Strong demand for breeding cattle continued at Brecon on Saturday, May 9, as buyers returned to McCartneys Livestock Mart for the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Premier Show and Sale.

Judge Matthew Clark (left) with shadow judge Gwion Jones-Howells (right) on the day
Judge Matthew Clark (left) with shadow judge Gwion Jones-Howells (right) on the day (British Limousin Cattle Society)

The centrepiece of the day was the bulls, where confidence from both commercial and pedigree buyers drove a clearance rate of 83 per cent, with 39 per cent more bulls forward than last year. Judges and buyers alike were presented with a strong, consistent run of stock, with the majority of animals selling to commercial enterprises with buyers making confident and strategic breeding choices to add value to their herds.

Topping the trade at 14,000gns was Ashledge Vancy from A G Kirton and Sons, Kinlet, Bewdley. The September 2024-born bull had earlier taken the overall champion title in the pre-sale show under judge Matthew Clark. By homebred sire Ashledge Storm, Vancy carries double F94L myostatin and a top 10 per cent Beef Value, and was knocked down to W J and M Mash for their Brockhurst pedigree herd in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

Judge Matthew Clark praised the overall quality of the entry, saying the champion “caught my eye as soon as he walked into the ring” and commending vendors for a “great selection of bulls to suit both commercial and pedigree breeders.”

Close behind at 10,000gns was another from the same successful consignment, Ashledge Viaduct, also by Ashledge Storm. With a Beef Value in the top 1 per cent and strong growth traits, he was secured by F T Bedell and Sons, Bishops Castle. The Kirton family enjoyed a standout day, selling five bulls to average £9,513.

Lot 27 Ashledge Viaduct, 10,000gns from AG Kirton & Sons, Bewdley
Lot 27, Ashledge Viaduct, sold for 10,000gns, from A G Kirton & Sons, Bewdley (British Limousin Cattle Society)

There was strong demand throughout the catalogue. Nealford Voodoo made 9,000gns for J H Neale and Sons, Cornwall, heading to commercial buyers in Plymouth, while Dyfri Vortex achieved 8,200gns for D G and M J Edwards, Llandovery, heading to commercial producers A G Smout and Co, Brecon.

Lot 7 Nealford Voodoo 9,000gns from Mr JH Neale & Son, Cornwall.
Lot 7, Nealford Voodoo, sold for 9,000gns, from J H Neale & Sons, Cornwall (British Limousin Cattle Society)

There was strong interest from Powys buyers right through the middle of the sale, with several local herds competing hard for bulls as prices held firm.

One of the standouts at 8,000gns was Dyfri Vagrant from D G and M J Edwards. The July 2024-born bull, by French sire Ouistiti, is out of Dyfri Romance and carries double F94L myostatin along with a Beef Value of LM42. He was snapped up by commercial producers Davies and James, Llandrindod Wells.

Also at 8,000gns was Woodmarsh Viscount from M and J C Gould Ltd, Shrewsbury. The September 2024-born Ampertaine Majestic son is out of Woodmarsh Puregold and sold into the Monaughty pedigree Limousin herd of Mr and Mrs C and S Thomas, Knighton.

At 7,800gns, Ashledge Vandal from A G Kirton and Sons went to S M F and C N Wozencraft and Son, Llandrindod Wells.

There was further interest at 7,000gns, with Dyfri Volcano from the Edwards family heading to E H R Hamer and Son in Brecon, while Ashledge Volunteer from A G Kirton and Sons also made 7,000gns and went to P Jones and Co, Brecon.

In the females, 13 were forward and 92 per cent sold, averaging £4,191.25. The Beulah Limousins herd of M J and J M Price, Builth Wells, had a strong day, selling 10 females to average £4,126.50.

The top price female was Beulah Songbird at 6,000gns. She sold with her bull calf at foot and back in-calf again, going to Blaenpant Farm Ltd, Llechryd, Cardigan.