A new record for the highest priced Beef Shorthorn female was set at the Stirling Bull Sales.
The sales, organised by United Auctions, went ahead under strict Covid-19 rules. These included a requirement for everyone attending the mart to wear masks and for those in the sale ring to sit at least two metres apart.
The record-breaker, selling for 15,000gn to G Price, Parcyderi, llanilar, Aberystwyth, was an in-calf heifer from Kelso breeder John Elliot, who runs the Elliot herd at Roxburgh Mains.
Elliot Miss Lea 825 is an embryo transfer (ET) daughter of Sull Cyclone, out of Crawfdown Miss Lea 5P. She sold in-calf to Elliot Conundrum.
Next best in the Shorthorn females sales ring was 7,800gn for a maiden heifer from Major John Gibb’s Glenisla herd at Blairgowrie.
July 2019-born Glenisla Desiree, by Millerston Jamboree, sold to A & C Farms, Langham Lodge, Rutland, Leicestershire.
Major Gibb also made 6,800gn selling another heifer, which sold having run with Glenisla Nobleman, to Gates Farming, Rosemore Manor, Coldoverton, Leicestershire.
In the bull section, a top rice of 6,200gn was paid for an entry from the Smith family at Drumsleed, Fordoun, near Laurencekirk.
January 2019-born Drumsleed Nato, by Knockenjig Glenfiddich, sold to E W Jolly, West Mains of Turin, Rescobie, Forfar.
The next best price of 4,800gn was paid three times.
First at this price, welling to the Scottish Government’s bull stud at Knockagael, near Inverness, was Westbroad Mateo, by Galla Jackpot, from the Welsh family at Westbroad Moss Farm, Fenwick, Kilmarnock.
The other two at this price were: Stonehill No Limits, by Faughhill Ivan, from the Ribys at Low Stonehills Farm, Bridlington, Yorkshire, selling to the Duncans at Jacobshall, Gamrie, Banff; and Galla Negotiator, by Elliot Matrix, from JW Frame, Little Galla, Biggar, selling to Rattray Estates, Peterhead.
In all, seven bulls sold to average £4,410 – up £971 on the year – and a clearance rate of 64%. The 52 females on offer averaged £3,543.75 – up £1,103.75 on the year and a new breed record for a female average at a sale.
Meanwhile, the dispersal of the Knockenjig herd of Beef Shorthorns from Sanquhar breeders David and Rosemary Dickie topped at 11,000gn.
The sale leader, selling to Gates Farming, was in-calf heifer Knockenjig Duchess N2018. She is by Meonside Ganster, and sold in-calf to Leonard of Upsall.
Two lots also made 10,000gn. The first, selling to Leazes Farm in Wolsingham, County Durham, was six-year-old cow Knockenjig Duchess H883 and her April-born bull calf at foot. Duchess is by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, and her calf is by Leonard of Upsall.
The other, selling to the Hortons at Poulton Fields, Cirencester, was Leonard of Upsall. He is a three-year-old son of Dingo of Upsall.