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Rocknell Herd Hits a High of 9500gns For Devons at Sedgemoor

March 2022

Demand for Devon cattle on Tuesday (29th March) at Sedgemoor was strong with bulls and females highly sought after and after spirited ringside bidding, the hammer fell on the top priced bull at 9500gns for the pre-sale champion.

Sale leader was Rocknell Nower, a March 2020-born son of Forde Abbey Commodore EX90 from first time sale supporters Graham and Anita Summerhayes, Tiverton, Devon. Nower was also awarded the championship rosettes under judge John Barker, following on from an illustrious show career the previous summer, which had culminated in the Devon Cattle Breeders Society Young Bull of the Year title.

Commenting on his champion, Mr Barker of the Efford Down herd said: “Everything about the bull is right. He walks well and is an excellent example of the breed.” Taking him home at 9500gns were Messrs Heywood and Hurd of the Whitefield herd, Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
Next up in the action was John May, Crediton, Devon, selling Priorton Viceroy, a son of multiple show winner Dira Halcyon EX93, for 3500gns to Mr T Eames, Chard.

Closely following him was a pair of bulls selling for 3000gns, the first being Larkbarrow Woodland forward from Henry Rawson, Minehead, Somerset. This son of Bollowal Back Row also took the reserve male championship and found a new home with the Okeover herd of Richard Toon, Derbyshire.

The second bull at 3000gns was Tilbrook Outstanding by Tilbrook Classis, forward from Gavin Hunter who made the journey from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. This one was knocked down to Mr W Pearse, Newton Abbot, Devon.

Maiden heifers were hotly contested with a draft of eight from the Overtown herd of John White, Swindon, Wiltshire, averaging £1363.00 and topping at 2050gns for Overtown Primrose 4th. Sired by Overtown Brigadier, she sold to Messrs Ellacott Brothers, Beaworthy, Devon.
 
In the show section of females a top price of 1800gns was achieved by Coxwell Brighteyes 41st sired by Coxwell Thesiger. Forward from The Berners Allsopp Estate, Farringdon, Oxfordshire, this one joined the previous heifer buyers, Messrs Ellacott Brothers.

In-calf heifers topped at 1600gns for Westside Dot 2nd from Messrs R C and L E Stanley. She sold having been AI’d to Boskenna Ferdinand and also joins Messrs Ellacott Brothers, Beaworthy.
 
The steer section of the sale received solid support with nine steers forward averaging £997.50 and topping at 1250gns for previous bull buyer Richard Toon. A regular supporter of the show and sale with steers, Richard generously donated £500 from his sales to the Ukraine appeal.

Averages: 8 bulls £4235.00; 4 in-calf heifers £1417.50; 11 maiden heifers £1050.00; 9 steers £997.50 (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).

Press release issued by Country Girl Media on behalf of Devon Cattle Breeders Society. For more information, please contact Chrissie Long Tel: 07909 524483 or email: chrissie@countrygirlmedia.co.uk

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