Charolais again came out on top at United Auctions' Stirling Bull Sales, securing the most number of five-figure prices and the lead average for the most sold.

However, in contrast to previous years, the sale was a much more modest affair with prices peaking at 16,000gns, to level at £7121 – up £347 per head – for 66, with 71% of the number forward finding new homes.

This compares to the same sale in 2020 when 111 bulls were cashed to average £6774 backed up by no fewer than 25 sales at or above the 10,000gns bracket to include two at 25,000gns.

Topping the trade at 16,000gns was the Irish bull, Ballinlare Phantom – the sole entry from Joe Wilson and Sons' 40-cow herd from Doranshill, Newry, Co Down. Phantom is one of the first sons sold by the 50,000gns Balthayock Justice, a bull owned in partnership with the Coolnaslee herd, and out of the Goldies Carnival daughter, Ballinlare Isis. He sold in a two-way split to the Adam family from Newhouse of Glamis, Glamis and Mike Massie, Mains of Elrick, Ellon.

On the other side of the equation, Mike and Lisa Massie, sold two at 12,000gns from their Elrick herd from Ellon. First was Elrick Patriot, a son Maerdy Gouverneur, out of the Thrunton Fearless daughter, Elrick Lass. The buyers were J and W Raws, Kellas, Dufftown, Keith.

Another by the same sire, Elrick Poldark, made the same money selling to Messrs Glass and Smith, Mill of Fowlis, Alford, Aberdeenshire. A full brother to last year's 25,000gns Elrick Outlaw, he is bred from the Maerdy Dublin-sired Elrick Florida.

Second top price was 14,000gns paid for Dumfriesshire breeders, Iain and Dot Goldie's Solwayfirst Peterpan, from Greenfield, Annan. A son of the 11,500gns Glenerich Majesty, out of the Maerdy Restful daughter, Solwayfirth Charity, he was knocked down to Welsh breeder, Gareth Jones, Escob Uchaf, Gwynedd.

Four bulls came under the hammer for 10,000gns to include JHC Campbell and Sons' Thrunton Plato, by Maerdy Jerusalem; W Patterson and Son's Aultmore Phantom, by Westcarse Houdini; AB Hornall's Falleninch Paco, by Falleninch Memo and H Goldie's Goldies Paul, by Balthayock Marquis.

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

Auctioneers: United Auctions