Aberdeen-Angus stole the show at yesterday’s Stirling Bull Sales selling to a top of 22,000gn twice.
In the main sale, a clearance rate of 80% was achieved when 61 bulls sold to average £5,737 – up £674 on last year’s sale.
Two dispersal sales also met a roaring trade with breeders willing to pay top dollar for females.
The first lot at 22,000gn was a second-prize bull from the trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke, at Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston.
April 2017-born Linton Gilbertines Powerhouse, by Rawburn Dublin and out of Belhaven Pole Star, was reserve male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in the summer. He sold to Chris and Janet Watmore, Holystone Estate, Northumberland.
In total, six lots sold for a five-figure price at the main breed sale.
These included 14,000gn for January 2017-born Kilmaluag Eriskay from Isle of Skye breeder Donald Rankin of Kilmaluag House, Duntulm.
By Retties JFK, out of Mosston Muir Etta, he had a successful show career over the summer with wins including reserve junior male champion at the Highland Show and supreme champion at the breed’s national show.
He sold to the Massie family’s Blelack herd in Aboyne.
Thereafter, the reserve overall champion sold for 13,000gn to the Tilson family’s Wedderlie herd in the Borders.
This was April 2017-born Tynet Pegasus, an AI son of Warrenho Dalmigavie, from first-time exhibitors Hugh, Cara and Lorna Thomson of Burnside of Tynet Farm, Clochan, near Buckie. The herd was established in 2014.
Next best at 12,500gn was the reserve junior champion from the Howie family at Cairnton, Lumphanan, Banchory.
April 2017-born Cairnton Blackbeard by Haymount Walarlo, was overall champion at Banchory Show in the summer. He sold to David Lindsay, Baldovie Farm, Kirriemuir.
Other leading prices included 11,000gn for May 2017-born McCornick Evening Express from Newton Stewart breeder Martin McCornick. By Halbeath Pentagon, he sold to John Scott, Fearn Farm, Tain.
The overall champion from the main Angus show sold for 10,000gn to breeders from the north – Hamish Sclater for his Deveron herd at Denhead, Turriff, and the McGregors for their Raddery herd in Fortrose.
They were purchasing January 2017-born Rulesmains Egbert from Andrew Hodge, Rulesmains Farm, Duns. An AI son of the 17,000gn Hallington Edition, he was junior male champion at the Highland Show in June.
The MacGregors recouped some of their spend when they sold March 2017-born Raddery Espirit, by Deveron Master Banbury, for 7,500gn to J McCorkindale & Son, Macharioch, Southend.
Another at 7,500gn, selling to R&J Johnston, Hewan, Shapinsay, Orkney, was April 2017-born Eilean Extra, by Rawburn Enigmatic, from MAG McSporran, Eilean Farm, Innerleithen.
Meanwhile, the second lot to achieve 22,000gn was 17-month-old in-calf heifer Moncur Laura T314, being sold as part of the dispersal of the Taylor family’s Moncur herd at Middlebank Farm, Errol.
An ET daughter of Blelack Duke, out of Haughton Laura, she sold to the Fraser family’s Idvies herd at Newton of Idvies, Forfar.
Next best in the Moncur sale at 6,000gn was July 2017-born maiden heifer Moncur Esther – an AI daughter of Blelack Duke out of Kincardine Castle Esther.
She sold to NA & JDE Cogan, Killanuckey Farm, Castle Martyr, Ireland.
Two lots then sold for 5,000gn. First at this price was five-year-old cow Moncur Jill Erica N211, by Eastfield Foreman, and her heifer calf by Hallington Prince at foot.
The pair sold to AW Neish, Rodmead Farm, Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire.
The other at 5,000gn was three-year-old cow Moncur Edwina R258, by Eastfield Foreman, with her heifer calf by Hallington Prince. They sold to A Mylius & Partners, St Fort Home Estate, Newport on Tay.
In the second dispersal sale of the day – for the Schivas herd based at Schivas Estates, Ythanbank, Ellon – a top price of 18,000gn was paid for April 2016-born in-calf heifer Schivas Morning Princess S430.
By Water End Jackpot Eric, she sold to J&L Doyle, Cookstown, Northern Ireland.
Next best for Schivas was 16,000gn for five-year-old cow Schivas Miss Betty N149, by Schivas Evolution Tommy.
Together with her bull calf Schivas Methlick Boy, by Gretnahouse Exocet, she sold to Brailes Livestock, Isalyn, Upper Brailes, Oxfordshire.
Thereafter 12,000gn was paid for three-year-old cow Schivas Jane Erica R431, by Hallington Powerline, with her heifer calf by Schivas Edge. They sold to Renton & Readen Partners, 11b Windmill Way, West Ramparts Business Park.
Other leading Schivas prices included 8,500gn for five-year-old cow Schivas Lady N133, by Blelack Evril, and her bull calf by Netherton Kentucky. The pair sold to P Hallhead of Norbreck Genetics.
At 6,000gn, also selling to J & L Doyle, was six-year-old cow Schivas Morning Princess M083, by Cardona Rito, with her heifer calf by Netherton Kentucky.