Norwich Livestock Market sells record £7,000 Limousin bull

The Limousin bull, named Withersdale Socrates, sparked a spirited bidding battle at the fortnightly cattle auction on Hall Road.

And the price was hailed as a symbol of the growing strength of the market, and its ability to rival the stock quality at major northern sales such as Carlisle.

The impressive animal was bred and sold by the Wharton family based in Mendham, near Harleston - who already held the market's previous record of £6,700, set in September 2021.

Darren Wharton, a partner in the family business alongside his father Derek, said their "tremendous" new record-breaker was testament to their focus on breeding quality animals from proven bloodlines.

"You just look at him and you know there's something very special about him," he said.

"The price is fantastic, especially at our local market. I have been going to Norwich market since I was six or seven, so it's great to see it thriving again and being able to sell quality animals for that kind of money, without driving all the way up to Carlisle."

Darren and Derek Wharton with their record-breaking Limousin bull which sold for £7,000 at Norwich Livestock Market - Picture: Darren Wharton (Image: Darren Wharton)

The two-year-old bull was bought by Anita Padfield, who keeps a Limousin herd at Fleggburgh, near Great Yarmouth, and is also part of the team running Norwich Livestock Market.

"This is very good for the market," she said. "From an animal welfare point of view, it shows people don't have to travel hundreds of miles to get a good price for quality stock.

"I am really happy with him. He has got it all - breeding, looks and potential. 

"There were three or four people bidding for him, and they were all local farmers. So even if I had not bought him he would have stayed in the county and his progeny would have been sold through the market in the future, which is great for Norfolk."