The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Charolais bulls lead the charge
Charolais bulls led the charge at the Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone yesterday.
Both the supreme champion rosettes and top price at the show and sale of pedigree cattle, conducted by Aberdeen & Northern Marts, were Charolais.
Awarding the top title was judge Tracey Nicol, who along with husband David runs the Balthayock herd of Charolais in Perth.
Her champion was April-2015 born Strathys Lionheart of Kevin Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon.
By Maerdy Harrypotter, Lionheart landed Mr Mallarkey his first Spring Show championship win.
He sold for 5,500gns to E&J Mackie, Darnabo, Fyvi.
The reserve Charolais champion led the sale, selling for 8,000gns to D Blair & Son, Littleinch Farm, Balmerino, Newport.
Put forward by Jock Wilson, who runs the Kinclune herd at Glenkindie, March2015 born Kinclune Laurent is by the 20,000gns Beechtree George and out of Kinclune Genus. Mr Wilson sold other Beechtree George sons to 4,200gn.
In the Limousin section a top of 7,000gns was paid for the champion from father and son duo Jim and Andrew Gammie, of Drumforber, Laurencekirk. June-2015 born Westpit Lampard is by Jalex Itsallgood. He sold to N Meldrum, Shenval, Ballindalloch.
In the Simmental section a top price of 5,500gn was paid for the champion from the Green family’s Corskie herd at Garmouth, Fochabers.
April-2015 born Corskie Glow is a son of the 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie.
He sold to AJ Blackhall, Millhead, Tarland, Aboyne.
In the Aberdeen-Angus section a top price of 6,000gn was paid for the champion from Neil and Graeme Massie’s Blelack herd at Aboyne.
Shown by Graeme’s daughter Hayley, April-2015 born Blelack Eddie is by Blelack Evergreat and sold to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness.
Salers sold to 5,500gn for three-yearold Rigel Malik from Rigel Pedigree, Leven Fields, Middleton-on-Level, Yarm. This black son of Rigel Byron sold to A Smith & Son, Haughton, Glenkindie, Alford.
Averages: Charolais (21) £4,170 (-£187.50); Limousin (16) £4,515 (+£356); Simmental (eight) £4,147.50 (+£292.50); Aberdeen-Angus (six) £3,412.50 (+£682.50); any other breed (three) £4,900 (+£840).