Barton Forrester 2nd joins the Aberlie herd
I bought a bull. I had no intention of doing so when I woke up yesterday morning.
Andy Lane, auctioneer
It’s the time of year I generally sell stock; so to get an idea of what pedigree stock prices are doing I went to a reduction sale of Red Ruby Devons being held locally at Hatherleigh Market. Andy Lane, the Devon Cattle Breeders’ Society secretary, was the auctioneer, and this alone is reason enough to go. Extremely knowledgeable, entertaining and eloquent, he talks up each and every animal in a flurry of poetic fluency; its provenance, its conformation, its breeding potential and its ancestry through the mists of time; he questions our sanity and ability to survive the future without this or that particular animal in our herds – whereupon he asks for an outrageous opening bid.
Within seconds a bidding rhythm is established by barely discernable nods, infinitesimal catalogues waves and secrets signs. For those members of the inner circle, initiated into the subtle mysteries of the auction ring, there’s an easy familiarity with proceedings – for the uninitiated, total bewilderment.
interested bidders scrutinise the animals
Walking round checking out the animals before the sale a young bull caught my eye. I read through his pedigree; it was admirable. But I had no intention of buying a bull, had I?
Now the rub. Olly came up ‘Seen that rather smart young bull? We’re selling Mr Big aren’t we?’
The rest is history!
Barton Forester 2nd - our new bull
14 comments
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August 29, 2008 at 10:05 pm
heidi
Wow is he a fine bull!
Very handsome and red. I particularly like the second pic. He’s got something in his sights, what with those ears pricked forward a bit…that sparkle..
So is Mr. Big off for steaks, or is he on to different pastures and new ladies?
August 30, 2008 at 6:19 am
Mopsa
Well, well, well, that’s a surprise! Isn’t he just the ticket? Is he a happy boy? Are the girls already yearning for him and casting him sidelong adulterous looks (poor Mr Big!)?
August 30, 2008 at 8:30 am
paula
I think he’s got something – only a baby as yet, just two, so a whole load of growing to do.
No Mr Big has a lot of serving years ahead of him yet. He’s extremely well bred and was winner of the Royal Show, so no steaks for the present!
August 30, 2008 at 8:39 am
paula
Poor Mr Big – though he’s flexing his muscles all tonne and a quater of them.
He’s coming back on his daughters – so time for new pastures.
The new kid on the block? A bit anxious at the present – he’s in isolation. But he’s had an immediate effect on the heifers who are screaming and hollering, tearing off their knickers and throwing them over the hedge at him. Poor baby doesn’t know what’s hit him.
August 30, 2008 at 5:05 pm
heidi
-”heifers who are screaming and hollering, tearing off their knickers and throwing them over the hedge at him!”
HA! I actually snorted hot coffee up my nose on that one! The picture it paints..
He’s a regular Tom Jones of bovines….
-or whoever it is that the young things get all excited over these days…
August 31, 2008 at 7:42 am
Jane
What a handsome fella! He reminds me of those old paintings, where they paint them with that table-top straight back… beautiful. I bet your ladies will be in their element!
August 31, 2008 at 9:35 pm
paula
They’re completely flagrant, heidi!
August 31, 2008 at 9:36 pm
paula
You’re right there Jane, they do have that ‘old’ look – and he’s meant to be a modern bull…
September 1, 2008 at 7:10 am
Jane
Do “modern” bulls to the washing up and help with the housework?
September 1, 2008 at 7:10 am
Jane
Do “modern” bulls do the washing up and help with the housework?
September 1, 2008 at 10:43 am
paula
Yup, sure do and the cooking too…and I’m still hoping for a modern man!
September 10, 2008 at 1:18 pm
LittleFfarm Dairy
What a superb bull, Paula: you lucky thing. He’s gorgeous!
September 11, 2008 at 8:09 pm
paula
Yes, he really is – sometimes these spontaneous buys leave you feeling foolish – but no, I look at him and think, yup, you still have ‘it’ . Hopefully his offspring will shine too.
April 2, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Bernard G. (Berni) Smith
I want to purchase 50 Red bred heifers in the late fall. I woulsd expect the top 50 heifers from your calf crop. I also want these heifers bred to the most sought after sire on the A-I list of the day. Please let me know what these heifers are going to cost me F.O.B. your yard.
Thank you kindly for your patients and your trustworthiness.
Yours truly,
Bernard G. (Berni) Smith.