A small show of Beef Shorthorn bulls sold selectively yesterday at Stirling with the top price of 6,500gn going to Donald Biggar, Grange, Castle Douglas for the 26 month old roan Chapelton Festival.
A third prize winner in the pre-sale show Festival is by the 6,800gn Glenisla Banquo and out of the Dunsyre North Star daughter Chapelton Duchess. Banquo sons from the 75 cow Chapelton herd have previously sold to 10,000gn. The buyer yesterday was Mr and Mrs D Calder, Braes of Grandtully, Aberfeldy.
Douglas McMillan from Moneydie Roger, Luncarty sold Coldrochie Factor – a roan coated LS Zeus son for 5,500gn to Iain Green, Corskie, Garmouth.
LS Zeus was purchased at the Royal Highland Show six years ago and after working at Moneydie was sold on to the Craigeassie herd at Forfar.
Coldrochie Factor has good show history having been senior breed champion at last year’s Stars of the Future at Stirling, male champion at Alyth and reserve breed champion at the National show at the Great Yorkshire.
Mr McMillan moved to Perthshire from the south four and a half years ago and has changed the herd prefix of his long established herd from Colnvalley to Coldrochie.
Robert and Paula McAlister, Langalbuinoch, Isle of Bute saw their 24 month old show champion Langalbuinoch Future sell to Mark Little Farms, Hilliclay, Thurso for 5,000gn.
This red coated AI son of Tofts Atlas was second in his class at the Royal Highland and champion of champions at Bute Show this summer.
In all the clearance rate for Shorthorn bulls was a disappointing 41% with 13 selling to average £3,651 (-£654 on the year).
Females were in stronger demand with 90% of those through the ring finding buyers to average £2,172 (-£45 on the year)
Heifers sold easily with auctioneer David Brown not having to look far for bids. The breed has had a lift of late with Shorthorn sired calves fetching a 30 pence per kilogram premium offered by the Morrisons Traditional Native Beef scheme.
Major Gibb and daughter Catriona led the trade with twin calves Glenisla Eva Broadhooks G934 and Glenisla Eva Broadhooks G933 making 4,200gn and 4,500gn.
CHAMPIONS
Male champion – Robert and Paula MacAlister, Langalbuinoch Farm, Kingarth, Isle of Bute, with Langalbuinoch Future by Tofts Atlas. Reserve – Jim Frame, Little Galla, Wiston, Biggar, with Galla Gold by Kidston Rambo 1st.
Female champion – Andrew Hall and Lisa Done, Breconside Cottage, Breconside, Moffat, with Housebyres Georgiesheergorgeous by Holmeere Horatio.
Reserve – Thomson, Roddick and Lawrie, Newlands, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie, with Shawhill Florence Gertrude by Dunsyre Duke.