4,000gns Peak at Ayrshire National Show & Sale
2012-11-09

A record number of show entries and a packed sale ring produced a top price of 4,000gns at the 2012 Northern National Ayrshire show and sale, on Wednesday 7th November at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Sale Centre, Carlisle.

Overall Champion - Langside Blaeberry 112
from Alex Gray & Son, Lanark

The event, now in its fourth year, and sponsored by specialist mineral supplement company, Almins, attracted top quality animals across all sections. The show and sale included a total of 88 catalogued entries comprising yearling heifers, milking heifers and milking cows as well as, an impressive entry of 15 young bulls. The sale format attracted buyers from as far apart as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Topping the sale at 4,000gns was the show’s Junior Champion, Galaxy Durham Lottie Red from A Laird, Blyth Bridge, Peebleshire and purchased by S Reed, Wales. Sired by Durham Red, a son of Dudock Mr Burns, this stylish 12 month old calf was awarded 1st place in the Almins Maiden Heifer Ayrshire Red and White class. Her dam is the renowned Barr Ranger Lottie Red Ex 95 3E, a sixth lactation cow with records to 11,174kgs @ 4.99% fat and winner of no fewer than 13 show titles.

The reserve top price, and leading price in the Almins Bull Class at 3,500gns, was achieved by Troutbeck Outlaw, bred by Messrs Mattinson, Wigton, Cumbria, and purchased by J Cameron & Co, Southend, Argyll, Scotland. The 12month old son of Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette, is bred from the sixth lactation Myerscough Jess 123, Ex92 2E.

Outlaw’s 100% Ayrshire bloodline is steeped in top show winning quality with his dam being the Champion Calf All Breeds All Britain Calf Show 2004, Royal Highland Show Junior Ayrshire Champion 2006 and 1st Junior Ayrshire Cow–in-Milk, Royal Highland Show 2007.

Judge Robin Barr, Campbeltown, Scotland, awarded 1st place in the Almins Red and White Heifer in Milk Class, and the Almin’s Overall Ayrshire Championship, to Langside Blaeberry 112. Bred by Alex Gray & Son, Lanark, Scotland, the Champion is sired by Humeston Winter Storm, a son of Pursuit September Storm. Fresh since early October, the stylish heifer exhibited a superb udder and cleanness throughout.

Northern Ireland interest also featured with Martin King, Ballymena, purchasing Cuthill Towers Emerald Ivy ET for 3,000gns. Bred by Arthur Lawrie and family, Kinross, Scotland and sired by Ayr-Phoe Ideostar, Ivy sold as an in-calf heifer carrying a sexed pregnancy by Jelyca Oblique.

A strong contingent of extremely well bred Ayrshire bulls attracted the eye of Judge Robin Barr with Dumfries-based A & A Kirkpatrick’s homebred Barr Guardian taking the Almins Champion Bull title. The 14month old son of Haresfoot Brazen and bred out of the show winning Barr Willow 3, his second dam is Barr Ranger Lottie Ex95 3E. Guardian was purchased for 2,400gns by G&G Templeton, Auckinleck, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Archie Leitch, Managing Director of Edinburgh-based Almins, which has sponsored the annual event since its inception, was delighted with the turnout of animals. ”The show and sale was of the highest standard and each year the event has grown in terms of quality and quantity and is now firmly established as a major event in the UK farming calendar,” he said.

Harrison & Hetherington Auctioneer Andrew Templeton mirrored the sentiment and was delighted with the quality and prices achieved at the event. “We’ve had a tremendous show and sale of quality Ayrshire cattle averaging just under £1,800 across all classes. The entries were truly exceptional and the animals on display today would stand alongside any UK major show event.

“However, I’d like to thank Almins for its continued support and sponsorship of this leading breed event. This is the fourth Northern National Show and Sale and I’d also like to congratulate the vendors as well as purchasers, on making the 2012 event such a huge success,” he said.

Leading Prices

Averages

53 Cows and heifers in milk = £1,765.19
4 Maiden heifers = £1,995.00
15 Bulls = £1,760.50

Prize List  

Dairy Shorthorn to 3,750gns at Chelford
Agri-Plastics Calf Hutches at Eurotier 2012
Melody On Song at 30th Northern Dairy Expo