The entire autumn calving portion of one of the most well-known Aberdeen-Angus herds in the country went under the hammer at Carlisle.
The Blelack herd, which is run by father and son duo Neil and Graeme Massie, was greatly reduced last year and the family’s pedigree Charolais and Shorthorn herds were completely dispersed.
A major reduction sale at United Auctions of Blelack Aberdeen-Angus cattle in October last year topped at 35,000gn resulting in a new breed record being set for the highest priced female.
The sale topper – Blelack Lady Eraline – sold for 35,000gn to Balavil Estates in Kingussie.
The latest sale from the Massie family at Firmaron, off Ballater road, Aberdeenshire, topped at 16,000gn.
Auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington put the hammer down on this bid for five-year-old cow Blelack Toplass, by Blelack Equity. She sold to John Loftus’s Weeton herd at Preston, Lancashire.
Mr Loftus also paid the second best price of 10,000gn, this time bidding for four-year-old cow Blelack Pride, by Carrington Park Tim On B7.
The next best price of 8,000gn was paid twice.
First at this price, selling to S. Medley of Hunters Hill, Nether Silton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was July-2013 born Blelack Kylie, by Blelack Equity.
The other lot at 8,000gn was September-2014 born heifer Blelack Top Lass, by Hallington Principal. She sold to C.W. Foster, Fordham Farm, Garrowby Hill, Bishop Wilton, North Yorkshire.
Both Yorkshire buyers went on to buy other lots at the sale, while Andrew Ewing of Dumbretton Farm, Annan, bought several lots on behalf of an Italian client.
In all 19 cows and heifers, all in-calf, sold to average £6,128.68.
