Records fall at latest Luing premier sale

The increased popularity of the Luing breed was confirmed with records being smashed at their 47th Premier Sale in Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas.

The highlight of the day came when the bull Harehead Mourie, from Professor Penny CBE, Cranshaws, Duns, set a new breed record of 20,000gns to new Luing breeders Paddy & Sheila Crerar of Newmains, Stenton, East Lothian.

That 20,000gns contributed to an almost unprecedented average of £6,874 for 19 bulls – up £2,764 on the year for two fewer sold.

The remainder of Harehead’s entry sold well, with all four selling to average £9,712. Three more five-figure prices were hit in the bull section, with debut bull consignors D&A Barr of Milkieston, Peebles, selling for 14,000gns to C&M Symons of Attonburn, Kelso. The same buyer went to 11,000gns to get the top bull from W.Graham & Son and Dave Stanners purchased from Robert McNee Ltd. for 10,000gns.

The sale also saw the highest female entry in almost 40 years with 218 sold.

Robert McNee Ltd. from Armadale once again topped the charts in the in-calf heifer section, selling nine to average £2,566, including a top of 3,600gns for a pair of red heifers in-calf. This top price was also a new record for the society and was paid by the Crerars

Debut consignors Rob & Carol Carr of Airyolland, Port William, had a very good sale, averaging £2,077 for seven in-calf heifers sold. Another debut consignor, Jim Caygill from Skipton, North Yorkshire, sold an in-calf heifer for 1,700gns with society chairman Steven Murray selling his consignment of 32 for an impressive average of £1,732.

Pedigree Luing bulling heifers were bid to 2,200gns with 169 selling to average £1,324 – up £148 on the year with 33 more sold. The top price was paid by John Buglass of Glen for a pair of roan heifers from the Hon. R.B. Loder’s Children’s Settlement and brought out by farm manager Stephen Little.

The Upper Chatto consignment saw eight selling for the top average of £1,968. Other notable averages included W.Graham & Son who sold five to average £1,869; D&A Barr of Milkieston levelled at £1,690 for 15; Cadzow Bros of Luing averaged £1,596 for 30 and Floors Farming came out with £1,554 for five.