SELLING for the top price of 12,000gns at the spring show and sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls and females at Carlisle was the reserve champion, Gretnahouse Jack Eric from Alasdair Houston's Gretna-based herd. 

This 17-month-old topper is by Haymount Precursor, an 18,000gns purchase when he stood junior and overall champion at Stirling in February, 2015, while the dam is Blelack Jury Erica, a Netherallan Peter Pershore daughter. Jack Eric stays in Scotland and was snapped up by Stewart Craft, Little Balquhomire, Fife. 

Another from Gretnahouse sold to Hexham-based R Rutherford and Sons, of Old Town, Whitfield, for 6500gns. That was another by Precursor, this time the September 2015-born Gretnahouse Lord Hansa which is out of a home-bred Ardrossan Admiral A2 daughter.

Two bulls attracted a 7000gns price tag, with the first being one of the oldest in the catalogue in the shape of Miss MV Guttery's Oak Moor Lord Ivanho from The Moor, Haxby. Catching the eye of Dustall Estate, Dunstall, Burton on Trent, he is by Duncanziemere Edwin and out of one of the best breeding cows in the herd, the Yearsley Mr Ambassador daughter, Oak Moor Lady Issie. 

Matching that 7000gns when chapped down to GD Herdman, Demesne, Alnwick, was Blelack Topclass from Neil Massie, who sold the autumn-calving portion of his Aberdeenshire herd on the same day (see separate report). His sire, the 10,000gns Warrenho Emperor, has bred bulls to 10,000gns, while his dam is the Blelack Equity daughter, Blelack Toplass.

Among the females it was the champion, Alistair Clark and Sons' Duncanziemere Edwina, which topped at 3000gns. The 13-month-old Rawburn Jester Eric daughter from the herd near Cumnock was knocked down to Rand Contracting Ltd, Hatchpen, Reed, Royston. 

See the June 3 issue of The Scottish Farmer for the full report and averages.