‘Despondency’ blamed for sticky Beef Shorthorn trade

Despondency cause by delays in subsidies and the recent floods have been blamed for the poor, 50% clearance rates of Beef Shorthorn bulls on the first day of trading at Stirling (Monday 1 February).

Overall 34 bulls averaged £4,348 – down £718 on the last year, when 56 bulls sold to an average of £5,066 and clearance rates peaked at 63%.

The breed society’s secretary Frank Milnes described the sale as “sticky” adding: “The weather has been bad, people have been flooded and haven’t received their subsidy and this despondency in the industry is reflected on the sales.”

Sale leader at 9,500gns was Hussar of Upsall TI +17, SRI +20, a 22 month old red and little white by Broughton Park Thunder and out of a homebred dam. Bred and exhibited by the Hon Gerald Turton, Upsall, Thirsk, he sold to Antrim Estates, Glenarm, Ballymena, to run with its 100 cow suckler herd.

Second best at 8,500gns was Glenisla Hooch TI +19, SRI +19, a 19 month old roan by Glenisla Excalibur 803 from Major John Gibb, Glenisla, Blairgowrie. He sold to P Coates, Armathwaite, Carlisle.

Earlier in the day the same vendor offered Glenisla Hallmark TI +25, SRI +24, a 22 month old roan Glenisla Foxhound son at 7,500gns to A and C Farms, Langham, Rutland.

The intermediate and overall supreme champion Poyntington Himself, from Mark and Tracy Severn, Barkisland, Halifax made 8,000gns when selling to S and G Currie, Rathmell, Settle. This 22-month-old bull carries a TI of +13 and an SRI +14 and is sired by old by Meonhill Foreman. He was purchased by the Severns as a calf from Dr and Mrs SGF Cave, Dorset.

A bid of 7,800gns secured the junior and reserve overall champion, Heir Apparent of Longfield for Thomas Staunton, North Kinvara, Galway. Bred and exhibited by Tina Russell and Simon Bradley Farmer of the Stanford Park Partnership, Stanton in the Vale, Oxford, this 19 month old roan is sired by Lowther Eclipse and is out of a Tarrant bred dam.

Two Chapelton Winsome sons were in the money for Douglas McMillan, Luncarty, Perth.

First up, the 22 month old roan, Coldrochie Hector TI +26 SRI +21 made 5,500gns when selling to GH Stirling and Sons, Galashiels, while Coldrochie Hattrick TI +32, SRI +25, a 21 month old roan sold for 5,000gns to Ormsary Farms, Lochgilphead.

Three more entries shared a 5,000gns bid. First of these was Chapelton Harmony TI +36, SRI +28, a 23 month old roan by the 6,800gns Glenisla Banqo from Donald Biggar, Castle Douglas. He went home with Strathisla Farms, Ruthven, Blairgowrie.

Next at 5,000gns was the 21-month-old red and white Cairnsmore Hunter TI +15, SRI +11, a son of the 15,000gns Chapelton Dauphin from Bill and Jane Landers, Newton Stewart. He was the pick of EG Farming, Lerwick, Shetland.

The final 5,000gns call was made by Redhouse Farms, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, for Gregors Hotshot TI +17, SRI +15, a 20 month old light roan by the homebred Gregors Fergus from Chesterhall Parks Farm, Wiston, Biggar.

Females

Female trade held up stronger with 14 lots averaging £1,916 and selling to clearance rate of 88%, however this was back slightly on last year when 22 females sold to an average of £2,181 with clearance rates hitting 92%.

Leading female trade at 4,800gns was Elliot Roxburgh Lass TI +12, SRI +9, a Canadian bred 22 month old roan from John Elliot, Kelso. Sired by Sull GNCC Salute and out of HC Myrtle Bo, she sold in calf to the 13,000gns Chapelton Braveheart to JH Wilson, Settle.

Jack Ramsay, Mauchline, Ayrshire, sold two 22-month-old Millerston Einstein daughters. First to go at 3,400gns was the roan Millerston Primrose Hill TI +3, SRI +5. She sold to A and C Farms, Langham, whilst Balnabroich Farms, Dundee, secured the red Millerston Augusta Hug TI +6, SRI +6 for 2,600gns.

Next at 2,800gns was Cairnsmore Her Highness TI +16, SRI +15, a roan 14 month old by the 15,000gns Chapelton Dauphin from Bill and Jane Landers, Newtown Stewart. She was secured by J Fyall, Sittyton, Newmacher, Aberdeen, who also went to 2,500gns for Eva Wildeyes 9 of Skaillhouse TI +5, SRI +4, a 22 month old red heifer by Special Blend 2 of Skaillhouse from C Macadie and Sons, Thurso.

Averages: 34 bulls, £4,348; 14 females, £1,916.

(United Auctions).