THE Annual Christmas Cracker Sale at Sedgemoor Auction Centre attracted a record entry with 351 head catalogued. There is no doubt that the talk of milk price cuts in the New Year, the large number of dairy cattle currently on the market and the coldest night for seven years reflected in the trade.

The collective sale topped at 2000gns for the second calver “Moorshard McCutchen Ashlyn ET GP82” from RK & SG Miller & Sons. Also at 2000gns was the calved heifer “Courtway Metal Viola” from R Puddy & Son, she was judged by Kevin Dare of Coryton to be the days first prize heifer (sponsored by Mastergen) and overall Champion (sponsored by ForFarmers). Other calved heifers at 2000gns were presented by HR Lewis of Carmarthen & RE & HE Bugler & Partners.

The day’s first prize cow (sponsored by NMR) and Reserve Champion (sponsored by Lake & Co Chartered Accountants) was the second calver “Dorset Durable Fable 2nd” who sold for 1800gns for Dimond Farming Ltd.

The Christmas Calf Sale produced a further 2000gns for the yearling heifer “Stowey Denver Jess 2nd ET” from J & M Hill, who also took first prize in the days youngstock class (sponsored by Wadland Finance).

Holstein Bulls sold to 1500gns for the two year old “Walkabout Ivor” for E Gay & Sons.

Of the 64 incalf heifers sold on the day the non-pedigree heifer by “Bomaz Altaentrust” due mid-February to the Aberdeen Angus from R M Dod and “Courtbarn Altaeverglade Maggy” due February to the Hereford from HB Green & Son both sold to 1220gns.

The sale included the “Leswidden” Sale on behalf of TJ & CM Dauncey. This Master Breeders Herd sold to a top of 2800gns for the Ex92 “Leswidden PS Chrissey” the fourth calver by “Picston Shottle” off seven generation of VG or Excellent dams. At 2400gns was “Leswidden H Dreams Trolley VG87-2yr” a second calver from this favourite family and at 2000gns was “Leswidden Miss America VG86” the third calver off this famous family as was the Ex90 third calver “Leswidden Talent Breeze”.

56 successful purchasers from across the West Country and Wales produced the following averages on the day:

Calved Cows £1494.00; Calved Heifers £1657.00; Leswidden Sale £1267.00; Incalf Heifers £1073.00; Bulls (8 months – 2 years) £896.00; Christmas Calves £1507.00; Heifer Calves £230.00.