Melton Mowbray's traditional native breeds show and sale

THE traditional native breeds national show and sale at Melton Mowbray Market produced a top bid of 2,000gns on a day when many lots left the ring unsold.

Top price was paid for a March 2007-born Longhorn heifer, Blackbrook Reflection, from John and Pat Stanley, Grace Dieu, Leicestershire. The buyer was A.K. Clarke, Great Dunmow, Essex.

At 1,880gns was a British White September 2002 cow - Whispers Prestwick - from Christabel Barran, Midhurst, West Sussex, which was bought by A. Carter, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, one of 11 different lots he bought on the day.

Trade in the sheep rings was selective and a top of 310gns was realised for the Southdown breed champion, a March 2007-born ewe from D.A. and P. Humphrey, Chichester, West Sussex. The hammer fell to D. Williams, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The Wensleydale breed champion, a February 2007 born ram from J. and S. Thompson, Llansantffraid, Powys, made 300gns when bought by P.D.W. Soden, Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire.

Show champion was a Shropshire shearling ewe from Marion and Aubrey Webb, Gilmorton, Leicestershire, selling at 260gns to Alan Oliver, Doncaster, Yorkshire.

In the pig ring top was 480gns for a British Lop October 2007 boar, Bexurell General from Messrs Eustice, Hayle, Cornwall, selling to Mr Padfield, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

Auctioneers: Melton Mowbray Auctioneers.