A top price of 25,000gns and another four at five figures were the highlights of the first of four breed society sales – Aberdeen-Angus – at Stirling on Monday.

Despite the continual decline in the prime cattle prices, averages held up well too and for a similar number sold compared to the same sale last year.

In all, 82 Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold through the ring to average £5820, down just £67 on the year for five fewer.

Add to that another 14 sold after the sale, and chief executive, Barrie Turner, remained pleased with the trade and confident for the future of the breed.

“When you think we sold 82 bulls through the ring and another 14 out the back, we’ve had a great sale,” he said, adding that there were far more new buyers compared to previous years.

“With a larger number of bulls forward for sale, people knew they could be selective and with most of the better bulls at the tail-end of the sale, this pushed up prices amongst the junior bulls.”

He added that despite the increased number of Aberdeen-Angus cross cattle now in the market, the beef is continuing to attract a premium, as demand for Angus beef increases.

“There is a lot of talk about vegans and flexitarians affecting the beef trade, but what is actually happening is that while people might be eating slightly less beef, they are looking to trade up and buy better quality beef which is what Aberdeen-Angus is renowned for producing,” added Mr Turner.

There was no lack of confidence for breeders bulls either, with the sale leader, Gordon Barney, a home-bred bull from the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke’s, managed by Jonny Elliot, selling for 25,000gns. Barney boasts some slightly new bloodlines being the first son sold from the retained Netherallan Peter Pershore son, Rawburn Joe Eric which was bred from the Canadian embryo, Rawburn Joy Erica.

Brought out by stockman, Iain Campbell, he is out of the home-bred SAV Neth Worth daughter, Linton Gilbertines Brandy and sold to father and son duo, Alastair and Graeme Fraser buying for their 65-cow Idvies herd from Forfar.

“He’s a very good example of the Aberdeen-Angus breed at the present time, with good conformation and no myostatin in his pedigree. He is also a total outcross for us,” said Alastair.

Angus from Bill and Kate Allen, son Dallas and daughter Ruth’s Stouphill herd, enjoyed a cracking trade selling to 17,000gns to average £8925 for five.

Dearest and securing a personal best for this 65-cow herd was the second prize junior, Stouphill Marcus Prince. He is the last natural born bull calf by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, a 7000gns purchase that has bred sons to 12,000gns and 10,000gns, and also the first prize pen of three bulls – all of which were by Jigsaw – for what is believed to be a record breaking three years in succession here.

The dam is Stouphill Marsala Pearl, which is a daughter of the retained Stouphill Endeavour – the first bull calf born on the farm by Rawburn Lord Ross. Having been the second last bidder on the 25,000gns bull, Northern Ireland breeder, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was the successful buyer on this August 2019-born bull.

The Allens from Humbleheugh, Alnwick, also received 8500gns for their reserve overall champion, Stouphill Maximus Pride, another by Jigsaw. Equally well bred on his mother’s side, this May 2018-born entry which also scooped the reserve intermediate honours, is out of the Rawburn El Torro-sired cow, Stouphill Marsala Princes which has bred sons to 6000gns. Maximus Pride was knocked down to Aberdeenshire producer, Alan Lawson, Scotsmill, Tullynessle, Alford.

The first five-figure sale of the day at 13,000gns came for the April 2018-born Cardona Jewel Eric, from Robbie Galloway’s 60-cow herd managed by Ewen Roberts. Bred from the best female line in the herd, his dam is Cardona Jewel Erica, a grand-daughter of the dam of the 38,000gns Cardona Jewel Eric purchased by Galcantray.

Sutherland producers, G and W Henderson, Culrain Mains, Ardgay, were the final bidders on this red ticket holder by Nightingale Dunbar, a bull bought privately in 2011.

The first sons of Tonley Jester Eric, a Duncanziemere Edwin-sired bull bred by Neil and Mark Wattie and sold privately to Neil and Graeme Massie, Blelack at 11 months of age, with a half share retained, proved popular for both parties, with sons to 11,000gns twice, 9000gns and 7000gns.

The first Tonley Kasper, from the Watties from Mains of Tonley, Alford, is bred from the Blelack Evor-sired heifer, Tonley Kay Pride made 11,000gns selling to in a three-way split to the Campbells at Thrunton, Alnwick; Alan and Stephen Lawson, Hallinton, Newcastle Upon Tyne and S and S Medley, Hunters Hill, Thirsk, North Yorks.

Matching that 11,000gns bid was the first from the Massies, Blelack Prince Charlie, a May 2018-born entry paraded by Gordon Fraser. Prince Charlie, which stood reserve intermediate champion, is bred from two-year-old Blelack Princess Carina, by Hallington Principal and headed home Hugh and Sandy Wilson, Newbank, Beattock.

Later, Charlie McCombie Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, Huntly, gave 9000gns for Blelack Prince Cooper, a June 2018-born entry out of the two-year-old heifer, Blelack Princess Carina, by Hallington Principal. Prince Cooper also has the RHS champion, Blelack Egotist in his pedigree.

There was more to come for the Blelack team when Blelack Lord Hugo, another by Tonley Jester Eric, made 7000gns to Norman and David Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow. His dam, Blelack Lady Heather is by the 10,000gns Warrenho Emperor.

The junior champion from Highland Wagyu, HW Black Barbersco, from Blackford, Auchterarder, realised 9000gns to Seafield Pedigrees, Attwell Farm, Bedley, Redditch.

This July 2018-born entry shown by Seonaid McLaren and her father William, is a son of the senior stock sire, HW Fabulous, which is by Netherton Freedom and goes back to a former female champion at the Highland Show, in Netherton Frances.

The dam is Balhaldie Black Beryl, a home-bred cow by Balhaldie Proud Star, which goes back to HW’s foundation female, Cheeklaw Black Beryl.

HW Barolo, which stood second in his class to Barbersco, from the same home and by the same sire, made 7200gns selling to L Wilson, Bridge View, Waverbridge, Wigton, Cumbria. His dam, Netherton Beauty, is by the Canadian sire, HF EL Tigre.

Martin McCornick and daughters Gemma and Kate, Boreland, Kirkcowan, had another cracking sale too, bagging their first Aberdeen-Angus championship here to follow on from their Charolais title at the October sale.

Dearest here at 8500gns was McCornick Florida, a red ticket holder by Skaill Dino, a bull that bred McCornick Keira – last year’s champion at the Highland – out of the Rawburn Transformer daughter, McCornick Fleur, a cow which goes back to Netherton Fleur and another breed champion at Ingliston. Placed fourth in his class at last year’s Royal Highland Show, Florida was knocked down to Willie Mitchell, Hazelside, Douglas, Lanark.

North Yorkshire producers, TA and P Johnson, Clarence House, Yearsley, bought the McCornick’s overall champion, McCornick Pathfinder at 7500gns.

Another by Dino, this time out of the Ankonian Elixir daughter, Halbeath Pam, this April 2018-born bull bagged the intermediate title and was yearling bull and reserve male champion at the Winter National Show at Agri Expo.

Selling up to Ross-shire with CW Brooke, Midfearn, Ardgay, was David Stubbs’ Logie Defence, from AJR Farms, Ellon. Full brother to the 13,000gns Logie Defiance which sold here last year to Stouphill, this third prize winner brought out by Andrew and James Reid, is by the privately purchased Rawburn Enoch and out of the Netherallan Peter Pershore daughter, Logie Delia which is a daughter of the 16,000gns Skaill Delia.

Catalogue No 13 proved anything but unlucky for Dumfriesshire breeder, Alasdair Houston, Gretna House Farms, Gretna, when he sold his senior champion for 7500gns to Blair Castle Estate, Balanloan Home Farm, Atholl Estates, Pitlochry.

This March 2018-born bull brought out by stockman John Morton, is backed by some top show winning genetics with the sire being Deveron Leggat, a bull bred by Hamish and Margaret Sclater that lifted nine red tickets and won three National titles before selling privately to the Tonley herd.

Notably, the dam, Gretnahouse Blackbird, is a full sister to Gretnahouse Blacksmith, a bull shared with the Haymount herd that has bred sons to 15,000gns.

Two bulls came under the hammer for 7200gns to include Glassel Kansas, a first prize winner from Sir Moir Lockhead’s Mains of Glassel-based herd from Banchory, purchased by John and Marion Tilson, buying back some of their own genetics for the Wedderlie herd from Gordon, Berwickshire. The second son sold by Glassel Jester Eric, a bull by the 10,000gns Wedderlie Kansas sire bought here after standing intermediate champion, he is out of the Eastfield Jacobite daughter, Glassel Karrosa and was paraded by Keith and Ian Anderson.

Ewan Brewis’ second prize winner, Eastfield Jingo, from Eastfield of Lempitlaw, Kelso, a May 2018-born son of the privately purchased Linton Gilbertines Earlston, made the same money selling to John McLaren, Fintallich, Muthill, Crieff.

He was brought out by stockman, Iain McGillivray and is out of Eastifeld Justine Erica, a Rawburn Edge-sired cow.

Five bulls realised 7000gns with the first, Tonley Jezza Eric, being another from Mains of Tonley, selling all the way up to the Isle of Harris, with A MacKay, Scaristavore. Reserve yearling bull at the Black Beauty Bonanza, this April 2018-born entry is by Warrenho Emperor and out of the Blelack Evor-sired Tonley Jay Erica.

Minutes later Iain Campbell and sons Bruce and Andrew, Thrunton, Alnwick, received the same money for Thrunton Regal, a similarly aged bull by the AI sire, Gretnahouse Blackpot and the first bull calf out of the Netherallan Peter Pershore-sired Thrunton Rowena. John McIntosh, Genoch Mains, Dunragit, Stranraer, was the final bidder.

Texel breeders, Gordon and David Gray, who run 24 pedigree Angus at Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk, also received 7000gns for the 18-month-old Ettrick Gladiator, which stood senior overall champion at the Stars of the Future. He is by Linton Gilbertines President, a bull bought for 17,000gns in partnership with Halbeath in 2017, and out of Ettrick Gaenor, which is a grand-daughter of the herd’s foundation cow from the Cronberry herd. Gladiator headed home with Alasdair MacLean, Heylipol, Tiree.

The last of the 7000gns sales came for the similarly aged Wedderlie Bonpoint from John and Marion Tilson and daughter Wanda Hobbs, Wedderlie, Gordon. Northumberland producer, CJ Sutherland, Ross Farm, Belford, forked out the cash for this Blelack Pontius son out of the Nightingale El Paso-sired Wedderlie Bonnie Lass.

LEADING awards:

Bulls born on or between February 1 and March 10, 2018 – 1, M and HD Currie’s Kingholm Detroit, by Weeton Rocky, 4500gns to R and A Stodart, Mill of Inverarity, Angus; 2, Ballindalloch Home Farms’ Ballindalloch Pistyll, by Retties JFK, 4000gns to Mosston Muir Farm, Guthrie, Forfar; 3, A Mylius and Partners of St. Fort’s St. Fort Eskyloch, by St Fort Popstar, unsold; 4, AJR Farms’ Logie Evolution, by Idvies Eugene, 3500gns to I and BF Sclater, Russamyre, Orkney; 5, D and A Watt’s Swordale Elmer, by Nightingale Bart, 3800gns to R and RJ Steel, Ayton Cocklaw, Berwickshire.

Bulls born on or between March 11 and 27, 2018 – 1 and senior champion, AG Houston’s Gretnahouse Black Bomb, by Deveron Leggat, 7500gns to Blair Castle Estate, Balanloan Home Farm, Pitlochry; 2, D Whiteford and Co’s Borewell Eventer, by Blelack Explosive, 4000gns to K and B Lang, Starr Farm, Fife; 3, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Proud Parish, by Shadwell Black Broughton, 5000gns to H and K Farms, Hoddom, Lockerbie; 4, D and A Watt’s Swordale Elmo, by Nightingale Bart, 5200gns to J and AR Reid, Pictstonhill, Perth; 5, RJ and LA Acton’s Housesteads Elsdon, by Haymount Wenwaro, unsold.

Bulls born on or between March 28 and April 3, 2018 – 1, M Lockhead’s Glassel Kansas, by Glassel Jester Eric, 7200gns to J and J Campbell, Wedderlie Farm House, Berwickshire; 2, AJR Farms’ Logie Endresult, by Isauld Prime, 6000gns to J Arnott, Mains of Coul, Angus; 3, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Dukes Up, by Rawburn Druid, 3500gns to R and RJ Steel; 4, I and S Graham’s Balgray Fingal, by Balgray Elevation, unsold; 5, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Euroman, by Blelack Excalibur, 3250gns to CJ Hutchings and Sons, Kingsbrompton Farm, Somerset.

Bulls born on or between April 4 and 9, 2018 –1 and reserve senior champion, HW Sclater’s Deveron Endurance, by Deveron Lomax, 6000gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney; 2, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon El Salvador, by Rawburn Druid, 5800gns to C McMillan, Tallant, Isle of Islay; 3, D Whiteford and Co’s Borewell Ross, by Blelack Explosive, unsold; 4, WD Allen’s Stouphill Eligh, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, 7500gns to I Colville, 12 Glenford Rd, Newtownards; 5, Mr and Mrs D Evans’ Tree Bridge Padre, by Tree Bridge Pathfinder, unsold.

Bulls born on or between 10 and 15 April, 2018 – 1, J Robert Galloway’s Cardona Jewel Eric, by Nightingale Dunbar, 13,000gns to G and W Henderson, Culrain Mains, Sutherland; 2, NA Wattie’s Tonley Kasper, by Tonley Jester Eric, 3667gns to JHC Campbell and Sons, Thrunton Farm, Northumberland; 3, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Black Loch, by Rawburn Black Watch, 4000gns to JEM Vestey, Ormiston Farm, Roxs; 4, JR Galloway’s Cardona Edwin, by Ballindalloch Earl, 2800gns to D Brenninkmeijer, Field Place, Guildford; 5, WD Allen’s Stouphill Merry Prince, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, 4000gns to P Chapman and Co., South Redbog, Aberdeenshire.

Bulls born on or between April 16 and 22, 2018 – 1, intermediate and supreme champion, MR McCornick’s McCornick Pathfinder, by Skaill Dino, 7500gns to TA and P Johnson, Clarence House Farm, York; 2, HW Sclater’s Deveron Legend, by Deveron Lomax, 5800gns to H and K Farms, Estate Office, Lockerbie; 3, NA Wattie’s Tonley Jezza Eric, by Warrenho Emperor, 7000gns to A MacKay, 7 Scaristavore, Isle of Harris; 4, K Scott’s Foggie Gunner, by Blelack Kanny Lad, unsold; 5, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Mascot, by Carruthers Grenadier, 3500gns to WJ Henderson and Sons, Carswadda, Dumfries.

Bulls born on or between April 23 and 29, 2018 – 1, WD Allen’s Stouphill Drego, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, 5500gns to GWB Fullerton and Sons, Cockburn, Berwickshire; 2, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Regal, by Gretnahouse Blackpot, 7000gns to Genoch Mains Farms, Dunragit, Wigtownshire; 3, HW Sclater’s Deveron Elevate, by Blelack Duke, 4000gns to J and J Wylie, Knockhouse Farm, Dunfermline; 4, JR Galloway’s Cardona Jewel Eric, by Cudlobe Yellowstone, 3500gns to J Cheesbrough and Son, Buildings Farm, Tyne and Wear; 5, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Felix, by Shadwell Black Broughton, 2600gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Orkney.

Bulls born on or between April 30 and May 4, 2018 – 1, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Provander, by Rawburn Fast Ball, 6200gns to DJ Hull and Partners, Turncole, Essex; 2, K and M Howie’s Cairnton Excalibur, by Fordel Enniskillen, 4000gns to Scottish Government, Longman House, Inverness; 3, JR Galloway’s Cardona Edwin, by Cudlobe Yellowstone, 2500gns to W Mathers, Mains of Pronie, Aberdeen; 4, NF Massie and Sons’ Blelack Black Brazil, by Weeton Evolution, 5000gns to DJ Hull and Partners; 5, W and EI Brown’s Drumdow Progress, by Blelack Evril, 2700gns to GT and S Coghill.

Bulls born on or between May 5 and 7, 2018 – 1, NF Massie and Sons’ Blelack Black Vision, by Liley Edd, 6200gns to Genoch Mains Farm; 2, AJR Farms’ Logie Defence, by Rawburn Enoch, 8000gns to CW Brooke, Midfearne Farm, Ross-shire; 3, MV Guttery and T Slater’s Oak Moor Enchanter, by Wedderlie Blacken, unsold; 4, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Black Panther, by CCL Dateline, unsold; 5, NA Wattie’s Tonley Atlantic, by Deveron Leggat, 4000gns to JR and JA Barron, Findowrie Farm, Angus.

Bulls born on or between May 8 and 20, 2018 – 1, reserve intermediate and reserve overall, WD Allen’s Stouphill Maximus Pride, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, 8500gns to WAL Lawson, Scotsmill, Aberdeenshire; 2, NF Massie and Sons’ Blelack Prince Charlie, by Tonley Jester Eric, 11,000gns to M and S Wilson, Newbank, Dumfriesshire; 3, J Gilmour and Co’s Belhaven Drama King, by Gretnahouse Blackpot, 4800gns to FT Walton, Flotterton, Northumberland; 4, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lord Rambo, by Rawburn Elysium, 5500gns to Drydale Farms, Stromness, Orkney; 5, TH Brewis’ Eastfield Fencer, by Linton Gilbertines Earlston, unsold.

Bulls born on or between May 21 and June 9, 2018 – 1, MR McCornick’s McCornick Florida, by Skaill Dino, 8500gns to W Mitchell and Sons, Hazelside, Lanark; 2, TH Brewis’ Eastfield Jingo Eric, by Linton Gilbertines Earlston, 7200gns to MJ and J McLaren, Fintalich, Perthshire; 3, NF Massie and Sons’ Blelack Prince Cooper, by Tonley Jester Eric, 9000gns to C and E McCombie, Auchincrieve, Aberdeenshire; 4, D Rankin’s Kilmaluag Eusebio, by Retties Euromillions, 5000gns to GT and S Coghill; 5, TH Brewis’ Eastfield Piston, by Linton Gilbertines Earlston, 5200gns to M Ward and Sons, West Mains Farm, Lanarkshire.

Bulls born on or between June 10 and July 11, 2018 – 1 and reserve junior, NF Massie and Sons’ Blelack Lord Hugo, by Tonley Jester Eric, 7000gns to WN Douglas, Catslackburn, Selkirk; 2, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Edition, by Carruthers Grenadier, 6500gns to GT and S Coghill; 3, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Evasion, by Carruthers Grenadier, 4000gns to DJ Hull and Partners; 4, A and J Adam’s Newhouse Endeavour, by Gretnahouse Blacksmith, 4000gns to GT and S Coghill; 5, D and A Watt’s Swordale Elton, by Blelack Topper, unsold.

Bulls born on or between July 12 and August 1, 2018 – 1 and junior champion, Highland Wagyu’s HW Black Barberesco, by HW Fabulous, 9000gns to Seafield Pedigrees, Seafield Farm, Redditch; 2, Highland Wagyu’s HW Barolo, by HW Fabulous, 7200gns to L Wilson, Bridge View, Wigton; 3, M McCornick’s McCornick Kitkat, by Skaill Dino, 4000gns to GM Mitchell and Son, Hilton of Carslogie, Fife; 4, M and HD Currie’s Kingholm Master Allan, by Weeton Rocky, 4000gns to W Mather and Sons, Shandford Farm, Angus; 5, SD Thomson’s Coldoch Jelly Eric, by Coldoch Quinn Bagheera, unsold.

Bulls born on or between August 2 and 22, 2018 – 1, O Tunney’s Morpheus Rolex, by Reich Poker, 6500gns to J Walsh, Buckhurst Farm, Lancashire; 2, Firm of G Gray’s Ettrick Gladiator, by Linton Gilbertines President, 7000gns to A MacLean, Heylipol Farm, Isle of Tiree; 3, Highland Wagyu’s HW Black Bollinger, by HW Ferdinand, unsold; 4, JH and HM Tilson’s Wedderlie Erics Boy, by Wedderlie Best Lad, 6500gns to W Hamilton and Son, Hyndsidehill, Berwickshire; 5, K Rennie’s Fiddlehall Proud Ironman, by Mosston Muir Excalibur, 2000gns to Gillesbie Farms, Lockerbie, Dumfries.

Bulls born on or after August 23, 2018 – 1, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Barney, by Rawburn Joe Eric, 25,000gns to G Fraser, Newton of Idvies, Forfar, Angus; 2, WD Allen Stouphill Marcus Prince, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, 17,000gns to K McOscar, Island Farm, Cookstwon, Co. Tyrone; 3, JH and HM Tilson’s Wedderlie Bonpoint, by Blelack Pontius, 7000gns to CJ Sutherland, West House, Northumberland; 4, M and HD Currie’s Kingholm Right Time, by Rawburn Boss Hogg, 4000gns to DJ Hull and Partners; 5, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Pasadena, by Balmachie Jack Eric, 4000gns to S Ramsey, Falside Hill Farm, Kelso.

Heifers born or after December 2, 2018 – 1 and female champion, NA Wattie’s Tonley Eyrie, by Warrenho Emperor, 3100gns to A Moore, Drummond, Dingwall; 2, MK and G Sprowl’s Eastlands Pure Beauty, by Tonley Elano, 2100gns to D Smith and Sons, Lawersbridge, Mauchline; 3, AR Lawson and Son’s Hallington Princess Chateline, by Hallington Jubilee Eric, unsold; 4, O Tunney’s Morpheus Laura, by Ankonian Elixir, 2500gns to C and K Marshall, Waterloo, Co. Antrim; 5, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Ellen Erica, by Blelack Prince Cornelius, 1900gns to J Morton and Son, Kaeside, Melrose.

OTHERLEADING prices:

Bulls – 6000gns – R and C Rettie’s Retties Lionheart, by Gretnahouse Blackpot, to Firm of Blair, Newbigging of Ceres, Cupar, Fife.