French connection gives breed boost

Return of European buyers gives trade for Highland cattle at Oban sale a lift

By Joe Watson

Published:

Renewed interest in Highland Cattle from European buyers helped boost trade at the breed’s sale in Oban yesterday.

No fewer than 19 heifers were bought by the French and German breeders looking for new genetics.

Their interest ensured lively bidding, but disguised the continuing trend of significant numbers of animals entered for the sale going unsold. That was particularly so in the three-year-old heifer class.

Highland Cattle Society president Andrew Kirkpatrick was nevertheless pleased with a sale that saw “good prices for good cattle”. He too expressed delight at the return of the international trade. Averages rose significantly. The 98 heifers averaged £783.36, against £595.20 for 96 last year.

Chief among the international buyers was Yann Guisnel, the boss of a Brittany-based furniture haulier. He spent just over £9,700 on 13 animals. His highest purchase at 1,800gn was Eiteag of Liath na Doire from Ewan Mackay, of 8 Balfron Road, Killearn, Glasgow.

This April 2005 heifer, by Lochailort of Roisbheinn and out of Heather 2nd of Finnart, will be joining Mr Guisnel’s expanding fold, which currently has 12 animals.

He has been a regular visitor to Oban for the last six years. He told the Press and Journal: “At the beginning it was not possible to buy because of the embargo (BSE export ban). But now I can look and I can buy, too.”

It was Mr Mackay who secured the day’s top price of 4,000gn for Bhoidheach Ruadh of Glengoyne, a 19-month-old heifer by Domhnull of Gartchonzie and out of Bhoideach Ruadh 2nd of Glengoyne.

She had stood yearling champion at the pre-sale show for Mr Mackay, a fencing and shearing contractor who keeps three Highland cows as a hobby.

Buyers were John and Dawn Mackie, of Merkland House, High Kype Road, Sandford, Strathaven. Mr Mackie runs an engineering business in Glasgow.

The female champion, Isobel of Bien Esk, made 3,800gn to Hamish Porter, of Carrabus Farm, Bridgend, Islay. Isobel, from Patricia Burns and Paul Smith, of Craigenelt Farm, Stirling, had a successful show season culminating last month at Dalmally, where she won the breed’s unofficial world championship.

Mr Porter is starting a new fold to add to the Galloway, Charolais and commercial cattle herds that he already runs and which between them have about 320 cows.

The reserve female champion, Malda Dubh 4th of Sunnyside, from Duncan Buchanan, of Shenavallie, Benderloch, near Oban, sold at 3,200gn.

Malda, by Marloch Dubh of Rannoch and out of Malda Dubh 12th of Rigg, was bought just six months ago for 800gn at Perth by Mr Buchanan. Buyer yesterday was Gary Brains, of West Edmansley Cottage, Edmansley, Co Durham.

The firm of Ernest Crawford, of Blarghour Farm, Dalmally, received 2,600gn for Banrigh 2nd of An Sidhean, a 31-month-old heifer by James of Beusach of Shenavallie and out of Banrigh 68th of Cladich. She was brought out by agricultural contractor Angus MacGillivray and acquired by C. Prentice, of 8 West Bank, Ravenstruther, Lanark.

Hampshire-based breeder Michael Poland, of Lower Preshaw House, Upham, bought several heifers.

Highest priced at 2,200gn was Una 25th of Millerston from Jack Ramsay, of Millerston, Mauchline.

At 2,000gn Mr Poland purchased Julie 14th of Craigowmill from stockbroker Ken Brown and his wife, Eva, of Ledlanet, Kinross.

Also heading south to Upham was another from Craigowmill – Sheena 10th of Craigowmill.

Ronald and Frances Fergie, of Knockendon, Dalry, sold two at 2,000gn. The 30-month-old heifer Primrose 5th of Knockendon was bought Robert Philip at Green Farm, Hellifield, Skipton. Primrose 4th of Knockendon was bought by K. Alderson of Croft Farm, Arkelside, Horse House.

John Cooper’s Tordarroch Estates, near Inverness, received 1,800gn for Alice 6th of Tordarroch from the Porters.

The Browns sold again at 1,600gn Fiona 15th of Craigowmill to J. and F. Smith, of Newlands Farm, Maybole.

Mr Poland paid 1,500gn each for Julie 16th of Craigowmill from the Browns and Aoirig 7th of Heatherhills Glenlivet from Alex Garrick, of Glenmuir, Auchnarrow, Glenlivet.

Class averages were: heifers: three-year-old – £1,113.04 for 23; two-year-old – £978.07 for 26; yearling – £555.17 for 29; heifer calves – £482 for 20. Cows – £465.71 for seven. Young cows – £440 for three.