New pedigree herds among principal purchasers

Joint highs of 5,000gns, plus multiple four-figure selling prices, were recorded at the 7th annual production sale of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle from the Airedale herd run by David and Judith Isherwood, and son Josh, and conducted at the family’s Airedale House Farm, Kildwick, by CCM Auctions in conjunction with the Aberdeen-Angus Society. (Sat, June 1)

First at this price was a cow and calf outfit, the six-year-old Airedale Princess Caroline U565, by the home-bred Airedale Lord Perseus P325, himself an AI son of an imported bull, S A V BRAVE 8320. Out of a Blelack dam, she was sold with her female youngster – her fourth calf to date – Princess Caroline A883, an April-born daughter of the herd’s main stock bull, Shadwell Rock ‘N’ Roll X245.

Also making 5,000gns was a five-year-old cow and mother of two bull calves to date, Aireburn Prairie V631, by another home-bred sire, Airedale Kirstoner S434, himself by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630, out of a Weeton dam daughter of Blelack Duke J262.

Catching the eye at 4,800gns was the last lot into the sale ring, another cow and calf outfit, the 2019 Airedale Ellie V621, by the home-bred Airedale Kasper S451, both by Weeton Lord Horatio M357, accompanied by her fourth March-born calf, Airedale Evensteven A880, again by Rock ‘N’ Roll.

The sale opened with a number of cow and calf outfits sold separately, these peaking at a combined high of 4,300gns for the 2018 Airedale Karama U579, same way bred as the joint top price cow, out of another Weeton dam, joined by her fifth calf, Airedale Karama Z863, a September, 2023, daughter of Shadwell Finnigan X262, like Rock ‘N’ Roll prominent in the breeding of the sale entrants and both sires with championship-winning backgrounds. The dam made 2,800gns, her calf 1,500gns.

All the above joined the same local buyers, the Holgate family, from Hard Head Farm, Rathmell, who took home five lots in total – a brace of cows and three calf and calf outfits, the former also including a 3,000gns purchase of the dam of the first pair into the sale ring, a 2016 cow, Airedale Pastelle S458, by the Rawburn Elmer J921, out of The Moss Pastorellen K997. She was accompanied by fifth calf and third male, Airedale Pastor Z872, another Rock ‘N’ Roll product, born last November and sold separately at 1,200gns to G Raper, Thorne, Doncaster.

A good crowd gathered ringside to view the well presented cattle on offer, with other standalone cow and calf outfits also selling well, among them at a combined 4,100gns Airedale Miss Essence W667, by the home-bred Airedale Rosenthall U554, a Blelack Duke son, out of Miss Essence U557, a Lord Perseus daughter. She sold with her third male calf, the October, 2023, Rock ‘N’ Roll son, Airedale Mr Essay Z867. The cow made 2,500gns to Forgelands Estate, Caton, Lancaster, her calf 1,600gns to B Shaw, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield.

Also in the mix were yearling bulls, a brace of February, 2023-born entries achieving joint highs of 3,800gns. First up was Airedale Mission Bell Z818, by Weeton Black Brooke V539, out of a Lord Horatio-sired dam, claimed by E Stott, Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge, followed by a further Rock ‘N’ Roll son, Airedale Early Riser Z839, a herd favourite, out of Airedale Early Bird V614. The buyer was B Howarth, Turton, Bolton.

Three cow acquisitions at a joint 5,800gns, the trio all second calvers and all due to calve again this autumn, fell to another young North Yorkshire couple, Josh Wright and Charlotte Garbutt  as the foundation for their brand-new Angus herd at Bellmanear Farm, North Grimston, Malton. Their first purchase at 2,000gns was the 2019 Weeton Ephos R472 daughter, Airedale Mini Belle V620, followed at the same price by the 2020 Airedale Evora W678, by Ephos’s own son, Airedale Lord Sinden T542, then 1,800gns for Airedale Blackbird W699, also a 2020 Lord Sinden daughter.

Going under the hammer at the end of the sale were embryos, which sold to £300 for a Blelack Duke J262 out of recipient dam, Airedale Rosie S420.

David Isherwood, whose family also owns Isherwoods Butchers in Kirkgate, Silsden, where prime quality Angus beef from the Airedale herd remains in ready demand, said: “We would like to say a big thanks to all involved in putting on the event. We are sure our cattle will do well for their new owners, in particular Edward and Rosie Holgate and Josh Wright and Charlotte Garbutt as great additions to the founding of their new pedigree Angus herds. “It’s great to see keen young stockmen/women coming into what is now the number one beef breed in the UK. We at Airedale wish them every success and are here to help in any way we can to further that goal.”

Pic  1: David Isherwood is pictured in his on-farm sale ring with one of the high price cow and calf outfits.

Pic  2: Some of Edward and Rosie Holgate’s Edro herd Airedale Angus acquisitions settle into their new home in the rich, green pastures at Hard Head Farm, Rathmell.