Taking Stock

Well after the seven hour drive, the Taking Stock team has arrived at Perth for the February Bull Sales....and I'm pleased to say it's not snowing....but it is cold!!!

We've had a look round the Aberdeen-Angus, Limousins, Shorthorns (and the odd Luing, Saler, Blue and Blonde) and stock looks well.

I'd say many Limousin breeders are hoping to emulate the success of Newhouse Limousins who sold well last February with their two black bulls, as there are quite a few Black bulls in residence....including a smart one or two from Newhouse again.

Tomorrow kicks off with judging of the Angus females at 8.30 so we'll keep you posted with class results (my money could be on a rather strong Penguin or Oakchurch heifer!). Following the females, Angus males will take to the ring where I will be interested to see how a certain Rawburn bull stands out, there's certainly enough buzz about in him in the lines.

I'm also looking forward to a strong show of Shorthorns, particularly the females, with three rather smart young heifers from Danny Wyllie having already caught my eye in the pens....we'll wait and see!

So it's off to the bar for a drink or two....or three or four to find out what pedigree news, gossip or scandal I can lay my heads on, or any other scandal for that matter!!

I'll report back in the morning!

Well a good start to a rather cold morning (well I am a soft Southerner!) in Perth see's Turriff, Aberdeenshire-based Hamish Sclater take the Aberdeen-Angus female championship.

The first animal to be catalogued, Deveron Proud Imogen E153 is a May 2005 female by Gigginstown Toy Boy and out of a home bred cow. Going back to Ebon Hill Extra Gold on the sire side, Imogen is no stranger to the show ring having taken a second prize ticket as a baby heifer calf at the 2005 Black Beauty Bonanza show.

Having fought off some strong competition Berwickshire-based Jenny Campbell and Marion and John Tilson's junior champion Wedderlie Blackdown has taken the overall male champiopnship in the Aberdeen-Angus section at the Perth Bull Sales.

Blackdown may have been badly behaved in the ring, but Angus judge Donald Biggar stayed with this young bull throughout.

Sired by Coldstream Bonnie Doon from the family of the renowned Knights Blackbird line, the August 2008 born bull has a terminal sire index of +22 and a milk figure of +13.

.....And Wedderlie continue to shine!

Topping Angus female trade so far is a cow and calf outfit from the draft offering of Jenny Campbell and Marion and John Tilson's Wedderlie herd, Berwickshire and owners of today's Angus male champion.

The sale topping bid came from David Walker who will be taking Wedderlie Ellana E076 back home to his Galcantray herd. A Wedderlie Blackbest daughter with a stylish heifer calf by Wedderlie Glen More, the October 2005 born Ellana is due to calve again to the same bull.

David Walker also took home Wedderlie Namosa E036, this time an August 2005 born Blackadder daughter with her Lorabar Jasper Eric sired bull calf at foot for 5000gns.

At the same bid was Wedderlie Elneve E007 who sold with her bull calf to J Best, Northern Ireland. Mr Best also took home Wedderlie Duchesse E031.

Also in this draft Mullingar-based Michael O'Leary featured heavily taking home Wedderlie Privola E894 for 4200gns, Wedderlie Espirito E881 for 3500gns and Wedderlie Privacy E032 for 3000gns.

At 3100gns, G Pilcher, St Ives, Cornwall took home Wedderlie Netlass E067.

Here's the section leaders from today.............I'm open to bets on what these will make tomorrow!!

Senior champion: Lord and Lady Glendyne's Hurdcott Elgar (by Wedderlie Ebtide).

Intermediate champion: Messrs J and J Campbell's Wedderlie Kansas (sired by Wedderlie Blackadder).

Well at least one of my predictions have come true........a stronger show of Shorthorn females than November, Danny and Jane Wyllie's Tamhorn Zara shone through without doubt to catch the eye of judge Simon Farmer to take the female championship.

By the Canadian bred CCS Equity's Charmer and out of HC Myrtle, Zara was junior native champion and Shorthorn female champion at last year's Royal Show.

And taking that little beauty home for the female top price of 5000gns was new breeder Jerry Henchey from Northern Ireland. Jerry already has the Friarstown Angus herd, but is branching into Shorthorns with this addition going home to his five other cows.

Second top price from the shown female section was a call of 3300gns for James Porter's Uppermill Lovely Lupo, bred by James Durno. This roan coloured Uppermill Bartle daughter went to another new breeder from Northern Ireland, Fred Duncan, Crumlin.

The Aberdeen-Angus judge Donald Biggar took the Shorthorn male title with Chapelton Zodiac. Homebred on both sides, the Typhoon sired son has a terminal sire index of +14 and was first prize at the Royal Highland Show and junior male champion at the Royal show last year.

Taking the reserve title was Playfair Farms' Tofts Regent. Again homebred on both sides, this May 2006 born Captain son has a terminal sire index of +14 and scores +3 for milk.

More to follow shortly..........

Well I said I'd get some gossip for you and my usual sources are coming up trumps........

In terms of spending round the Angus rings tomorrow, a certain Donald Biggar bull is creating alot of attention with some of the big pedigree names being drawn to him. There has been talk of a 50,000gns price tag.....so watch this space!!!!!

Check out the Taking Stock (well Tim Scrivener's) pictures so far from Perth Bull Sales.

There's some crackers on here I'd love to know what you're favourites are, personally I love the sun shining down on the Limousin when he's being washed!

And yes as always the heads are cut off in the gallery, but open them up and they're fine....more to follow tomorrow from Angus and Shorthorn male selling and Limousin judging.

Limousin judging is underway at Perth with the female championship going to R Aitken's Ronick Hawk daughter Lourie Avie. The reserve title went to Archie MacGregor's Ardbrack Taketime May two-year old Allanfauld Bezique.

Angus males are just getting ready to start selling and for the first time I'm going to attempt to bring you sale prices as live as possible by taking the lap top in to the sale ring with me. I can't promise we'll be successful, but I'll give it a go.

In the mean time the remainder of the Taking Stock team, plus a little help from a willing Scottish farmer, are filming a video on health status, so that should be available soon.

I'll keep you posted on what could be a big money day if the rumours live up to expectations!

Anticipation is building and the sale ring is gradually filling up.........there's still some talk on the Donald Biggar bull, but also for the intermediate champion from Wedderlie, I've even seen a semen company looking at him so who knows what will happen!!

One thing is for sure David Leggat will woprk hard to get the bids rolling!

Well David Leggat has already started bobbing with an electric kick of to Angus trade as the first bull in to the ring selling for 5000gns. Hugh Blackwood's Auldhouseburn Marcus (lot 104) now heads to Mr Wooten, Bedfordshire.

His second bull into the ring Auldhouseburn Balckadder has just sold for 6000gns to undisclosed bidder on the tic tac.

A bull that had caused a bit of a stir in the stalls, but only managed a fourth prize ticket under Donald Biggar. With a 600 day figure of +100 and a milk figure of +12, Rawburn Ravovo from John Elliott has just sold for 10,000gns to G R and S C Brooks, Malton, N Yorks.

Logie Lustre from Messrs Bruce and Partners has just gone to John Best and Sons, Poynts Pazz, Northern Ireland for 11,000gns. The Skail Dot Com has a terminal sire index of +30 and joins the females bought last night who will eventually head across the water.

Third prize ticket from Neil Massie, Blelack Lord Harmony sold for 6000gns to Mr Ritch.

The high figured bull Threebrunford Leander by Rawburn Transformer has just gone to Phil Halhead of Norbreck Genetics of 5200gns. With a terminal sire index of +40 and a milk index of +19 he certainly will be one to keep an eye on in terms of semen sales.

The champion bull from the Campbell and Tilson family has not suprisingly topped today's trade so far selling for 24,000gns. Wedderlie Blackdown sold to John Moores of The Moss.

The reserve overall from Gordon Gray, Ettrick Katmandu and with Wedderlie breeding behind him sold for 5500gns to R H Gladstone, Dumfries.

Lord and Lady Glendyne's senior champion Hurdcott Elgar sold for 4500gns to Mr Mylius, Fife, with the reserve senior from the Quayle family Ballavitchel Champion sold to Terry Coghill, Orkney for 3200gns.

The intermediate champion from the Tilson and Campbell family, Wedderlie Kansas sold to Glassel Farms, Kincardineshire for 10,000gns with the reserve intermediate Skail Duke from past society president Colin Davidson sold for 9000gns to a joint share between the Castle of Mey Trust and Russell Balundauch.

Allan Rennie's Mosston Muir Lord Ringo, by Mosston Muir El Krugerrand sold for 11,500gns to N A and J De Cogan, Co Cork.

Causing a well deserved applause in the sale rings was Shropshire-based Bob Lane from the Penguin herd who sold his first prize winning bull for 32,000gns. Penguin Mr Elevate by Basin Prime Cut now joins Ryan Air owner Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown herd at Mullingar.

An average of £4104.55 for 152 bulls sold more than satisfied the new Aberdeen Angus Cattle Saociety president John Coultrip.

Speaking to Taking Stock minutes after the sale, he said he was really pleased with how the sale went and the quality of the cattle forward. "We've had a tricky year with many breeders at cross roads in terms of bluetongue restrictions, but this sale has renewed confidence for many producers."

Gerald Turton's first bull in to the ring Virginian of Upsall, by Trunley Soldier has started Shorthorn trade off to a good start with a bid of 4000gns to D and S Calder, Aberfeldy.

One or two have snuck through un sold, but I'd say the breed should have a good sale overall - although not sure we'll see a 32,000gns bid!!!

Topping trade so far was the champion from Donald Biggar, Chapelton Zodiac. The powerful roan Chapelton Typhoon sold for 8000gns to Tony Wood of the Abbots Reading herd, Cumbria with Christopeher Marler running as under bidder.

The junior and reserve overall Tofts Regent from Playfair Farms sold for 4500gns to B and Q Farming Partnership, Selkirk.

At 5200gns James Porter's Uppermill Jumbo, bred by James Durno sold to Mr McAdie, Thurso. This February 2006 born bull is by Chapelton Touchstone.

And with comments like "he's got a bigger arse than me and that takes some doing" Mrs Landers of the Cairnsmore herd certainly caused a stir when she stepped in the ring to sell her reserve senior champion Cairnsmore Zorro Prince for 3200gns to W Graham.

Biggar-based Chesterhalls Park Farm have just sold Gregors Zip for 6800gns to Campbell Graham, Causgow.

Carey Coombs' fourth prize winning bull Dunsyre Nazibar sold for 4600gns to Ormsary Farmers.

Termed as Donald Biggar's favourite bulls from his Chapelton herd, first prize winning Chapelton Zurich sold for 3200gns to the Crofters Commission.

Having saved the best to last a rather excited Jane Landers sold her reserve junior champion Cairnsmore Zidane for 12,000gns, which if my memory serves me correctly could be a new record at Perth.

This sweet, but stylish bull is by Cairnsmore Nike Sportsman and is out of Rothes Mennah, commerical and small pedigree breeder Doug Bell, Berwick was the lucky man to take the bull home.

Having taken the intermediate Limousin title earlier in the day, the Common family, Lockerbie, Dumfrieshire took the overall title under commercial producer and judge Robert Struthers, Lanark.

The Sarkley Thunderbolt son was born May 2006 and is out of a homebred dam. Going back to Igolo on the sire side he has a breed value of +30.

Taking the female title was R Aitken's Ronick Hawk daughter Lourie Avie out of Bailea Uptowngirl.

More details and pics to follow shortly..............

Well as I think about signing off for today and switching my attention to writing hard copy for this week's Farmers Weekly, I thought I'd update you with some pictures from today's selling.

It's certainly been a fantastic day for the Aberdeen-Angus Society with prices reaching 32,000gns, I certainly won't forget the look on Bob Lane's face as he realised what his bulls were selling for - well done Bob!!

The Shorthorns also had a good day reaching 12,000gns for one from Bill and Jane Landers, mind you I think that was all down her to her fantastic marketing ability in the ring making everyone crack up laughing - congratualtions to you too!

So that leaves me thinking what tomorrow will bring and I'm sticking with my early predictions that Newhouse will be there or there abouts in terms of topping trade, Their Black Bandit bull is certainly what to take a look at.

What ever happens I'll try and keep you posted!

Well if you're like me you'll be wondering whether the Limousin Cattle Society can end a fantastic week's trading at Perth this week.

Selling is due to start at 11am so everyone is frantically doing that last minute wash and brush up. I'll keep you posted as and when the big prices happen, as I'm sure they'll be one or two big deals done today!!

The reserve senior champion from Tom Cooper, Tomschoice has just sold for 5000gns to an un named bidder on the tic tac. This is a Ronick Member son is out of a homebred cow and has a breed value of +25. Not bad seeing as this is the Cooper's first time in Perth, I'm sure he will be back in the ring with another cracker shortly.

David Work's senior champion Dumbreck Blockbuster has just sold for 6500gns to the Thompson family. This Greenbank Star son is out of Drysgol Matilda.

Keith redpath's third prize bull Redpaths Bradley has just sold for 6000gns to Messrs McMillan.

David Orr's Keirsbeath Bismark, a Dyfri Target son has sold for 4000gns to the Crofters Commission, while David Work's second prize bull Dumbreck Bergkamp has also sold for 4000gns.

One of the big ended bulls from Brian Jones with full French breeding, Basilic, has just sold for 4000gns. He goes back to Simbad and Ferry on the sire side.

Topping trade so far is a Limousin bull from James Thomson. The second prize winning Beath Braveheart by Ravageur has sold for 8500gns to Messrs McLaren.

And off the same dam line as the successful show cow Tangerine, Millington Grange Estate's Millington Brandy has just gone for 7000gns. By Sans Coeur, this cracking bull has a breed value of +43.

Kicking off the intermediate section was the first prize winning Maraiscote Byron from John Nimmo who sold for 3500gns to Mr Stobart.

Selling a champion for the first time in Perth, Mr Common has just sold Crossdykes Bobby for 7500gns. This Sarkley Thunderbolt son is out of a homebred cow.

As yet we don't have a picture of this bull as the owner is un-willing to take him out on the board, but I've got Tim on the case so fingers crossed!

Just after this sale, Michael Massie was finally successful selling for a worthy price as his second prize bull Elrick Brando sold for 7000gns. By Croftlimousin Spencer he has a breed value of +34.

Well I predicted these Black bulls would sell, but I didn't think we would be up in these figures. Pedigree breeder Harry Emslie has just dug deep to secure Matthew Jones' intermediate champion Bailea Black BMW for 25,000gns!!!!!!

By Requin and out of Belldoon Dutchess, he has a more than impressive breed value of +45 and a muscle depth index of +7.90.

Now the bull I wanted to see go through was Bob and Drew Adam's Newhouse Black Bandit who took the reserve junior title. Unfortunately it didn't cause as much a stir as Matthew Jones' one, but this did sell for 8500gns.

Coming in a fraction lower was the junior champion from Messrs W McLaren, who sold McLarens BNB for 7000gns.

It's rare for some of the smaller entry of breeds to sell so well at Perth, but the Blonde's certainly caused a stir when D M C Grant's Ardmore Braveheart stepped in to the ring.

Homebred on both sides he sold for the day's top price of 6500gns to W M Young and Son, Kirkaidy.

Continuing the rising fashion for Black coated Limousin, the Bob and Drew Adam partnership have just sold the other Greenhaugh Utwo son, Newhouse Black Billy for 12,000gns to A G Howie, Peterhead.

So with a new centre record of 25,000gns I'd say the British Limousin Cattle Society will be more than happy with their day's achievements, let alone Brian Jones!!!!

Topping British Blue trade at Perth this week was the champion exhibit from Kevin Watret. Solway View Berti, an embryo bred January two year old is by the famous Dafydd D'Ochain and out of Annanwater Venice. He sold to Messrs Wootten, Ravensend.

Sharing that price tag was Goodyhills Baz from N B and I A Armstrong. This Netherwood Umpire son went to D E and J Birkett, Berwickshire.

Well that's me done for today chaps!! The Taking Stock team are officially signing off for today's trading and making the seven hour journey home!!

I'll bring you updated pictures and sale prices tomorrow morning when I touch base back at head office, so keep an eye on the gallery tomorrow and of course this week's Farmers Weekly.

Well I'm back from Perth now and one thing is for sure - I'm definately in the South as the sun is beaming through the office window which makes a change from the cold, damp weather I've been used to these last couple of days.

I've updated the picture gallery to include pictures of Limousin money makers and the odd Blonde and Blue as well.

Now I've got Simmental and Charolais week to look forward to - I hope to see you there!!

Well first thing to report is it's bloody cold!!!!! The sun may be shining in Perth for the second week of the bull sales, but it's definately fresh!!!

I've taken a look round and one or two Simmentals have already caught my eye. Of the females, the Sterling line up is very strong, with lot numbers 624, 628 and 630 being topping my choice. Of that Sterling Jool's Tania, by Corskie Principal, stands out for me.

In the males, there seems to be a fair bit of fuss around one of the Blackford bulls - Blackford Tonka (lot 839). This May bull is by Drumsleed Pagan and weighs in at 1055kg - definately one to keep an eye on in the judging ring tomorrow.

Now my predictions aren't normally spot on, but I've started well this morning having selected the Simmental female champion.

Gerald Smith of Drumsleed taped out Boddington Estates' Sterling Jool's Tania (lot 230) as the champion. By Corskie Prinsipal and out of Sterling Alpena's Jools, she has a milk figure of +6 and self replacing index of +33.

Taking the overall male championship title was Billy Robson and Sons’ Kilbride Farm Tarrant by Seaview Prince. This August 2006 born is out of Kilbride Farm Lotus, one of the best breeding females in the herd and has a milk value of +5 and self replacing index of +25.

Taking the reserve title was Finley and Neil McGowan’s Dirnanean Typhoon. By Halenook Panache, this bull went unsold at Perth in November at 1400gns.

Section winners:

Senior champion: Finley and Neil McGowan’s Dirnanean Typhoon (lot 796); res, Billy McPherson’s Blackford Tonka (lot 839).

Intermediate champ: Billy Robson and Sons’ Kilbride Farm Tarrant (lot 891); res, W E Nelson’s Drumacritten Titan (lot 908).

Junior champ: Lachlan Quarm’s Annick Talisker (lot 967); res, Pat Kelly’s Ashland Trevor (lot 956)

Pics to follow shortly.........