Simmental follow the trend with surging prices

Published on Tuesday 21 February 2012 00:00

Confidence in livestock is running high among Scottish farmers at the moment and it is being reflected in bull prices round the country. Two weeks ago at Stirling, the native breeds and Limousins all dramatically increased their averages, while records tumbled at Carlisle on Saturday. Yesterday, it was the turn of the Simmental breed and there was no sign of prices letting up.

The 119 bulls sold averaged a record £6,236, a massive £1,826 up on the year. Neil Shand of the breed society said he was delighted with the trade which saw an 83 per cent clearance, with 72 bulls selling for over 5,000gns. He said: “We have taken the breed to a new health level and bulls were in demand for both terminal sire and maternal traits, but there were also a lot of breeders re-investing in the breed today.”

Andrew and Yvonne Leedham made their journey from Derbyshire worthwhile when they took the junior championship with their home-bred Grangewood Baron, which went on to sell for the day’s top price of 19,000gns to the Ward family, West Mains, Carnwath.

The overall and senior champion, from Stewart Stronach, Berryleys, Keith, made 18,000gns. He runs 80 pedigree Simmentals and 120 three-quarter Simmental suckler cows and his Islavale Brilliant caught the eye of Hugh Brunton, Crudie, Arbroath, who also bought one at 7,000gns from William Young, Skerrington Mains, Ayr.

Past Highland Show chairman, John Dykes, South Slipperfield, West Linton, paid 17,000gns for Team Banker from Robert MacGregor, Kirkton of Mailer, Perth. This bull had been a winner at Perth and Fife shows in the summer and gave MacGregor his best price to date.

Robert Balfour, Balbirnie Estate, Markinch, paid 12,000gns for Auchorachan Barry from Michael Durno, Ballindalloch.

Irish breeder Billy Robson, Doagh, Co Clare, sold Kilbride Farm Bantry for 12,000gns to C Traynor, Moy Road, Armagh. He also sold Kilbride Farm Benone for 10,000gns to Gerald Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk.

A further four bulls sold at the 10,000gns mark, including the intermediate champion and reserve overall, Longbeach Bosco, from Adrian Richardson, part time farmer and butcher from Maquiresbridge. This one was bought by J Innes and Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly.

North-east breeders dominated the Charolais show, with Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Ballindalloch, taking the supreme with his junior bull, Inverlochy Fencer and also reserve overall with his intermediate, Inverlochy Ferdie. Both were by the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger which has sired bulls up to 70,000gns.

Neil and Graeme Massie, took the senior championship with Blelack Forester from their 120 strong herd at Blelack, Dinnet.

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