Page 10 - Britich Blue Year Book 2023

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2023 CHAIRMANS OVERVIEW
The year started in record breaking fashion, with the
January sale in Carlisle, where there was great demand for
bulls and heifers alike, with top price and new Junior
Female Record of 23,000gns for Harelaw Star from Jean
Mackay. Bulls reached 15,500gns for Auchenlay Ranger
from Messrs. Paterson.
The average for 20 bulls was £6521.00 up £105.50 on the
previous year and 7 heifers averaged £6930 up £255.50.
March saw the “Blue Genes” sale at Shrewsbury, with 3
bulls selling at 4,000gns: Dewlands Razorlight, Sapphire
Blues Rascal and the Supreme Champion from the
morning’s show, Dinmore Rascal. Females topped at
4,250gns for Trencrom Royal T. At this sale, Emyr Wigley
held his dispersal of the famous Old Stackyard Blues
charity herd. The top price was 5,400gns for Pendle Ko Ko.
Mr. Wigley has, so far, raised more than £200,000 for the
two charities, Ovarian Cancer Action and RABI and on
behalf of the Society, we send him our congratulations on
such a marvellous achievement. Bulls averaged £3451.88,
In Calf Cows £3911 and Heifers £2883.13.
The sale at Worcester in April topped at 5,500gns for
Almeley Raulph and topping the females was Graymar
Misha and her heifer calf, Littlewood Tilly, from the Geary
Family, selling for 4,000gns.
Records were broken again in Carlisle in May, when the
Solway View Herd had an exceptional day, selling for a new
breed record of 32,000gns for Solway View Rafa followed
by a superb run of heifers, toping at 30,000gns for Solway
View Ria. Averages were up on the year, 48 bulls £7670
(£6236 last year) and 45 maiden heifers £5734 (£5177
last year)
Back at the same venue in September, the top price of
7,000gns was achieved by David & Lynn Watret, for the
Supreme Champion, Criffel View Romeo. Standing
Reserve to him, was the female Champion, Top Side
Sabrina, from Ross & Elaine Pattinson, who sold at
5,500gns. Bulls averaged £5533 (£4235 last year) and
Females £3783 (£3690 last year).
Only two heifers were forward for the sale
at Swatragh, both selling for 3,100gns.
The show season kicks off with Balmoral in May, judged
by Andrew Price, it was Don Oreo who took top spot,
exhibited by Daniel O’Donovan (Republic of Ireland).
Standing reserve was Corrandulla Queen Red Gene from
the Rodgers Family, Co Down.
The Royal Cornwall Show in June saw Nigel & Candy
Jenkinson’s Dymond Blue Roisin awarded Supreme
Champion for the second year running and Reserve to her
Newdowns Rocky from Nathaniel Doble. The “Blues” also
won reserve champion team of 5.
At the Royal Highland Show, Phil Halhead of Norbreck
Genetics was the Judge, and it was Ali & Hannah Jackson’s
Topgun Splash who took the Supreme Championship.
Taking reserve was Ellglen Touch of Class, from Ellen Elliot,
who was shown with her heifer calf at foot.
At the Yorkshire Show in July, the judge was Andrew Haste,
and it was the turn of Solway View Rhubarb to shine, she
scoped the supreme championship, for Kevin Watret.
Standing reserve was Moorsley Sherry from the Brannen
family.
At the Royal Welsh, under judge, Stephen Hough, Rhubarb
was at the fore again, standing Supreme Champion as well
as being part of the Reserve Champions in the RWAS Beef
Cattle Team of Five. Reserve Female and Reserve Overall
was Rhymil Primadonna, from Rhys Millichap, who was
also part of the team of Five. Ali & Hannah Jackson’s
Topgun Splash took best Junior Male and Junior
Interbreed Bull Champion.
Alongside the many successes the cattle have brought
along, it gives me great pleasure to welcome 28 new
breeders to the Society. I wish them every success with
their venture and hope that they have as much satisfaction
as I have experienced over the years.
Whilst new members join, we unfortunately loose others
and it is with great sadness that in 2023, we lost breed
stalwart, Richard Carter. Richard was a past member of
Council for many years and was renowned for his Twyning
Ash Herd, both here in the UK and overseas. He will be
very sadly missed by all.
It is with great pleasure that I present the 2024 Herd Yearbook, which provides an insight to the successes of
the British Blue Cattle and you, the breeders.
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