The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Navigator steers his way to top bull sales price
Judge pays 8,000gn for overall champion
Salers topped at 8,000gn for the overall and intermediate champion bull at the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
The judge – William Aitken, Carlopshill, Penicuik – honoured his judging when he bought April 2018-born Strathallan Navigator.
Put forward by Dunblane breeder Murray Lyle, Navigator is by Seamore Kawasaki and previously stood reserve interbreed junior bull champion at Perth Show.
The next-best price of 7,000gn was paid twice.
The first at this price was the reserve overall and senior champion from Rigel Pedigree, Leven Fields, Yarm, North Yorkshire.
This was March 2018born Rigel Nirvana, by Rigel Byron. He sold to Robert Mackie, Goodockhill Farm, Motherwell.
The other 7,000gn was the junior champion – June 2018-born Cumbrian Nadal, by Ideal, from Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitlaw Farm, Selkirk. He sold to WN Douglas, Catslackburn, Selkirk.
Other leading prices included 5,800gn for April 2018-born Drumaglea Natural, by Halley, from Tiree breeder Patrick Boyd. He sold to A V Hamilton, Marr Farm, Thornhill, Dumfries.
The Livesey family, which runs the Cleuchhead herd near Melrose, topped at 5,500gn for the reserve intermediate champion. This was April 2018-born Cleuchhead Noah, by Cleuchhead Dick Dastardly. He sold to the Browns at Stoneypath, Dunbar.
Black Isle breeder Alister Mackenzie, who runs the Whitebog herd near Fortrose, topped at 5,000gn for March 2018born Whitebog Nobleman, by Seawell Jewel. He sold to the Coghills at Muce, Birsay, Orkney.
Banchory breeder David Watson, who runs the Darnford herd, topped at 5,000gn for the reserve junior champion. This was 20-month-old Darnford Nelson, by Fangio. He sold to the Scottish Government bull stud near Inverness.
In all, a clearance rate of 73% was achieved and 16 bulls sold to average £4,935 – up £1,406 on last year.