The inaugural Southern Show and Sale of Aberdeen-Angus cattle enjoyed a keen and positive start with an almost total clearance and a top of 3500gns.

Sale leader was Oakchurch Digger, an 18 month old Blelack Blackrod son out of the homebred cow Oakchurch Dolly, from Jeremy Price’s Herefordshire based herd. Having stood junior and reserve overall champion was secured by J E Pudge, Bishops Frome, Worcestershire, for use on pedigree and commercial cows.

The second placed bull Eckington Edmundo from Mrs Judy Gardner’s herd, local to Worcester, enjoyed a spirited following and was knocked down to Rand Contracting, Royston, Herts at 2850gns.

Senior bulls sold up to 2000gns for Dark Lane Ernie from N J Pittams, having won male and overall champion in the preceding show and also male champion at Monmouth last year. He was taken by G R Needham, Kinver, Worcestershire.

Females peaked at 1920gns for the second and reserve female champion, a maiden heifer, Inkpen Pretty Pieris, from M Kary. This one sold to T Wolfe, Stevenage, Herts. The Inkpen herd enjoyed a close following throughout with another maiden heifer Miss Belle taking the female and reserve overall champion at 1680gns to A W Burn, Ellesmere, Shropshire. The same purchaser then took Inkpen Evanita at 1400gns.

Averages: cows and calves £1018.50; maiden heifers £1264.20; bulls £2716.87 (McCartneys).