Beef Shorthorns in demand

With two bulls at 20,000gns, two at 11,000gns and a good number of sales at 5000gns plus, overall averages improved by £104 per head to £4780 for 53 against 41 sold at the same sale last year. The clearance rate was 61%.

“We are very happy with the trade as it shows commercial and suckler cow producers have confidence in the breed,” said Jo Bailey, breed secretary of the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society.

“The Beef Shorthorn has all the attributes to provide the ‘public goods’ demanded of farmers in the new Agriculture Bill, being hardy, long lived, milky cows that can be outwintered but also steers that command a premium in the market place.”

She added that such has been the increase in demand for the breed’s easy-care suckler cows that a lot more bulls had been sold to commercial producers at the sale and that membership to the society is continuing to rise 80-100 every year. Total membership at present stands at just shy of 1000.

It was a particularly good day for Lucinda Townsend, who not only produced the intermediate and overall champion from her 65-cow Moffat-based Coxhill herd, but also one of two bulls at 20,000gns, when brought out by the Rettie team from Methven.

Her bull, an April 2018-born is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides, being a son of husband, Derek Stein’s Ballylinney Glenn, which made 18,000gns at Carlisle, while the dam is Ballylinney Graduate, a Fearn Duke daughter. Magnum, a polled, myostatin-free bull, sold to Sandy Anderson, buying for his Thistledown Cowford Farms enterprise, managed by Charlie Reed, Bankfoot, Perth.

Following him all the way in the show and the sale ring was the reserve intermediate and reserve overall champion, Rookwith Marvellous which also made 20,000gns for first time consignor, Ed Page of Page Farms Partnership, Rookwith, Ripon, Yorks. Producing a personal best for this 45-cow herd established in 2013 was a polled roan and a single myostatin carrier, by the 8500gns stockbull, Castlemount Junior. His dam is the one of the foundation females, Chapelton Waterloo, a Cavans Yankee-sired cow bought privately. Junior male and reserve overall champion at the Royal Highland last year, Marvellous sold in a two-way split to Tommy Staunton, Lough Curra, North Kinvara, Co Galway, Eire and Robert Leach, Warmington, Banbury, Oxon.

Major Gibb and daughter Catriona’s 75-cow Glenisla herd from Blairgowrie, are never far away from the big bucks and this year was no different, selling their best, Glenisla Macleod for 11,000gns. One of the first crop of calves born by the 12,000gns Millerston Jamboree, a bull that stood intermediate champion here in 2017, this April 2018-born polled roan is bred from the good breeding cow, Glenisla Sally Broadhooks, an Ex90 classified Glengloy Casanova daughter. Macleod, a single myostatin carrier was knocked down to Iain Wilkinson, manager of Balgay Farm, Inchture, Perth.

Glenisla Masterton, a 23-month-old polled roan from the same home made 6500gns selling to Lucinda Townsend. Myostatin free, he is by the AI sire, Broughton Park Thunder and out of the Belmore Fuel Injected daughter, Glenisla Waterloo Naomi.

Matching that 11,000gns bid to produce a personal best for brothers David and Tom Bradley Farmer, who now run their 50-cow herd at Parkgate, Dumfries, was Meonside Mufasa, a zero myostatin light roan, horned bull. The first calf born in Scotland, Mufasa is by the privately purchased, Elliot Salute, and out of the 2500gns Ballylinney Jen which also bred the 6000gns Meonside Misty sold at Skipton, last year. Fourth in his class at the pre-sale show, he sold to Gates Farming, Rosemore Manor, Summerby, Coldoverton.

Two bulls came under the hammer for 8000gns to include David and Rosemary Dickie’s Knockenjig Morpheus, a roan polled bull with a single myostatin, purchased by Iain Green, Corskie, Fochabers. Champion senior, this 22-month-old from Knockenjig, Sanquhar, is the first bull calf born from the foundation cow, Mountbenger Caron, an Ex90-classified daughter of Glenisla Zigzag, that is still going strong having produced nine heifer calves to include a first prize junior at the Highland. Morpheus is also one of the first sons born by Fearn Jumpstart, a bull that won the Scottish Herds competition stockbull of the year.

John Scott and Partner’s Fearn Morangie, a similarly aged light roan, polled bull again with a single myostatin, also made 8000gns for the 100-cow herd from Fearn, Tain. A blend of Kiwi, Australian, UK and Canadian genetics, he is bred from the Ex91 Fearn Passion Grace, and sired by Fearn Jono, a polled ET bull by the Australian sire, Kevlyn Downs Embassy. Andre Vrona, herd manager at A and C Farms, Langham, Rutland, was the final bidder.

Just behind, on 7800gns, Fearn Munro, a dark roan and a single myostatin carrier, from the same home, was knocked down to David Baillie, Calla, Carnwath. This polled entry is by the AI sire, Fearn Elmer a bull retained for breeding, out of the Meonhill Highland Captain-sired Ex90 cow, Fearn Hazels Passion.

Another by Elmer, Fearn Mallaig, a twin born roan out of Fearn Passion Geranium, then made 6000gns. Berwickshire producers, H and N Sloan, Burnfoot, Oxton, Lauder, were the final bidders on this polled roan which is a grand-son of the show bull Dakota of Upsall .

The long trip north from Peterborough, paid dividends for Charles and Sally Horrell and son Harry too, when their Podehole Marquis from Thorney, made 7000gns, selling back down south to CG Bonner and Son, Tyrellcote, Thornton, Milton Keynes. Another red ticket holder, Marquis is a polled son of the Australian AI sire, Royalla Rockstar and bred from the Ex91-classified Podehole Rita Ginty, by Chapelton Clansman.

Top price for Jack and Grace Ramsay’s Millerston herd from Mauchline, was 6500gns paid for Millerston Man O War, an April 2018-born horned roan son of Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, purchased by Sir Michael and Lady Sally Nairn, Balnabroich, Strathardle, Blairgowrie. Full brother to the 20,000gns Millerston Kasper, Man O War, which stood junior male champion at the Stars of the Future and first at the pre-sale show, is by the top breeding sire, Meonhill Charlie Chaplin and bred from the Ex92 Millerston Irania Flame, by Podehole Beefeater.

Lanarkshire breeder, Jim Frame, Little Galla, Wiston, Biggar, bought the dearest from first time consignors Irwel Evans and Esyllt Price, all the way from Rhosygarth, Llanilar, at 6000gns. Llwynhywel Mathew, a similarly aged red and white polled show bull that stood second in his class to the male champion at the Royal Welsh, is by Glenisla Jacobite 2 and out of the Lintonpriory Dollar-sired Sandley Flossy Janette.

Later, Tracy Severn, Brick Green Farm, Barkisland, West Yorkshire, and Carol Rettie, Methven, Perth, sold their jointly owned Norworth Merlin, a May 2018-born red and white bull for the same money. Bred by Victoria Hainsworth, and bought privately at the Great Yorkshire Show, this red and white double myostatin carrier by Chapelton Barolo and out of Cobbysyke Gail, sold to William Mitchell, Hazelside, Douglas, Lanark.

LEADING awards:

Bulls born on or between December 21, 2017 and March 12, 2018 – 1, C Macadie and Sons’ Magic of Skaillhouse, by Firebrand of Skaillhouse, 3000gns to Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown, Banffshire; 2, J Porter’s Uppermill Roller 2, by Glenisla Jackpot, unsold; 3, T and K Madden’s Maximus of Ballyvaddy, by Hussar of Upsall, unsold; 4, Thistledown Cowford Farm’s Meonhill Mr Dan, by Elliot Danny Boy, 2500gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Orkney; 5, I Tennant’s Hyndford Major, by Balgay Journeyman, unsold.

Bulls born on or between March 13 and 21, 2018 – 1, Major JPO Gibb’s Glenisla Masterton, by Broughton Park Thunder, 6500gns to L Townsend, Coxhill Farm, Moffat; 2, DJ Biggar’s Chapelton Mandate, by Crichton Paddy, 4000gns to JM Hay and Son, Meikle Tullo, Brechin; 3, TA Jackson’s Headlind Masterpiece, by Tofts Atlas, 3000gns to TG Brown, Easter Drumgley, Angus; 4, LJ Townsend’s Coxhill Marksman, by Ballylinney Glenn, unsold; 5, G and M Smith’s Coldrochie Marvel, by Fearn Godfather, 2000gns to GT and S Coghill.

Bulls born on or between March 22 and 31, 2018 – 1 and senior champion, D and R Dickie’s Knockenjig Morpheus, by Fearn Jumpstart, 8000gns to WJ and J Green, Corskie, Moray-shire; 2 and reserve senior, D Baillie’s Calla Major, by Chapelton Destiny, 4000gns to W Mitchell and Sons, Hazelside, Lanark; 3, C Coombs’ Dunsyre Messi, by Dunsyre Hamlet, 2600gns to T Riley, Stoney Royd Farm, West Yorkshire; 4, DJ Biggar’s Chapelton Marshall, by Crichton Paddy, unsold; 5, H Horrell’s Podehole Matador, by Knockenjig Hercules, 5800gns to Exmoor Forest Farms, Cornham Farm, Somerset.

Bulls born on or between April 1 and 5, 2018 – 1, Major JPO Gibb’s Glenisla Macleod, by Millerston Jamboree, 11,000gns to Balgay Farms, Balgay Farm, Perthshire; 2, J Scott and Partners’ Fearn Morangie, by Fearn Jono, 8000gns to A and C Farms, Langham Lodge, Rutland; 3, JF Irving and Son’s Mountbenger Maximus, by Mountbener Kermit, 3000gns to Pitkindie Farms, Ford Farm, Perth; 4, W Allan’s Miltonlockhart Magnum, by Elliot Finest Hour, unsold; 5, Mr and Mrs B Landers’ Cairnsmore Might Mike, by Ballylinney Gently, 5000gns to Firm of Doldy Farm, Eastmill Farm, Perthshire.

Bulls born on or between April 6 and 11, 2018 – 1, JP Ramsay’s Millerston Man O War, by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, 6500gns to Balnabroich Farms, Dundee, Angus; 2, Balgay Farms’ Balgay Montana, by Drumcross Jonah, 3000gns to TM Strang and Co, Balcalk, Angus; 3, Balgay Farms’ Balgay Mountain Dew, by Drumcross Jonah, unsold; 4, J Scott and Partners’ Fearn Munlochy, by Fearn Jimmy, 4000gns to PL Dickson and Son, Acrestrype, Turruff; 5, C Coombs’ Dunsyre Mechanic, by Glenisla Guardsman II, 5000gns to Sleightholme Dale Partners, Sleightholme Dale Lodge, York.

Bulls born on or between April 12 and 20, 2018 – 1, intermediate and supreme champion, LJ Townsend’s Coxhill Magnum, by Ballylinney Glenn, 20,000gns to Thistledown Cowford Farms, Cowford Farm, Bankfoot, Perthshire; 2 and reserve intermediate, E Page’s Rookwith Marvellous, by Castlemount Junior, 20,000gns to T Staunton, Logh Curra, Co. Galway, Eire; 3, Messrs Evans and Price’s Llwynhywel Mathew, by Glenisla Jacobite 2, 6000gns to JW Frame, Little Galla Farm, Lanarkshire; 4, NJ and AM Barrett’s Glenariff Majestic, by Glenisla Ghillie, 2500gns to JH Wilson, 1 Runley Mill, North Yorkshire; 5, D Welsh’s Westbroad Shaw Explorer 1, by Shawhill J-A-T, 2200gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney.

Bulls born on or between April 21 and 30, 2018 – 1, junior champion and reserve overall, Messrs Evans and Price’s Llwynhywel Masterpiece, by Lintonpriority Dollar, 4200gns to Ormsary Farmers, Ormsary Estate Office, Argyll; 2, D Welsh’s Westbroad Jackpot Explorer 5, by Galla Jackpot, 5500gns to Laga Farms, Laga, Evie, Orkney; 3, JP Ramsay’s Millerston Majestic, by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, unsold; 4, J Porter’s Uppermill Lemken, by Glenisla Jackpot, unsold; 5, J Scott and Partners’ Fearn Munro, by Fearn Elmer, 7800gns to D Baillie, Calla Farm, Carnwath, Lanark.

Bulls born on or between May 1 and June 8, 2018 – 1 and junior reserve, T Severn’s Norworth Merlin, by Chapelton Barolo, 6000gns to W Mitchell and Sons; 2, JP Ramsay’s Millerston Mustang, by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, 5500gns to DFWH Walter, Balthayock Farm, Perth; 3, LJ Townsend’s Coxhill Maestro, by Podehole Frederick, 4500gns to Glenavon Estate, Delavora, Banffshire; 4, I Tennant’s Hyndford Manolo, by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin, 2000gns to D and T Ballantyne, Bughtknowes Farm, Haywood, Lanark; 5, JW Frame’s Galla Materpiece, by Tamhorn Highlander, 4000gns to D and J Hardie, Gates of Birselawsie, Aberdeenshire.

Bulls born on or after June 9, 2018 – 1, D McDowell’s Castlemount Matchmaker, by Elliot Matrix, 3800gns to JS and ME Goldie, Skipmyre, Lockerbie; 2, W and J McAllister’s Burnside Monster Munch, by Gilven Guardsman, unsold; 3, SG Mair and Sons’ Muiresk Messiah, by Loch Awe Lysander, 4000gns to TA Williams, Rhydeidion Bach, North Wales; 4, D and T Bradley Farmer’s Meonside Mufasa, by Elliot Salute, 11,000gns to Gates Farming, Rosemore Manor, Coldoverton; 5, D McDowell’s Castlemount Millenium, by Elliot Matrix, 2000gns to Genoch Mains Farms, Stranraer, Wigtownshire.

Heifers born on or between February 22 and May 3, 2018 – 1 and female champion, J Porter’s Uppermill Broadhooks Bang, by Glenisla Jackpot, 3200gns to Roundhill Farm, Adders Green Lane, Derbyshire; 2, DJ Biggar’s Chapelton Duchess, by Crichton Paddy, 3000gns to AE and AJ Thornber, Calf Hey Farm, Halifax; 3, J Porter’s Uppermill Broadhooks Bella, by Glenisla Jackpot, unsold; 4, Dr and Mrs SGF Cave’s Poyntington Georgina, by Jeagle of Longfield, 1400gns to I Tennant, 409 Hyndford Road, Lanark; 5, C Macadie and Sons’ Rosewood Rosewel 10 of Skaillhouse, by Glenisla Faust, unsold.

Heifers born on or after May 4, 2018 – 1 and reserve supreme, D McDowell’s Castlemount Matrix Matilda, by Elliot Matrix, 3000gns to R and K Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly, Aberdeenshire; 2, Major JPO Gibb’s Glenisla Desiree, by Millerston Jamboree, 4600gns to A and C Farms, Langham Lodge, Rutland; 3, M Pettit’s Knightland Duchess Monza, by Fearn Jumpstart, 2000gns to MA Lawrie, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir.

OTHERLEADING prices:

Bulls – 7000gns – H Horrell’s Podehole Rock Marquis, by Royalla Rockstar, to CG Bonner and Son, Tyrellcote Farm, Milton Keynes; 6000gns – J Scott and Partners’ Fearn Mallaig, by Fearn Elmer, to H and N Sloan, Burnfoot Farm, Lauder, Berwickshire.