Aberdeen Angus bulls average falls on the year at Stirling

While prices peaked at 20,000gns on two occasions, a dearth of real breeders’ bulls meant that only 74 bulls (71%) out of 104 forward found new homes to average £6185 – down £542 on the same sale last year and for 12 fewer sold fewer sold. Clearance rates were also down 6%.

Another from the Clarks, Duncanziemere Jasper sold for 8500gns..

However, with the Aberdeen Angus boasting the highest number of registrations of all the beef breeds, chief executive Robert Gilchrist, remained far from despondent: “There were plenty of people looking for breeders’ bulls but they just weren’t there when many of the top Angus bulls are no longer sold at society sales,” he said pointing out that last year there were just shy of 600 bulls cashed through such events, while some 6000 male calves were registered through the society over the same time frame.

Mr Gilchrist also highlighted the lack of confidence in the commercial sector when farmers are still waiting to hear what direction the Scottish Government will take agriculture policy.

First to make 20,000gns was the reserve senior champion Thrunton Best Man from JHC Campbell and Sons

The sale saw four bulls hit the five-figure bracket with the top two making 20,000gns each.

First to reach 20,000gns was the reserve senior champion, Thrunton Best Man, an April 2022-born bull from Ian Campbell and sons Bruce and Andrew, Thrunton, Alnwick. The family’s top priced Aberdeen Angus to date, is by the 11,000gns Tonley Kasper, a bull whose first crop of calves averaged in excess of £10,000. The first bull calf out of the Blelack Prince Consort-sired Thrunton Best Maid, Best Man was knocked down to pedigree breeders, Alastair and Graeme Fraser, Newton of Idvies, Forfar.

“He’s a modern type of Angus with good locomotion and plenty of breed character,” said Mr Fraser senior.

Drumhill Eco from Jonahtan and Lisa Doyle made 8500gns

Equalling that top sale was Alistair Clark and sons Brian and Alistair’s Duncanziemere Mr Bulletproof, a fourth prize winner from the pre-sale show. The family who were producing their third consecutive society sale leader following events at Carlisle in May and here in October, saw their July 2022-born entry sell to Andrew Hodge and daughter Emma of the Rulesmains herd from Duns.

For their money, they got a son of the Carruthers Grenadier-sired Duncanziemere Sportsman retained for breeding which is a full brother to the 14,000gns bull calf sold privately in 2019 to Andrew Anderson. Mr Bulletproof is the fifth son of Sportsman – a bull that has already produced the junior female champion at the Royal Highland and the reserve yearling heifer and heifer calf at the Borderway Expo in 2023, while sons have sold to 10,000gns. The dam is the Auchincrieve Exodus-sired two-year-old heifer, Duncanziemere Miss Belinda from a female line that has bred progeny to 15,000gns, 11,000gns and 9000gns.

Gordon Last Call from the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke made 9000gns

The boys also received 8500gns for Duncanziemere Jasper, a third prize May 2022-born entry by Auchincrieve Exodus, a bull that has bred sons to 30,000gns to average in excess of £9000 for 15. He is out of the Carruthers Grenadier-sired Duncanziemere Jody and was knocked down to James Herdman, Edlingham Newtown, Alnwick.

Northern Ireland breeders, Jonathan and Lisa Doyle and their Scottish stockman, Callum Innes, also came up with the goods when Drumhill Echo, a July 2022-born bull was reserve junior and sold for 16,000gns. He is the first son sold by the 15,000gns Galcantray Jedi Eric and sold to Hannah and Eric Heerema of Balavil Estate, Kingussie, Inverness. The dam, Drumhill Evora, which has bred sons to 9000gns, boasts Blelack genetics on both sides being a daughter of Blelack Prince Challenger out of Blelack Evora P101.

The couple also took 8500gns for another from the same family. Drumhill Eco, a May 2022-born bull that stood fourth in his class is by the Nightingale Proud Jake son, Drumhill Lord Hatfield, and sold to A and C Sutherland of the Abberton herd, Pershore, Worcs.

Gordon Pump Action sold for 8500gns for the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke

The Evora family was also behind the overall champion, selected by Argentinian judge, Norman Catto, who was most impressed by the quality of the cattle on show. He found his champion in June Barclay’s Harestone Eurostart, from Harestone, Insch, which later made 10,000gns selling to J Walker, Dunfallandy Home Farm, Pitlochry.

The bull, a May 2022-born entry brought out by Robert Marshall, is the result of the 19,000gns in-calf purchase, Blelack Evora, an Oakchurch Dominator-sired cow bought at the herd dispersal here in 2021 carrying Eurostart. The sire is Blelack Popeye.

A fifth prize bull from the Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke’s Gordon herd managed by Jonny Elliot, Kelso, sold next at 9000gns to Archie John MacLean and son Alasdair, Heylipol, Tiree. This was Gordon Last Call, an April 2022-born son of the 25,000gns Gordon Barney who has produced sons to 10,000gns plus, out of the Rawburn Black Hawk daughter, Linton Gilbertines Lady Rona.

Drumhill Echo sold for 16,000gns

Another from the same stable, Gordon Pump Action an ET-bred bull made 8500gns selling to GM Mitchell’s 135-cow commercial enterprise at Ferniemill, Hilton of Carslogie, Cupar, managed by Jimmy Jack. Backed by the best of genetics, he is bred from one of the best females in the breed, Belhaven Pole Star, a Rawburn Lord Ross daughter that has bred heifers to 40,000gns and several five-figure priced bulls. The sire of this April 2022-born red ticket holder is Cheerbrook Profit.

Matching that 8500gns sale was Andrew and Emma Hodge’s Rulesmains Pascual, the second son sold by Blelack Prince Camelot, following the first in October which secured the same position and made 9000gns. Champion at the Border Union Show, Pascual is bred from one the best females in the 110-cow herd being a son of the Hallington Edition-sired Rulesmains Paloma that has bred a five-figure priced bull sold privately. He headed home with G and J Davie, Harviesmailing, Denny, Stirling.

Karl Scott’s 45-cow herd from South Brownhill, Turriff, also received 8500gns when Foggie Descendant an ET bred from the Te Mania Berkley daughter, Oakchurch Donna sold to Nantyglasdwr Farms, Cusup, Herefordshire. He is by the 22,000gns Linton Gilbertines Powerhouse which is another bred from the top Belhaven Pole Star cow, and was brought out by stockperson Ashley Stewart.

Another four bulls were knocked down at 8000gns. First was Samantha and Allen Shortt’s Crew Diablo, an ET-bred bull brought out by Jennifer Hyslop. The bull from the Northern Ireland breeders is bred from the Sandside Elector daughter, Crew Daffodil, and sired by Idvies Eric. Second in his class, he was purchased by Charles McCombie, Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, Huntly.

Selling for 20.000gns was Duncanziemere Mr Bulletproof from A Clark and Sons

Neil and Mark Wattie’s top seller from Mains of Tonley, Alford, made the same money when selling to near neighbour, Willie Lawson, Scotsmill, who got for his money Tonley Edward, a similarly aged blue ticket holder that was yearling bull champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza. His pedigree features the sire, Tonley Jester Eric that has bred sons to 24,000gns onto the Blelack Evor-sired Tonley Evas Honey.

William Mclaren, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir, was another who forked out 8000gns. He bought the third prize winner Blelack Hill Porcupine, another April 2022-born bull this time from AN Calcott and Son, who bought the farm at Blelack, Dinnet. The bull is sired by Rodmead Primero, and out of Blelack Poppy.

The last of the 8000gns sales came when Alistar and Ben McSporran, Eilean, Innerleithen, sold Eilean Epic, to JD Steele, Goddens, Pitroddie, Perth. Epic is sired by Logie Politician which bred the May 2023 champion that sold for 7000gns, while his dam, Eilean Emily has bred sons to the same price.

Leading Awards

Bulls born on or between Feb 1 and March 19, 2022 – 1, J Boomaars’ Vexour Darren Norfolk, by Retties Long Ranger, 4000gns to B and J Mackay, Skitten, Wick; 2, Mrs SJ Allen and A Shortt’s Crew Diablo, by Idvies Eric, 8000gns to C and E McCombie, Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, Huntly; 3, A Mylius and Partners’ St Fort Escot by St Fort Edwin, unsold; 4, J Boomaars’ Vexour Eddie, by Retties Lone Ranger, 4000gns to B and J Mackay, Skitten; 5, D and K Graham’s Cartuthers Earl, by Auchincrieve Exodus, 5000gns to J Hamilton, Headsmuir, Carluke.

Bulls born or or between Mar 20 and April 2, 2022 – 1 and senior champion, A Hodge’s Rulesmains Pascual, by Blelack Prince Camelot, 8500gns to G and J Davie, Harviesmailing, Denny, Stirling; 2, T Hopkinson’s Lindertis Pheonix by Rawburn Jingo Eric, unsold; 3, AJR Farms’ Logie Dominant, by Cardona Jewelot Eric, 5500gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Orkney; 4, D Alexander’s Brotehrton Prince Star, by Nichols Expectation, 4000gns to D MacDonald, Lochmaddy, Isle of North Uist; 5, WD Allen’s Stouphill Emblem, by Stouphill Pioneer, 4200gns to AF Steel, Lenaig, Tayinloan, Tarbert, Argyll.

Bulls born on or between Mar 3 and Mar 10, 2022 – 1, AB Shepherd’s Orbliston Jock, by Schivas Methlick Boy, 5800gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney; 2, NA Wattie’s Tonley Edward, by Tonley Jester Eric, 8000gns to WAL Lawson, Scotsmill, Alford, Aberdeenshire; 3, G and N Taylor’s Mosshall Black Baltimore, by Mosshall Red Elite, 6000gns to BG and J Arnott, Duich Farm, Bowmore, Islay; 4, DM Lyle’s Logan Bar Davy, by HW Fabulous, 4000gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston; 5, Trustees of the Late Gordon Brooke’s Gordon Last Call, by Gordon Barney, 9000gns to A MacLean, Heylipol, Tiree.

Bulls born on or between Apr 11 and Apr 15, 2022 – 1 and reserve senior champion, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Best Man, by Tonley Kasper, 20,000gns to FJ Fraser and Sons, Newton of Idvies, Forfar; 2, R and C Rettie’s Retties Jedi Warrior, by Tonley Kasper, 6000gns to AC Grant and Sons, Middlefield, Forres, Morayshire; 3, WD Allen’s Stouphill Quartermaster, by Stouphill Pioneer, 5000gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston; 4, NA Wattie’s Tonley Picasso, by Duncanziemere Jetstream, unsold; 5, G and G Smith’s Beechwood House Rofirmino, by Blelack Popeye, 4500gns to AR Lawson, Hallington, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Bulls born on or between April 16 and April 21, 2022 – 1, Trustees of the Late Gordon Brooke’s Gordon Pump Action, by Cheerbrook Profit, 8500gns to GM Mitchell, Ferniemill, Cupar; 2, Mr. and Mrs S Medley’s Saville Topcat, by Tonley Kasper, 3500gns to RC Turnbull, Foxfoot Hay, Coxwold, York; 3, AN Calcott and Son’s Blelack Hill Porcupine, by Rodmed Primero, 8000gns to W Mclaren, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir; 4, MR McCornick’s McCornick Eddie by McCornick Kaiser, 6500gns to Mountquhanie Farms, Mountquhanie, Cupar; 5, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Mr Brigadier, by Tonley Kasper, 4200gns unsold.

Bulls born on or between April 22 and May 1, 2022 – 1, Mosston Muir Farm’s Mosston Muir Innes, by Balmachie Ranald, 4000gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney; 2, R and C Rettie’s Retties Leader, by Duncanziemere Edwin, 3500gns to G Stretton, Park Farm, Princethorpe, Rugby; 3, JR Galloway’s Cardona Jeweliot Eric, by Rulesmains Kai, 3800gns to P Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie; 4, Mosston Muir Farm’s Mosston Muir Eltoro, by Balmachie Ranald, 3000gns to E and W Mitchell, Kinpurney, Newtyle, Blairgowrie.

Bulls born on or between May 2 and May 9, 2022 – 1, intermediate champion and supreme overall, Mrs J Barclay’s Harestone Eurostart, by Blelack Popeye, 10,000gns to D Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor, Nairn; 2, JR Galloway’s Cardona Jeweliot Eric by Stouphill Mr Peroni, 7500gns to K Rennie, Fiddle Hall, Falkland, Cupar; 3, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Jasper by Auchincrieve Exodus, 8500gns to J Herdman, Newtown of Edlingham, Alnwick; 4, J and L Doyle’s Drumhill Eco, by Drumhill Lord Hatfield, 8500gns to A and C Sutherland, Abberton, Pershore, Worcs; 5, A Clark and Sons’ Duncnziemere Mr Bond, by Auchincrieve Exodus, 4000gns to Scottish Bull Stud, Inverness.

Bulls born on or between May 10 and May 24, 2022 – 1, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Big Magic by Tonley Kasper, 5500gns to GWB Fullerton, Cockburn, Duns; 2, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Joyride by Duncanziemere Sportsman, 5800gns to J McIntosh, Genoch Mains, Dunragit, Stranraer; 3, JR Galloway’s Cardona Ermite, by Cardona Jewel Eric, 4500gns to P Crawford, Craigenholly, Glenluce, Wigtownshire; 4, K and M Howie’s Cairnton Keystone, by Cairnton Black Captain, 6000gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney; 5, DM Lyle’s Loganbar Dallas, 5000gns to Gellan Farms, Coul, Aboyne.

Bulls born on or between May 25 and June 29, 2022 – 1, AR Lawson and Son’s Hallington Wingman, by Weeton Evolution, 6800gns to SWT Jones and Co, Caerberllan, Llanfihangel, Gwynedd; 2, R and C Rettie’s Retties Ring Leader by Brailes Fabulous, unsold; 4, Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke’s Gordon Pinnacle, by Linton Gilbertines Rocco, 5000gns to J and R Mitchell, Pairney, Auchterarder; 5, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Panther, by Rawburn Jumbo Eric, 5000gns to the Taylors of Tannadice, Inverquharity, Kirriemuir.

Bulls born on or between June 30 and August 24, 2022 – 1 and reserve junior champion, J and L Doyle’s Drumhill Echo, by Galcantray Jedi Eric, to Balavil Estate, Kingussie, Inverness; 2, JR Galloway’s Cardona Everest, by Stouphill Mr Peroni, 3000gns to D and R Peacock, Hipswell Hall, Hipswell, Catterick; 3, M and S Wilson and Sons’ Newbank Eagle, by Duncanziemere Mr Bennett, 4000gns to J Hamilton, Headsmuir, Carluke; 4, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Mr Bulletproof, by Duncanziemere Sportsman, 20,000gns to A Hodge, Rulesmains, Duns; 5, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Prospect, by Tonley Kasper, 6500gns to JM Forbes and Son, Lochdhu Farms, Nairn.

Bulls born on or after August 25, 2022 – 1, junior champion and reserve overall, NA Wattie’s Tonley Vernandes, by Gretnahouse Krack Light, 6500gns to R and E Vance, Broughton Skeog, Whithorn, Newton Stewart; 2, Mrs J Barclay’s Harestone Lord Harry, by Blelack Prince Colorado, unsold; 3, Gretnahouse Einstein, by Rodmead Primero, 3000gns to R and E Vance, Broughton Skeog, Whithorn; 4, AJR Farms’ Logie Endprize, by Blelack Ever Creole, 5500gns to CW Brooke, Midfearn, Ardgay, Ross-shire; 5, AJR Farms’ Logie Prince Creole, by Blelack Ever Creole, unsold.