Recently in Highlands Category

Aberdeen Angus

Mr A J Brown's bull Hawstead Lodge Peter; res, Mr A J Brown's heifer, Hawstead Lodge Pamela J250

Beef Shorthorn

Mr H Horrell's bull, Trojan of Craigeassie; res, L E P Farm's heifer, Chapelton Gem J3040

British Blue

Mr M Jones' heifer, Graymar Electra; res, Mr D H Plested's bull, Cromwell Flash.

British Charolais

Rupert Taylor Ltd's heifer, Graywood Echo; res, J R and V A Webb's bull, Newroddige Bruno

British Simmental

Mr G Green's cow, Greenfields Welcome; res, Mr P B, Mrs J A and Miss B Borlase's cow, Sacombe Rosemary-Bouquette

Yearling heifers and calves were the centre of attention at the Highland Cattle breed's main female show in Oban on Monday.

A strong entry captivated the ringside, with a string of high three-figure and low four-figure prices being paid for them.

Highland Cattle Society secretary Hazel Baxter was delighted with the trade for the younger animals. Older cattle, however, found the market tougher, a reflection of the quality of many of them.

It was a March-born yellow-white heifer calf from Tom Nelson's Glengorm Estate on the Isle of Mull that led the sale at 3100gn.

Bheadareachd Grinn 6 of Glengorm was bought by P. A. and S. A. Smith for a new fold they are establishing at Dorefield House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.

She is by Achadh Chuilter of Ormsary, Glengorm's new stock bull and bought last February for 5800gns. Dam was  Alison 1 of Glengorm, one of 70 cows at Glengorm.

Mr Nelson also sold at  2500gns the three-year-old black heifer, Furan Seorach 5 of Glengorm. She was by Dealbhach Graidhein Dubh of Knockendon and out of Furan Seorach 3 of Glengorm.

Buyer was another new breeder, Charlie Robertson, who runs Buchan Potato Growers in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Mr Robertson acquired at  2000gns a red heifer, Dorta 3 of Auchtenny. This March, 2007, daughter of Kyle of Tordarroch and out of Dorta 2 of Tullach Ard, was bred by Ginny Stacy-Marks, of Auchtenny, Path of Condie, Forgandenny, Perthshire.

The third new breeder buying at the sale was Gordon Snowie, of Inverdunning, Stirling. He has in recent weeks taken delivery of 16 Highlanders and is expecting to create a 50-cow fold.

He paid  2900gns for the senior heifer champion, Carolina of Idvies, a black four-year-old by Black Prince 2 of Idvies and  out of Capleadh 15 of Rigg, and her August-born red calf, Conner of Idvies, at foot. Both were bred by Gordon Mitchell, of Idvies Estate, Letham, Angus.

Mr Snowie then paid 2400gn for the reserve cow champion, Virginia Buidhe of Cnoc, a yellow five-year-old  by Angus Ruadh of Ardtornich and out of Yana Buidhe of Cnoc, and her January-born heifer calf, Virginia 2 of Cnoc, at foot.

Virginia, a third calver in-calf to Brogach of Culfoich,  was consigned by Sydney and Maureen O'Hara, of Cnoc Lodge, Appin, Argyll.

Mr Mitchell's supreme female champion, Sylvia of Idvies, a black 29-month-old heifer also by Black Prince 2nd of Idvies and out of Morag of Craigowmill, was bid to 2000gn by Gary Braines, of Mill House, 10 Mill Street, Millfield, Sunderland.

Mr Braines, who runs an office removal firm, started breeding Highlanders two years and ago and now has 38 animals in his fold.

The numbers of Highlanders sold at 1000gn or more was up 11 to 39. There was again strong demand from the continent, with 25 cattle heading to new homes in Ireland, Denmark, France and Germany.

The 16 three-year-old heifers sold to average £1385, the 22 two-year-olds £999, the 20 yearlings £601, the 22 haltered heifer calves £794, the  seven cows and senior heifers  £1336.

Auctioneers: Caledonian Marts (Stirling) Ltd.

Topping Wednesday's sale of North Country Cheviot ewes at Dingwall was a £600 bid for the best of the hill ewes on offer, a Langdale Typhoon daughter carrying twins to North House Nailer from Badanloch Estate. This one sold to R J Lund, East Clough Farm, Cumbria.

Second best was a £580 sale for another Typhoon daughter, this time carrying twins to Balnakeil Boomerang. This one also from Badanloch also sold to Mr Lund.

A £350 sale led the main register sheep offered with this being given for a shearling ewe. Second best at £330 was the second prize ewe lamb, a Smiddyquoy Highlander daughter from J and J Farquhar, which sold to H Sutherland.

And while on the subject of Dingwall, the mart has a new sale of Highland cattle scheduled for Saturday 6 March, which will include six yearling heifers from Donacl Macdonald's Dungevan Fold based on the Isle of Skye.

Trade for Highland Cattle was surprisingly robust at its sale in Oban, but prices failed to match the buoyancy of last year and there were fewer European buyers.

Just 15 of the 89 that were sold are headed to the Continent, against the 37 that accounted for a third of the cattle traded at the gathering in 2009 and where the top price paid was 14,000gns.

Averages were all down, with the exception of senior heifers. The eight senior bulls averaged £2500, against £3197.25 for nine last year. The 19 two-year-olds hit £1965 (£2754.15 for 16), while the seven yearlings were £595, compared to £882 for eight. Six aged bulls averaged £1814.

The nine senior heifers averaged £1617 (£1323 for 13). The 11 three-year-olds recorded an average of £1100 (£1139.25 for 12); the 14 two-year-olds at £729 (£1029.81 for 13) and the 21 yearlings at £484, compared to £633 for 42.

Top price was 5800gns for Callum of Goldenberry, a 25-month-old son of Calum of Cir Mhor and Cannach 2 of West Merkland. He was supreme champion for retired engineer Alan Kennedy, of Thirdpart Holdings, West Kilbride, and who only started breeding Highlanders in 2005.

Buyer was Sir William Lithgow's Ormsary Estate at Lochgilphead, Argyll.
Anna Taylor, of Old West Church Manse, Argyle Terrace, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, then paid 5600gns for Torquil Dealbach of Ubhaidh from Roy Tylden-Wright, of Uvie, Lagganbridge, Inverness-shire.

The four-year-old bull, by Torquil 1 of West Merkland, was bought by Mr Tylden-Wright as a calf at foot with dam Mairead of Avon. He was used as the stock bull on Mr Tylden-Wright's six-cow fold.

Sir Michael Nairn, of Balnabroich, Bridge of Cally, Perthshire, acquired at 5500gns the first bull in the ring, Am Drobhair of Coirefuar. This  three-year-old son of Domhnull of Gartchonzie and  Dossan Ruadh Bheag of Coirefuar was reserve senior champion and the last to be sold by Angus Mackay, of Kilgraston Farmhouse, Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. He has handed over his 10-cow fold to his son, Ewan.
Iain McKay, of Cnoc Cottage, Appin, Argyll, had to go to 5400gns to buy a bull from his late mother, Connie Lawrie, of Saval Beg, Lairg, Sutherland.

He bought Adhamh 2 of Lagg, a 21-month-old by Angus of Lyntoun and out of Siusaidh 4th of Lagg, for a new fold that Mr McKay and his son, Stuart, are setting up on Mull.

Highest priced black bull at 4600gns was Angus Dubh of Savalmhor who was sold by  Morven Coghill, of Seaforth, Dunnet, Caithness. Angus, a 34-month-old son of Angus Dubh of Invercassley and Matilda 2 of Tullach Ard, is headed to the Island of Mull to join the fold of R. and S. Strachan, of Cailach, Calgary.

German breeder J Born led the purchases by Continental buyers. He bid to 3600gns to get Angus of Roisbheinn, a 23-month-old son of Philip 2 of Auchentenny and  Frangag Donn Mor 2 of Torloisk. Consignors were Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton, of Newhouse, Heights of Inchvannie, Strathpeffer, Easter Ross.
Another prolific European buyer, Marco Oldenhof, followed, paying 3200gns for Demuth of Thaggnam, a two-year-old son of Stuart of Lyntoun and Julie 11 of Craigowmill, from cattle foot trimmer Alun Garton, of The New Farmhouse, Ardormie, Alyth, Perthshire. Mr Oldenhof used to dairy farm, but is setting up a beef unit with Highlanders in Denmark.

Females were in demand, but prices failed to match those of the bulls.
Two made 2100gns - Glasgow City Council's reserve supreme Una Ruadh 39 of Pollok and Lynsey 1 of West Merkland from engineering company boss John Mackie and his wife, Dawn, of Merkland House, Strathaven, Lanarkshire.
The council's heifer, a 35-month-old heifer by Seamus 5th of The Wellburn and out of Una Ruadh 28 of Pollok, was bought by Hamish Porter, of Cragabus, Island of Islay.

The Mackie's 22-month-old was bought by Mr Tylder-Wright.
At 2000gn was female supreme, Neoinean 6 of Glenkinglass, a rising four-year-old cow in-calf to Angus of Gartchonzie. By Seumas of Carsaig and out of Neoinean Og 8 of Glenkinglass, she was sold by the Schusters, of Duiletter, Glenstrae, Loch Awe, and bought by Otter Estate at Kilfinan, Tighnabruiach, both Argyll.

Sir Michael Nairn bought at 2000gns Sidonia 8 of Ormsary, a rising four-year-old in-calf to Lochlan of Sorne. This one, by Hamish Mhor 2 of Callachally and out of Sidonia 2 of Ormsary, was sold by Sir William Lithgow.

Gary Braines, of West Edmondley, Durham, also paid 2000gns. He bought Rhodda (CORR) 2 of Kinpurnie, a four-year-old cow by Calum Seoladair Dubh of Killochries and out of Rhodda of Kinpurnie. The black cow, in-calf to Dughall of Killochries, came from Ian Graham's fold in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. He has one of the biggest folds of black Highlanders in Britain.

Highland cattle hit a top price of 1500gns at Worcester on Saturday when Robert Philips, Skipton, Yorkshire, sold his bull Ulysses of Hellifield. He sold to J and F Farms, Melbourne Derbyshire.

Next best was an 1150gns call for the best of the day from Michael Poland's Mottistone Fold. This was given for Eoin Mhor 2 which sold to A Harrison, East Grinstead, Sussex.

Leading the females on offer were a brace of 1000gns sales. First to go at this money was an in calf heifer from Michael Poland, which sold to R Travers, Dunsfold, Surrey, having stood first in the pre-sale show. The other at this money was the female champion from the pre-sale show female champion Fleur of Eckington from Judy Gardner, Pershore, Worcestershire.

Averages; one in-calf cow £777, four in calf heifers £792.75, eight maiden heifers £739.66, two bulls £1391.25 (McCartneys).

The first animal sold through the ring at United Auction's new mart at Hill O'Drip, Stirling, yesterday, sold for a sizzling £10,000gns. The animal was pedigree Highland heifer Bess 1 of Bien Esk, by Thorn of Bien Esk and out of Bhuidhe Bhoidheach 18 of Shenavallie

The heifer, sold in aid of  Breast Cancer Care, was donated by Patricia Smith, who was diagnosed with the disease last year. Ms Smith runs the Bien Esk fold of Highlanders with partner Paul Burns.

Buying the heifer was Scotbeef supremo Ian Galloway. Well known for heading up the processor and also as a breeder of Aberdeen-Angus Mr Galloway was upholding a family tradition as he also bought the first animal under the hammer at Perth in 1990 and hsi father, James, purchased the first lot sold at UA's Kildean market in the 1960s.

There's no word yet on what Bess' fate will be though......

Leading the way in the Highland classes at the Royal Highland Show, was Patricia Smith and Paul Burns, Stirling, who are to quote "over the moon", with their three year old heifer Eleanor of Bien Esk, a daughter of Thorn of Bien Esk out of Beitidh 4th of Hoeijgaard.

Taking the reserve spot under judge Les Wardle, Stoke-on-Trent, was Donald MacNaughton, Fife, with his two year old heifer Syke of Rannoch, sired by Rannoch of Lochmill out of Mhairie of Cocklaw.  

European eyes were smiling on the Highland cattle breed's annual show in Oban with strong demand from continental buyers ensuring a near clearance.

Just six of the 120 entered were unsold. A third of the animals bought went to Estonia, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

The prices paid astounded sale goers as the entry was far from vintage. Pre-sale judge Archie McIntyre, of Ayr, had branded many of the cattle mediocre.

German Highland breeder Falko Steinberg paid the top price of 14,000gns for the pre-sale male champion, Lasgaire of Roisbheinn, a two-year-old bull by by Ninian of Benmeanach and out of Sorcha Beg of Roisbheinn.

He was consigned by Alan and Mary-Anne Blackburn, of Braecock Mill, Caputh, Dunkeld, Perthshire. They have been breeding Highlanders for 14 years and have just four cows in their fold. They are to use the cash to buy a new tractor.

Mr Steinberg has attended sales in Oban for 20 years, but left the bidding to Archie McArthur, of Ormsary Estate, Lochgilphead, Argyll, this time around as he was on holiday in Grenada.

A Highland bull from J & M McConachie & Son, Culfoich, Grantown-on-Spey has been exported to Germany to join Werner Baron von Buchholtz to join his luetten Dieker fold of Highlanders in a five figure deal. The bull, Lasgarie 2 of Culfoich is by Cuirtear of Balmoral and out of Seonaid of Tordarroch.

April 2007-born Lasgaire was sold for an undisclosed sum and comes from the 38 cow Lasgaire herd run by the McConachie family at home in Strathspey in the Cairngorms National Park.

The Inaugural show and sales for the Belted Galloway and Highland Cattle breed societies at Worcester resulted in a resounding success with an unrivalled attendance of buyers and enthusiasts packing the sale ring to the gunnels.

The Belted Galloways opened proceedings and were all hotly contested from buyers travelling from the length and depth of the country.  Top price hit the 2100gns mark for a red belted bull from J J  N Adams "Poplar Incredible" an "Arnside Vagabond" son having taken second prize in the show and being secured by Jonathan Longhorn of Carperby, North Yorkshire. 

P N Melland entered one animal for the event, an in calf heifer by Bolebec Dun Concorde, she won first and Overall Champion and went on to sell at 2000gns to P and F Rowland, Northwick, Cheshire.

Cows and calves enjoyed strong and keen support peaking at 1,900gns twice from J and P Farms for a heifer with heifer calf at foot and from Andrew Morland for a similar outfit both being taken by P and R Rowland.

Trade was patchy last week for Aberdeen-Angus females and Highland cattle at Perth, which saw Angus trade top at 1350gns for Andrew Mylius' yearling heifer St Fort Elegy G614.

Homebred on both sides, this April born heifer is by the Carlhurlie Generoso sire St Fort Prime Minister and out of St Fort Elegacy, a dam that goes back to Rawburn Elegacy. She knocked down to Perkhill Estates, Banchory, Aberdeenshire.

The same buyers came in at 1050gns to secure another from the same stable, St Fort Etrilla G608. By Fordafourie Kris, she is out of Castle of Mey Etrilla 17.

Of the multiple lot buyers, J McMaster, Greengairs, Lanarkshire took 12 lots home, the best of which was Tulcham Phoebe C111, an April 20003 in calf cow. By the TLA Northern Samurai son Lord Hickory W42 of Blelack, she is out of Linburn Princess and sold for 1100gns.

Of the Highland cattle trade peaked at 900gns for Angus Mackay's March 2001 cow Karen 4 of Douglas. By Calin of Coirefuar and out of Karen 1 of Douglas, she sold with her bull calf at foot by Domhnull of Gartchonzie and in calf again to the same bull to H Mitchell, St Fillans, Crieff.

Second highest price at 750gns was Davina of Gartchonzie, another 2001 born female by Alaster Ruadh of glen Nevis. She sold due to calve in February to H Barker, Callander, Perthshire.

Charolais cattle captured both the individual and pairs interbreed championships at the rain affected Three Counties Show.

Conditions were so bad that interbreed cattle judging was moved inside, where judge Jim Goldie found himself assessing a Limousin bull he bred.

Having made Shamleys Victoria, an outstandingly well grown Charolais heifer from Mrs Jamilla Robinson's herd at nearby Tenbury Wells, his champion, he called on independent referee Martin Jones to decide whether Goldies Trophy should be reserve champion. The bull he sold to Somerset breeder Colin Hutchings three years ago for 6000gns, was given the nod.

Females dominated proceedings at last weekend's East of England Show, clinching the overall interbreed beef title, the commercial beef championship, the interbreed sheep championship and the interbreed pig silverware.

Leading the way was Doug Mash's French bred Limousin cow Segala from his family's Brockhurst herd. Imported just over a year a go and shown with her November 2006-born calf at foot, Segala now heads to the Royal and Royal Welsh.

Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus champion, Briston Echo, from Duncan Jeary's 60-cow herd. By Tegnose Pensboy and out of Briston Briarthorn, Echo was also shown with her March-born calf at foot.

Heading up the commercial classes was the Limousin cross heifer Miss Moneypenny from Sennybridge-based Elfed Williams. Brought out by Neil and Sally Lloyd of Black and Blue Show Team, Miss Moneypenny was bred by Andrew Davies and cost Mr Williams £7100.

Among the juniors it was the turn of another Limousin, Ironstone Brandy, from Smtihs of Bloxham's Ironstone herd which led the way. By Unesco, Brandy is out of record price Limousin female Bailea Umandy.

Narrowly pipped into reserve spot was Mike and Jean Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Splash, this one was bred by the Skidmore family.

Last week's South of England show was a particularly good one for Taking Stock with both regular contributors invoved in bringing forward champions.

For my part I managed to clinch the interbreed sheep title for the second year in a row with a Southdown shearling ram, while Chrissie helped Thorndean Farms to the Limousin breed title with a two year old heifer, Thorndean At Last, sired by Sheelin Nato.

Elsewhere in the beef lines it was the turn of Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean to lead out the winner, Charolais cow Mortimers Racey. By Gretnahouse Napoleon and out of homebred cow Mortimers Madonna, Racey was shown with a Mortimers Upstart sired calf at foot and just the week before had stood interbreed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

Unshown since 2002 when she lifted the breed championship at the Highland as a heifer, Racey beat the Angus champion, Andrew Brown's heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela into reserve.

Pamela, who stood native champion at last week's Suffolk Show, is by Blelack Black Beret and was led out by Kevin Byford.

Suffolk show as always proved its worth as a true farming show this week, with strong livestock entries in all sections and large farming crowds thronging the judging rings.

Continentals ruled the championship rings as a Charollais ram took top honours in the sheep rings and a Charolais cow rearing twins scooped the beef interbreed silverware.

The sheep leader cam from Jonathan and Carol Barber's Crogham flock of 120 ewes and was bought two years ago for 600gns in conjuction with Stuart Dudley of the Hyde flock.

Bred in Northern Ireland, the tup is by noted sire Southam Bob the Builder and out of a Mawhinney ewe, he previously stood interbreed at last year's Royal Norfolk Show and has been used extensively in both the Crogham and Hyde flocks.

Reserve spot in the sheep lines was taken by the Suffolk champion, a ram lamb from Gordon and Elizabeth Beddie's flock from Swaffham, Norfolk. This January-born lamb had stood first in a strong class under breed judge Helen Goldie before beating off stiff competition to clinch male and breed championship.

In the beef rings the leader was seven year old Charolais cow Moathall Roney from the Wicks family's 80-cow Moathall herd from Mellis, Eye, Suffolk. Roney who was shown with her twin calves at foot was described by judge John White, of Midlock, Biggar, as having an exceptional head and superb topline.

Standing second to Roney was the Limousin leader, Segala from Doug Mash's Brockhurst herd. Five year old Segala was imported from France last year and now heads on to Rutland, East of England, the Royal and the Royal Welsh.

And the Charolais also triumphed in the interbreed pairs competition, beating off stiff opposition from the Belgian Blue pairing to lift the title.


But the Blues did one better taking the group of three title - from the Barwood and Padfield team came Ridge Dean Sherry, Ridge Dean Wren (both with their two heifer calves) and the homebred bull Piggots Artful Dodger.

In the Native championship it was a win for the Aberdeen Angus heifer of Andrew Brown, Hawstead Lodge Pamela.

Meanwhile, the dairy championship was dominated by traditional breeds, with the Jersey leader standing champion ahead of the top British Friesian.

Bolderston and Partners' 2002-born cow Tetfor Hall Danni lead the way having calved in April and given 40kgs a day at the peak of her last lactation. Danni runs as part of the partnership's 80 cow mixed herd alongside Ayrshires and Holsteins.

Following closely behind was 2000-born British Friesian cow Oakalby Breadwinner S Ruth 34 from the Burroughs family's Beccles-based herd.

Taking the Dexter title for the fourth year running was Roseamry and Stuart Creasey with their February 2005 born heifer Langley End Alison, a heifer that had taken the title the year before.

Among the pigs it was another interbreed success for Guy Kiddy's Withersfield herd of Large Whites. Taking the honours for Mr Kiddy this time was his July 2006 born gilt Withersfield Blackberry 151, shown by Shuttleworth college student Stuart Warby.

Reserve pig champion was Carol Knights' Gloucester Old Sow boar Also Sambo from Mrs Knights 12 sow herd.

Among the commercial pigs it was another win for Peter Reeder with a homebred gilt. His winner was a Maximus x Large White x Landrace.

With some 19 prices in excess of 2000gns, Oban has recently seen one of their better sales for Highland cattle. It was also good to see demand in the form of exports with German breeders making the journey over to secure some of the better genetics on offer.

Topping trade and heading across the water was Ceannard 4th of Glengorm. This rising three year old, pictured below, sold for 8000gns to Geisler Klosner, whose three purchases on the day came just short of £12,000.