Just days after a Limousin bull sold for 70,000gn at Carlisle, the breed was back in demand among commercial beef farmers at Stirling where sires sold to a top of 11,000gn.
Limousin Society chief executive Ian Kerr attributed the improved trade to producers selecting a breed which has focused in recent years on improving carcase weights, maternal traits and feed efficiency.
“They are the core economic drivers and there has been a recognition of that by commercial producers. While subsidies last, producers are making capital investments in the future,” he said.
“The focus is on bulls with good easy-calving figures. That has been a key driver in the last fortnight. This is not a breed of extremes and we’re now getting down to a defined type of typical modern Limousin.”
Top trade at Stirling was dominated by the Ronick herd from Ronald Dick of Mains of Throsk at Stirling, with the 18-month-old second-prize sire Ronick McKinley leading the trade at 11,000gn.
This son of Wilodge Granville was bought by D. Walker and Sons, Camregan Farm, Girvan.
Meanwhile the Dick family’s supreme champion, Ronick Moose, by the same sire, made 6,200gn to Orkney buyers Terry and Sheena Coghill of Muce, Birsay.
The herd also sold second-prize Ronick Montgomery for 8,200gn to J. and P. Carr Farms Ltd, Piddinghoe, Peacehaven.
At 9,000gn the 17-month-old reserve supreme champion Whinfellpark Madora from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Penrith sold to W. Nelson, West Brackly, Kinross.
The Irvine family from Braehead Farm, Drummuir, Keith sold a pair of their second-prize bulls at two of the sale’s top prices. At 8,500gn Anside Maximum was bought by D. Geddes, Netherton Farm, Aberlour and at 8,000gn Anside Lomnu was bought by D. and J. Smith, Fallaw Farm, Inverkeilor.
Neil and Stuart Barclay, South Road, Insch sold their first-prize sire Harestone Luke for 8,200gn to A. Sime and Son, Bruceland, Elgin and John and Margaret Penny, Shannas, Mintlaw sold Shannas Magnum for 6,800gn to J. Buchan, Torrax, Lintrathen
At 5,800gn William Clarke Livestock , Hevingham, Norwick sold Wills Black Mrwalker to Mr Erringham, Sussex.
The 41 bulls averaged £5,065, up slightly on last year’s £4,945 for 40. The clearance rate was 84% compared to 64% in 2016.