Record breakers and sale toppers from 2023

Farmers Guardian looks back a some of the highlights from sale rings around the UK over the year

Angela Calvert
Head of Livestock, Shows and Sales
clock • 3 min read
Ghyll House Notorious
Image:

Ghyll House Notorious

Swaledale records broken twice 
Harrison and Hetherington

New heights were reached at Kirkby Stephen when two Swaledale rams sold for £105,000 each. First was Ghyll House Notorious from John and Dorne Richardson, Dufton, which sold to Paul and Suzie Hallam, High Birkwith, and Mark Nelson, Clapham. This was followed by the same price for Gillside Keeper from the Lightfoot family, Glenridding, which sold to John White, Middleton-in-Teesdale, and John Tully, Eggleston, with the Lightfoots retaining a share.

Gillside Keeper

Simmental bull smashed breed record
United Auctions

Overhill Neo

The October bulls sales saw a new breed record of 46,000gns set by Overhill House Neo from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, which was knocked down to Reece and Andrew Simmers, Keith.

Holstein breed record equalled 

The UK Holstein breed record of 90,000gns was matched by Riverdane KD Hannah at the Riverdane Theatre of Dreams on-farm sale for the Nutsford family, Middlewich. The buyers were John Sherratt, Pankymoor, and Neale Evans of Heatherleigh Holstein.

Coloured Ryeland female achieves new high
McCartneys

Moss Rose Dora

A new Coloured Ryeland female record of 1,500gns was set when Moss Rose Dora, a ewe lamb from M. Varmen, Macclesfield, sold to Rachael Dilworth, Bradford, for the Otis flock.

Welsh Sensation sale peaks at 40,000gns
Norton and Brooksbank

Dulais Silver Lustre

Dulais Silver Lustre headed the trade at 40,000gns at the Welsh Sensation sale of pedigree Holsteins - which was hosted on-farm by the Wilson family of the Tregibby herd, Cardigan - when selling to a syndicate of the Howni, Iscaway, Logan, Shambles and Wiltor herds.

British Blonde breed record of 12,000gns matched
Harrison and Hetherington

Hallfield Scotty

Hallfield Scotty from James and Peter Weightman, Peterlee, equalled the British Blonde breed record of 12,000gns when selling to Sean Mitchell, Penrith.

Galloway bull is new record holder
Wallets Mart

Blackcraig Dyker

Galloway bulls peaked at 26,000gns at Castle Douglas, setting a new breed record for Blackcraig Dyker from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Corsock. The buyer was Ian Campbell, Glenrath Farms, Peebles.

Heifer sets new junior British Blue breed record
Harrison and Hetherington

Harelaw Star

Harelaw Star from Jean Mackay, Glasgow, sold for 23,000gns to Blair Duffton, Huntly, setting a British Blue junior heifer record for the breed.

Texel rams peak at 170,000gns
Lawrie and Symington, Lanark

Knap Grumpy

Knap Grumpy, a Texel ram lamb from Robert Cockburn, Crieff, topped the Scottish National Texel sale at 170,000gns when selling to Charlie Boden and family, Stockport.

Highland calf sets new record at Oban
United Auctions

Capleadh Ruadh of Cladich

Setting a breed record price for a Highland heifer calf was Capleadh Ruadh of Cladich from Messrs Strickland's Cladich fold, Dalmally. The buyer was Angus MacGillivray Highland Cattle Service, Dalmally.

Rough Fell in-lamb ewe record achieved
North West Auctions

Roung Fell in-lamb gimmer which sold for 3,000gns

A new market record for a Rough Fell in-lamb ewe was set at J36 for a gimmer shearling by Brownber Dambuster, in-lamb to Birkshaw Emerald from T.L.B. and J. Knowles, High Borrowbridge, which sold for 3,000gns to Stephen Dickenson.

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