Aberdeen-Angus bulls met a sticky trade at the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
Averages were back £1,141 on the 2018 sale with 58 bulls selling to average £4,596 at a clearance rate of 66%.
The sale leader at 12,000gn was the junior champion from the pre-sale show, as judged by David Johnstone from Ballindalloch Home Farm.
This was the May 2018-born Brailes Fabulous, by Gretnahouse Blacksmith, from Brailes Livestock in Oxfordshire.
He sold to Daniel Whiteford for his Borewell herd at Scremerston in Northumberland.
Next best at 8,200gn, selling to Jim Innes of Dunscroft, Huntly, was the reserve junior champion from Newton Stewart breeder Martin McCornick. This was May 2018-born McCornick Denzel, by Skaill Dino.
Mr Innes also paid 5,800gn and 5,000gn for bulls from the Massie family’s Blelack herd at Firmarron, Aboyne.
Dearest was fifth-prize April 2018-born Blelack Rex, by Weeton Diamond Mine, and the other was reserve intermediate champion April 2018-born Blelack Lord Inferno, by Blelack Banjo Man.
Other leading prices included 8,000gn for the reserve overall champion, March 2018-born Schivas Methlick, by Gretnahouse Exocet, from Brailes Livestock. He sold to AM Shepherd, Orbliston, Fochabers.
Balavil Estate, near Kingussie, paid 7,200gn for the intermediate champion. This was March 2018-born Tonley Excel by Nightingale Perry, from the Wattie family, Mains of Tonley, Alford.
The overall champion made 7,000gn selling to Northern Ireland breeder James Porter, who judged the Shorthorns. This was January 2018-born Blelack Dakota, by Netherallan Peter Pershore, from the Massies.
Duns breeder Andrew Hodge sold January 2018-born Rulesmains Kentucky, by Hallington Evolution, for 6,800gn to A&G Rodger, Stobswood, Duns.
Thereafter two lots made 6,500gn.
The first at this price was January 2018-born Logan Bar Emperor, by Rawburn Boss Hog, from Dunblane breeder Murray Lyle. He sold to David Walker, Galcantray Farm, Cawdor, Nairn.
The other, from the Watt family, Swordale Farm, Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, was April 2018-born Swordale Ewok, by Blelack Topper. He sold to TA Laird, Cambwell, Biggar.
The Massie family made 6,200gn selling April 2018-born Blelack Prince Cody, by Blelack Banjo Man, to GJ & A Robertson, Titaboutie, Coull, Aboyne.
Two lots made 7,000gn. The first, selling to A Mylius & Partners, St Fort, Newport, was Gordon Jasper Eric, by Rawburn Fast Ball, from the Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke, Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston.
The other was Perkhill Black Knight, by Perkhill Peter, from Lumphanan breeders Alex and Philippa Davie. He sold to JD Steele, Pitroddie Farm, Perth.