Aberdeen-Angus breeders Hamish and Margaret Sclater of the Turriff, Aberdeenshire-based Deveron herd have this week announced the private sale of Deveron Lookout R504 to Oliver and Claire Russell, Ballindalloch Home Farms, Banffshire.
Born at the end of March 2015, Lookout is by the home bred Deveron Master Banbury L376 and is out of Deveron Lady L351, a Blackhaugh Easy Papa G733 daughter, making him a three-quarter brother to the successful young show bull Deveron Leggat P469. Having picked up of a string of championship rosettes on the 2015 winter calf show circuit, Leggat had been destined for Stirling in February, but sadly suffered an infection prior to sale leaving the Sclater’s with the fear of him being infertile in one testicle and, therefore, unavailable for sale.
Commenting on the sale of Lookout, Hamish Sclater said: “Lookout is of a similar stamp to Leggat in that he is correct with good legs and feet, has a superb length of loin and depth throughout. Added to which he carries fantastic breed character through his front end.
“We had a great deal of interest in Leggat prior to Stirling and it was an incredibly sad day when we found out he could no longer be offered for sale. He’s since been semen tested and is returning to full working order in both testicles, so semen will be taken from him shortly and will hopefully be available for sale. He’ll remain in the herd as a stock sire.”
The Deveron Lady family has been successful for the Sclaters, with the foundation female being Lindale Lady T1, a daughter of the Highland Show champion Wiwa Creek North Star and one of three females purchased as foundation lines for the Deveron herd in 1996.
“Successes from the Lady family include Deveron Latimer G188, sold to David Sole, Glenbuchat, for £14,000 at 13 months old; Deveron Limited Edition C094, which sired Deveron Jasper Eric F170, sold for £20,000 to Albert and Jennifer De Cogan, Mogeely, and winner of the 2009 All Ireland Championship, as well as the 2015 Black Beauty Bonanza reserve heifer calf champion and three-quarter bred sister to both Leggat and Lookout, Deveron Lady R502, which sold to Messrs McConnachie, Culfoichmore.
“Margaret and I are delighted Lookout has sold to Ballindalloch, where stock manager David Johnstone along with wife Susan and daughters Claire and Amy will no doubt do a fantastic job of making him look his best when they host a World Angus Forum visit in 2017,” adds Hamish.
Commenting on the purchase of Lookout, David Johnstone said: “This bull has tremendous breed character, his head is what’s needed to keep that all important breed trait. He has great length and movement with a leg in each corner. He’s a balanced, full package bull that will also likely add just a touch more scale to the herd. We hope he will mature in to an impressive site for visitors in 2017 for the World Angus Forum.”