THE major reduction sale of the Haltcliffe Limousin herd at Carlisle last week saw a top price of 8,000gns paid for a first time in-calf heifer.

Haltcliffe Maria (pictured), born in January 2016, is by Haltcliffe Hitec out of one of the herd’s top cows, the Sympa daughter Haltcliffe Bianca.

Maria is in-calf to the prize-winning bull Grahams Michael, which Haltcliffe owner Craig Ridley of Wigton, purchased for 20,000gns from R & J Graham, Stirling, in a two-way split with E W Quick & Sons at Carlisle in October last year.

Maria’s buyer was Richard Bartle, of Hereford.

She will be shared between the Absolute Herd he runs with Mary Cormack and the Dinmore Herd of Paul Dawes.

Mr Bartle made two more purchases, firstly a stylish in-calf heifer Haltcliffe Margaret at 3,500gns.

By the 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount and out of the Romance daughter Haltcliffe Usabelle, she is in-calf to Swalesmore Liam.

He later bought the maiden heifer Haltcliffe Martini at 3,200gns. A 13-month-old Ducasse heifer, she is out of Haltcliffe Amazon.

The sale included progeny from notable cow families, Renoncule, Romance and Romany amongst many others – a third of all females sold made 4,000gns or more.

Two lots fetched 6,500gns. The Sympa daughter Haltcliffe Gina and her eight month old heifer calf by Ballyrobin Joop, Haltcliffe Nellie, went to an anonymous buyer while in-calf heifer Haltcliffe Mel was knocked down to K & S Williamson, Co Tyrone. She is PD’d in calf to Ampertaine Elgin.

At 6,200gns came the April 2016 born in-calf heifer Haltcliffe Mirage. By Cloughhead Umpire, she is out of Haltcliffe Image and sold to the Quinn brothers, Co Londonderry.

At the same price was the young cow Haltcliffe Humble with her six month old bull calf at foot, Haltcliffe Norman. Humble is by Cloughhead Ernie and out of the Sympa daughter Haltcliffe Breeze, her young bull calf is by Ducasse. She sold to Michael Phillips, Co Sligo.

Averages: 31 cows & heifers served and/or suckling £4,223.71; 26 served heifers £3,497.31; 22 maiden heifers, £2,920.91.