A cow and calf outfit from Richard Bartle and Mary Cormack, Hereford, topped the East Midlands British Limousin Breeders’ Club sale at Melton Mowbray, selling for 5500gns.

Absolute Honesty, an eight-year-old cow, is by Wilodge Vantastic and bred from the 42,000gns Newstart Upsydaisy.

She sold with nine-month-old heifer calf, Absolute Rhapsody, by Dinmore Lionheart, to William Clark Livestock.

Honesty’s full sister, the 2014-born Absolute Jezebel and her January-born heifer calf, Absolute Rebel, also by Lionheart, made 5000gns selling JN and W Nichols, Draycott-in-the-Clay. Jezebel sold back in calf to the same bull.

The couple also enjoyed a cracking trade in the cross-bred section topping the trade with two French-bred Aubrac first cross heifers.

One sold with a Wagyu cross calf at foot and the other with an Aubrac calf. They sold for £3200 and £3800 respectively with both heading home with Clares Livestock, Norfolk

Limousin females from Chris White’s Frogmore herd were in the money too, with Frogmore Louise, a five-year-old by Wilodge Cerberus, out of Ironstone Frangelica, making 4500gns. The buyer was Ian Snape, Sanbourne, Redditch.

A full sister to the Royal Welsh inter-breed champion, Frogmore Helen, Louise sold with April-born heifer calf, Frogmore Rosie, by Ampertaine Majestic, at foot.

Two Frogmore females made 4000gns with Castle Douglas-based breeder, Mark Phillips going to that price for Frogmore Nessie.

A three-year-old, bred from the aforementioned Frogmore Helen, she is by Gerrygullinane Glen and sold in calf to Mereside Lorenzo.

Also making 4000gns was Frogmore Milan a 2016-born daughter of Foxhillfarm Irishlad out of the French cow Valentine. She was also purchased by William Clark Livestock and again, sold due in March to Lorenzo.

Top price amongst the bulls was 4000gns paid for Ian Brown’s Lowgate Power from Lincolnshire.

This 21-month-old boy is by Greensons Ural with his dam being Lowgate Milly, a Sportsmans Ferguson daughter. He was knocked down to Welsh producer, GH Williams and Son, Powys.

Cross-bred cattle sold extremely well with Neil Hodgson, Southwell selling Limousin 10-month-old cross steers to £1380, £1200 and £1180.

Newbury-based Stratton Farms sold 9-11-month-old heifers to £1030 averaging £1005 for their run of 10.

Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart and Melton Mowbray Market.