STIRLING BULL SALES 2015: Females lead Beef Shorthorn trade

MICHAEL PRIESTLEY

Females topped Beef Shorthorn trade at Stirling this week, peaking at 7,200gns on Monday (19 October), with strong demand supporting a rise in average prices on the year.

A total of 75 lots averaged £2,204, up £32 on the year with an 81% clearance on a day of “very firm trade”, according to the breed society’s Frank Milnes.

Star on the day and setting a herd record price at Stirling for Major John and Catriona Gibb, Glenisla, Blairgowrie, at 7,200gns was Glenisla Foxglove Tansy H63 TI+17, SRI +16. She joined David Bradley Farmer’s 25-cow Meonside herd based at East Meon.

This daughter of Glenisla Artic Storm is out of a home-bred dam and had great width across the plates, great loin and tremendous locomotion, said Mr Farmer.

Other leading entries from the Gibbs’ 15 strong draft were two 18-month-old Artic Storm daughters. The first was Glenisla Eva Broadhooks H58 TI+29, SRI +22, which sold for 4,000gns to R Crawford, Mauchline. Next at this money was Glenisla Eva Broadhooks H60 TI +29, SRI +23, which sold for 3,600gns to G Parry-Jones, Nannerch, Mold.

A 4,500gns bid secured the female championship winner, Millerston Augusta Helen TI +10, SRI +8, a Millerston Einstein daughter, in calf to Meonhill Charlie Chaplin and out of a homebred dam from Jack and Grace Ramsay’s 30-cow herd. She sold to Messrs Maxwell, Bowden, Melrose.

The 17-month-old roan was deemed ‘a clear winner’ by Judge Ian Neish, who said: “This heifer has tremendous length, good locomotion and character, and she demonstrates thickness from the shoulder through to her hind quarters.”

Bulls

Beef Shorthorn bulls achieved 100% clearance, peaking at 5,500gns for Podehole Gilroy TI +18, SRI +19, a two year old roan Chapelton Clansman son consigned by Sarah Wilkins, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough. Buyer was and Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin.

Next at 5,000gns was the male champion – within the breed’s top 5% – Chapelton Glen Etive TI +30, SRI +25, from Donald Biggar, Castle Douglas. The Glenisla Banqo son, out of a homebred dam went to John McIntosh, Dunragit, Stranraer.

Messrs McIntosh also went to 3,500gns for Langalbuinoch Hercules TI +12, SRI +10, a 20 month old roan by Newfield Tarquin from R and P McAlister, Kingarth, Bute.

Next at 4,200gns was Stobilee Gorgeous George, a two year old red by Tofts Master and out of a Glenisla dam from R Morton, Cleghorn, Lanark. This one sold to R Mitchell and Sons, Hawick.

Averages: 14 bulls, £3,248; 75 females, £2,204.

(United Auctions)