Stirling: Salers averages up £1,301 on the year

Salers bulls sold to a top price of 8,000gns at Stirling bull sales on Monday (17 February), with averages up a massive £1,301 on the year.

Overall, 17 males averaged £4,830 – up from £3,529 in 2019 – with clearance rates hitting 77%.

Breed secretary Sian Sharp said there had been increased interest in the run-up to the sale, adding: “There’s varying factors for the averages being up but we do believe people are looking at their systems and want to reduce costs, and Salers meet that criteria because they are low input and calve easy.

“The exhibitors were very happy with trade, given averages were up so much coupled with the clearance rate.”

Sale leader was the overall champion Strathallan Navigator, from the stable of Murray Lyle, Dunblane. This April 2018-born bull is sired by Seamore Kawasaki and is out of the Whitebog Fantastic daughter Seamore Jenna. The winning bid fell to JM Aitken, Penicuik, Midlothian.

See also: Stirling: Solid Limousin demand lifts average by £130

Strathallan Navigator 8000gns © Tim Scrivener

Next in the bidding stakes at 7,000gns was the homebred, March 2018-born Rigel Nivarna from Terence and Jane Pye’s Rigel Pedigree herd, Yarm, North Yorkshire. He won reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show and caught the eye of Robert Mackie, Motherwell.

Rigel Nirvana 7,000gns © Tim Scrivener

At the same money was the junior champion, Cumbrian Nadal Poll from Farmstock Genetics, Lindean, Selkirk. Sired by Ideal, this June 2018-born bull is out of Cumbrian Hyacinth 661 Poll. Buyer was WN Douglas, Yarrow, Selkirk.

Cumbrian Nadal Poll 7,000gns © Tim Scrivener

Then came a bid of 5,800gns for Drumaglea Natural from PA Boyd of Drumaglea Ltd, Isle of Tiree. Sired by the Asterix son Halley, he is out of Drumaglea Yo-Yo who is out of a Rigel dam. Successful bidder was AV Hamilton and Co, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire.

Just shy of this at 5,500gns was the homebred, reserve intermediate champion Cleuchhead Noah from R&K Livesey, Melrose. Sired by the Gulliver son Cleuchhead Dick Dastardly, he is out of a dam sired by Drumlegagh Brandon. He was bought by G Brown and Sons, Dunbar, East Lothian.

Two bulls made 5,000gns. The first of these was 23-month-old Whitebog Nobleman from A MacKenzie, Fortrose, Ross-Shire.

Whitebog Nobleman 5,000gns © Tim Scrivener

By Seawell Jewel, he is out of the Seawell Diplomat daughter Whitebog Gwen. Buyer was GT and S Coghill, Orkney.

Also at 5,000gns was the reserve junior champion Darnford Nelson from David Watson, Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Sired by the Boffeli son Fangio, he is out of the Chapelpark Ali daughter Darnford Diva. He headed home with the Scottish Government to their bull stud in Inverness.

Averages: 17 bulls, £4,830 (+ £1,301). Clearance rate 77% (United Auctions)