The October Stirling Bull sale also saw the production sale of cows with calves at foot plus the full crop of yearling heifers from the Tonley herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus from Neil A Wattie. The Tonley herd was established in 1993 by Neils father, inspired by his fondness for the Aberdeen-Angus breed. The first purchases were three females from the Warren herd, two of which (Vine and Julia) were included in the sale. Other key female lines include Belle, Elma, Emily, Equidora, Ester, Kay Pride, Rose, and Princess, with previous sales of females from these lines reaching 20,000gns.

The herd has enjoyed success in past February and October Bull Sales, with highlights such as the sale of Tonley Pato for 12,000gns, and Tonley Evor P044 for 24,000gns. February 2023 marked the herds best day, with Tonley Endgame X809 and Tonley King Paco X812 winning champion and reserve, respectively, alongside multiple group awards. All bulls were sired by homebred Tonley Jester Eric, whose offspring have proven highly successful, with sales of his progeny reaching up to 24,000gns.

The sale topped at 15,000gns (£15,750) with the sale of Tonley Princess Z108 by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Princess W783, selling to Stephanie Dick, Westerton of Cowie, Stirling. The next best price of 10,000gns (£10,500) was reached by three animals. One being a Gretnahouse Krack Light daughter, Tonley Princess Z049, who took best yearling heifer in this years NE Club Herd of the Year competition, and was bought by Mr Doyle from Northern Ireland. The second heifer to reach this price was Tonley Annie Z050 by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Annie T382, and goes home to Brotherton Estates in Angus. This price was also achieved by a cow and bull calf Tonley Ester R161 and her calf Tonley Enzo A204, which was purchased by Taylor Farms, West Lothian.

Tonley Fiona Y937, daughter of Tonley Jester Eric S318, the current Highland Show Champion 2024, also won the yearling heifer champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza in 2023 and was overall champion at the Agri Expo 2023. Tonley Fiona sold for 8500gns (£8,925) to Murdoch Allan & Son in Aberdeenshire. The young heifer Tonley Equidora Z098, sired by Blelack Epic X116 and out of Tonley Equidora X825 reached 8000gns (£8,400) and was sold to R M Adam & Son, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar.

There were four buyers going to 7000gns (£7,350) which put them in the top ten prices. First was Tonley Kay Pride S256 and her heifer calf Tonley Kay Pride A200, bought by Graeme Massie, Aberdeenshire. This outfit was followed by the heifer Tonley Ester A129, by Tonley Jester Eric S318 and out of Tonley Ester S255, and sold to Ms E Benge & Mr R Mawer from Corner Farm, Lincolnshire. Third to reach this price was Tonley Ester V672, purchased by Angus Neish from the Rodmead Herd in Warminster. Tonley Julia Z037 also achieved 7000gns and was bought by the Messrs Harding in Cheshire.

Sale Statistics

Top Price £15,750

Cows with calves at foot (10) £4589

Cows in Calf (12) £3518

Cow Unserved (1) £3675

Heifers in calf (10) £5807

Yearling Heifers (6) £7175

Heifer Calves (4) £3990

Bull Calves (4) £1890

Additional Prices