Increase in averages at Charolais sale

The British Charolais Cattle Society has credited “strong commercial interest” for an increase in averages at its spring show and sale of bulls in Carlisle.

Harrison & Hetherington auctioneers sold 72 bulls to average £5,158.13 – up £151 on last year, with five more sold.

The newly appointed society chief executive, Peter Phythian, said: “This is the fourth consecutive Charolais sale where both the averages and clearance rates have increased, driven by the success of Charolais-sired suckler calves who are topping the markets on weight for age.”

Leading the sale at 12,000gn was the supreme, male and junior champion from the pre-sale show, 15-month-old McCaldrick Mcintoish from Sean and Martina O’Kane, from Dunloy, in Co Antrim.

By the 16,000gn Anside Foreman and of Irish-born Aghafad Hope, he sold to Highfields Park Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex.

The next best, fetching 11,000gn was October-2015 born Gretnahouse Lunar, from Alasdair Houston of Gretna Green.

By the 12,000gn Welsy Equinox and out of Gretnahouse Hazel, he sold to Perthshire-based breeders David and Nick Walter.

The only other bull to sell for a fivefigure sum, at 10,000gn, was 18-monthold Cayler Lincoln, by Balthayock Hamish and out of Caithness Hostess.

Put forward by Caylers Charolais, Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire, he sold to RH Thompson & Son of Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Another Caylers entry – the October2015-born Caylers Limerick, also by Balthayock Hamish, sold for 9,000gn in a two-way split to Mike Massie of Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon, and WK & P Drysdale, Blairgowrie.

Thereafter five lots sold for 8,000gn, including an entry from the Milne family’s Elgin herd at Kennies Hillock, Elgin, Moray.

Elgin London is an 18-month-old son of the 14,000gn Westcarse Houdini, out of Elgin Honey.

He sold to Rachel Dawson, Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire.

Picture: MacGregor Photography. McCaldrick Mcintoish made 12,000gn.