Stirling bull sales 2018: Limousins £712 dearer on the year

Easy calving lines were keenly sought after in the Limousin ring at Stirling on Monday (5 February) as averages lifted to £5,814 at an 81% clearance.

Three bulls achieved three figures and 31 lots made 5,000gns or more to lift averages £712 on the year.

Topping trade at 13,000gns was an offering from the Dyke Herd of Jimmy and Donal MacGregor, Milton of Campsie, Glasgow. The naturally-born Dyke Macbeth is by Haltcliffe DJ son Netherhall Gilbert and out of Dyke Florette.

He knocked down to R Dunlop and Son for their 130-head commercial suckler herd near Girvan, Ayrshire.

Dyke Macbeth from the MacGregors, Glasgow, led prices in the Limousin ring with a 13,000gns bid from R Dunlop and Son, Ayrshire. © Tim Scrivener

Two then followed at 10,000gns, the first being the black Limousin Goldies Black Manhattan from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot Farm, Dumfries. He made Stirling history being the first black bull to take the overall Limousin Championship.

The April 2016-born sire is by Goldies Fortress, a Wilodge Vantastic son, and out of Goldies Dalmation. He was snapped up by pedigree breeder John Elliott, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.

Goldies Black Manhattan knocked down to John Elliot, Kelso, for 10,000gns. © Tim Scrivener

Matching this was Creran Mourinho from Ewen MacGillivray, Barcaldine, Oban, with his first bull at Stirling. Another natural-born calf, the August 2016-born son of Powerful Irish is out of Lodge Iccolo and knocked down to commercial buyer Fisher Contracting Ltd, Groan Farm, Perth.

Creran Mourinho brought a 10,000gns bid for Ewen MacGillivray on his first trip as a vendor to Stirling. © Tim Scrivener

At 9,500gns and also going to a commercial bidder was Ronick Material from R Dick, Mains of Throsk Farm, Stirling, with a winning bid from Stirling regular LD Carr and Partner, Upper Higham, Rushden, Northants. Material is out of Ronick Fatella and by the Ronick Gains son Stephick Hero.

Matching this was Hollyberry Marius from A and V Brown and Son, Foggathrope, Selby, which was knocked down to T Lang, Parduvine, Midlothian. He is a Cloughead Umpire son out of Burnbank Clover.    

Hollyberry Marius made 9,500gns for Yorkshire breeders A and V Brown, Selby, with the winning bid from T Lang, Midlothian. © Tim Scrivener

Two made 9,000gns, the first being Allanfauld Gazza-son Walkers Mandit from PA Walker, Dunnottar, Stonehaven. He is out of Walkers Hereclissa and was snapped up by another commercial buyer, Huntlyhill Farms, Lanark.

Walkers Mandit from PA Walker, Stonehaven, made 9,000gns. © Tim Scrivener

Also at 9,000gns was Burnbank McCoy from D and L Graham, Mains of Burnbank Farm, Stirling, which was knocked down to A and E Grant, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. He is out of Burnbank Clover and is another Cloughead Umpire son.

Burnbank McCoy hit 9,000gns. © Tim Scrivener

Bids form the Scottish Government bull stud secured four purchases on the day, including Glams Black Magic from A and J Adam, Forfar, for 6,500gns. He is a Millington Ferrari son out of Westhall Jemima.

Averages: 62 bulls, £5,815 (+£712). (United Auctions)