Stirling: Angus top at 38,000gns and numbers lift 43%
More bulls were sold in the Angus ring at Stirling this year (7 February) than last, in a sale that boasted higher average top bids of 38,000gns and 30,000gns.
By the time trading finished, 29 more bulls had changed hands than at the Covid-marred February 2021 sale. Impressively, this was also 13 more bulls than the pre-Covid sale in February 2020.
Moderately framed, easy fleshed cattle were in increasing demand, as were bulls with good figures.
See also: How world’s oldest Angus herd thrives in low-cost system
A 38,000gns bid for a Blelack bull from the Massies, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, topped the trade.
Blelack Dean Martin W036 is a Kilmaluag Eriksay son out of the Weeton Diamond Mine daughter Blelack Diamond Mist. Described as one of the smartest, most correct bulls the Massies had sold, the sale leader’s sire Eriksay has sired a 30,000gns heifer calf.
Blelack Dean Martin: 38,000gns © Tim Scrivener
Dean Martin went to the Wedderlie herd of John and Marion Tilson and daughter Wanda Hobbs, Gordon, Berwickshire.
Close behind, at 30,000gns, was Duncanziemere Jacobite W374 from A Clark and Sons, Avisyard Farm, Cumnock. He was shared by Ballindalloch, Alberlour, Banffshire and FJ Fraser and Son, Idvies, Forfar, Angus.
Duncanziemere Jacobite: 30,000gns © Tim Scrivener
Jacobite is an Auchincrieve Exodus son out of a Rawburn Jester cow called Jody.
The Frasers were then back in the action, this time selling to 16,000gns. Idvies Pink Prodigy W979 is by Thrunton Panther and out of the Rawburn Rommel daughter Idvies Pink Poppy P648. He sold to JR Galloway, Cardona, Doune.
Idvies Pink Prodigy: 16,000gns © Tim Scrivener
Next, at 13,000gns, was Tonley Potter W759 from Neil Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire. He is a Tonley Jester Eric son and goes back to Duncanziemere Edwin.
He is out of the Rawburn Edge daughter Tonley Princess and caught the eye of the Whitefords, Borewell, Berwick on Tweed.
Owen Tunny’s Morpheus herd, Cuddington, Northwich, was in the money at 12,000gns for Morpheus Kodiak W068. He went home with Norbreck Genetics, Cockerham, Lancaster.
Morpheus Kodiak: 12,000gns © Tim Scrivener
Kodiak is by the May-Way Breakout son HF Alcatraz and is out of the Galawater Gaffer Geronimo daughter The Moss Krispy Girl.
A bid of 11,500gns secured Tonley Alba W781 from Neil Wattie. He goes back to Rawburn Elysium and is a Tonley Royal Legend son out of Tonley Annie, a Blelack Evor daughter. He sold to D and FM Luxton and Partners, Okehampton, Devon.
The Clarks were then also back in the money at 11,000gns for Duncanziemere Mr Bond. He caught the eye of the Hendersons, Curlay Mains, Sutherland.
Mr Bond is out of the Rawburn Jester Eric daughter Duncanziemere Miss Belinda and is another by Auchincrieve Exodus.
Averages: 95 (+29) bulls, £6,533 (+£34); 10 females, £2,300, 74% clearance (United Auctions)