The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Auctioneers claim sales a vote of confidence in sector’s future
Several big east coast units said to be expanding cow herds
Scottish beef producers displayed growing confidence in the future of their sector at yesterday’s multi-breed pedigree bull sale in Stirling.
It was the biggest May auction of sires since the event began on a small scale around 20 years ago.
While the sale’s popularity is largely a result of the trend towards spring-calving cattle and the economics of buying a bull just before he is required, auctioneers at United Auctions (UA) pointed to positive signals of industry growth.
UA managing director George Purvis said he knew of several big east coast units which were expanding their cow herds.
The auctioneers refused to write off the future of the traditional October bull sales but admitted the May sale showed more potential.
Mr Purvis said he did not foresee the May sale becoming a two-day event in the near future because there was still scope for more bulls to be sold in one day.
There were only a handful of Salers bulls but Drumaglea Kes, a son of Drumaglea Bordeaux from P Boyd, Cornaigmore, Tiree, made the day’s top price of 12,000gns and was bought by Rednock Estates, Port of Menteith.
At 8,500gns the Salers champion, Whitebog Kick-Ass from A MacKenzie, Whitebog, Fortrose, was bought by W Duncan and Co, East Lediken, Insch.
CHAROLAIS The Charolais champion, Elgin Lochness, sold for 8,500gns. This sire from the Milnes of Kennies Hillock, Elgin, was bought by Allan McArthur, Cretlevane Farm, Balfron Station.
The reserve Charolais champion made 8,000gns for Hamish Goldie, South Bowerhouses, Dumfries, and was bought by J and A Dunlop, Ashfield Farm, Maybole.
Two bulls sold at 6,000gns. The first was Inverlochy Lustre from J Irvine and Son, Inverlochy Farm, Tomintoul, which was bought by John Whiteford and Son, Hilltarvit Mains, Cupar.
E and W Scott, Linross Farm, Glamis, Forfar, sold Linrossfarm Leo at 6,000gns to G McCormick Sr, Claggan Farm, Bridgend.
SIMMENTAL Two breeders from the north east dominated the high prices in the Simmental breed.
The Green family from Corskie, Fochabers, sold their champion, Corskie Glenfiddich, for the breed’s top price of 7,400gns to a Cumbrian breeder.
The Greens went on to sell Corskie Global for 7,200gns to J Fraser, Tore Mains, Tore; and at 6,200gns they sold Corskie Gel to John Meikle, Kirkton of Lundie, Lundie.
Stewart Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith, also sold four of the day’s top prices. At 7,200gns he sold Islavale Guardian to A Sharpe and Sons, Farmton, Tough; at 6,200gns he sold Islavale Gameboy to Aitken Bros, Riccarton Farm, Linlithgow, and Islavale Guru to Auchenlect Estates, Killearn; and at 6,000gns he sold Islavale Gruff to Allan Nicolson, Relugas Mains, Dunphail, Forres.
At 6,200gns Robert and Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee, sold Benhar Gunner to Stewart Farms, Balglass, Lennoxtown
At 6,000gns H MacAskill, Woodhall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar, sold Woodhall Glen to A Lindsay and Co, Culnaightrie, Kirkcudbrightshire; and RJ MacGregor, Kirkton of Mailer, Craigend, Perth, sold Team Glenearn to K Russell, Crouse Farm, Wigtown.
LIMOUSIN The top price in the Limousin sale was 7,200gns, paid by A and H Sim and Sons, Rorandle, Monymusk, for Goldies Liam from Bruce Goldie, Townfood, Mouswald, Dumfries. Mr Goldie also sold Goldies Legionaire at 6,200gns to J and R Semple, Netherton Farm, Dalrymple.
At 6,500ns the champion, Dyke Lino from JR MacGregor, Dyke Farm, Milton of Campsie, was bought by William Thomson and Son, Hilton of Beath, Kelty. Mr MacGregor also sold Dyke Luke at 6,400gns to H and R Davidson, Corsairtly Farm, Keith.
J Burnett, Upper Spittalton Farm, Blair Drummond, sold Spittalton Lancaster for 6,000gns to A Sime and Son, Bruceland, Elgin.
ABERDEEN ANGUS The Aberdeen Angus breed sold to a top of 6,800gns for Linton Gulbertines Lazer from the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke, Upper Huntleywood Farm, Earlston. He was bought by Mr Lindsay. The champion, Blelack Lord Hardie from the Massies, Firmaron, Aboyne, made 6,200gns and was bought by the Scottish Government’s bull stud at Inverness.
The reserve champion sold for the same price. He was Eastfield Jester from Isla Maree Shaw, West Lethans Farm, Saline, and was bought by AD Wauchope, Lochtower, Kelso.
BEEF SHORTHORN Only four Shorthorn bulls sold, to a top of 6,000gns for Ballylinney John Boy from LJ Townsend, Coxhill Farm, Moffat. He was bought by the Scottish Government’s bull stud. Averages: 51 Limousins ave £4,025; 37 Simmentals ave £4,475; 25 Charolais ave £4,578; 30 Aberdeen Angus ave £4,354; nine Salers ave £5,635; four Shorthorns ave £4,300; four Highland ave £1,811.