BUYERS were in a cautious mood as winter continues to fail to give way to spring at the English Premier sale of Lincoln Red, Aberdeen Angus, Salers and Simmental pedigree cattle at Newark, last weekend.

"Quality was without doubt the watchword throughout every breed," said auctioneer, Paul Gentry, who added that many buyers were feeling the effects of the last few weeks' poor weather and, as a result, held back from spending more than they had to due to concerns of additional feed and bedding costs.

“The best of the cattle were still a good trade, but there was no doubt the second string cattle weren’t as well sought after,” he said.

Taking the day’s top call of 8000gns was the Lincoln Red bull Backenhurst Viper XP80800, a Beverley Raider son from Nottingham Consultants. Bred from the Limestone Dunstan daughter, Brackenhurst Effie N355, this big bull was champion at both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Shows in 2017 and sold to Michael Read for the Hemingby herd, Lincolnshire.

Second best in the Lincoln Red bulls at 7000gns was Walmer Viborg from the Needler family. A Market Stainton Norman son, out of Walmer Rose M11, a Beverley Henchman daughter, Viborg was knocked down to NJ Barton, Macclesfield.

Aberdeenshire breeder, Sharon Buchan who runs the Auchmacoy herd, received 3500gns and 3200gns for her top two bulls. Dearest was Auchmacoy Victor, a son of the home-bred bull, Auchmacoy Lancelot, out of Auchmacoy Lass P121, purchased by Cornwall-based breeder, to RH and JM Grace, Blisland, Cornwall.

Auchmacoy Vincent, by Auchmacoy Langworth, was the pick of John Gent, Oundle, Cambridgeshire.

Lincoln Red females peaked at 2800gns for R Mawer's Premier Wispa, a St Fort Stirling daughter, purchased by M Wyland, Kerdiston, Norwich.

Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to 5000gns for Glenade Exclusive from M and J O’Hara. This son of Rawburn Double Oseven, out of Blelack Eyrie G197, sold to AEJ and FJ Claridge, Buckinghamshire.

David and Lesley Sapsed, topped the Simmental section with a Heatherbrow Indigo, a Heathbrow Grand Slam daughter that made 3800gns to JL Mee, Nottingham.

Averages: Bulls –Seven Simmentals £3090; eight Lincoln Reds £4055.63; four Aberdeen-Angus £3766.88. Females – 36 Lincoln Red heifers £1074.79; 20 Simmental heifers £1095.15; three Simmental cows and calves £1627.50, 18 in-calf or empty Simmentals £1417.50.

Auctioneers: Newark Livestock Sales.