Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold to a top of 10,000gn on the opening day of the Stirling Bull Sales.
Organisers United Auctions held the October fixture of the world-famous bull sales under strict Covid-19 restrictions, which included the cancellation of pre-sale shows, and a requirement for buyers to sit at least two metres apart in the sale ring and for everyone to wear masks at all times.
In total 40 bulls sold to average £5,051 and a clearance rate of 66%. This is up £455 on the sale in October 2019 when 58 bulls sold to average £4,596.
The sale leader in the Aberdeen-Angus ring was April 2019-born Ettrick Batman from the Gray family’s Ettrick herd at Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk.
By the 17,000gn Linton Gilbertines President, which stood champion at Stirling in October 2017, and out of Ettrick Bella, he sold to A M & C Ewen, Meikle Toux, Cornhill, Banff.
Next best at 9,000gn was March 2019-born Foxhill Dominator from Devon breeders Mike and Melanie Alford. An embryo transfer (ET) son of Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Weeton Diamond Mist, he sold to A J & W M Norrie, Wrae Farm, Turriff.
The Alfords also made 6,400gn when they sold another ET bull with the same breeding – Foxhill Dictator – to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Orkney.
Thereafter Northern Ireland breeders Jonathan and Lisa Doyle made 8,500gn when they sold January 2019-born Drumhill Exeter to M Sheahan, Luddenmore, Ireland. He is an ET son of Drumhill Lord Hatfield.
Other leading prices included 7,500gn for Ballindalloch Mr Peanut from Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch. A March 2019-born son of Wedderlie Timaru, and out of Ballindalloch Miss Primrose, he sold to Alastair Grant, Middlefield, Forres.
Stirling breeder Stephanie Dick, who runs the Stephick herd at Westerton Farm, Cowie, topped at 6,800gn for 22-month-old Stephick Ezra. An ET son of Weeton Diamond, he was junior male champion at both the Stars of the Future and Black Beauty Bonanza shows last year. He sold to J King, South Hill of Drips, Thorntonhall, Glasgow.
Ross Farm Co Ltd at Wester Middleton Farm, near Gorebridge in Midlothian, topped at 6,200gn for Rosscoe Big Man. An April 2019-born son of Netherton Kentucky, he sold to Messrs Ewing, Dumbretton Farm, Annan, Dumfries.
Five lots made 5,500gn. The first, selling to Easter Tulloch Farms near Laurencekirk, was December 2018-born Tonley Lord Hoffman, by Blelack Duke, from the Wattie family at Mains of Tonley, Alford.
The McCombies at Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, also made 5,500gn when they sold Auchincrieve Jekyll Eric to Jim Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly. He is a March 2019-born son of Blelack Lord Hermes.
Others at this price included April 2019-born Stouphill Element, by Rawburn Estonian, from the Allen family at Humbleheugh, Alnwick. He sold to James Hamilton, Headsmuir, Carluke.
The Massie family, which runs the Blelack herd at Dinnet, near Aboyne, also made 5,500gn selling Blelack Lord Impeccable to Gellan Farms, Coul, Aboyne. He is an April 2o19-born son of Weeton Evolution.
The last lot at 5,500gn, selling to Messrs Sinclair in Orkney, was Logan Bar Emperor from Dunblane breeder Murray Lyle. He is an 18-month-old son of Wedderlie Kenyon.
Meanwhile, females topped at 4,000gn for an in-calf heifer from the Trustees of the Late Gordon R Brooke at Upper Huntlywood Farm near Earlston in the Scottish Borders. Gordon Duchess, by Balmachie Jack Eric, sold in-calf to Rawburn Java Eric. She sold to John McWibbin in Co Down, Northern Ireland.
The sale also included the dispersal of the Weeton herd of Lancashire breeder John Loftus and a major reduction of the Brewis family’s Eastfield herd based near Kelso.
The Weeton dispersal topped at 11,000gn for three-year-old cow Weeton Laura T509 and her May-born bull calf. By Blelack Duke, and in-calf to Haymount War Smith, her bull calf is also by War Smith. The outfit sold to Richard and Carol Rettie, Craigend Farm, Methven, Perth.
The Eastfield herd reduction topped at 5,200gn for seven-year-old cow Eastfield Jenny N500, by Rawburn Edge, and her March-born heifer calf Eastfield Jenny, which is by Linton Gilbertines Elgin. The pair sold to the McCornick family for their McCornick herd in Dumfries.