Elite native Aberdeen-Angus genetics met a cracking trade at Geordie and Julia Soutar’s on-farm sale of the Dunlouise herd, attracting what is believed to be a new 6600gns record for an individual frozen embryo, while a yearling bull sold for 16,000gns.

The sale – staged at Kingston Farm, Forfar – which grossed not far off £225,000 for the live entries and £94,000 for embryos, not only saw a large number of the entries sell to foreign breeders, but also leading Scottish producers.

But, while there was huge praise for the Dunlouise cattle, American breeder, Harrison O’Connor, Cottonwood Cleck, Geyser, Montana, who bought the top priced lot at 16,000gns and a couple of the dearest females, hit out at the Scottish-type of Angus cattle.

“It has saddened me greatly to see the Aberdeen-Angus breed totally polluted in it’s home country,” said Mr O’Connor.

“The Scottish Angus cattle at the Highland Show were way too big, have lost all their ease of fleshing characteristics and are totally out of context for what they are supposed to do. There is no way they would survive outdoors back home with us in Montana.

“The sad thing is, the native Aberdeen-Angus breed has been shown to survive in every country in the world and yet here we are in the breed’s homeland where only a handful of the original families remain,” he added.

Mr O’Connor who has been using Dunlouise sires on his 200 Angus cows and 35 native-bred females for the past nine years, also pointed out that the more native-bred genetics that are in the cattle, the easier they are to keep.

“Dunlouise Angus have definitely improved my cattle – the traditional shaped heads have come back and their ability to convert more from forage has also improved as the amount of native genetics in the progeny increases.

“I’m a great believer in grass-fed beef which is not only cheaper to produce but also healthier.

“It’s a system which there is growing interest in too when it is ultimately a cheaper way to produce beef, but you need the right type of cattle to achieve this,” he said.

He was nevertheless most impressed by the Dunlousie cattle and his purchases.

“The cattle I saw today were far better than I expected and the bull I bought is the best I’ve ever seen,” added Mr O’Connor.

That was Dunlouise Newman, a 14-month-old bull, that goes back to the foundation female, Budgehill Nena Y588.

One of the first by Jubilant 2 of Bohey – a sire introduced to the Dunlouise breeding programme 50 years after his birth - Newman is out of the Parsee of Doonholm daughter, Dunlouise Nina.

The American also bought two females to include Dunlouise Jipsey Nectar, a four-year-old cow, and her January-born bull calf, Dunlouise Jipsey Tartan, by Piledrive of Haymount, at 6000gns.

Jipsey Nectar, is line-bred from the Emperor of Newark daughter Dunlouise Jipsey Hope, and sired by Dunlouise Jipsey Earl son, Dunlouise Nevis.

Minutes later, Mr O’Connor went to 7000gns for the three-year-old Dunlouise Rose, by Emperor of Newark, out of the Dunlouise Jipsey Earl daughter, Dunlouise Ruby. She also sold with a March-born bull calf, this time by Dunlouise Enigma.

With current rules and regulations preventing live cattle sales outwith Europe, the bull heads down to Cogent to have semen taken from him, while the two females will remain at Kingston where embryos will be collected and exported to Montana.

Second top price was 9000gns paid in a two-way split between Australian breeder, Dane Martin, Wanuaratia, Victoria and Bill Woods, Newulm, Texas. Their purchase, Dunlouise Curve Bender, a 15-month-old bull, is sired by Piledrive of Haymount and bred from the Evesund of Dupplin daughter, Dunlouise Cherry Blossom.

Just behind, on 7200gns, Fife breeder, Andrew Mylius, St Fort Home Estate, Newport-on-Tay, bought Dunlouise Einstein, a 13-month-old bull from the first calf crop by Generic of Cavan, a sire that was also introduced to the programme more than 50 years after his birth. Einstein is out of the Evesund of Dupplin-sired cow, Dunlouise Emma.

Back amongst the females and Ken Brown, Craigowmill, Milnathort, went to 7000gns for Dunlouise Jipsey Princess, a three-year-old and her calf, Dunlouise Jipsey Snowdrop, a seven-month-old heifer by Rupert of Lislimnaghan.

Jipsey Princess is by the Dunlouise Jipsey Earl son, Dunlouise Patriot, and out of Dunlouise Jipsey Halle which is one of the best daughters of the foundation female Cannahars Jipsey Yoko.

Three females made 6500gns including the first lot in the ring, Dunlouise Eilean, a three-year-old by Dunlouise Jipsey Earl out of Dunlouise Elfie. She sold in calf to Generic of Cavan and due in November, to Capper Farms, Auchans, Johnstsone.

James Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty, also went to the same money for the four-year-old Dunlouise Elizabeth, by Dunlouise Nevis, out of Dunlouise Emerald. She sold due in September to Piledrive of Haymount.

Welsh breeders, DW and L Bushin, Glanawmhor Isaf, Carmarthen, bought the last of the 6500gns lots going to this price for the rising three-year-old heifer, Dunlouise Eulima Penny, by Dunlouise Jipsey Monarch. Included in this transaction was her December 2016-born heifer calf by Piledrive of Haymount.

Leading the embryo trade at 6600gns each, were six Dunlouise Red Nessies purchased by Bill Woods of Newulm, Texas. All six go back to one of the oldest families, being bred from the Dunlouise Engineer daughter, Dunlouise Red Nessie, and sired by the Prattle of Haymount son Dunlouise Red Native.

Next, John Hendry, Queensland, Australia, bought two Dunlouise Pippa frozen embryos at 3700gns each. They are sired by Dunlouise Jipsey Earl.