We’ve been very busy this week, from travelling over to Ireland for the Dungannon Show and Sale to plenty of activity at the office here in Perth. Here is your round-up of the news from the last seven days at the Society:
Show and Sale news:
The first major sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls in the Republic of Ireland of 2018 saw a top call of €4,700 at Carrick-On-Shannon last weekend with a clearance rate of just over 50%. The sale leader was one of the youngest bulls offered for sale at just 13 months, Corlismore Proud Boss S897, who sold for €4,700. You can read the full report from Carrick-On-Shannon at: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/show-news/top-call-of-4700-at-first-irish-sale-of-2018-at-carrick-on-shannon/.
Our new Chief Executive Barrie Turner and President Angela McGregor attended the Society’s show and sale at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart this week, where prices peaked at 5,000gns with 11 bulls selling to an average £3,646, which was in increase of £646 from last year. The Northern Ireland club chairman and newly appointed Junior Vice President of the Society Alan Cheney said: ‘’It’s been a good day, and probably one of the best sales we’ve witnessed at Dungannon for some time. Dairy and suckler herd owners were out in force to buy bulls, and the buoyant trade reflected the quality of the animals on offer.’’ Sale topper at 5,000gns on this occasion was Kiltariff Deacon S875, and the full report including photography can be seen at: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/show-news/buoyant-trade-as-aberdeen-angus-bulls-soar-to-5000gns-at-dungannon/.
Tomorrow, the genuine dispersal sales of the Widhill and Donnie herds will take place at Worcester Livestock Market. With 115 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus forward, both dispersals will include the sale of cows with calf/in calf, maiden and served heifers and bulls, providing a great opportunity for purchase from two herds with excellent bloodlines and conformation for breeders and commercial producers looking for genuine, sound cattle. For more information and to hear foreword from both dispersals, visit: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/show-news/worcester-sale-including-widhill-and-donnie-herd-dispersals/.
Website changes:
We told you recently about how the website would be changing to accommodate the ability for posts regarding stock for sale to be shared directly on the website. This change is now live on our website, and can be accessed at: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/stock-for-sale, where you can also find details on how to have your stock for sale posts listed on the site.
South West of Scotland Club 40th anniversary:
This year is the 40th year of the South West Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Club. The very first meeting took place at Ayr Show on Saturday 28 April 1978 and to mark the occasion, the club has organised a celebratory lunch at Trump Turnberry on Sunday 29 April 2018 at 12.30pm. Tickets are priced at £40 per person to which all current and past members are invited. If you wish to attend, please contact Helen Brown on 07714 932077 or by email to swsaberdeenangus@hotmail.com by 28 February 2018.
Angela McGregor gives her reaction to becoming President:
We spoke to Angela McGregor after she was announced as the new President of the Society at our recent AGM. Angela has spent the last 12 months working closely with former President Alex Sanger as the Senior Vice President, and has made the natural progression to take the reigns as President. To get some great insight into Angela’s plans and reaction, along with more details on the Presidential and Council teams, visit: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/angela-mcgregor-takes-up-the-presidency-and-new-members-are-introduced-on-to-council/.
Other news:
We brought you a lovely piece about Laura Barwick who currently works as a Livestock Scheme Manager with Harrison & Hetherington at Borderway Mart in Carlisle, who will be running the London Marathon in April for a great cause, raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. To read more about Laura and her decision to run the marathon, and how you can sponsor her, go to: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/laura-barwick-runs-the-london-marathon/.
Finally, we informed you of how Julia Soutar from Dunlouise is on the lookout for a 1900 (vol. 25) edition of the Society herd book. It’d be great if anyone who thinks they might be able to help Julia source one could get in touch with her via email on: dunlouiseangus@gmail.com.
We hope you all have a great weekend, and would like to send our best wishes to all at the Donnie and Widhill herds ahead of their dispersals tomorrow.