More than 120 bulls – just nine short of last year – were sold through United Auctions’ highly successful direct marketing of the Stirling May Bull Sale, which saw a top price of 9000gns for an Aberdeen-Angus.

The sale which was supposed to be staged early May, but due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, saw UA’s trusted sales team of Raymond Kennedy, John Roberts, David Brown, Ross Fotheringham, Murray Rainnie and Andrew Weir, sell the entries privately.

An online catalogue was produced which included all the relevant sire information and EBVs with the addition of a photograph and description of each bull. Individual auctioneers spoke directly with prospective buyers to convey the value of each animal by describing their style, locomotion and definition and to ensure they met their particular requirements.

“There has been a tremendous entry of bulls available in both numbers and quality for the May Bull Sale,” said Raymond Kennedy, sales executive and auctioneer at UA.

“While it has been unfortunate for all involved not to have the usual sales platform, vendors and buyers adapted quickly and all those involved are confident that the right customers have found the right bulls to best suit their individual needs.

“The online catalogue continues to be regularly updated and there is still an excellent selection of bulls available for sale to suit all needs and budgets,” he added.

Bulls were sold as far north as Orkney and down into Wales and Sussex, with up to a third of buyers going to view animals before purchasing, while others happily put their trust in the auctioneers.

“It is disappointing not to get a live sale, especially for the top end animals which would only get their true value selling through an auction mart, but we have done our best under the circumstances with vendors and purchasers appreciative of the service.”

Commenting on the potential of live sales in the backend, Mr Kennedy said it was really too early to say, but added that United Auctions was doing its level best to get them up and running for the breeding sheep and cattle sales which are vital for the economy.

Top priced bull at 9000gns was Richard and Carol Rettie’s Angus bull, Retties Lazy River, from Methven, Perthshire, purchased by Karl Scott for his Foggie pedigree herd at South Brownhill, Turriff.

This 23-month-old is bred from a flush from Wall Lady Ruth E397 and sired by Rawburn Elysium, making him a full brother to the 2016 Royal Highland Show champion, Retties Lady Ruth N228.

The Retties also received 7000gns for Retties Duke U024 (ET). A two-year-old son of Blelack Duke, this one is a result of a flush from the Rawburn Enigma daughter, Rawburn Duchess Prairielane J928 and sold to join the Tulloes herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus owned by David Raeburn, Burnside of Tulloes, Forfar.

Second top priced Aberdeen-Angus was Martin McCornick’s McCornick Panther, from Boreland, Newton Stewart, which made 7200gns selling to David Blair, Little Inch, Wormit, Fife.

This two-year-old is by the home-bred herd sire McCornick Evade and out of McCornick Pam – a Duncanziemere Edwin daughter and maternal sister to McCornick Pathfinder that stood overall champion at Stirling in February.

The Stronach family’s Islavale herd from Berryleys, Keith, had some cracking sales, peaking at 7600gns for Islavale Jammydodger. An 18-month-old son of the AI sire, Team Celtic bred from the Ex91 classified Islavale Elisha, by Curaheen Bandit, he sold to Sussex-based pedigree breeder, Rhys Grenham, Crowborough, buying for his Boars Head herd.

Another similarly aged bull from the same home, Islavale Jordi, followed at 6500gns, selling up to Orkney with JR Rendall, Whitehow. He is by Corskie Highland and out of another Bandit daughter in the shape of Islavale Topaz.

And, at 6250gns the Stronachs sold Islavale Javelin, by Ranfurly Confederate to Islay Estates, Islay.

Top price amongst the Limousins was 7250gns paid for Jimmy and Donald MacGregor’s Dyke Orlando, from Dyke, Milton of Campsie. He is by Netherhall Gilbert, a bull that has already bred two Stirling champions and sons to 13,500gns and out of Dyke Maggie, by Dyke Galdaff. The buyers were D Keay and Son, East Balloch, Kirriemuir.

Next, at 6500gns, was Ian Nimmo’s Maraiscote Oban, a Rutland Jetset son, out of the Goldies Comet daughter Maraiscot Ingot, from Bogside, Newmains, purchased by Ross Farms, Wester Middleton, Gorebridge.

Two Limousins realised 6000gns, including Jim Hunter’s Wedderburn Pele, from Wedderburn, Huntly. A son of Foxhillfarm Jenson, bred from Wedderbun Honey, this January, 2019-born entry headed across to Islay with Charlie McMillan, Ardbeg.

Dumfries-shire breeder, Bruce Goldie, also took 6000gns for Goldies Objective. This Wilodge LJ son is a maternal brother to last February’s supreme champion Goldies Novel and sold to the Scottish Government Bull Stud.

Charolais peaked at 7200gns for Neil and Stuart Barclay’s Harestone Oblivion, from Insch. This cracker is by Wesley Equinox and bred from a cow by the 25,000gns Inverlochy Ferdie. He sold to A Smith, Leys, Tarland.

At 7000gns, Allanfauld Oscar, from Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, was bought by C Addison, Chapelpark, Ellon. This stylish bull by Allanfauld Lachie, a Goldies Elation son is out of a Woodpark Elgin daughter.

Aberdeenshire producers, Kincraigie Farms, Lumphanan, Banchory, went to 6700gns for the best from Iain Campbell’s Thrunton herd, from Alnwick, Northumberland. This was Thrunton Oban, a son of the 28,000gns Maerdy Jerusalem.

Topping the Salers at 5000gns was Rednock Nevis, from Malcolm and Gill Pye, Rednock Estate, Port of Menteith. He is a son of Rigel Officer and headed home with Dalhanna Farming Co, New Cumnock, Ayrshire.

Gerald Turton’s Upsall herd, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, topped the Beef Shorthorns at 4000gns for Monsoon of Upsall. Backed by home-bred genetics on both sides he is by Dingo of Upsall and was bought by A Skene, Cairncross, Brechin.

OTHERLEADING prices

Aberdeen-Angus – 6000gns – AJR Farms’ Logie Definition to I Malcolm, Poltalloch; D Rankin’s Kilmaluag Life O’Riley to M Riley, Burnley. 5500gns – R and C Rettie’s Retties Rockstar to D Mills, Powys. 5400gns – S and S Medley’s Saville Edward to J Mitchell, Victoria.

Charolais – 6000gns – JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Oman to Glenkiln Farms. 5800gns – JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Ontario to C Thomson, Wester Tulloch. 5300gns – A Lawson’s Alsnow Oak to C Tait, Ordhill. 5200gns – I Millar’s Lochend Orient to W Hendry, Little Spott. 5000gns – A Mcarthur’s Westcarse Obe to E Donald, Little Millbrex; D and L Graham’s Burnbank Ollymurs to N Hamlet, Cowans; JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Octavian to Leys Castle.

Simmental – 6000gns – Stronach Family’s Islavale Javan to Islay Estates, Isle of Islay; Stronach Family’s Islavale Jabba to Springfield Farm, Penicuik. 5200gns – Green Family’s Corskie Journal to J McLaren, Dargill. 4800gns – Green Family’s Corskie Joking to J Gordon, Wester Clunie.

Limousin – 6000gns – A and G Macnab’s Alagils Optimus to SG Bull Stud. 5500gns – J Hunter’s Wedderburn Player to E Norman, Little Orten; RM Adam and Son’s Newhouse Picasso, to SG Bull Stud. 5200gns – A Adam’s Newhouse Pongo to SG Bull Stud; RM Adam and Son’s Newhouse Oasis to SG Bull Stud. 4900gns – RM Adam and Son’s Newhouse Oddjob to AJ MacLean, Heylipol, Tiree; A and G Macnab’s Alagils Opico to SG Bull Stud.

averages:

29 Aberdeen-Angus, £4842.67 (+£36.67); 21 Simmental, £4814.15 (+£375.15); 40 Limousin, £4451.97 (-£22.03); 23 Charolais, £5176.29 (-£649.71); three Salers, £4025 (-£55.00); five Beef Shorthorn, £3030.50 (-£172.50).