The British Charolais Cattle Society has thanked “strong commercial interest” for an increase in averages at its spring show and sale of bulls in Carlisle.
Auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington sold 72 bulls to average £5,158.13 – up £151 on last year with five more sold.
Newly appointed society chief executive, Peter Phythian, said: “This is the fourth consecutive Charolais sale where both the averages and clearance rates have increased, driven by the success of Charolais sired suckler calves who are topping the markets on weight for age.”
Leading the sale at 12,000gn was the supreme, male and junior champion from the pre-sale show 15-month-old McCaldrick Mcintoish from Sean and Martina O’Kane, Dunloy, Co. Antrim. By the 16,000gn Anside Foreman and of Irish-born Aghafad Hope, he sold to Highfields Park Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex.
Next best at 11,000gn was October-2015 born Gretnahouse Lunar from Dumfriesshire breeder Alasdair Houston of Gretna Green. By the 12,000gn Welsy Equinox and out of Gretnahouse Hazel, he sold to Perthshire-based breeders David and Nick Walter.
The only other bull to sell for a five-figure sum at 10,000gn was 18-month-old Cayler Lincoln, by Balthayock Hamish and out of Caithness Hostess. Put forward by Caylers Charolais, Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire, he sold to R.H. Thompson and Son, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
Another Caylers entry – October-2015 born Caylers Limerick, also by Balthayock Hamish, sold for 9,000gn in a two-way split to Mike Massie of Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon, and W.K. and P. Drysdale, Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Thereafter five lots sold for 8,000gn including an entry from the Milne family’s Elgin herd at Kennies Hillock, Elgin, Moray. Elgin London is an 18-month-old son of the 14,000gn Westcarse Houdini, out of Elgin Honey. He sold to Rachel Dawson, Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire.
Dumfriesshire breeder Hamish Goldie also sold three lots for 8,000gn including the reserve overall champion Goldies Lawson, by Goldies Formidable, selling to the pre-sale judge Jane Haw on behalf of the White family at Worth Matravers, Dorset.
Other leading prices included 6,500gn for another entry from Caylers Chaorlais. December-2015 born Caylers Lysander, by the 10,000gn Thrunton Goldeneye, sold to T. and M. Seatter, Westray, Orkney.
