Charolais bulls lead trade at Stirling with top call of 22,000gns

Charolais bulls stole the show at Stirling bull sales this week (22 October), when they took the top breed price of 22,000gns.

Society chief executive David Benson said the sale “finished on a flurry”, with 55 lots selling for 5,000gns or more.

He said: “We’ve never had such a large percentage of bulls at 5,000gns or more.”

Speaking after the sale he said trade had been underpinned by strong commercial demand.

“It’s always when times get tough and margins are tight that the extra growth rates of Charolais calves are appreciated.”

Sale leader was Maerdy Ignition from Esmor Evans, Mold, north Wales. Sired by Blelack Fabulous he is out of the Maerdy Sinndar daughter Meardy Bardy. He sold in a three-way split to Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Hamish Goldie, Dumfries, and Wallace Brown, Newton Mearns.

Next best at 18,000gns was the reserve intermediate champion Gretnahouse Indian, from Alastair Houston, Gretna Green. Sired by Lochend Apache he is out of the Major daughter Gretnahouse Baywatch. Buyer was Peter Foulger, Billinghurst.

A bid of 12,500gns secured Kevin Thomas, Newcastle Emlyn, Balmyle Impression. Bred by WP Bruce, Balmyle, Meigle, this first prize, April 2013 born bull is sired by Meardy Egret and is out of a homebred dam.

Maerdy bloodlines were also behind the breeding of the day’s fourth price and intermediate champion bull Elrick Iceman from Michael Massie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Sired by Maerdy Dublin he is out of the Coolnaslee Adversary daughter Elrick Eden. Buyer was J and V Kells, Dufftown, Keith.

R Tremayne made a 12-hour journey from Helston, Cornwall, with his January 2013 born bull Marne Impeccable and was justly rewarded. Impeccable was tapped out as the overall and senior championship before selling for 10,000gns to WJ Fraser and Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Sired by the Thrunton Voldemort son Rumsden Fawkes he is out of the Maerdy Padirac daughter Graywood Ermintrude.

A further ten lots made five figure sums.

Females

Leading female trade was the female champion Goldies Hilary from Hamish Goldie. Sired by Blelack Edition she is out of a home-bred dam and sold in calf to Blelack Digger to Charlie Boden, for his Sportsman herd, Mellor, Stockport.

Averages: 84 bulls, £6,654 plus an additional 11 sold outside the ring.