Aberdeen Angus

The sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls on Monday morning saw five lots hit five-figure prices, four of which were achieved by renowned breeders Neil and Graeme Massie, Blelack Farm, Dinnet, near Aboyne.

Leading the breed at 24,000gns was Blelack Prince Cartier sold to G Fraser, Newton of Idvies, by Forfar.

The second top price of 17,000gns was bid for Blelack Bright Lad, selling to the Duncan family at Whitehall Farms, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries.

Blelack Kasper, who placed reserve overall champion at the pre-sale show on Sunday, achieved 11,000gns, selling to D Strachan and Son, East Shawtonhill Farm, Chapelton, Strathaven.

There were two bids for 10,500gns. First through the ring was Gordon Eton from the trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke, Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston. He sold to D Lindsay, Baldovie, Kingoldrum, by Kirriemuir. The second at 10,500gn was Blelack Earthquake, selling to Seafield Pedigrees, Atwell Farm Limited, Redditch.

Stirling breeder Jamie AM Rettie, Upper Craigs, fetched 5000gns for Weeton Lord Blackstock who went to a new home in Kelso with J&W Arnott, Haymount.

In all 42 Aberdeen-Angus bulls were sold to average £6413 to a top of 24,000gns. This is up by £1362 on the year with a clearance of 68 per cent.

In the female ring, eight were sold to average £2415. The sale topper of 20,000gns was paid for in-calf heifer Tonley Princess V676 from Neil A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford by RM Adam and Son, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar.

The Massie’s Blelack Aberdeen-Angus dispersal sale was held on Monday afternoon where 161 lots made more than £1 million. The herd set a new record price of 62,000gns for a combined unit. This was for the sale leader, four-year-old cow Blelack Princess Carina U90 selling at 32,000gns and her five-month-old heifer calf, Blelack Princess Carina X125, selling for 30,000gns. Both were bought by the Alfords at Foxhill Farm, Blackborough, Cullompton, Devon.

Sale averages: 26 cows with calves at foot sold to average £6344 to a top of 10,000gns; 48 cows averaged £9115 with a leading price of 32,000gns; 26 bull calves sold to average £4592 with a top price of 14,000gns; 23 heifer calves averaged £6656 to a top of 30,000gns; 38 heifers sold to an average of £6853 and a top price of 16,000gns.