Non-short Dexter breaks record by 1,000gns to sell for 2,300gns

A prolonged bidding war between two determined breeders saw the record for a non-short Dexter bull reach 2,300gns – almost 1,000gns more than the previous record – at the traditional native breeds national show and sale, at Melton Mowbray Market.

The polled black May 2006-born bull, Watercress Wriggler, was eventually knocked down to Dr Jan and Susan Stanek, Heythrop, Oxfordshire, and will join the five other lots they bought on the day in the now 40-strong herd.

This bull, consigned by Shelagh Davis, Knighton, Powys, had finished reserve breed champion behind the November 2002-born cow, Needles Hall Cinnamon, from Lisa and Philip Bell, Newark, Nottinghamshire, which sold at 1,750gns to Messrs Overden, Romney Marsh, Kent, after finishing reserve inter-breed champion.

The inter-breed championship went to the March 2005-born British White bull, Firtree Barti, from Andrew Fisher, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, which failed to find a bidder in the sale.

Top price among the cattle was the 3,000gns paid by D. and A. Blockley, Bradford, Yorkshire, for the January 2003-born Longhorn bull Blackbrook Newt from S. Coleman, East Colne, Colchester.

A number of other Longhorns failed to sell, with several vendors deciding not to sell animals despite bids of over 2,000gns.

In the sheep section, top price was 380gns, paid by J. Whybrow, Cardington, Bedfordshire, for the March 2006-born Manx Loghtan ram, Ronasvoe Rowan, from Cathy Wainwright and Darren Cassie, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

As part of the event, the British Lop Pig Society held their first ever show and sale. With 30 pigs present, there was a tremendous potential to spread bloodlines and help invigorate breeding programmes.

The top price of 320gns was achieved for Liskeard Pride 120 from Julian Colling, Cornwall, selling to J. Squires, Billesdon, Leicestershire.

The same vendor sold another two gilts at 300gns each.

Averages: 49 cattle, £827.66; 465 sheep, £80.82; 16 pigs, £205.73.

Auctioneers: Melton Mowbray Market Auctioneers.