Young bulls drive prices

YoUNGER Simmental bulls helped set the trade yesterday at Stirling with commercial producers and pedigree breeders competing for the top bulls. By the end of the sale, 79 bulls had changed hands for an average of £5,641, £165 down on the year and representing a 63 per cent clearance rate.

Robin Tough, joint managing director of United Auctions, said “well-grown good strong bulls” sold well throughout while Simmental Breed Society chief executive Neil Shand took the view that buyers were bidding to a budget.

The top price of 18,000gn went to veteran Northern Ireland breeder Billy Robson for Kilbride Farm Doubleaction with Anne MacPherson, of Blackford, Croy, winning the bidding..

Father and son Robert and Richard Rodgers, of Portglenone, Ballymena, sold their best – Hiltonstown Dominic – at 17,000gn to Brian Grant, of Dellfield, Inverness.

The pre-sale senior champion and reserve overall made 13,000gn for Lachlan Quarm, pf Holehouse, Irvine. His 21-month-old Annick Dalwhinnie went to J Barclay and Son, of Ardiecow, Fordyce, Banff.

There was another 13,000gn transaction, with Stewart Stronach, of Berryleys, Keith, selling Islavale Daz to A Wright, of West Lundie, Argaty, Doune.

The judge, Alister Clark, of Stratheast, Holm, orkney, backed his judgment by buying the reserve senior champion – Corrick Dictator from Cecil McIlwaine, of Corrick, Newtonstewart, Northern Ireland – for 12,000gn. Billy Robson was also a vendor at the 12000gn mark, selling to Henry Widdecombe’s Starline herd in Devon.

In the final five-figure deal, at 11000gn, John Dykes, of South Slipperfield, West Linton, sold to Mr Farland from Northern Ireland.

The Limousin sale was topped with a 15,000gn bid for the best bull from Harry Emslie, of Kinknockie, Peterhead, with commercial producer Walter Dandie, of Learielaw, Broxburn, buying. This helped to trade to level out at £5,162 for 47 bulls sold, a rise of £113 on the year with a 65 per cent clearance.