The Devon Cattle Breeders’ Society's official Spring Show & Sale was held at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Bridgwater on Thursday 21st March with 75 pedigree registered Red Ruby Devons forward.

Mrs Angela Poad was judge for the show classes of the day and stated that she was extremely impressed by the quality of all animals in the ring, choosing bull “Colesden Alexander” as her overall Show Champion. The winning bull was bred by David and Sarah Tutt and sired by “Forde Abbey Monk” with dam Thorndale Curly 14th (one of the last surviving cows from the Thorndale herd) .

The much admired show bull from Mrs ED Roper’s renowned “Forde Abbey” herd was the Society’s junior bull of the year 2018. The two year old “Forde Abbey Solomon” sold to a high of 4000gns at the Devon Cattle Breeder’s Society Spring Show and Sale. He was Judge Angela Poad’s Reserve Champion bull of the day and joins the Right Honourable Lord Clinton’s herd.

Messrs G Dart & Son’s “Champson Enterprise” selling for 3000gns to JP Williams of the “Tregullow” herd, Redruth and the Show Champion “Colesden Alexander” from D & S Tutt at 2500gns joined James Hawthorne of Bishops Lydeard. Tilbrook Adventure was the only polled bull in the sale selling for 2500gns. Seven high-quality bulls were sold on the day.

Only yearling heifers were presented for the show, with the champion being Mr and Mrs L Armishaw’s “Mere Park Queen” out of the VG85 classified dam “Kingston Lacey Unique 11th”. She sold for 750gns to R Barkwell of Hatherleigh who also purchased at 720gns the 3rd prize heifer “Dittisham Damsel 2nd” from Mrs S Fildes.

Other 2017 born maiden heifers from Mrs M Elliott’s well-known “Cutcombe” herd sold to 1000gns for “Dainty 52nd” and 980gns for “Margot 105th” both by “Ashott Barton Merlin”.

Trade of the day

Another spectacular bidding of the day was 13 straws of Thorndale Assirati semen put up by Mr & Mrs Gay of HiIlcombe Farm. This bull was bred by Clive Thornton OBE, and has sired many breed champions and has had a hugely influential effect on the national herd over the past years. His reputation was very present at Sedgemoor, with the batch of 13 straws selling for £65 per straw.

The trade of the day was for the pure Devon stores from ten months to 16 months selling to average £664.

With the top price bull selling at 4000gns, the highest price paid for a bull at a DCBS sale since Spring sale 2017, Auctioneer Sally Mitchell stated “Although the selective trade mirrors the uncertainty across the whole agricultural sector due to fodder shortages and an unclear Brexit, it looks like a promising start to the year for the Devons”.

Vendor’s willingness to meet the trade resulted in a 90 percent clearance on the day and the following averages:

Bulls £2700, Cows & Calves £840, Incalf Heifers £791, Maiden Heifers £773, Yearling Heifers £590, Steers £664.