Charolais bulls sold to five-figure sums 13 times on the closing day of the spring Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
Buyers were selective with 114 bulls out of the 179 forward selling to average £6,006.
Last year’s fixture saw 136 bulls sell to an average £6,821, with five-figure sums achieved 15 times.
David Leggat, executive chairman of United Auctions which hosts the sales, said buyers were bidding to a budget and the lack of farm subsidy payments had definitely impacted trade.
Topping the trade at 26,000gn was a second-prize winning lot from Hamish Goldie at South Bowerhouses, Ruthwell, Dumfries.
Goldies Jerry, which is a July-2014 born son of Goldies Formidable out of Goldies Eclair, sold to the Sportsman herd of Boden and Davies Ltd, Stockport.
The next best price of 23,000gn was achieved by another lot from the Goldies herd.
Goldies Jasper, which was crowned reserve intermediate champion in the pre-sale show, is by Goldies Formidable and out of Goldies Collette. He heads to Redhead and Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick.
A first-prize winning lot from Roy Milne and Sons, of Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde, Elgin, sold for 17,000gn late on in the sale.
Elgin Jagger, which is by Blelack Blackberet and out of Elgin Florence, sold to William Milne, Milton of Edinglassie, Strathdon.
The Milne family sold a second-prize winning bull for 13,500gn.
The junior champion, put forward by Bob and Kay Adam, of Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar, sold for 16,000gn.
Newhouse Jupiter is a July-2014 born son of Silver Joss, out of Newhouse Vibe. He heads to Gilbert Crawford’s Coolnaslee herd at Maghera, Co Londonderry.
The overall champion from the pre-sale show was snapped up by the judge, Ben Harman, Grove Lane, Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
May-2014 born Barnsford Jubilant, which is by Barnsford Gorse and out of Thrunton Finette, was put forward by Tom and Sheena Gatherer, of Barnsford, Inchinnan.
The couple, who both work for the SSPCA, set a breed record in October 2011 when they sold their first bull for 70,000gn.
Another lot at 14,000gn was a third-prize winning bull from Neil and Graeme Massie’s Blelack herd at Dinnet, Aboyne.
Blelack Jerrylee, which is a June-2014 born son of Goldies Dynamite out of Blelack Charade, sold to the Midlock herd at Crawford, Biggar.
Parade of champions
Overall and intermediate champion – Tom and Sheena Gatherer, Barnsford, Inchinnan, with Barnsford Jubilant by Barnsford Gorse.
Overall reserve and senior champion – L. A. Richardson and Sons, Brumbroughas, Co Fermanagh, with Hillviewfarm Judge by Mowbraypark Orlando.
Reserve intermediate champion – Hamish Goldie, South Bowerhouses, Ruthwell, Dumfries, with Goldies Jasper by Dingle Hofmeister.
Reserve senior champion – Esmur Evans, Monfa, Mold, with Maerdy Jogger by Maerdy Dynamite.
Junior champion – Bob and Kay Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar, with Newhouse Jupiter by Silver Joss.
Reserve junior champion – Neil and Stuart Barclay, South Road, Insch, with Harestone Jackson by Inverlochy Ferdie.
Female champion – J.H.C. Campbell and Sons, Thrunton Farm, Alnwick, with Thrunton Inspire by Ugie Euros.
Reserve female champion – Hamish Goldie with Goldies Joy by Killadeas Legend.