Payouts help Stirling bull sales hit 10,000gns top price

The arrival, albeit belatedly, of basic payment scheme cash was reckoned to have boosted yesterday's bull sales trade at United Auctions, Stirling.

Simmentals sold well, if a little selectively, at Stirling. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The multi-breed sale topped at 10,000 guineas with four transactions at the 9,000gns level.

The top price was for the Aberdeen-Angus champion from father and son Neil and Graeme Massie, Blelack, Aboyne. The champion is off to join Rae Gardener’s recently established Newton Muchalls pedigree herd in Aberdeeenshire. All 23 Aberdeen-Angus bulls forward sold, to average £4638, up £700 on the year.

Charolais sold more selectively, with only 53 per cent selling, to average £4486, down £639 on the year. The breed topped at 9,000gns from Major David Walter, Balthayock, Perth.

The Limousin breed had a very good day with 90 per cent clearance and 43 bulls sold, to average £4356, up £748 on the year. Two sold at 9,000gns, both from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Dumfries, one going to W & R Thomson, Cairnbeg, Kilsyth and the second to J & R Semple. Netherton, Dalrymple.

The Salers sale also saw a 9,000gns top bid with Terence and Jane Pye of Rigel Pedigree, Tees-side selling to W Duncan, East Lediken, Insch, a centre record for the breed. The Highland Cattle Society took part in the sale for the first time with six bulls selling to average £1,047, topping at 1,600gns from Michael Poland, Benderloch, Oban to David Smith, Flowery Brae, Fraserburgh.

Simmentals sold well, if a little selectively with a 67 per cent clearance, at an average of £4,192, down by only £4 on the year. The leading price of 7,800gns was gained by Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Keith, with buyer Iain Green, Corskie, Garmouth.

The 11 Shorthorns sold averaged £2,846 with the top price of 6,500gns going to William Allan. His topper was knocked down to J Innes & Son, Dunscroft, Huntly.