Ever increasing demand for Aberdeen-Angus cattle ensured a flying trade for the first of the breed events at United Auctions' Bull Sales at Stirling, where a top price of 15,000gns of witnessed complete with a further seven changing hands at five-figures.

With reduced numbers forward as a result of the Covid pandemic, the bulls that were present sold better than anticipated too.

Sale leader at 15,000gns was David Walker's Galcantray Jedi Eric, a May 2019-born bull all the way from Galcantray, Cawdor, Nairn. He is the first son of Jac Just Eric, a Mac Elvis-sired bull bought privately from Robert McNeil's Kincardine Castle, prior to the dispersal. The dam, Galcantray Jilly Erica, by Carlhurlie Deka, goes back to a Findhorn cow that was also bought at a herd dispersal. Jedi Eric sold in a two-way split to Irish breeder, Jonathan Doyle, buying for his Drumhill herd and Neil and Graeme Massie, Blelack, Dinnet, Aboyne.

Second top price was 12,000gns paid for Alistair Clark and sons Brian and Alistair's Duncanziemere Jetstream, from Cumnock. Top show winning genetics are behind this 22-month-old with the sire being the 2019 male champion at the Royal Highland show, Carruthers Grenadier, and Duncanziemere Jill, a cow by the equally well-known Ingliston winner, Rawburn Jester Eric. Jetstream sold up to Aberdeenshire with Neil and Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford.

Andrew Hodge and his daughter, Emma, Rulesmains, Duns, had a cracking sale with a bull at 11.500gns and two at 11,000gns, all of which were sons of Rawburn Braw Lad.

Forfar-based breeders Alasdair and Graeme Fraser, also received 11,000gns for a bull from their Idvies herd.

A cracking string of bulls from Bill and Kate Allen, son Dallas and daughter Ruth, Stouphill, Northumberland, sold to 10,500gns and two full embryo brothers from the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke, Earlston, made 10,000gns each.

Overall averages improved by £680 per head on the year, with 66 bulls selling at £6500. This compares to the 82 cashed at the same sale last year at £5820.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer

Auctioneers: United Auctions