After 36 years in the Charolais breed, John, Diane and Julie Christie hung up their coats in style, with a full social distant ring ensuring a flying trade throughout at United Auctions Stirling Bull Sales.

Top price of 13,000gns was paid for the cow and calf outfit, Westcarse Milly and her bull calf, Westcarse Ruler. The four-year-old cow is sired by Mortimers Highlandfling, out of Westcarse Ivy, and is PD seven weeks in calf to Nuthampstead Judas. The six-month-old calf, is also sired by Judas, and taking home the outfit was Catherine MacGregor, West Rossburnlane.

Two lots later saw the hammer fall at 8500gns for another cow and calf unit, this time for Westcarse Molly and her heifer calf, Westcarse Rachel, which was knocked down to Brailes Livestock, Isalyn, Upper brailes, Banbury, Oxfordshire. This similarly aged cow is by the same sire of the top price lot and out of Westcarse Vanilla, with her second calf at foot being another daughter of Judas.

Maiden heifers were also in the money, with the best, Westcarse Peached also hitting the 8500gns bid from Jemma and Sandy Forrest, Hillend, Roberton, Biggar. Bred by the sale leader, Westcarse Milly and another sired by Nuthampstead Judas daughter.

For the full report grab this week's The Scottish Farmer.