Devon cattle sale at Sedgemoor

Bulls and females were highly sought after and after spirited ringside bidding, the hammer fell on the top priced bull at 9500gns for the pre-sale champion.

Sale leader was Rocknell Nower, a March 2020-born son of Forde Abbey Commodore EX90 from first time sale supporters Graham and Anita Summerhayes of Tiverton.

Nower was also awarded the championship rosettes under judge John Barker, following on from an illustrious show career the previous summer, which had culminated in the Devon Cattle Breeders Society Young Bull of the Year title.

Commenting on his champion, Mr Barker of the Efford Down herd said: “Everything about the bull is right. He walks well and is an excellent example of the breed.”

Taking him home at 9500gns were Messrs Heywood and Hurd of the Whitefield herd of Wiveliscombe.

Next up in the action was John May of Crediton, selling Priorton Viceroy, a son of multiple show winner Dira Halcyon EX93, for 3500gns to Mr T Eames of Chard.

Selling for 3000gns was the reserve male champion, Larkbarrow Woodland

Closely following him was a pair of bulls selling for 3000gns, the first being Larkbarrow Woodland forward from Henry Rawson of Minehead.

This son of Bollowal Back Row also took the reserve male championship and found a new home with the Okeover herd of Richard Toon in Derbyshire.

The second bull at 3000gns was Tilbrook Outstanding by Tilbrook Classis, forward from Gavin Hunter who made the journey from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.

This one was knocked down to Mr W Pearse of Newton Abbot.

Top priced female from the show offering was the female champion, Coxwell Brighteyes 41st, selling for 1800gns

Maiden heifers were hotly contested with a draft of eight from the Overtown herd of John White of Swindon, averaging £1363.00 and topping at 2050gns for Overtown Primrose 4th. Sired by Overtown Brigadier, she sold to Messrs Ellacott Brothers of Beaworthy.

In the show section of females a top price of 1800gns was achieved by Coxwell Brighteyes 41st sired by Coxwell Thesiger. Forward from The Berners Allsopp Estate in Farringdon, Oxfordshire, this one joined the previous heifer buyers, Messrs Ellacott Brothers.

In-calf heifers topped at 1600gns for Westside Dot 2nd from Messrs R C and L E Stanley. She sold having been AI’d to Boskenna Ferdinand and also joins Messrs Ellacott Brothers of Beaworthy.

The steer section of the sale received solid support with nine steers forward averaging £997.50 and topping at 1250gns for previous bull buyer Richard Toon. A regular supporter of the show and sale with steers, Richard generously donated £500 from his sales to the Ukraine appeal.

Averages: 8 bulls £4235.00; 4 in-calf heifers £1417.50; 11 maiden heifers £1050.00; 9 steers £997.50 (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).