Beef Shorthorns met a disappointing trade at a society show and sale at Carlisle last week, where all averages slipped on the year and for fewer sold.

However, while females sold to 5600gns and bulls hit a top of 5000gns, males sold well with 87% of the numbers forward finding new homes.

Sale leader was the female and overall champion, Uppermill Blythesome Bonnie, a two-year-old red and little white heifer from Northern Ireland breeder, James Porter, Co Down. A daughter of the 7500gns Dunsyre Demetri, which bred last year's male and female champions here, Bonnie is a half sister to Uppermill Blythsome Kim, the female champion at the Highland in 2017. She sold back across the Irish Sea, having been served to Glenisla Jackpot, to Messrs Gott, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

Mr Porter also received 3000gns from Messrs Green, Lisburn, Co Antrim, for the third prize heifer, Uppermill Lovely Leanne, an August 2017-born entry by Uppermill Rank, out of the Chapelton Touchstone-sired Uppermill Lucinda.

Second top price amongst the females was 3700gns paid for Glenariff Pedigree Livestock's Glenariff Lorna Broadhooks, a rising two-year-old roan by Glenisla Drambuie, out of the 13-year-old Glenariff Zilla Broadhooks.The heifer from South Wooton, stood second in her class at the pre-sale show and sold back down south with AC Farms, Langham, Rutland.

The reserve female sold next at 3100gns for P Turnbull, West House, Whitby. Oakleigh Briar Rose Lace, a two-year-old roan is a full sister to the 4000gns Oakleigh Freesia being sired by Blelack Masterpiece and out of Roadway Briar Rose 3. Neighbouring breeders, Messrs Thompson, Sneaton, Whitby, forked out the cash for this entry which sold served to Mountbenger Lucas.

Aberdeenshire breeders, H and H Rennie, Westfield of Ardoyne, Insch, led the bull trade selling the top two highest priced lots at 5000gns and 4200gns. Dearest was Ardoyne Lindsay, a rising two-year-old red and little white bull which boasts Uppermill Jinks genetics on both sides. He is by Ardoyne Fiddich, out of Ardoyne Densay and sold to Messrs Douglas, Nether Tofts, Hawick.

Selling at 4200gns was the 21-month-old roan, Ardoyne Longmore, the male champion at the pre-sale show purchased by Messrs Oliver, Newcastle Upon Tyne. He is also by Fiddich, but out of the Creaga Dice daughter, Ardoyne Frensay.

The reserve male, Gordon Maverick, an 18-month-old red and white Star P Matrix son, from the Gordon Brooke Estate, Earlston, Berwickshire, made 4000gns to Messrs Mallaber, Drakelow, Burton on Trent.

Averages: 14 bulls £3375.00 (-£95.53 for two less); seven served heifers £1890.00 (-£318.50 fro eight fewer); 38 maiden heifers; £1596.55 (-£36.78 for 20 fewer); three in-calf and/or suckling cows £1522.50 (-£161.75 for nine fewer).

Drafts sales – Ballard – 12 lots, £1066.62; Rumsden – three lots, £1610.00; Coxhill – six lots, £1557.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

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