An exceptional demand for both bulls and females saw a near total clearance at the Newark Limousin Day sale on April 21 2018, with 98% of the 161 cattle coming forward finding new homes.

With pedigree and commercial buyers out in force, averages were up notably compared to the same fixture last year. The female trade peaked at 6000gns while the bulls sold to a top of 5800gns under the hammer of auctioneer Paul Gentry.

In total 41 bulls averaged £3949.62, up £163.01, and 57 maiden heifers averaged £2011.23, up £293.94.

Mr Gentry said that the packed ringside of buyers ensured a swift trade throughout the sale, “Every class of stock was well sought after, with buyers keen to source new genetics to move their herds forward in these uncertain times.”

Leading the sale was a 6000gns call for Absolute Justesse, a 2014-born Diamante daughter from Richard Bartle and Mary Cormack, Upper Dinmore, Hereford. Justesse is out of the noted show cow Newstart Upsydaisy, the Interbreed Champion from the Royal Show 2007. She sold with her Dinmore Lionheart sired seven-month old heifer calf at foot and was the pick of H D and P J Cranfield, Edneham, Lincolnshire for their Copylawn Limousin herd.

The bull trade was led at 5800gns by the October 2016 born McInnes Machine from Ashley and Emma McInnes, East Cowick, Nr Goole. By the 27000gns Loosebeare Iain, Overall Champion at Carlisle in October 2014, he is out of McInnes Jasmine, a Corridan Hakka daughter. He was bought by C E Hardcastle, Grantham, Lincolnshire.