Countdown on to Halton pedigree Hereford reduction sale at CCM Skipton
The countdown has commenced to a keynote native cattle reduction sale from the local Halton pedigree Hereford herd, run by husband and wife, David and Iris Boothman, at Home Farm, Halton East.
To be staged at Skipton Auction Mart, on Saturday, August 7, the sale is due to comprise 49 head – 11 cows with calves at foot, six heifers with calves, 11 maiden heifers, two in-calf heifers and a brace of bulls.
The Halton herd was established 10 years ago when for a birthday present David was bought an in-calf Hereford cow by his wife. Since then the herd has slowly grown, but the couple now say they feel the time is right to take a step back and reduce their winter workload
The Boothmans purchased their first stock bull, the Blakelow 1 Calzaghe son, Coley 1 Josh, from fellow Hereford breeder Heather Whittaker, of Halifax, and Josh produced some lovely offspring, especially Halton 1 Clara, who forms part of the sale. Not having many females Josh was soon coming back onto his daughters.
The couple then increased heifer numbers by making purchases from the Tunstall, Redshaw and Fogfield pedigree Hereford herds. Their second bull, Hoghton View 1 Cameron, was acquired from Stephen and Lizzie Walker, who farm near Blackburn.
The December, 2016, Cameron has since grown into a big impressive bull with some nice heifers on the ground, a good selection of which are being sold at Skipton as both heifers with calves and maiden heifers, the calves being sired by Halton’s latest Heather Whittaker acquisition, Coley 1 Sullivan, who is being retained, along with some of the old favourites.
Cameron, a product of imported semen from the Australian sire, Wirruna Daffy D1, will himself be offered for sale as part of the reduction, as will one of his own sons, the March, 2020-born Halton 1 Garfield, who is out of the Halton 1 Clara.
Taking place the same day is a second high profile native cattie reduction sale on behalf of the Rt Hon Gerald Turton’s pedigree Upsall Beef Shorthorn herd near Thirsk.
World-renowned Upsall, Britain’s oldest Beef Shorthorn herd, is due to arrive with a 55-strong headcount, comprising 19 maiden heifers free from the bull from last year’s crop of calves, a trio of two-year-olds run with the bull, 16 cows with calves at foot outfits and a single 15-month-old bull.
To enable access for buyers who cannot attend the sale, a remote online bidding and viewing facility will also be available, though potential purchasers are asked to contact the mart office well before sale day to set up an account. In addition, pre-sale viewing on the farm can be arranged by calling David Boothman on 07989 577903 or, for the Upsall reduction, 01845 537259.
With over 100 head of native cattle on offer, the Upsall reduction sale is due to start at 12 noon, with the Halton reduction taking place immediately afterwards. Catalogues are posted online at www.ccmauctions.com