Stirling bull sales: Record Cheeklaw heifer leads Angus trade at 20,000gns

A new Aberdeen Angus maiden heifer record was set by the Cheeklaw herd dispersal on Monday (23 October) as Angus cattle saw good demand and a solid day’s trading.

Bulls averaged £5,063, which was £316 back on the year and females topped at 8,000gns to level at £3,036.

Standing out among an exceptional consignment from the Cheeklaw herd was the record-breaking maiden heifer Cheeklaw Pru.

Cheeklaw Pru set a new maiden heifer breed record of 20,000gns © Tim Scrivener

She is a Cardona Proud Punch daughter, which was knocked down to Irish bidders NA and J De Cogan, Castle Martyr, Co Cork. The herd was dispersed following a decision from the Lucas family to retire.

See also: Blelack sets new Aberdeen-Angus female record

Pru is out of Cheeklaw Pride and is easy calving with exceptional figures for progeny growth. Her sire was used extensively in the herd and was reserve in the Beef Breeder/Breedplan Championship and is himself a son of Lorabar Blackstar, who also sired Haymount Wavestar.

Next at 15,000gns was Cheeklaw Black Bitzy, sold with her bull calf Bisto to Brailes Livestock, Banbury, Oxfordshire, who bought four Cheeklaw lots on the day.

Bitzy is by Easton Greys Joseph Eric, whose grandsire was the notable Lord Horatio P11 of Blelack, and out of Cheeklaw Black Bess. Bisto is by Balmachie Lord Jock, half-brother to Balmachie Jack Eric, who sold to Rawburn in February 2017 for 18,000gns.

At 12,000gns was Cheeklaw Black Belle, another Proud Punch daughter, which was knocked down to Caroline Orr, Dunfermline. She is out of Cheeklaw Black Bethel and is predicted to bring good milking ability and sound carcass traits.

Oxfordshire bidder Brailes Livestock returned with an 11,000gns bid for Cheeklaw Black Betsy and her heifer calf Black Beth, a Balmachie Lord Jock daughter.

She is out of Cheeklaw Black Bess, who produced 15 calves, of which 11 were heifers, and by Easton Greys Joseph Eric.

At 8,000gns came Cheeklaw Portia and her third heifer calf Polly, a champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza in November. Portia is by Bunlahy Bilty and out of Cheeklaw Petrina and knocked down to Yorkshire bidders R & G Barraclough, Thurlstone, Sheffield.

Bulls to 17,000gns

Topping trade was Linton Gilbertines President from the trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke. President is a son of Netherallan Peter Pershore and is out of Rawburn Lord Ross daughter Belhaven Pole Star.

Linton Gilbertines President from trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke © Tim Scrivener

This March 2016-born bull has a self-replacing index of +65 and was knocked down to a partnership between Messrs R&N Orr, Dunfermline and G Gray, Selkirk.

Second best bull on the day at 11,000gns was McCornick Destroyer from Martin R McCornick Esg. Destroyer is out of the Wedderlie Even Bonus daughter McCornick Duchess P041 and by Halbeath Pentagon N511, and boasts a self-replacing index of +52 and a milk figure of +11 and was sold to Clive Richardson of Co Armagh in Ireland.

McCornick Destroyer from Martin McCornick © Tim Scrivener

Two sires then made 6,500gns, the first being Logie Lawyer from AJR Farms, which was knocked down to P Crawfurd, Wigtownshire, and Retties Lancelot from the Retties herd of R&C Retties, Devonside.

Lawyer is out of Logie Lavendar and by Rawburn Enoch. Lancelot is a Rawburn Elysium son out of Wall Lady Ruth. 

Females to 8,000gns

The female trade topper came from John Elliot’s Rawburn herd, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, which saw an 8,000gns bid from TS Knox, Millclose Farm, Yorkshire. 

Rawburn Elsie is the highest index female ever sold by the Rawburn herd. She is out of Rawburn Elsie K185 and by Netherallen Peter Pershore E052. 

Overall, the society reported year-on-year growth continuing on a throughput basis and a number of good animals heading to commercial breeders. 

Averages: 37 bulls, 17,000gns; £5,063 (-£316); 17 females, £3,036 (United Auctions)