Charolais bulls led the charge at the Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, yesterday.
Both the supreme champion rosettes and top price at the show and sale of pedigree cattle, as conducted by Aberdeen and Northern Marts, were Charolais beasts.
Awarding the top title was judge Tracey Nicol, who with her husband, David, runs the renowned Balthayock herd of Charolais near Perth.
Mrs Nicol praised the high standard of bulls on show and described her champion as a “very correct bull showing what the market needs”.
She was referring to April-2015 born Strathys Lionheart from Kevin Mallarkey, of Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon. By Maerdy Harrypotter, Lionheart landed Mr Mallarkey his first Spring Show championship win. He sold for 5,500gn to E. and J. Mackie, Darnabo, Fyvie, Turriff.
It was the reserve Charolais champion which led the sale, however, selling for 8,000gn to D. Blair and Son, Littleinch Farm, Balmerino, Newport on Tay.
Put forward by Jock Wilson, who runs the Kinclune herd at Glenkindie, March-2015 born Kinclune Laurent is by the 20,000gn Beechtree George and out of Kinclune Genus. Mr Wilson, who only sells his bulls at Thainstone, sold other Beechtree George sons to 4,200gn.
Other leading prices in the Charolais section included 6,000gn twice – first for June-2015 born Doon Lancelot from Neil and Stuart Barclay at Harestone, Insch, and then for August-2015 born Lettoch Logan from Kelly Stuart at Lettoch Farm, Braes of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. The buyers were E. Innes and Son, Deskie Farm, Glenlivet, and D. M. McCallum, Shoreton Farm, Culbokie, Dingwall, respectively.
In the Limousin section a top price of 7,000gn was paid for the champion from father and son duo Jim and Andrew Gammie, of Drumforber, Laurencekirk.
June-2015 born Westpit Lampard is by Jalex Itsallgood, which has bred sons to 17,000gn previously. He sold to N. Meldrum, Shenval, Ballindalloch.
Next best at 6,500gn was July-2015 born Anside Lascard from the Irvine family at Braehead Farm, Drummuir, near Keith. Standing second in its class to the champion, this Powerful Irish son sold to R. S. Mackenzie, Dunveaden House, Bettyhill, Thurso.
Thereafter 6,000gn was paid for one of the last Limousins in the ring – July-2015 born Shannas Leman from John and Margaret Penny at Shannas, Clola, Peterhead. By Goldies Emperor, he sold to Monymusk Estates, Inverurie.
In the Simmental section a top price of 5,500gn was paid for the champion from the Green family’s Corskie herd at Garmouth, Fochabers.
April-2015 born Corskie Glow is a son of the 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie. He sold to A. J. Blackhall, Millhead, Tarland, Aboyne.
Next best at 4,200gn was the reserve champion from the Bruce family’s Tillyeve herd at Udny, Ellon. April-2015 born Tillyeve Grainger, by Grangewood Columbus, sold to the Arnott family at Westerton, Memsie, Fraserburgh.
In the Aberdeen-Angus section a top price of 6,000gn was paid for the champion from Neil and Graeme Massie’s Blelack herd at Aboyne. Shown by Graeme’s daughter Hayley, April-2015 born Blelack Eddie is by Blelack Evergreat. He sold to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney.
Salers sold to 5,500gn for three-year-old Rigel Malik from Rigel Pedigree, Leven Fields, Middleton-on-Level, Yarm. This black son of Rigel Byron sold to A. Smith and Son, Haughton, Glenkindie, Alford.
Averages: Charolais (21) £4,170 (-£187.50); Limousin (16) £4,515 (+£356); Simmental (eight) £4,147.50 (+£292.50); Aberdeen-Angus (six) £3,412.50 (+£682.50); any other breed (three) £4,900 (+£840).