South Devon Society News

ROBUST TRADE FOR SOUTH DEVON FLETE HERD DISPERSAL

South Devon breeders were offered a rare opportunity to buy from the closed organic Flete herd of pedigree South Devons when it dispersed earlier this week. Prices were reflected in the quality, where structure coupled with good natural fleshing brought the best rewards for vendor South Battisborough Partnership.

Over 80 buyers registered to bid in this 200-plus catalogue, and even so, many went home disappointed having been out-bid by a hungry demand. New homes for cattle were found far afield – in Lincolnshire, Essex, Wales, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, as well as nearer to home in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The Flete herd has been long associated with the South Devon breed, the founder President of the Herd Book Society being Mr Francis Mildmay, MP, of Flete; and some long established genetics were on offer at the Sale from Pamflete, Coyton, Trewint, Tregondale, Sexton, Waddeton and Cholwell bloodlines.

Top price of 3000 guineas was bid for in-calf 2006-born cow Flete Jane 178, by Trewint Baron 5, which sold to Mr P G Bowditch from Hawkchurch, Axminster Devon; and for Flete Jane 214, by Sexton Conqueror 28, an in-calf heifer which sold to Mr G Pluess, Poundstock, Bude, Cornwall.

Other in-calf heifers sold well, averaging £1938; with two at 2200 and 2025 guineas respectively to Lord Prior PC, Brampton, Suffolk for Flete Elizabeth 127 and Flete Alice 78; and one at 2100 guineas to Messrs Harvey Bros, Bickleigh, Plymouth, Devon for Flete Elizabeth 2007.

Bulling heifers reached 1750 guineas to R J Dymond, Shepton Montague, Somerset for Flete Elizabeth 130; and 1650 guineas to C R Elliott, Portloe, Truro, Cornwall for Flete Anne 24.

Averages:
27 calved cows & heifers £1659
67 spring-calving cows £1871
21 in-calf heifers £1938
23 bulling heifers £1358
28 yearling heifers £897
2 stock bulls £1995

Auctioneers: Messrs Kivells, Hallworthy, Cornwall