Caption: Champion bull, Knoll Majesty 2nd. with breeder, Vicky Jones, her mother, Mrs Sally Wingate and judge, Mr Gavin Hunter.

Bidding was fierce and prices were high for the class winners at the Red Ruby Devon Autumn Show and Sale at Taunton Market last week. Postponed from its original October date due to Foot & Mouth and hampered by Bluetongue restrictions, the sale still attracted a large crowd and all but 1 of the 81 pedigree females and 8 out of 9 bulls were, sold.

The Champion bull, Knoll Majesty 2nd., went for 6,500gns to new breeders, Swell Wold Farming Ltd. Bred by Vicky Jones, Knoll Majesty is son of Champson Chieftain, 2003 Sale Champion. Judge, Mr. Gavin Hunter from Cambridgshire, described him as "a fine example of a modern Devon bull with excellent fleshing and good movement". The buyers also took home 23 heifers from the sale to join their new herd in Stowe on the Wold.

Reserve Champion bull, Clannaborough Brigadier 4th., bred by the May Farming Partnership from Copplestone, Devon, was knocked down at 3,600gns. This son of Challenge Brigadier 3rd., the highest priced bull sold at a Red Ruby Devon auction in this country, goes to Bristol to join Mr & Mrs A Gibbs' Gratwicke herd. His half-brother, Clannaborough Brigadier 2nd. was placed 3rd. in class and achieved 2,000gns.

Champion in-calf heifer, Orswell Hanna 2nd., sold for 3,000gns. to another new breeder, Peter Masters, from Highbridge. Her breeder, Mike Wright, DCBS Chairman, sold 5 other in calf heifers for prices ranging from 1,450gns. to 1,950gns. However, Orswell Hanna was just beaten to top female price by Bollowal Cherry 4th.. In calf to Bollowal Nimrod who, had a fantastic show season this year, this impressive heifer went for 3,100gns. to Julie and Tony Benneworth to join their Yeomadon herd at Holsworthy. Not far behind, another Bollowal in-calf heifer, Showgirl 11th., fetched 2,000gns selling to Mr & Mrs M. Cowell, Ashreigney, Devon.

Winner of the maiden heifer class, Mr. J.H. Bowles' Frogmore Dot, also achieved 2,000gns. selling to Caroline and Philip Gay from Bagnell, Somerset. Her half-sister, Frogmore Jehosheba 2nd. ,was 2nd. in class and sold for 1,500gns.

Averages: bulls, £2,625; in-calf heifers, £1,600; maiden heifers, £881.

Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt

Print

Email this