Hexham and Northern Marts sales reports for the week beginning May 3

Limousin Heifers: £1219.37, £1184.27 & £1147.45 Paxton Dene. 220.5p, 218.5p & 216.5p Paxton Dene.

OTM.

More cows forward this week compared to last week but a poorer show available. This didn’t hamper the trade though, with leaner feeding cows still very easy to sell.

Stock bulls also a good trade topping at 125.5ppk for a Limousin from M/s RS Conley & Son, Barrasford Green.

Topping the cow trade at 149.5ppk was a Limousin x cow from Ms WD & B Thompson, East Unthank.

Limousin: £1119.76 East Unthank, £1024.65 Errington, £978.31& £892.95 West Grange, £887.55 Brokenheugh, £883.58 Westburnhope, £841.38 Barrasford Green. 149.5p East Unthank, 148.5p Errington145.5p Brokenheugh, 135.5p (x2) West Grange, 132.5p Barrasford Green, 127.5p Westburnhope. Limousin (Bull): £1194.76 & 125.5p Barrasford Green. Angus: £1099.46 & 129.5p Middle Heads. Angus (Bull): £1080.98 & 101.5p High Barns. British Blue: £1009.98 Townfoot Woodburn, £918.78 Errington £897.84 Brokenheugh, £886.44 Hedley Park, £849.68 West Nubbock. 139.5p Townfoot Woodburn, 133.5p Hedley Park, 130.5p Brokenheugh, 128.5p Errington 123.5p West Nubbock. Simmental: £986.70 Errington. South Devon: £934.95 & £816 The Deans. 139.5p & 135.5p The Deans. Hereford: £852.12, £829.98 & £809.01 Low Carriteth. 133.5p, 131.5p & 130.5p Low Carriteth.

Prime sheep and lambs.

A small but good show of lambs sold to £111 and 284.6p from Woodhall with an overall average 250.8p.

Texel x: £111 Woodhall, £110 Blue Gables, £109 Woodhall, £105 & £95 West Shaftoe, £90 Low Staples. 284.6 & 265.9p Woodhall, 256.1p West Shaftoe, 220p Blue Gables, 215.9p West Shaftoe, 209.3p Low Staples. Suffolk x: £100 (x2) Blue Gables. 217.4p (x2) Blue Gables.

Prime hoggs. Texel x: £90 & £82 Springwell, £80 & £79 Low Staples, £77 Springwell, £76 & £74 (x2) Low Staples. 186.1p, 183.7p & 180.5p Low Staples, 175p & 166.7p Springwell, 161p & 160.9p Low Staples. Bleu D’Maine x: £80 & £79 Low Staples.

On Friday Hexham & Northern Marts held their annual prize show and sale of store cattle and offered for sale a catalogued entry of 1114 head of suckler bred store cattle, a very similar entry to the corresponding sale held last year.

Prior to the sale the show was held and kindly sponsored by The National Beef Association, Hodgson Toyota (Newcastle) and Northumberland County Show. Presiding as expert judge was well-known Huddersfield based finisher Richard Chippendale who gave every one of the small but quality entry brought before him his due consideration.

From the preliminary classes Mr Chippendale was faced with his final line up of three breed champions, all equally deserving of the right to be judged in the overall championship; The Charolais; a super heifer from Messrs Armstrong, Murton, Berwick on Tweed; The British Blue, also a heifer from Philip Robson, Middle Horsley Hope, Consett and The Limousin; a bullock from Messrs Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm, Tow Law.

With his deliberations over the judge awarded the Overall Championship to the very correct, halter-led black bullock from Ashley & John Murray, Glebe Farm and followed by placing the Blue cross heifer; also a County Durham bred animal as his Reserve Champion.

Best Native Breed Steer/Heifer. 1st: Raggetsyke. 2nd: Raggetsyke. 3rd: Bingfield Combe.

Best Charolais x Heifer. 1st: Murton. 2nd: Murton.

Champion Charolais x. M/s JE Armstrong & Sons, Murton Farm.

Best British Blue x Steer. 1st: Woodhouse. 2nd: Woodhouse.

Best British Blue x Heifer. 1st Middle: Horsleyhope.

Champion British Blue x. M/s P&EB Robson, Middle Horsleyhope.

Best Limousin x Steer. 1st: Glebe Farm. 2nd: High Lovelady Shield. 3rd: China Hall.

Best Limousin x Heifer. 1st Middle: Horsleyhope. 2nd: Chirdon. 3rd: High Lovelady Shield.

Champion Limousin x. M/s Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm.

Overall Champion. M/s Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm (Limousin x Steer).

Reserve Champion. M/s P&EB Robson, Middle Horsleyhope (British Blue x Heifer).

With the formalities of the show dispensed with the business proper of the day began and saw two hundred, older, forward stores start the sale. This entry was dominated by the annual consignment of outstanding Charolais and Limousion cross steers and heifers from highly regarded Roman Wall producer Willie Woodman, Great Chesters, Haltwhistle. His super run of cattle at 20-24 months topped at £1460 for a pair of Limousin cross steers, with a pair of Charolais crosses selling to £1450 however it was the female portion that took the top price of the day at £1485 and led the consignment of 23 steers and 16 heifers which averaged £1385 thoughout. In general heifers were easier to sell throughout the sale and other noteable prices were an Angus cross at £1295 from Messrs Metcalf, Fairley and a pair of commercial, pure bred Limousin ladies from Malcolm Corbett, Dykehead, Rochester which scaled to £1290.

The bulk of the catalogue was made up of noted annual consignments from leading herdmasters from across the region renowned for producing store cattle of the highest quality suited to either continued housing towards finishing or for a summer at grass.

The leading consignment in the yearling bracket fittingly came from the same home as the previously crowned show champion. Messrs Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm sold an outstanding run of 39 LimxBlue and BluexLim steers and heifers which peaked at £1270 for the male portion and £1170 for heifers returning an average of £1097 throughout.

With the warmth of early spring giving way to a cooler spell of weather and a lack of moisture hindering grass growth buyers came forward with a little more caution than seen during March and April and as such the yearling classes were easier however it was the bullock entry which took the most hurt. Well-bred types are still in demand; heifers especially and buyers will willingly give a premium for those sorts which are displaying potential for growth and shape.

Cattle 30+ months. Limousin heifers: £1100 Aydonshields.

Cattle 23 – 30 months. Charolais x steers: £1450, £1445, £1440, £1435 & £1380 Great Chesters, £1270 & £1260 Capheaton New Houses, £1240 Ogle Dene, £1210 Capheaton New Houses. Charolais x heifers: £1485, £1350 & £1310 Great Chesters, £1160 Gallowhill, £1100 Capheaton New Houses, £1080 Capheaton New Houses & Ogle Dene, £1075, £1055 & £1000 (x2) Gallowhill. Limousin x steers: £1460 & £1420 Great Chesters, £1280 Luns House, £1270 Bankfoot, £1260 Fairley & Luns House, £1240 & £1205 Luns House, £1195 Blakelaw, £1190, £1180, £1135, £1110 & £1100 Bankfoot. Limousin x heifers: £1410 Great Chesters, £1240, £1205, £1200, £1135 & £1130 Nunwick, £1010 Bankfoot, £995 Ogle Dene. Angus x steers: £1230 Aydonshields, £1080 Catreen. Angus x heifers: £1240 Fairley, £1070 & £1060 Kirkley Hall, £1050 Fairley & Catreen. South Devon x steers: £970 Bingfield Combe.

Cattle 17 – 22 months. Charolais x steers: £1165 & £1070 Blakelaw, £1010 Kirkley Hall, £990 Blakelaw & Ogle Dene. Charolais x heifers: £1115 Blakelaw, £1055 Grange Farm, £1050 Blakelaw, £980 Ogle Dene, £975 Blakelaw. Limousin x steers: £1415 & £1370 Great Chesters, £1295 Ogle Dene, £1280, £1270 & £1230 Nunwick, £1220 White House Matfen, £1200 Nunwick & White House Matfen, £1010 White House Matfen, £1000 Ogle Dene, £970 White House Matfen. Limousin x heifers: £1360 Great Chesters, £1290 Dykehead, £1260 & £1250 Great Chesters, £1240 Dykehead & Nunwick, £1160, £1150 & £1080 Nunwick, £1035 White House Matfen & West Moorhouses, £1020 West Moorhouses, £995 & £980 Nunwick. British Blue x steers: £1280 Nunwick. British Blue x heifers: £1180 Nunwick. Simmental x heifer: £1055 Grange Farm. Angus x steers: £1260 Fairley, £1190 Aydonshields, £1160 Fairley, £1130 Fairley & Catreen, £1110 Fairley, £1090 East Cocklaw. Angus x heifers: £1295, £1170, £1125 & £1070 Fairley, £1060 East Cocklaw.

Cattle 11 – 16 months. Charolais x steers: £1270 & £1100 Grange Farm, £1030 Grange Farm (x2) & West Shields, £1010 Grange Farm & West Shields, £1005 Grange Farm, £990 Barker House, £980 Thornley Hall. Charolais x heifers: £1070 Murton, £1035 Barker House & Causey View, £1000 (x2), £995, £975 & £970 Murton. Limousin x steers: £1275 Bothal Park, £1270& £1250 (x2) Glebe Farm, £1230 Dukesfield Hall, £1215 Armond Carr, £1200 & £1190 (x2)Glebe Farm, £1185 Woodhead, £1180 Dukesfield Hall, £1170 High Lovelady Shield & Dukesfield Hall, £1160 Bothal Park & Barker House, £1150 Glebe Farm, £1145 Bothal Park, £1140 Bothal Park & Glebe Farm, £1130 High Lovelady Shield & Woodhead, £1125 Wingates South, £1120 Rogerley Hall, £1115 Town Farm Wall, £1105 White House Matfen & West Lynn, £1095 Throstle Nest, £1090 Glebe Farm & Throstle Nest (x2), £1085 Rogerley Hall & Dukesfield Hall, £1080 Wingates South, £1075 High Town, £1070 High Lovelady Shield (x2) & Dukesfield Hall, £1065 Wingates South & Bulls Hill, £1060 Morley Hill, £1055 Rogerley Hall, Woodhead & Thornton Tower, £1050 Chirdon, Paradise Farm, Dukesfield Hall, Thornton Tower & East Butsfield, £1045 Brokenheugh, £1040 Throstle Nest, £1030 Armond Carr, Paradise Farm, Woodhead & Thornton Tower, £1020 Barker House, £1010 Barker House, Glebe Farm & Town Farm Wall, £1000 Dukesfield Hall, Woodhead, Thornton Tower, Wingates South & Wheat Hall, £995 Thornton Tower, £990 Rawfoot & Throstle Nest. Limousin x heifers: £1170, £1150, £1130, £1110, £1105 & £1100 Glebe Farm, £1090 Glebe Farm & Chirdon, £1065 Bothal Park, £1060 (x2) Glebe Farm, £1050 Morley Hill, £1045 Woodhead, £1010 Glebe Farm, High Lovelady Shield & Low Middleton, £1005 High Lovelady Shield, £1000 West Moorhouses, Brokenheugh & Glebe Farm, £990 High Lovelady Shield, Middle Horsleyhope, Comb Hills & Rogerley Hall, £985 Armond Carr, £975 Town Farm Wall. British Blue x steers: £1190 High Town, £1160 Glebe Farm (x2), £1105 Morley Hill, £1070, £1050 & £1030 (x2) Woodhouse, £950 North Cocklake. British Blue x heifers: £1160 Glebe Farm, £1120 Middle Horsleyhope, £1080 Glebe Farm, £1070 Morley Hill, £1010 Woodhall & Glebe Farm, £1000 Woodhouse, £960 Rawfoot. Simmental x steers: £1140 Hill Head, £1140 Wheat Hall, £1090 West Lynn, £1040 Morley Hill, £985 & £975 Wheat Hall, £970 Hill Head. Simmental x heifers: £1035, £1025 & £990 Wheat Hall, £960 Morley Hill. Angus x steers: £1120, £1080 & £1070 Lowfield, £1050 Hedley Park (x2) & Lowfield, £1025 Braidley & High Barns, £1000 Hedley Park (x2) & Lowfield, £995 High Barns, £990 Lowfield & East Butsfield, £975 Lowfield. Angus x heifers: £900 Elilaw. Hereford x steers: £1000 Lowfield. Shorthorn steers: £1120 Wheat Hall. Shorthorn heifers: £925 Wheat Hall. Chianina heifers: £1055 Hill Head.

Cattle 10 months and under. Charolais x steers: £980 Grange Farm, £945 Castle Nook, £940 Grange Farm (x2), £935 Wheat Hall & Castle Nook. Charolais x heifers: £935 Townfoot Woodburn. Limousin x steers: £1100 Cowburn Rigg, £1075 High Town, £1065 Cowburn Rigg, £1050 High Lovelady Shield, £1035 Woodhead, £1015 Cowburn Rigg, £1010 Longlea & Whiteside Haltwhistle, £1000 China Hall, £980 Longlea, £970 & £960 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £940 Longlea, £935 Glower Oer Him. Limousin x heifers: £1200 Cowburn Rigg, £990 Glebe Farm, £960 Morley Hill, £955 & £950 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £945 Middle Horsleyhope. British Blue x steers: £1040 & £970 Glebe Farm.

Store & breeding sheep.

A smaller show of cast sheep this week which was very mixed. Leaner sorts again selling very well. Over fat ewes harder to cash and will be easier on the week.

Sale topped at £100 for a pen of Texel x ewes from Mr D Barron, New Acres.

Texel: £96 & £91 The Hott, £89 Blue Gables, £74 Low West House, £73 Shaftoe Moor. Texel x: £100 & £97 New Acres, £96 South Hallington & New Acres, £90 Shaftoe Moor, Felton Demesne, Crescent Farm, Sherburn Tower & Low West House, £89 Crescent Farm, £88 West Wharmley & New Acres, £86 Grange House, £85 Mickley Moor & Low West House, £83 Low West House, £82 Townfoot Slaley, £80 Light Birks, £79 New Acres (x2) & Grange House, £78 Light Birks, £77 Comb Hills, £76 Shaftoe Moor & Nilston Rigg, £75 Catless. Suffolk x: £97 Sherburn Tower, £96 Felton Demesne, £90 West Wharmley, £84 Shaftoe Moor & Blue Gables, £80 Felton Demesne, £76 Rugley Walls. Hampshire: £86 & £66 Derecroft. Cheviot: £66 Catless. Mule: £75 High Barns & Nilston Rigg, £74 West Wharmley, Sherburn Tower & South Hallington, £73 Middle White Hill, Stone Stile & Black Hedley, £72 Townfoot Slaley & Light Birks, £71 Shaftoe Moor & Comb Hills, £70 Shaftoe Moor, £69 Felton Demesne & Rugley Walls, £66.50 Light Birks. Blackface: £72 Greenleas, £62 The Hott, £58 Middle White Hill, £53 Grange House, £50 Shaftoe Moor & The Hott Swaledale: £64 Stone Stile, £54 The Shield, £53 Stone Stile, £50 & £41 Glenhill, £40 Stone Stile & Glenhill, £39 & £38 Ouston. Jacob: £47 Catless. Herdwick: £45 Comb Hills. Crossbred: £90 Townfoot Slaley.

A reduced number of store sheep forward with it now being late in the season.

Larger fleshier sorts slightly easier on the week following the fat trade. Smaller sorts easy to cash. Store hoggs topped at £97 for Texel crosses from Mr DW Henderson, Westwood.

Texel x: £97 & £85 Westwood, £76.50 Light Birks, £75 Slaterfield Fell, £72 Sherburn Tower, £70 Slaterfield Fell, £68 Rattenraw, £66.50 Mickley Moor. Beltex x: £70 Catless. Hampshire x: £64 Derecroft. Mule: £58 Rowley Bank. Blackface: £48 Rattenraw.

Good entry of dry hoggs topping at £100 for a cracking pen of Texel x ewe hoggs from M/s WL Beattie & Sons, Ltd, Low Carriteth.

Texel x: £100 (x2), £94 & £90 Low Carriteth.

An increased entry of ewes and lambs this week saw increased attention with more buyers and spectators ringside. Older ewes with twins very easy to sell with plenty selling between £158 and £166.

Topping this section were Suffolk x ewes at £182 from M/s WH&JC Gilhespie, Tedcastle and 3 crop Mule ewes from Mr RH Oliver, White House Matfen with twin Texel x lambs selling for £174 a unit.

Texel x Gimmers: £190 & £170 High Eshells, £168 & £164 Low Struthers. Texel x Ewes: £156 Invereigh, £152 East Highridge. Suffolk x Gimmers: £152 East Highridge. Suffolk x Ewes: £182 Tedcastle. Mule Ewes: £174 White House Matfen, £166 Tedcastle, £160 Hill Crest £156 Salmonfield, £152 Chesterwood, £142 Invereigh, £134 East Highridge, £112 Invereigh.

First sale of hoggs and lambs this week that topped at £190 for Texel x hoggs with Dutch Texel x lambs from M/s WT & EJ Reed, Moss Kennels.

Next week, 10th May, sees our annual Hogg and Lamb Show for pens of 10 Texel x, Mule, Suffolk x and Any other Breed of 10 Hoggs.

Texel x: £190 Moss Kennels. Mule: £174 Moss Kennels, £115 East Highridge.