Farming: Stirling's autumn bull sales kick off with top prices reaching 12,000gns

Trade for native bulls at Stirling yesterday was steady but uninspiring reflecting the continuing swing to spring calving. The 44 Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to average £4,171, £70 down on the year for a similar number sold. The small selection of eight Shorthorn bulls averaged £3,714.

Shorthorn trade was helped by the champion bull making 12,000gns. Robert and Paula McAlister only have eight cows at their Langalbuinoch Farm on the Isle of Bute and they were delighted to win their first championship. Langalbuinoch Barney by Newfield Tarquin was bought by Carey Coombs, West Farm, Dunsyre, Lanarkshire.

Best price of the day for an Angus bull was 12,000gns for Blelack Jubilee from Graeme Massie, Blelack, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, to Jan Boomars, Heathdown, Woldingham, Surrey.

The reserve senior champion, Scholland Duplicator from brothers, John and Ronnie Leslie in Virkie, Shetland, made 10,000gns to Hugh and Sandy Wilson, Newbank, Moffat, Dumfries. At 8,000gns J Walker and Son, Sauchenbush, Echt, bought Newton-Struthers Juneric from Morayshire breeders Sandy and Kay Rhind, Newton Struthers, Kinloss. Also at this price Sir Moir Lockhead, Glassel Farms, Banchory, sold Glassel Del by Wedderlie Kansas from his 90-strong herd to Orkney breeder Neill Rendell, Papa Westray.

The junior and overall champion, Cairnton Knight by Harestone Diplomat, came from Kenneth Howie, Lumphanon, Banchory, and sold for 7,000gns to another Orkney buyer, S & J Sclater, Lower Hobbister.

The Duke of Buccleuch's BQ Farming Partnership, Bowhill, Selkirk, paid 6,500gns for Lorabar Monarch Prince to J & S Montgomery, Lochwinnoch.

Bulls from the Blelack herd were sought after with a senior bull, Blelack Erudite by Nightingale Defiance, selling for 6,500gns to S A Moore, Mains of Balhall, Brechin. They also sold their reserve junior champion, Blelack Estimator for 6,000gns to J Walton and Sons, Dunshouses, Otterburn. The senior champion, Wrae Proud Illusionist by Carlhurlie Great Start, from Sandy Norrie's herd at Turriff, made 6,200gns to cattle dealer Liam Muir, Stenness, Orkney.