A solid commercial and pedigree demand for Aberdeen-Angus bulls saw the breed witness an impressive trade at their premier show and sale at United Auctions, Stirling on Monday 6th February.
With a top price of 18,000gns on the day and a further seven bulls selling for 10,000gns or more, some 117 bulls sold (14 more than this time last year) for £5735 with a clearance ate of 76%.
Sale leader at 18,000gns was the second placed Balmachie Jack Eric R206 from Carnoustie-based John Lascelles. A son of the home bred Balmachie Ben Vorlich L105, out of the Rawburn Transformer daughter Balmachie Juana Erica J067. With a self replacing index of +57 and a terminal sire index of +43, this one is now stock sire at the Rawburn herd of Messrs John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.
The Tilson family of the Borders-based Wedderlie herd then secured the second highest priced bull on the day, paying 16,000gns for Blelack Pontius R599 from Neil and Graeme Massie, Aberdeenshire. By Blelack Banjo Man N126, who is a son out of the 15,000gnbs Blelack Miss Bangle L613, is out of the Carrington Park Time On B7 daughter, Blelack Pride N114. He caries a milk figure of +20 and a self replacing index o +59.
Two bulls then shared a 15,000gns price tag, the first being Gretnahouse Exocet R770 from Alasdair Houston, Gretna Green. By Gretnahouse Blacksmith L500, he’s out of Gretnahouse Eliza L495, who carries Blelack breeding on both sides. He has a self replacing index of +66 and terminal sire index of +54 and sold to Schivas Estate, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.
The next at this money was Alistair Clark and Sons, Cumnock, Ayrshire, selling the second placed Duncanziemere Judge R170, a son of the 2014 Royal Highland Show breed and interbreed champion Rawburn Jester Eric J034. This one is out of the Newcairnie Pastor Z006 daughter, Duncanziemere Jody D147, a 2006 Highland champion. He’s found a new stock sire role at Andrew Hodge’s Rulesmains herd, Duns, Berwickshire.
The first of two bulls to sell for 13,000gns was Ewan Brewis’ reserve intermediate champion Eastfield Jockey R820, an Abberton Proud Nixen N297 son out of a home bred Rawburn Edge J983 daughter. With a self replacing index of +60, he headed south down to Faversham, Kent, for John Coultrip’s Wingfield herd.
The next at that money was another from Alasdair Houston’s team in the form of Gretnahouse Black Ballboy R763. This ET-bred Blelack Duke J262 son is out of the Netherallan Peter Pershore E052 daughter, Blelack Blackbird J131, making her full brother to Gretnahouse Blacksmith L500. This one will now be herd sire at Glympton Farms’, Woodstock, Oxon.
A further two bulls then shared a 10,000gns price tag, the first being the intermediate and overall champion from David Lucas. Securing a Stirling championship has been a breeding career wish for David as he approached retirement and a dispersal of the Cheeklaw herd in October this year and making this dream come true was Cheeklaw Jake Eric R535, a Cardona Proud Punch L752 son out of a home bred Tweedside Jewgal Eric Z083 daughter. Securing this one were Albert and Jennifer De Cogan for their Mogeely herd, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
The other at 10,000gns was the youngest bull to sell on the day, Blelack Blue Jay R631, from the Massie family. By Blelack Lord Hampton M034, he’s out of a 9000gns home bred cow and daughter of a former Highland Show champion. This one found a new home with Angus Neish, Warminster, Wiltshire, for his Rodmead herd.
At 9500gns the Clark family were back in action selling Duncanziemere Scotstoun R148, another son of Jester Eric and this time out of an Auldhouseburn Karlos D218 daughter. This one stood second at the Highland last year and is full sister to a Carlisle champion and carries a self replacing index of +58. He was knocked down to the Tilson family of Wedderlie, Gordon, Berwickshire.
Another son of Abberton Proud Nixen N297 from Ewan Brewis then traded at 9000gns, in the form of Eastfield Fiddler R788. This one is out of a home bred daughter of Rawburn Rochester E424 and found a new home with R W Flaws, Orkney.
Two bulls then shared an 8500gns price tag, the first being Drumhill Lord Harry R635 from Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. This ET-bred Nightingale Proud Jake G405 son is out of Blelack Lady Heather J169, making him full brother to the October 2016 champion and top price bull. This one was knocked down to Pat Cahill, Co Cavan, Ireland.
The next at this money was another from the Clark family’s string, Duncanziemere Jack Daniels R159. Again by Jester Eric, he’s out of a The Moss Mr Eshton D409 daughter, Duncanziemere Jody J331, a former Highland Show class winner and senior show cow for this year. With a self replacing index of +53, he heads to Huntlyhill Farms, Lanark.
The first of five bulls to sell for 8000gns was Rawburn El Macho R117 from the Elliot family. By Rawburn Dublin K218 and out of the TC Freedom 104 daughter, Rawburn Ellen Erica E394, this one has a self replacing index of +70 and heads out to Austria with Messrs Berlinger.
Next at that money was Hugh, Irene and Angus Hodge’s Winter National Show and Black Beauty Bonanza yearling male champion Wyddial Blackbeard R112. By Rawburn Lord Ross C216, he’s out of Blelack Blackbird F528 and sold to John Fleming’s Stairhaven herd, Wigtownshire.
Another from the Elliot family, this time John Elliot junior, was Elliot Excalibur R177. This ET-bred Rawburn Transformer son is out of Rawburn Ellen Erica J926 and carries a self replacing index of +70. He heads to the Duke of Fife’s estate.
Another from the Massie family was back in the action at 8000gns, in the form of Blelack Latitude R591, a Hallington Picasso M348 son. This one is out of Lockerley Laura D444 and sold to Glenbervie Estate, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.
The junior and reserve overall champion, Wedderlie Evenkeel R268 also traded at 8000gns selling to G Raeburn, East Kilbride. This one is by Wederlie Kenyon N863 and out of a home bred daughter by Wedderlie Target L387.
Other leading prices:
Highland Wagyu sold HW Boss R586, by Rawburn Boss M554, for 7500gns to Duff Burrell, Alnwick, Northumberland.
Neil Wattie sold Tonley Elgar R134, by Warrenho Emperor M425, for 7000gns to R Forrest, Duns, Berwickshire.
Moir Lockhead sold Glassel Blackbeard R002, by Eastfield Jacobite K149, for 7000gns to Dovea Genetics, Co Tipperary, Ireland.
Messrs N F Massie and Sons’ sold Blelack Excalibur R580, by Retties JFK M195, for 7000gns to Messrs F J Fraser and Son, Idvies, Forfar.
Messrs N F Massie and Sons’ sold Blelack Pedro R602, by Blelack Banjo Man N126, for 7000gns to F T Walton, Morpeth, Northumberland.
Jill Noble sold Windy Gowl Red Gambit R232, by Auchincrieve Red Elation G908, for 6500gns to J Morton and Son, Melrose, Roxburghshire.
Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke sold Linton Gilbertines Empire R964, by Linton Gilbertines Rowan K414, for 6500gns to H and K Farms, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.
Caroline Orr sold Keirsbeath Phenomenal R538, by Duncanziemere Edwin J311, for 6500gns to Robert and Una Venner, Tiverton, Devon.