Pedigree bulls sold well at United Auctions' multi-breed sale at Stirling with top prices of 14,000gns and 11,000gns for Charolais, and most sections showing improved averages on the year – despite soaring costs of production.

The Charolais breed attracted three of the top four highest prices, and the lead average with 24 cashing in at £6191. Sale leader was breed chairman, Allen Drysdale and his father Peter's Glenericht Robert, a September 2020-born son of Glenericht Mecca, purchased by Willie Dunlop and sons Quintin and William, Elmscleugh, Dunbar.

The team who run 45 pedigree Charolais from their Blairgowrie-based enterprise also received 9000gns for Glenericht Rambler, from Aberdeenshire breeders, Graeme and Mark Leggat of the Bonnykelly herd, New Pitsligo. Rambler is by the privately purchased Caylors Oxford.

Second top price overall was 11,000gns paid for Neil and Mark Wattie's Tonley Ranald, a red ticket holder from Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire. Some pretty old genetics are behind this senior bull with the sire, Silver Joss having been sold in the mid 1990s to Newhouse. Ranald was knocked down to Richard Hassall and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock, Oxford.

Andrew Burnett's Spittalton herd from Blair Drummond, produced the lead Limousin in Spittalton Rambler, an August 2020-born son of Dylans Irnbru, purchased by W Steel and Co, Cumberhead, Lesmahagow.

Simmentals also proved popular with breed president, Stewart Stronach and family, Berryleys, Keith, selling the top two sellers at 8800gns and 8500gns. Dearest was Islavale Luxor, by Curaheen Bandit, selling to J Farquharson and Son, Deuchar, Fern, Forfar, while Delfur Farms, now managed by Garry Patterson, Rothes, Aberlour, went to 8500gns for Islavale Luther, by Dermotstown Delboy.

Just behind, on 8000gns, a small but select sale of Salers was led by Strathallan Petrous, from Murray Lyle, Mid Cambushinnie, Dunblane. A son of Seamore Kawasaki, Petrous headed home with James Shennan, Knockgerran, Girvan.

Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorn bulls struggled most with both breeds seeing averages slip on the year. The former was topped at 7000gns by Idvies Eustace, a son of the home-bred sire, Idvies Ferrari, from Alistair and Graeme Fraser, Newton of Idvies, Forfar, purchased by Messrs MacKenzie, Craiglands, Fortrose, Inverness.

Beef Shorthorns peaked at 6000gns for Eastmill Laird, a five-year-old light roan bull from Thistledown Cowford, Stanley. He is by the Canadian sire, HC Free Spirit and was knocked down to Brechin buyers, J and D Haigh, Balquhadly, Fern.

On a brighter note, Herefords met a 100% clearance with the sole entry selling for 4200gns. Harveybros 1 Versace from George and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, was purchased by Robert Simpson, Parks Farm, Crieff and is by the Australian sire, Wirruna Matty.

Averages: Bulls – 24 Charolais, £6191.00, 71% clearance (+£576); 25 Simmentals, £5632.00, 81% (+£287); 30 Limousin, £5096.00, 56% (+£455); six Salers, £5163.00, 86% (+£613); 10 Beef Shorthorn, £4568.00; 71% (-£502); 29 Aberdeen-Angus, £4055.00, 55% (-£1190). Females – Seven Limousins, £2445.00.

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

Auctioneers: United Auctions