A CUMBRIAN family enjoyed a cracking trade for two of their pedigree Limousin bulls at the breed society's sale at Carlisle.

Kirkby Stephen-based breeders, Andrew Marston, his wife Rachel and their three daughters, Catherine, Abigail and Olivia, topped the sale at 45,000gns selling their reserve junior champion to Paul and Christine Tippetts of the Wilodge herd from Shropshire. Their bull, a son of the AI sire, Gunnerfleet Lion, is a natural calf out of the Netherhall Jackpot daughter, Netherhall Narhera.

The family also sold the fourth equal highest priced bull at 18,000gns. This was the second prize winner to their reserve junior, Easegillhead Superduper, purchased by pedigree breeder, Andrew Proctor, Morpeth. Living up to his name was an AI son of Plumtree Fantastic, bred from Easegillhead Northernlight.

The sale saw no fewer than 17 sell at five-figure prices to bolster sale averages to a whopping £8,359.40 for 75.

James McKay's Ampertaine herd from Maghera, Co Derry, again came up with the goods, producing the overall champion in Ampertaine Senator, which sold for the second top price of 25,000gns to Paul Dawes, Dinmore herd from Hereford, managed by Richard Bartle. Senator's pedigree features the AI sire, Foxhillfarm Ourbest, onto Ampertaine Ladyship – one of the best cows in the herd.

Mr McKay's second bull, Ampertaine Squire, an ET calf and the result of a flush from the Ampertaine Elgin daughter, Ampertaine Jlo, and sired by Wilodge Cerberus, then made 20,000gns selling to Messrs Knaggs and Son, Sadberge, Darlington, Co Durham.

Judge for the day Craig Ridley of the Haltcliffe Pedigree herd, near Caldbeck commented “It was a pleasure to judge the show of bulls on display. The bulls were a credit to the breeders and a clear demonstration of the skill and hard work invested in producing quality Pedigree Limousin cattle. The Overall Champion was long and clean, a true Limousin type.”

Alice Swift, CEO of the British Limousin Society commented “It was great to see a buoyant trade following on from Stirling, with impressive averages and clearance rates achieved. Breeders’ bulls were at a premium underpinned by a solid commercial trade. There was a wonderful atmosphere at Carlisle and I left the sale feeling optimistic for the breed’s future. Congratulations must go to the Marston family whose success proves that anyone can go into Limousins and top a premier sale, I was thrilled for them.”