Report 2009

Unsurprisingly, we had only a few entries of pedigree GOS pigs as most breeders are selling successfully off farm and have no pigs spare for the event. However, there were 2 in-pig gilts, 4 maiden gilts, 1 senior boar and 3 stores (10 weeks old). there was a lot of interest and plenty of buyers. The auctioneers had padded out the entry with a number of lots of unregistered GOS and crossbreeds which again all sold but prices were much lower than for the pedigree stock.

The quality generally was much better and card grading awarded Blue cards to all lots bar two which achieved Yellow.

The two In-Pig gilts from Liz Best (incl the Breed Champion on the day) sold for 400 and 390 guineas. The first Maiden was 12 months old and sold for 270gns. The remaining three were six months old and went for 185, 160 and 165 gns. The Boar was a well-proven three year old and fetched 260gns, going down to Somerset to continue his career. The three 10 week old Stores sold at 100 gns each.

The unregistered stock sold as follows: Gilt and litter - £230; 5 x bacon weight gilts £168 - 175 each; 1 x boar (litter brother to the 5 gilts)£115; 6 x large Stores £88 - 112; 3 x Boars 9 months old £90 - 98. The differential was satisfying as it clearly demonstrates the advanatage of maintaining pedigree status.

Many thanks to those who did enter and the respective buyers, to Judith Sims and Sharon Barnfield for Card Grading and Judith for judging. Also to Voyce Pullin for staging the event which attracted huge crowds.

2009 Breeds of Gloucestershire Show & Sale - 1st August 2009

The date of Sat. 1st August should go in your diary now for this important event. Changes have been agreed which should make this event even busier and more successful than before. The three breeds - Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs, Gloucester cattle and Cotswold sheep still dominate each with their own Show & Sale but the event has been widened to include other rare and minority breeds, pure and first crosses. This is helpful to many members because it provides an outlet for other breeds/species they may also keep.

The other major change is that Voyce Pullin are organising the event, taking entries and producing the catalogue which saves the GOSPBC a lot of work. A benefit of this is that entry fees have reduced as a consequence so the sale is even better value than before.

You can enter NOW and the schedule and entry forms are available to download here (opens in a new window) so work out what you have to sell and make your entries.

The Club will still card grade all pedigree GOS forward and provide rosettes and a judge for the Show which takes place on the Saturday morning.

Breeds of Gloucestershire Show & Sale
2nd August 2008
Report

The Annual Breeds of Gloucestershire Show & Sale took place on 2nd August at Cirencester Livestock Market amid concerns that, in the current climate, buyers would be scarce and prices depressed but all the efforts to publicise the event paid off with 29 out of 33 pigs forward selling, many at top prices.

The leading price was 430 guineas for Windmill Gerald 34 from Mr Malcolm Hicks paid by Mr Charles Martell from Dymock in Glos. Four other lots sold at 300+ guineas each including the Breed Champion, Windmill Ellen 26 from the same stable which sold to Mr William Newth from Somerset.

Three in-pig gilts sold ave 258gns
Four maiden gilts sold ave 89gns
Three senior Boars (born 2007) sold ave 285gns
Four junior boars (born 2008) sold ave 221gns
Fifteen store pigs sold ave 68gns

There were concerns of some poor quality pigs forward which were identified through the card grading process and the Club committee will consider what measures can be taken to improve education to ensure that only good quality pigs are registered as breeding stock.

Trade in the sheep section was poor but the cattle sold reasonably well so all in all it was considered a success in the present climate when farming is so under the cosh.

Buyers new to the breed will be contacted and invited to join the Club in due course.

Many thanks to Marlene Renshaw, Melany Kiddy and Malcolm Hicks who card graded the stock, Judith Sims who judged, Andrew Robinson & Guy Kiddy for reading ear numbers and numbering stock and everyone else who helped in any way. Also to the vendors and buyers who helped to make the event so successful.

The photos below have been provided by Clifford Freeman

Contacts for different sections:

Cotswold Sheep: Mrs Lynne Parkes
01451 830461, lynne_parkes@msn.com

Gloucestershire Old Spots Pigs: Mr Richard Lutwyche
01285 860229, mail@oldspots.org.uk

Gloucester Cattle: Mrs Yvonne Froehlich
01926 651147, secretary@gloucestercattle.org.uk

Poultry: Mrs Anne Creed
01453 882923, samantha@samantha72.wanadoo.co.uk

Auctioneers: Mr Chris Voyce / Mr Jon Pullin
01291 680068 / 01454 269486, www.voycepullin.co.uk

Cirencester Livestock Market is located on the A417/419 trunk road approximately 1 mile south of Cirencester. The market is just off this road at Driffield (signposted South Cerney; Ashton Keynes; Cerney Wick etc.). The road itself links the M5 at Gloucester with the M4 at Swindon making this one of the most accessible markets anywhere in the country. Click here for a map.