A sad day for the family saw local breeders, John, Diane and Julie Christie say farewell to their Westcarse Charolais herd at Stirling Bull Sales.

A ring full of social distancing buyers ensured a flying trade throughout, with a top price of 13,000gns and a further 11 selling for 5000gns or more.

Topping the trade was the cow and calf outfit, Westcarse Milly and her six-month-old bull calf, Westcarse Ruler, which was by Nuthampstead Judas.

This four-year-old cow is by Mortimers Highlandfling, which bred Westcarse Nimrod, the senior inter-breed champion at Stars of the Future that went on to sell for 7800gns.

Milly is out of Westcarse Ivy, a Mortimers Vanquish daughter and sold back in calf to Judas, to freelance photographer, Catherine MacGregor and her partner, Stuart Barclay, West Rossburnlane, buying to establish a new herd for their children, Cameron Barclay (9); Jessica (8), Elizah (7) and Neil (5).

The Scottish Farmer:

Topping the maiden heifer at 8500gns was Westcarse Peaches

Westcarse Milly was also the dam of the top priced maiden heifer, Westcarse Peaches, which made 8500gns. Jemma and Sandy Forrest, Hillend, Roberton, Biggar, were the final bidders of this Nuthampstead Judas daughter that goes back to Thrunton Goldeneye.

Richard Hassell, of Brailes Livestock, Isalyn, Upper Brailes, Banbury, also forked out 8500gns for another cow and calf unit in Westcarse Molly and her heifer calf, Westcarse Rachel.

This young cow, by Highlandfling, is out of Westcarse Vanilla, which had bred bulls to 6000gns. Her second eight-month-old calf at foot, is also by Judas.

The Scottish Farmer:

Westcarse Molly and her heifer calf attained 8500gns

Not far behind and hitting 6800gns was the three-year-old, Westcarse Naomi and her six-month-old bull calf, Westcarse Robbie, by Judas, which headed home with Sean Mitchell, Grassknop, Skelton, Penrith.

Naomi is another daughter of Highlandfling, out of Westcarse Greta, which goes back to the herd’s first stock bull, Kersknowe Clansman. Naomi sold eight weeks in calf to Judas.

Just behind, on 6500gns, SF Mackay, Knockaneorn, Clunas, Nairn, bought the maiden heifer, Westcarse Poppy, a Judas daughter out of Westcarse Candace, by Farleycopse Turbo.

Westcarse Priscilla, another maiden heifer by Judas, made 6200gns selling to Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton, Annan. She is out of Westcarse Julia, a daughter of the 10,000gns Mortimers Echo.

Two lots made 6000gns, with the first selling to John and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch. This was the four-year-old Westcarse Margaret, which sold with five-month-old bull calf, Westcarse Roy.

Margaret is by Mortimers Highlandfling, out of the Mowbraypark Orlando daughter, Westcarse Val, and again sold in calf to Judas.

The six-year-old stock bull, Nuthampstead Judas, matched the 6000gns bid selling to Aberdeenshire producers, J and S Middleton, Woodhead of Laithers, Turriff. He is by Thrunton Goldeneye, and out of Nuthampstead Gem, by Thrunton Dominator.

averages: 21 cows and calves, £5045.00; four cows, £3307.50; five in-calf heifers, £3717.00; eight maiden heifers, £4869.38