6 snaps from a very mixed Stirling bull sales

A record yarding of Salers cattle and a roaring Charolais trade delighted attendees at the second round of spring bull sales at Stirling.

It was another first for United Auctions as it welcomed its first foundation sale of Lincoln Reds as well as 32 Salers bulls.  

Trade was sticky at times for Simmental and the Salers offering was too large for the demand, resulting in a 54% clearance, but a great day trade was had by the Charolais breed, with male and female averages up and prices rising to 46,000gns, 19,000gns, 18,000gns and 16,000gns.

See also: Charolais lead Stirling trade as average lifts £1,514

A great Charolais trade surpassed last year’s steady trade and saw Balthayock Minstrel hit 46,000gns

Bidding was selective in the Simmental ring, with a long winter and higher feed and bedding costs taking their toll on bull budgets.

One of the highlights was provided by the Woodhall herd as it dispersed its remaining autumn block. Some tremendous breeding was on offer in the 55 lots from the herd of the late Hector Macaskill, which had been going since 1976.

Woodhall Flair sold with her bull calf for 14,000gns

Easy calving figures remain a key buying point for some breeds but Simmental buying was mainly done on eye and health status.

Catalogues remain vital to buyers, who have sifted through the details of over 960 bulls at Stirling this spring

Headlines were taken by a barnstorming Charolais trade on Tuesday as 22 lots made 10,000gns and above. Bulls lifted £1,514 on the year to £7,635.

Charolais prices were up on the year but Salers struggled to match last year’s phenomenal levels

Overall, trade was fairly solid, although Simmental and Salers averages slipped, with officials blaming escalating wintering costs, Brexit uncertainty and some payment delays in the uplands as factors affecting commercial bidders.

Trade was hampered at times by market uncertainty and higher costs but the atmosphere was still buoyant

Salers were judged by Alisdair Davidson, Wamphray, Moffat, while Charolais were tapped out by Arwel Owen, Foel, Welshpool. Simmentals were judged by Anne MacPherson from Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness.

Quality was high in the Simmental ring – judge Anne MacPherson looks on