel Fowler, Scorton, Lancashire.

The section leader within the for sale only female section was Holmefold 1 Domino from Maddy Scott, Belthorn, Lancashire selling at 2,400gns to Anthony Whitfield.

Averages: 19 show heifers, £2,923; 14 bulls, £3,720; 3 for sale only females, £1,890.

Auctioneers: Halls