Balfron-based Hereford breeders, George and Sophie Harvey, came home in style from the breed’s autumn show and sale at Shrewsbury, having sold the second top priced bull at 5500gns.

Their sale leader was the March, 2021-born Harveybros 1 Va-Va-Voom, purchased by DN and LF Williams, Llanidloes, Powys. Reserve senior male in the pre-sale show, as judged by New Zealand breeder, Gray Pannett, his pedigree features Normanton 1 Laertes and the dam, Harveybros 1 Crocus E2.

Topping the sale at 7000gns was 21-month-old Fisher 1 Valentino, purchased by DJ and JM Blaxell, Antingham, Norfolk. Bred and consigned by West Sussex breeder, Reg Hutchings, Chichester, Valentino is a son of Fisher 1 Prospect P464 – the breed champion at the 2019 Royal Three Counties Show, and out of Fisher 1 Eva N433, a female line that has done well for Mr Hutchings.

The reserve male champion, Hollybush 1 Viscount, from G and R Watkins, Little Hereford, Shropshire made 5000gns, to the Barbern herd of Bernard and Barbara Rimmer, Scorton, Lancashire. He is a son of Romany 1 Redemption BL R21 and out of a home-bred daughter of Australian sire, Wirruna Daffy D1.

Scottish breeder, Peter Eccles, of Rockness Herefords, Tranent, went to 4800gns for M Ludgate’s Rempstone 1 Vegan N621 from Thame. Reserve native inter-breed champion at Herts County, this summer, this one is by the Ludgates’ herd sire Solpoll 1 Nobility and out of a home-bred female, by Solpoll 1 Hollywood.

Show heifers peaked at 4600gns for Normanton 1 Chanterelle 17 V779 from TD and WT Livesey, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, selling to Anthony Whitfield, Derrington. A class winner at this summer’s National Poll Show, and first in her class at the pre-sale show, she is by Dendor 1 Rosco Coltrane.

Just behind, on 4300gns, P Cobley’s Kinglee 1 Oyster Girl 665 from Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, sold to Warwickshire breeder, MJ Sharlot, Weston under Wetherley. Her sire is Cleland 1 Nelson.

Three heifers made 4000gns, including Arbroath-based breeders’ JM Cant and Partners’ Panmure 1 Plum V5, from Arbirlot. She is by Fisher 1 Rancher R483, out of a Romany 1 Distiller A84 D53 daughter and sold to C Codd and R Lewis, Trefgarne, Haverfordwest, who went to the same money for the Royal Welsh junior heifer winner, Porton House 1 Jane 2, from Paul and Vicky Moyle, Newport, Gwent. She also features Scottish breeding being sired by Dendor 1 Sherlock, out of a Panmure 1 Nugget daughter.

Also at 4000gns was Auckvale 1 Pansy 2041V from W and R Kemp and Sons, Bishops Auckland, Co Durham, which headed home with WD and SB Roberts, Capel Coch, Anglesey. She is by Auckvale 1 Resolution which was imported as an embryo and has been running with Dendor 1 Muttley.

Hoghton View 1 Emmal 1, from S and E Walker, Preston, made 3200gns for their first time in the female sales ring, selling to WD and SB Roberts, Capel Coch, Anglesey. She is by the Danish sire, Moeskaer Magnetic 1579, it is out of Whitehill 1 Emmal.

Heifers for sale only peaked at 2400gns for Holmefold 1 Domino from Maddy Scott, Belthorn, purchased by Anthony Whitfield.

Auctioneers: Halls.

averages: 19 show heifers, £2923; 14 bulls, £3720; three for sale only females, £1890.