Blelack sets new Aberdeen-Angus female record

The noted Blelack herd of Messrs Neil and Graeme Massie, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, witnessed phenomenal trade and realised a new female breed at their reduction sale at Stirling on Monday (17 October).

Beating the Massie’s previous record set two years by 3,000gns when selling for 35,000gns was Blelack Lady Eraline J258, a May 2009-born daughter of Oneills Renovator and out of Oneills Lady Eraline.

She sold to George Pirie who was buying on behalf of Hannah and Eric Heerema of Balavil Estate, Kingussie, in the Scottish Highlands, who bought some 25 lots on the day to the tune of more than £180,000.

© Tim Scrivener

Joining her and grossing 22,000gns was Blelack Toplass M899 and her heifer calf Toplass S655, both selling for 11,000gns.

By Blelack Duke J262 and out of a Blelack Blackgem G721 daughter, Toplass M899 sold with a terminal sire index of +49 and a self replacing index of +61. Her calf is by Haymount Wavarlo N383.  

See also: Limousins sell to 35,000gns at Carlisle

Selling for a gross price of 20,000gns and again joining the Balavil Estate team was Blelack Miss Bangle L613, a March 2011-born Duke daughter again, this time out of a Netherallan Peter Pershore E052 daughter. She sold with her heifer calf at foot.

Meanwhile, at 13,000gns was Blelack Princess Caroline P304, an April 2014-born heifer with calf at foot and back in calf again. This one is by Blelack Evergreat H003 and sold to Messrs Gardiner, Lynne of Skene.

Of the females offered in the collective sale, the Elliot family of the Rawburn herd, Roxburgh Mains, Scottish Borders, sold to a top of 15,000gns for Rawburn Lady Ross P889, a Rawburn Black Hawk L262 daughter.

Buyers were Richard Hassle and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock, Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, the overall female champion, Retties Diana JFK P295 from Clackmannanshire-based Richard and Carol Rettie commanded a 7,000gns price tag when selling to brothers Andrew and James Adam, for their recently established Newhouse herd, Forfar, Angus.

This one is by Retties JFK M195 and out of a Rawburn Rommel E423 daughter.

© Tim Scrivener

Bull trade tops at 11,000gns

Meanwhile Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to a top price of 11,000gns, with Jonathan and Lisa Doyle of the Drumhill herd, Cookstown, Northern Ireland, taking the day’s top call.  

Leading the way for them was the March 2015-born Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532. This Nightingale Proud Jake G405 son is out of Blelack Lady Heather J169, herself a daughter of the popular sire Netherallan Peter Pershore E052.

© Tim Scrivener

With a self-replacing index of +50, Lord Hatfield headed back across the water at 11,000gns with Kevin McOscar, Cookstown, for his Island Farm herd. 

Also heading back to Northern Ireland with a 10,000gns price tag was the reserve intermediate and reserve overall champion, Linton Gilbertines Masterpiece R941, from the Trustees of the Late Gordon Brooke, at Upper Huntleywood Farm, Earlston.

By Rawburn Black Hawk L261, he is out of the Riverbed Powerline daughter, Linton Gilbertines Missy L457. Buyer was J Kelly, Co Londonderry.

© Tim Scrivener

Averages: 26 bulls, £5,379 (up £835 on the year with clearance rates hitting 65%). Blelack sale: 25 cows and calves, £5,926; 38 cows and heifers in calf, £7,466; 14 bull calves, £4,598; and 13 heifers, £6,090.

(United Auctions)