SOUTH Devon cattle breeders were offered a rare opportunity to buy from the closed organic Flete Herd of pedigree South Devons when it dispersed last week.

Prices were reflected in quality, where structure coupled with good natural fleshing brought the best rewards for vendor South Battisborough Partnership.

More than 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 and Suffolk, as well as nearer to home in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The Flete Herd had been long associated with the South Devon breed, the founder president of the Herd Book Society being Francis Mildmay MP, of Flete.

Some long-established genetics were on offer at the sale from Pamflete, Coyton, Trewint, Tregondale, Sexton, Waddeton and Cholwell bloodlines.

Top price of 3,000 guineas was bid for in-calf 2006-born cow Flete Jane 178, by Trewint Baron 5, which sold to P G Bowditch, from Hawkchurch, near Axminster, and for Flete Jane 214, by Sexton Conqueror 28, an in-calf heifer which sold to G Pluess, of Poundstock, near Bude.

Other in-calf heifers sold well, averaging £1,938, with two, at 2,200 and 2,025gns respectively, to Lord Prior, of Brampton in Suffolk (for Flete Elizabeth 127 and Flete Alice 78), and one at 2,100gns to Harvey Bros, of Bickleigh, near Plymouth, for Flete Elizabeth 2007.

Bulling heifers reached 1,750gns to R J Dymond, of Shepton Montague, Somerset for Flete Elizabeth 130; and 1,650gns to C R Elliott, of Portloe, for Flete Anne 24.

Averages:

27 calved cows and heifers, £1,659; 67 spring-calving cows, £1,871; 21 in-calf heifers, £1,938; 23 bulling heifers, £1,358; 28 yearling heifers, £897; 2 stock bulls, £1,995.

The auctioneers were Kivells' Hallworthy office.