FIVE bulls sold at more than 10,000gns and 20 at more than 5,000gns, with a 71pc clearance at the May Limousin bull sale at Carlisle on Saturday, May 7.

The average was £3,109 for 175 bulls sold and leading the sale at 19,000gns was Hafodlas Valour, a junior bull from the Roberts of Betws-y-Coed. A January 2004-born son of Cloughead Royal and out of Fieldhouse Eleanor, he went to the pedigree herd of Procters Farm Ltd, Slaidburn, near Clitheroe.

The supreme champion was Sarkley Unrivalled from the Pennies, Llandyssil, Montgomery, which sold for 17,000gns. By the renowned sire Nenuphar and out of homebred Sarkley Pollyjen, this August 2003 bull so impressed the judge, Mark Quick from Zeal Monachorum, Devon, that he bought Unrivalled for the pedigree Loosebeare herd.

Overall the sale saw a very lively and confident trade with commercial buyers and pedigree breeders competing fiercely for the first-quality bulls of their choice. The sale was underpinned by a strong demand that saw 175 bulls sell to realise a clearance rate of more than 70pc at an average above £3,100.

Local buyers included G W Lee & Son, Stockley Burn Farm, Frosterley, Bishop Auckland, who bought Cloughhead Uist, from G L Hutton, Setmabanning, Threlkeld, Keswick, for 10,000gns. This intermediate reserve champion is a September 2003-born bull by Genial and out of Cloughead Judy.

Also sold into County Durham was Bailea Uplands, from M T Jones, Sennybridge, Brecon, an August 2003-born bull by Mythe and out of a Greensons Gigolo-sired cow, Bailea Nanna. This bull went for 6,600gns to C G Simpson & Sons, Square House, Farm, Quebec, Co Durham.