Well known Simmental breeders, Gerald and Morag Smith and son Douglas, Drumsleed, made their presence felt amongst the Beef Shorthorns when they sold the top priced bull at 6200gns.

During the breed’s small, but selective sale, the family from Fordoun, Laurencekirk, who were selling for the second time at a breed sale, led the way with Drumsleed Nato, which sold to EW Jolly, West Mains of Turin, Rescobie, Forfar.

This January, 2019-born entry is a son of Knockenjig Glenfiddich, which was purchased five years ago for 5000gns, while the dam, Ballylinney Tulip, was bought as an in-calf heifer at Longtown in 2018.

Disappointingly, only seven bulls sold to average £4410, a figure which is up £971 on the year, but for five fewer sold. Some 64% of the bulls forward found new homes.

Three bulls sold for 4800gns, with the first being Westbroad Mateo, from Duncan Welsh, Westbroad Moss, Fenwick. His two-year-old, brought out by Ian and Natalie Johnston, sold north to the Scottish Government’s Bull Stud, Inverness. Mateo is a son of Galla Jackpot bred from the Ex-classified Westbroad Abbie.

Also making 4800gns was Stonehills No Limits from GL Riby, Low Stonehills, Fraisthorpe. This February, 2019-born entry is a son of Faughhill Ivan, out of the Ballard Wallace-sired Stonehills Lovely Wallie. He headed home with JGS and D Duncan, Jacobshall, Gamrie, Banff, Aberdeenshire.

The last bull in the ring also made 4800gns for Jim Frame, Little Gala, Wiston, Biggar. Galla Negotiator is by the AI sire, Elliot Matrix, out of Galla Elvira Dusty and sold to Rattray Estates Home Farm, Rattray, Peterhead.