HATHERLEIGH Market was the venue for the reduction of the Ash Farm herd for Philip and Nicky Howard removed from South Molton for convenience of sale.

A packed ringside of South West buyers saw the 200 head sell to spirited bidding. Topping the sale was an outstanding April 2005 cow, Heywood Sandra Rose 7th bred by Dave Heywood at Torrington. She was sold in-calf to senior stock bull Whitefield Duke for February 2010 at £1,700 to Tony Lang, Bideford, for his Flaxhill herd.

The junior stock bull then captured the crowd, Cutcombe Brigadier , a January 2007 son of a former Devon Cattle Breeders' Society sale champion Challenge Brigadier 4th, that sold to Andrew Cock Buckfastleigh at £1575.

Leading the autumn calvers was Whitefield Orange 154th who sold with her September 2009 heifer calf to Andrew Cock at £1,320. At £1180 Heywood Sandra Rose 5th(sister of Rose 7th) joined Mr and Mrs Alexander's herd at Tiverton.

Two March 2004 Great Fisherton in-calvers (spring 2010) bred by Mrs Maxse Barnstaple, then look the limelight, selling to two of the breeds notable herds, firstly Great Fisherton Pretty 2nd £1,100 to Tony and Julie Benneworth (Yeomadon) and secondly Great Fisherton Ruby 3rd £1,070 to G Dart & Sons (Champson). 2009 calves saw the strongest demand with an April daughter of Whitefield Duke/Penfoot Polly selling at £650 to Marks & Tolchard new members from Kingsbridge.

Averages: Cows with autumn calves £947, In-calf cows due spring £901, 2008 heifers £441, 2009 heifers £507, 2008 steers £516, 2009 steers £451.

Auctioneers: Andrew Lane Limited with Vicks.