Simmentals achieved five-figure sums nine times at the closing day of the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
Averages were up on the year with 66 bulls, out of 84 forward, selling to average £5,969. This is up £117 on last year when 72 went under the hammer.
Simmental Cattle Society chief executive Neil Shand said: “There was sound commercial trade once again, but I could see people bidding to a budget. That said there’s more money about than I expected there to be.”
Leading the trade at 18,000gn was the reserve overall and junior champion from the pre-show sale, as judged by David Donnelly from Ashbourne.
This one from Billy and Anne MacPherson at Blackford Farm, Croy, near Inverness, was praised by the judge for having a “good end and good shape”.
Born in April 2014, Blackford Findhorn is a home-bred AI son of the 16,000gn Hockenhull Waterloo, which sired the UK record priced 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie, and out of Silver Wells Bonnie.
Ahead of being sold at Stirling yesterday, Findhorn was crowned junior champion and reserve beef breeder champion at the Highland Show in June.
He heads south to Guy Van Der Gucht’s Deerhurst herd at Apperley Court in Gloucestershire.
Next best at 15,000gn was the overall show champion – March-2014 born Ranfurly Formula 1 – from David and Johnny Hazelton of Dungannon, Northern Ireland.
This one is a home-bred AI son of Carnkern Titan and out of South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd. He was the only lot offered up by the father and son duo and his Stirling championship win follows taking the title of Northern Ireland Male of the Year 2015.
He heads home with the judge Mr Donnelly, who said he stood out from the moment he walked into the ring.
“When he first walked in he was a clear winner; he is outstanding,” said Mr Donnelly.
The next best price, achieved twice, was 12,000gn.
First at this price was the first son to be offered from the 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie.
Put forward by Jimmy, Nan and Iain Green of Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, February-2014 born Corskie First Caper is an AI son of Capercaillie and out of Corskie Wanda. He heads to Robinson Farms in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The other two Capercaillie sons on offer sold to 7,500gn and 6,000gn.
The other lot at 12,000gn was another one from the MacPhersons at Blackford, Croy.
This full brother to Bel Dhu Capercaillie – Blackford Finch – is an AI son of Hockenhull Waterloo and out of Blackford Wagtail. He was snapped up by the Snaigow Farming Partnership at Hillocks of Clurie, Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Four lots went on to achieve 11,000gn, including the reserve junior champion from Stewart Stronach at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith.
April-2014 born Islavale Fagan is a home-bred son of Curaheen Bandit, which has bred sons to 14,000gn, and out of Islavale Tarka.
He was bought by Bridget Borlase of Sacombe Simmentals in Hertford.
The Stronachs also achieved 10,000gn for the reserve intermediate champion – April-2014 born Islavale Fraser, which is another Curaheen Bandit son, this time out of Islavale Natashe. He heads north to J I & W N Stout at Whitehall, Stronsay, Orkney. Among the other three lots at 11,000gn was a first prize winning lot from Jim and Patricia Goldie at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan.
March-2014 Newbiemains Fame & Fortune is an AI son of Newbiemains Apache, out of Carralavin Wynn. He was reserve junior champion at this year’s national Simmental show and heads north to Pitgaveny Farms in Elgin.
Meanwhile, Hector Macaskill of Woodhall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar, sold Woodhall Freeman for 11,000gn, while Richard McCulloch of Overhill House, Armadale, sold Overhill House Fife for the same price.
In the female section a top price of 5,000gn was achieved for an in-calf cow with bull calf at foot from AJ Wilson’s Cairnview herd in Kilwinning.
Seven-year-old Annick Sonia’s Whitney is an AI daughter of Celtic Rock, out of Annick Freda’s Sonia. She was sold along with her April-born bull calf – Cairnview Grandmaster – by Popes Barclay.
The next best price thereafter was 4,800gn for the female champion from Lachlan Quarm of Holehouse, Irvine.
February-2014 born Annick Trixibelle 15th is by Annick Claymore and out of Annick Trixi-belle 8th. Her sire is a full brother to the 20,000gn Annick Talisker. She was bought by Quality Meat Scotland chairman Jim McLaren’s stock manager Tom Henderson.