SALERS bulls met a disappointing trade at round two of Stirling Bull Sales on Monday, when only 14 of the 32 bulls forward found new homes, cashing in at £3878 which is down a massive £3105 on the year for just four more sold.

While breeders enjoyed their best ever sale here last year, when breed records were smashed at 12,000gns twice and averages rose £1895 on the year, to level just short of £7000 for 10, society chairman Terence Pye, said this year’s sale was extremely unfortunate.  

“Despite there being a tremendous demand for the easy calving Salers, there were not enough buyers forward today. The breed produced a record catalogue entry of 40 bulls this year and we normally see half a dozen of the bulls go to Orkney but that wasn’t the case today.

“The longevity of the Salers may also have resulted in few buyers but I would say this sale is just a blip. Within the top 10 breeds, the Salers is the fastest growing breed and I have every bit of faith that it will continue to grow,” Mr Pye added.

United Auctions’ auctioneer, Raymond Kennedy, described it as a sticky trade and said buyers present were very selective. “People were definitely buying on budget today and there were a lot more bulls on offer than usual. I reckon breeders were in high expectations from last year’s good sale too.”

It was the intermediate champion, Cleuchhead Legacy from Rob and Kath Livesey’s 90-cow herd at Nether Firth, Lilliesleaf, Melrose, which produced the top price of 7000gns and a personal best here for the family. Brought out by eldest son Iain, this April 2016-born bull is the first son of the Ballymackeogh Leo-sired, Cuil Godfather which was bought here at Stirling three years ago. Having been bulled to 14 of the Cleuchhead heifers before being sold, Legacy is the first bull calf out of Cleuchhead Gentle, which is by Whitebog Fury, a bull the Liveseys bought for 7000gns in 2012 when it stood champion at the premier show and sale at Castle Douglas. He sold back down to the Borders to Andrew Tullie Farming, Whitchesters, Haysike at Hawick.

Next best at 6200gns was the overall and senior champion, Kaimburn Lewis, a 23-month-old bull from Edgerston Trading’s Kaimburn herd at Camptown, Jedburgh. Also producing a personal best for the 80-cow herd which is owned by Mr and Mrs De Gier and run by farm manager, Neil Ralston, this rising star is by Seawell Highlander, the same sire which bred the herd’s 7200gns reserve junior champion at Castle Douglas last week. Out of the Oaklands Challenge daughter, Oaklands Gaewrn, he was snapped up by N and D Austin, Boreland of Girthon, Gatehouse of Fleet.

The Austins also went to 5000gns for the reserve intermediate champion, Drumaglea Lord Jim, a 22-month-old from Tiree breeder and retired vet, Patrick Boyd, who sold one of last year’s breed record holders at 12,000gns in February for Drumaglea Kingpin 2 and achieved the same price again in May. An AI son of the French sire, Baron, this cracker is the first calf out of the Variegeois-sired, Drumaglea Bella.

Despite not selling in the ring, the reserve junior champion from Alistair MacKenzie, Whitebog, Fortrose, made 4500gns to local breeder, Murray Lyle, Mid Cambushinnie, Dunblane. This one is by Seawell Diplomat, out of Whitebog Dianna. 

Three bulls came under the hammer at 4000gns to include Corrichie Luther from father and son team, John and Jamie McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt. Selling on just their third year here, this January 2016-born bull is an AI son of former Paris Show champion, Druide, which is noted as the number one sire in France for weaning weights. Out of Corrichie Calais, which was bought inside her mother, Cuil Britany at the premier sale in 2010, Luther sold to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness.

The McIntyres also produced a further sale at 3800gns with Corrichie Lachlan when sold to D Howat, Enoch Farm, Girvan. This 22-month-old which is by the same sire as Luther, is out of Lisnamaul Floss which was also bought at the premier sale in 2014 for 5800gns as an in-calf heifer.

Matching that 4000gns price tag was first time consignors, Fred Robinson and son Bryn, who made the long trip north from Church Preen, Church Stretton, Shropshire. Selling best for the father and son team who run their 60-cow herd at Highfields Farm, was the reserve overall champion, Preenbank Lord Charles which stood junior champion at the Royal Welsh last year. By Seawell Invader, which was bought for 8000gns at Welshpool when he stood reserve male champion, this 23-month-old is out of Preenbank Christabel. He was bought by Smith, Stromness.

Also selling for 4000gns outside the ring to JJ Alexander, Hillhead, Drybridge, Buckie, was Patrick Boyd's April 2016-born Drumaglea Lancelot. He is by Baron, out of the Sancy-sired Drumaglea Yo-Yo.

Among the six females sold, trade peaked at 2200gns for the 20-month-old Seamore Lisa from J Manners, Deanfoot, Denholm, Hawick. Backed fully by home-breed genetics, she is by Seamore Island and out of Seamore Jessica. Buyer here was C Imrie, Alton, Balmore, Glasgow.