Strong demand for Aberdeen Angus females from John Loftus' Weeton dispersal, sold during United Auctions' Stirling Bull Sales, met a buoyant trade throughout with a top price of 11,000gns paid for a three-year-old in-calf cow with bull calf at foot.

The herd from Preston in Lancs, was topped by Weeton Laura T509, an ET bred from the Rawburn Elysium-sired Haughton Laura and sired by Blelack Duke J262. She sold with her May-born bull calf, Weeton Landlord to Richard and Carol Rettie buying for their Retties herd based at Craigend, Methven, Perth.

The couple also bought the second top priced lot at 6200gns, Blelack Blackbird, an April 2017-born cow which sold served to Weeton Topgun, on behalf of Steven Medley, Huntershill. The breeding behind this transaction includes Blelack Lord Blackcock onto the Blelack Egotist-sired Blelack Blackbird.

Her April-born heifer calf, Weeton Blackbird, by Haymount War Smith, made 4000gns selling to Brailes Livestock, Banbury.

Northern Ireland breeder, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was another to get in on the action, forking out 5800gns when bidding over the 'phone for Weeton Top Lass, an April 2019-born heifer bred from a flush from the Blelack Equity daughter Blelack Toplass and sired by Blelack Banjo Man. She sold in calf to Weeton Topgun.

The seven-year-old cow, Liley Felicia, another embryo entry, made 4800gns selling to SC Hall and Sons, Pinner Park Farm, Pinner, Middlesex. Bred by Marsdens Farms, Felicia is by Rawburn Elysium and the result of a flush from North American ML Felicia Dateline. She also sold with seven embryos by Blelack Banjo Man or Friarstown Ideal Pete.

Her five-month-old daughter, Weeton Felicia was the top priced heifer calf at 4200gns selling to R Mawer and E Benge, Corner Farm, Horsington, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. Her sire is the Netherallan Peter Pershore son Friarstown Ideal Pete.

And, local breeder, Jamie Rettie, Upper Craigs, Stirling, went to 4500gns for the in-calf cow, Weeton Lady Blackcap, a Warrenho Emperor daughter out of Blelack Lady Blackcap which sold with April-born bull calf, Weeton Lord Blackstock, by Haymount War Smith, at foot. This three-year-old also sold in calf to Weeton Topgun.

Averages: 10 cows and calves, £4137.00; six cows, £4112.50; seven heifers, £3285.00; six heifer calves, £2940.00; five young bulls, £2478.00.