The Charolais breed stole the show at the closing day of the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday when a top price of 50,000gn was achieved.
The breed saw nine bulls sell for five-figure sums with the top price achieved by the pre-sale show reserve champion, as judged by Andrew Hornall of Falleninch, Stirling.
Major David Walter, of The Garden House, Balthayock, Perth, commanded a round of applause when his May-2014 born Balthayock Justice went under the hammer for the leading price.
This one, which is by Balthayock Ferdinand and out of Balthayock Emerald, was reputed to have the best figures in the yard at yesterday’s sale.
He was snapped in a two-way split between two Northern Irish breeders – Gilbert Crawford’s Coolnaslee herd and Joe Wilson’s Balinalare herd.
Next best at 28,000gn was a third-prize winning bull from Welsh vet Esmor Evans, who runs 200 cows at Monfa, Mold.
April-2014 born Maerdy Jerusalem is by the 10,000gn Blelack Fabulous and the second calf out of Maerdy Elegance. Blelack Fabulous’ first son sold to 22,000gn in October 2014.
He was bought in a two-way split between Redhead and Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick-on-Tweed and the Campbell family at Thrunton Farm, Whittingham, Alnwick.
Thereafter the overall show champion – April-2014 born Castellmawr Jacpot from Welsh breeders Alwyn and Medwyn Williams – sold for 16,000gn.
This one stood junior and male champion at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. He is the first son to be sold of the 7,000 euro Goldstar Gentleman, and out of Castellmawr Cadno.
The buyer was Colin Wight of Carwood Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Next best at 13,000gn was the senior champion from another Welsh breeder – Will Owen of Gwynedd.
April-2014 born Deunawd Jeff is by the 15,000gn Allanfauld Chieftain and out of Penfold Australiene. He heads north to Michael Durno at Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch.
Thereafter a second-prize winning bull from Mike Massie’s Elrick herd at Auchnagatt, Ellon, sold for 12,000gn.
May-2014 born Elrick Juno is by the 16,000gn Thrunton Fearless and out of Elrick Diamond. He heads to Wallace Brown at Carpickhill, Kilmarnock.
The next leading price was 11,500gn for a first-prize winning consignment from Neil and Kirsty Blyth of Middleton House Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool.
April-2014 born Marwood Journal was one of the first sons to be sold from Burradon Goldenballs. He is out of Marwood Exotic and heads to O T W Chandler & Co at Skirrid Farm in Abergavenny.
Thereafter three lots sold for 10,000gn, including one from north-east breeders Neil and Graeme Massie, who scooped the overall and reserve championship titles in the Aberdeen-Angus section of the sale. May-2014 born Blelack Jigsaw is by Caylers Hustler and out of Blelack Goosy. He heads to Balbirnie Home Farms in Freuchie, Fife.
In all, a total of 80 bulls, out of 121 forward, went under the hammer to average £7,085. This compares with an average of £6,654 for 84 sold last year.
British Charolais Cattle Society chief executive David Benson said: “It was a very pleasing sale considering the doom and gloom in agriculture at the moment.
“The buyers are selective and they were going for the fleshier type of bulls which will get to the target weight.”
Meanwhile in the female sale a top price of 6,000gn was paid for a maiden heifer from the Tillside herd of EJ & Mrs AM Fox.
Tillside Jessie is an embryo transfer from Goldies Gem and by Balmyle Bollinger. She was bought by Brailes Livestock in Banbury.