Agriculture: Foreign interest and new buyers help keep Highland breed on the upswing

WHILE there were no massive prices going at the 119th spring sale of Highland cattle at Oban yesterday, there were a number of positives for the native breed.

More than one third of the bulls forward are heading over to Europe, with buyers from both Germany and Denmark being attracted to the breed. There were also a number of new breeders around the ring

Speaking after the sale, Hazel Baxter, the breed secretary, described the trade as "steady", with the bonus of European buyers and newcomers to the breed helping to give it an edge.

Top trade of the day saw Alan Kennedy, Thirdpart, West Kilbride, sell his two-year-old bull, Callum 2nd of Goldenberry, to the Ormsary fold belonging to Sir Wiliam Lithgow, Lochgilphead for 5,800gn.

At 5,600gn, a five-year-old bull, Torquil Dealbach of Ubhaidh from Roy Tylden-Wright, Uvie, Lagganbridge, went to the Benmeanach fold belonging to Anna Taylor, Old West Manse, Rothesay.

One of the newcomers to the breed, Sir Michael Nairn, Blairgowrie, went to 5,500gn to get Am Drobhair of Coirefuar a three-year-old from Angus McKay, Kilgraston, Perth.

The was a moment of poignancy when Argyll Lawrie, Saval Beg, Lairg, led round Adhamh 2nd of Lagg on behalf of his late wife Connie, an enthusiast of the breed. Two-year-old Adhamh was bid to 5,400gn by Ian McKay, for the noted Cnoc fold

Senior bulls averaged 2,500, two-year-old bulls, 1,965, Yearlings 595 and aged 1,814.

A total of 40 bulls were sold in total on the day by the auctioneers, Caledonian Marts, Stirling.