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Property for sale by Auction A herd of tan-colored cows and calves stands on a green field with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The cows are closely grouped together, with some looking directly at the camera. Presented by World of Auctions

Historic Limousin Herd Reduction Sale at Borderway Mart: A New Era for the Spittalton Herd

In a landmark event for the auction community, Borderway Mart in Carlisle was the venue for one of the most significant Limousin herd reduction sales in recent times.

The sale, which took place on August 2, 2024, involved a major reduction of the Spittalton herd, a pedigree herd established in 1993 by the Burnett family and known for its three-time victory in the Scottish Herd Competition.

The Limousin cattle breed, originating from France, is renowned for its adaptability, hardiness, and excellent meat quality. These traits have made it a popular choice among farmers and breeders worldwide, and the Spittalton herd is no exception.

With its pedigree status and size, it is one of the largest of its kind in Scotland.

The sale was sparked by the departure of Tim Russell, the trusted stockman of the Burnett family for 18 years, who is embarking on his own business venture.

The event saw 75 lots from the Spittalton herd up for auction, with top prices reaching an impressive 14,000gns twice.

The average prices were reflective of the high quality of the herd, with cows and heifers with calves at foot averaging £5,502, in-calf cows and heifers averaging £3,465, and maiden heifers averaging £3,117.

The top lots of the sale were Lot 27 Spittalton Rena and her heifer calf Spittalton Urena, and Lot 28 Spittalton Ranna and her calf Uranna, both fetching 14,000gns.

Other notable sales included Lot 10 Spittalton Mia and her bull calf Spittalton Uniform for 12,000gns, and Lot 24 Spittalton Rebecca and her bull calf Spittalton Uncork for 10,000gns.

Property for sale by Auction Two light brown cows with yellow ear tags stand on a lush green field in front of a blurred backdrop of trees and an overcast sky. The cows, from the historic Limousin herd reduction sale at Borderway Mart, are positioned close together, with one slightly behind the other. "JUN 21" reads in the bottom right corner. Presented by World of Auctions
Mia and Uniform with yellow ear tags stand on a lush green field in front of a blurred backdrop of trees and an overcast sky. The cows, from the historic Limousin herd reduction sale at Borderway Mart, are positioned close together, with one slightly behind the other.
Presented by World of Auctions

 

 

In addition to the Spittalton herd, the sale also featured 18 lots from the Ronick herd, with an average price of £3,999 and a top price of 6,000gns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This sale was a significant event for all auction enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to acquire high-quality Limousin cattle from pedigree herds. The success of the sale underscores the enduring appeal and value of the Limousin breed in the livestock industry.