Lodge Topnotch, an eight-month-old heifer calf from Ian and Wendy Callion, lived up to her name to take the top price of 15,000gns at the female sale of pedigree Limousin cattle staged the night before the bull sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

The heifer, an ET calf from the couple’s 25-cow herd from Bolfornought, Stirling, is bred from the Loosebeare Fantastic daughter, Lodge Meribel which was best cow in the 2021 Scottish Herds competition and goes back to Glenrock Spangle. Topnotch which is sired by Ampertaine Elgin, sold with her recipient dam, a Jersey cross cow that also sold carrying another embryo calf, this time bred from Lodge Indie, and sired either by Ronick Gains or Lodge Hydro. The buyer was Donald McVicar, Lephinchapel, Cairndow, Argyll.

Most of the top priced lots came from the Lodge herd with the second highest price of 4500gns paid for Lodge Odessa, a five-year-old by Cloughhead Charlie out of the Lodge Hydro daughter, Lodge Lily. She sold with her bull calf at foot, Lodge Todd by Millgate Paul, and back in calf to the same sire, to Donald and Jimmy MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie.

Another four entries from the Callions made 4000gns with the first being Lodge Jade, a nine-year-old by Loosebeare Fantastic out of the Broadmeadows Cannon daughter, Lodge Violet. She sold with heifer calf, Lodge Tia, another by Millgate Paul, and back in calf to the same bull, to Lancashire Ag, Dobcross, Oldham.

Stratton Farms, Headley, Berkshire, went to the same money for the nine-year-old Lodge Joule, by the French sire, Fakir, and out of Lodge Electra, by Attila. Included in this transaction was her bull calf, Lodge Tesla, by Paul, with Joule selling back in calf to Haltcliffe Ben.

Lodge Ninette, a six-year-old by Lodge Jockey with bull calf at foot by Paul, and back in calf to Ronick Luke, also made 4000gns when selling down to Welshpool with Messrs Edwards, Llangadfan.

Minutes later, Messrs Macgregor, Bannockburn, Stirling, went to 4000gns for Lodge Odelle, a five-year-old by Lodge Drummer bred from the French cow, Etincelle. She sold due to Paul and with her bull calf at foot, Lodge Tyler, by Uptonley Livingthedream.

Two other heifers out with the Lodge females made 4000gns with the first being Cloughhead Selena, a two-year-old by the French sire, Igloo, out of Cloughhead Lena, from Tom and Phil Hutton, Setmabanning, Kendal. Final bidders were Messrs Holliday and Sons, Langwathby, Penrith.

Another from the same home, Cloughhead Sherry also made 4000gns when selling to Messrs Fearon, Grange, Keswick. This 20-month-old heifer is by Carnew Oscar and out of Cloughhead Ozone.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

averages:

Six cows with calves at foot, £4515.00; three served heifers, £3325.00; 31 maiden heifers, £2482.00. Overall, 42 females, £3090.00