Limousin sires sell to a top of 11,000gn

Just days after a Limousin bull sold for 70,000gn at Carlisle, the breed was back in demand among commercial beef farmers at Stirling where sires sold to a top of 11,000gn.

Limousin Society chief executive Ian Kerr attributed the improved trade to producers selecting a breed which has focused in recent years on improving carcase weights, maternal traits and feed efficiency.

“They are the core economic drivers and there has been a recognition of that by commercial producers,” he said.

“While subsidies last, producers are making capital investments in the future.

“The focus is on bulls with good easy-calving figures. That has been a key driver in the last fortnight.”

Top trade at Stirling was dominated by the Ronick herd from Ronald Dick of Mains of Throsk at Stirling, with the 18-month-old second-prize sire, Ronick McKinley leading the trade at 11,000gn.

This son of Wilodge Granville was bought by D Walker and Sons, Camregan Farm, Girvan.

Meanwhile the Dick family’s supreme champion, Ronick Moose, by the same sire, made 6,200gn to Orkney buyers GT and S Coghill, Muce, Birsay.

The herd also sold second-prize Ronick Montgomery for 8,200gn to J& P Carr Farms Ltd, Piddinghoe, Peacehaven.

At 9,000gn the 17-month-old reserve supreme champion, Whinfellpark Madora from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Penrith, was bought by W Nelson, West Brackly, Kinross.

The Irvine family from Braehead Farm, Drummuir, Keith, sold a pair of their second-prize bulls at two of the sale’s top prices.

At 8,500gn Anside Maximum was bought by D Geddes, Netherton Farm, Aberlour, and at 8,000gn Anside Lomnu was bought by D& J Smith, Fallaw Farm, Inverkeilor.

Neil and Stuart Barclay, South Road, Insch, sold their first-prize sire, Harestone Luke, for 8,200gn to A Sime and Son, Bruceland, Elgin and John and Margaret Penny, Shannas, Mintlaw, sold Shannas Magnum for 6,800gn to J Buchan, Torrax, Lintrathen.

At 5,800gn William Clarke Livestock, Hevingham, Norwick, sold Wills Black Mrwalker to Mr Erringham, Sussex.

The 41 bulls averaged £5,065, up slightly on last year’s £4,945 for 40. The clearance rate was 84% compared to 64% last year.

Ronick McKinley from Ronald Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling.