A selection of high quality pedigree Limousin cattle are set to go under the hammer this month at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway Livestock Mart.

Harry Emslie and Lynwen Evans of the Emslies herd have forward a good selection of cattle oozing shape, style and more importantly, strong performance, milk and muscle which the herd is noted for. A selection of frozen embryos and semen will also be put forward at the sale on January 18.

The Emslies herd was put together with the express purpose of producing top class cattle and no expense was spared from the early days, with foundation animals from the Wilodge, Pennys, Heathlands and Ronick herds. The Ballymoney herd, purchased privately as a whole from Ireland, later built on these quality foundations.

The sale, aptly named the Sassy Lassies sale, will feature a range of ages of cows with calves at foot, in calf heifers, maiden heifers and ET bred calves. It also includes the complete ‘G’ group of heifers and the majority of the ‘H’ heifers in the herd. Just three ‘H’ heifers have been retained at Kinknockie.

Red, black and polled daughters and grand-daughters of the Emslies herd’s noted cow families - PennysTess, WilodgeRitzy, RonickTelma, BallymoneyVeronica and Heathlands Sweetheart, are to be entered to the sale. Many of those on offer have powerful EBV figures, including Emslies Heledd, the top female in the UK Limousin herd book at LM+58.

Harry said: “Since we set up the herd, we’ve had a clear goal in mind – to breed commercially relevant and viable cattle with a depth of breeding behind that makes them suitable for pedigree and commercial customers. We sell to customers across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern and Southern Ireland.

“The foundation females are still part of the herd today because we’re focused on longevity, rather than fashion. Until now, we’ve rarely sold females from these lines, but to mark our tenth anniversary, we’ve decided to offer some of their descendants, which is what makes the Sassy Lassies sale so special.”

The Emslies herd sires include Dinmore Goldcrest and Bailea Black BMW, plus Emslies Colosuss– the No1 figured bull in the UK Limousin herd book with a beef value of LM+62. The cattle selection and breeding programme focuses firmly on feet, functionality, fertility, femininity and figures, known as the five F’s.

Previously, the Emslie herd has commanded Limousin prices up to 37,000gns which was paid for Emslies Frenchman, the first UK Limousin to be sold to the USA for 30 years. Emslies Horny was supreme champion at Carlisle in October last year too.

Speaking in advance of the sale David Pritchard Operations Director for Harrison and Hetherington said: “We’re expecting buyers from all over the UK and beyond for the Sassy Lassies sale. This really is a great opportunity to snap up some top-rated quality bloodstock from Limousin lines that rarely come to market.”

All breeding age females on offer have been vet checked and confirmed to breed. All animals will be pre-movement tested for TB and will be eligible for direct export to Northern Ireland. Part of the SAC health scheme, the herd is BVD vaccinated and Johnnes monitored with all breeding age females having been tested negative for Johnnes.