RENOWNED Wigton Limousin breeder, Stephen Nixon watched as his young animal ruled the ring at the Limousin Cattle Society May sale of females.

For Huntershall Retha topped the trade at 12,000 gns after making the short trip from Southerfield, Wigton, with breeder, Stephen to steal the limelight at Borderway Mart in Carlisle.

Retha was a feminine January 2020 born embryo calf with style and shape. Daughter of Gunnerfleet Hicks, who needs no introduction and out of Allanfauld Jolene, who was purchased in 2014, which is one of the best breeding cows within the Huntershall herd. Retha displays myostatin of F94L and Q204X.

Two full sisters have been bred this season within the herd which Stephen, who established his famous Huntershall Limousin herd in 2007, hopes will follow in Retha’s footsteps. Catching the eye of J Nelson, of the newly established Bullandcave herd, Clapham, Lancaster.

Breed Secretary, Will Ketley commented, “Sales like today’s reassure us of the confidence in Limousin females and I hope this solid, consistent trade will continue.”

Norman Rora was next in line at 8,000gns, brought forward by Norman Farming Company of Little Orton, near Carlisle.. Daughter of Gunnerfleet Lion, who was sold for 22,000gns at Carlisle in February 2017 and is out of homebred cow, Norman Innocent. This March-2020 born heifer was snapped up in shares by the show judge, Mr MacGregor of the Allanfauld herd, Kilsyth, Lanarkshire and the Harestone herd, Mr N Barclay, Banchory Kincardineshire..

The following day saw the May bull sale Reserve Junior and Reserve Overall Champion, Whinfellpark President, owned by Penrith businessman, Allan Jenkinson, sold for for 24,000gns. December-2019 born embryo calf, sired by Gunnerfleet Lion was a favourite for many after catching their eye after a successful time in the show ring Friday morning.

Out of 17,000gns Ironstone Lavender a Bailea Umelia daughter, which was purchased by Messrs Jenkinson in 2017 at the Ironstone dispersal sale. President has an impressive Beef Value within the top 10 percent of the breed, LM40 and myostatin of NT821 and Q204X.

He finds his new home with G L Hutton, Keswick, Cumbria of the Cloughhead herd.