averages:

20 bull calves, £2583; 29 heifer calves, £2634.05.

Trade for pedigree Limousin weaned calves was down on the corresponding year, with a clearance rate of 70% – though Mike and Melanie Alford’s pen leader, Foxhillfarm Priceless, stood tall in the sale ring when topping at 9000gns.

This January, 2019-born embryo heifer calf, from Foxhill Farm, Blackborough, Devon, is by Objat and out of the 125,000gns cow, Glenrock Illusion. Described by the judge Annabel Mason, Skipton, as ‘correct and very square’, this stylish calf was knocked down to Nugent Estate and Farm, Portaferry, Newtownards, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

Second highest priced calf, at 8500gns, was the prizewinning heifer, Shaws Perrie, from Michael Burns, Glenside, Kirkmichael, Maybole, Ayrshire. This January-born calf is by Powerhouse Italic and out of the Ampertaine Domino-sired dam Shaws Hottie, which her dam – Shaws Elegance – also bred the 2014 reserve junior at Stars of the Future and sold for 6000gns. She heads home with new owners, NT and JH Barrett, Everingham, York.

Next in the trade stakes, at 5500gns, was Rhiwllech Pauline, from DM Howells, Gelli, Cymmer, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan. Born in January, she is a daughter of the Jacot-sired bull, Requin, and out of the Ampertaine Foreman daughter, Rhiwllech Molly. She was purchased by James and Alison Callion, Dromore, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Just behind, on 5000gns, was Smithy Pluto, a March-born bull calf from AK and JK Smith, South Park, Jacobstow, Bude, Cornwall, which was purchased by J Ormerod, Clowbridge, Burnley, Lancs. Sired by Mereside Lorenzo and out of the Ampertaine Elgin-sired Goldies Mandy, he stood second in the bull calf class at the pre-sale show.

Another from DM Howells sold for 4500gns, this time in the form of bull calf, Rhiwllech Phenomenal. This January-born embryo calf is a son of Requin, out of Rhiwllech Molly and was purchased by McNeill Estate, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.

Next best was William Barron’s bull calf, Barrons Prince, selling for 3800gns to JN Swinbank, Neasham, Darlington, Co Durham. This January-born natural calf, from Morrow Edge Farm in Burnhope, Co Durham, is the first son of the easy calving home-bred bull, Barrons Major. His dam, Barrons Imbie, took the title of best cow with bull calf at foot at the NELBC competition earlier this year.

Two calves were sold for 3500gns each, the first being EH Pennie and Sons’s March-born heifer calf, Sarkley Petrina, selling to A and K Rhind and Son, Kinloss, Forres, Morayshire. This classy calf is a daughter of the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin and out of Sarkley Irmine.

The second calf to reach the 3500gns mark was the bull calf, Johnstown Pedro, form consignor Chris Johnston, Killarbran, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. This January-born embryo calf is a son of 17,000gns Trueman Idol and out of the Rocky-sired dam, Ashmara Classygirl. He headed home with I Millard, Bootle, Millom, Cumbria.