Records tumble as bull fetches 15,000gns

Records fell at Stirling yesterday when Aberdeen Angus and Shorthorn bulls achieved their best-ever averages and a Shorthorn bull sold for a record price at auction of 15,000 guineas.

Some 144 Angus bulls went through the ring to level at £5,080 –£404 up on last February – and there were no less than 14 five-figure prices.

Society chief executive Ron McHattie said: “Against a backdrop of falling cow numbers, this has got to be seen as positive. We had breeders still looking for bulls at the end of the sale and also bulls sold to Germany and Denmark.”

The Galloway family are familiar with both sides of the beef market through their Scotbeef abattoir at Bridge of Allan, but yesterday Robbie was delighted to receive the day’s top price of 18,000gns for Cardona Potter from his 70 -cow herd based at Doune.

The buyer of this second prize bull was Bob Lane, who runs the well-known Penguin herd in Shropshire.

Second top price of the day of 17,000gns went to Ewan Brewis, Lempitlaw, Kelso, for his overall champion, Eastfield Jacobite, which was bought by the Lockhead family of Glassel Farms, Banchory. Sir Moir Lockhead is the retired chief executive of the First Group.

Eastfield bulls were some of the most sought after of the day with Eastfield Foreman making 15,000gns to newly-elected vice-president of the society, Russell Taylor, Monur, Inchture.

The reserve junior champion, Eastfield Justy made 13,000gns to D W Sinclair & Co, Unigarth, Orkney, and Pat Cahill, of Cavan in the south of Ireland, paid 10,000gns for Eastfield Black Buddy.

Orkney breeder Colin Davidson sold his reserve champion Skaill Dido for 16,000gns to Rae Grieve, Carlhurlie, Leven, and Skaill Doubletake for 12,000gns to MacFarlane Farms, Quixwood, Duns.

The Moss Quebec from Kevin Moores, Formby, Lancashire, made 14,000gns to A Jewing, Annan on behalf of a client, while Alan Lawson, who runs the Hallington herd at Newcastle, was delighted to receive his best price to date of 12,000gns from G and W Henderson, Culrain Mins, Ardgay, for Hallington Evolution.

Rugby star David Sole at first withdrew his senior champion, Glenbuchat Bruce, from the ring unsold at 11,000gns but it was later sold for 12,000gns to Bill Bruce, of Logie, Ellon.

The Shorthorn which broke the record, which has stood since 1946, was a third-placed bull from former Qaulity Meat Scotland chairman Donald Biggar, Grange, Castle Douglas. Chapelton Dauphin was knocked down for 15,000gns to Mr and Mrs W Landers, Bargaly, Newton Stewart. Biggar then sold his overall champion Chapelton Duke for 8,500gns to Alvie Estate, Kincraig, Kingussie.

Podehole Drummer, a white bull from Harry Horrell’s herd at Peterburgh, made 13,000gns to M D McMillan, Moneydie Roger, Luncarty.

Meanwhile Major John Gibb, Glenisla, sold his reserve junior champion Glenisla Dambuster for 10,000gns to A Cooper, Sydling Estate, Dorchester. He also sold Glenisla Drambuie for 9000gns to Blackford Farms, Dunblane.

At the same price David and Rosemary Dickie, Knockenjig, Sanquhar, sold Knockenjig Duke to W Young & Son, Templehall, Kirkcaldy..

Overall, the Shorthorn bulls averaged a record £4,991 for 71 sold, against the then record £4,637 for 36 in February 2011.