Bulls to 6,500gns as Charolais dominates Aberdeen sale

Trade peaked at 6,500gns for Charolais bulls at Thainstone’s annual multi-breed show and sale of pedigree beef cattle on Wednesday (24 February) on a day which saw the better end of cattle easily sold.

Top money went to G Leggat, New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, for sixteen month old Bonnykelly Jackpot, with a winning bid from P and M Watson, Duris, Kincardineshire as 18 bulls levelled at £4,358.

Trade topper: Aberdeen’s spring multi-breed show and sale peaks at 6,500gns for Bonnykelly Jackpot

Next at 6,000gns, and leading a run of eight bulls from J Wilson and Sons, Aberdeenshire averaging £4,843, was Kinclune Jackass selling to G Wilson and Sons, Fichlie. Next best for the Wilsons at 5,800gns was twenty month old Kinclune Jackpot to H and A G Laing, Lochhills, Morayshire.

Next from the same vendor was another 22 month old, Kinclune Jagger who this time went home to Banchory, Kincardineshire, with Kincraigie Farms for 5,200gns.

TE and M Walker, Banff, Aberdeenshire, were next to purchase one of the Wilson’s lots. The May 2014-born Kinclune Joker was knocked down at 5,000gns.

Vendors were “quite happy” with trade overall, auctioneer John Angus told Farmers Weekly, explaining that Charolais averages were back on 2015, when Blelack Immortal at 9,200gns and Kinclue Ideal at 8,500gns buoyed averages.

“A few Charolais bulls went unsold with a good number making between 4,000gns and 5,500gns,” he added. He said buyers sought bulls with “width and power” on the day, but stressed bulls had to be mobile and correct in the legs.

He noted a slight drop in Charolais prices in general elsewhere but added that Charolais store cattle are in demand at Thainstone and “easily sold”.

“We see a lot of Charolais cattle in our area and have done for some time. In this area a number of farms run Simmental-cross onto a Charolais and some do the same with Saler-cross cattle,” added Mr Angus.

“We have however seen a few businesses switch to Limousins but two weeks ago the mart was full of Charolais stores.”

Limousin

The Limousin championship went to Mr & Mrs S Irvine, Braehead, Drummuir for 20-month-old ‘Anside Jazz’ which made 4,800gns to W M and C Alexander, Lyth, Wick. The reserve, 21-month old Knock Jumbo from A G Howie, Stuartfield, sold to D & P Petrie, Torphins, Banchory.

Simmental

Simmental prices topped at 6,000gns for Corskie Fitzroy from W J and J Green, Garmouth, bought by A and J Cormack, Castletown, Thurso. The Corskie herd also sold the champion, Corskie Faldo for 4,500gns to H C and G Simpson, Freswick, Wick.

Aberdeen Angus

Angus trade reached a high of 3,800gns for Wendy Willox, Druminnor, with Strathinver Master Beethoven selling to D Petrie and son, Strachan, Banchory. Also of note at 2,600 gns and winning its class was Wrae Brave Ballesteros from A J Norrie, Turriff, selling to J Watson, Laurencekirk.