New season lambs are only just appearing on the market in Scotland, but they're unlikely to hit the high prices witnessed over the past couple of years as concerns mount over the financial situation on the Continent and the continual downtrend in the value of the Euro.
A new record price for a Blonde bull sold through auction, was set at Carlisle last weekend, when Alasdair McSporran of the Eilean herd based near Innerleithan, Peebles, sold his best at 9000gns.
Admittedly, the Charolais and the Simmental breeds secured the majority of lead prices, nevertheless, it was a Limousin that produced the day's best at 10,000gns, selling to pedigree breeders, John and James Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty, Dunfermline.
Trade topped at 2180gns at the inaugural Spring Spectacular show and sale of dairy cattle, at Lanark last week, which had forward a catalogued entry of 40 cattle, including the part reduction sale of the milking portion from Archie Kerr, Townend Farm, Stonehouse.
Despite a far from vintage show, overall averages soared to a new high for the May spring show and sale of pedigree Limousin bulls at Carlisle, where 112 head cashed in at £6718, up almost £500 on the year.
Buyers from Germany, Austria, Romania and Switzerland snapped up the leading lots at the first-ever sale of imported UK-bred Aberdeen-Angus at Wertingen, Bavaria.
RECENT MONTHS have seen a number of concerns raised about the changing use of Scottish distillery co-products, with NFU Scotland amongst the voices questioning current developments.
Growing demand for the dual-characteristics of the Simmental breed saw overall averages rise by £1000 per head for bulls at the breed show and sale at Carlisle, last week, where a new centre breed top of 7900gns was achieved for the male champion, Braegarrie Bravo 10.
