Wolfstar herd tops Simmental trade at 18,000gns
Two Wolfstar bulls topped trade at 18,000gns and 17,000gns in the Simmental ring at Stirling on Monday (17 February), as prices inched higher after last year’s disappointing sale.
British Simmental Society president Michael Barlow said that while the sale wasn’t a flyer, bulls with milk and good calving figures sold well.
“That’s what commercial buyers seem to be after,” he told Farmers Weekly. “It was a good show of bulls and trade roughly ended up where you would expect given the market.”
The top two bulls were from Alex and Ross King, Ormiston, Edinburgh, and both went home with judge Phillip Simmers, Backmuir Trading, Keith, Morayshire.
See also: Goldies brace each hits 30,000gns at Carlisle
Wolfstar Jackaroo topped the bidding at 18,000gns. He is by the Auchorachan Winger son Team Celtic and out of the Wolfstar Wotsit daughter Wolfstar Ellie.
Wolfstar Jackaroo 18,000gns
The June 2018-born sire is rated on Breedplan as TSI (terminal sire index) +111 and SRI (self-replacing index) +123.
Next at 17,000gns was Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, who goes back to Curaheen Bandit and is also bred from Team Celtic, this time on his dam’s side. He is an Islavale Guy son out of Wolfstar Forget-me-not.
Wolfstar Jimmy Choo 17,000gns
At 10,000gns was a Team Drambuie son from Kate and Alan McNee, Tealing, Dundee. Finlarg Jaguar sold to Mclymont and Son, Tinnis, Selkirk.
He is out of the Halenook Vargner daughter Dirnanean Lottie and also goes back to Auchorachan Winger.
Finlarg Jaguar 10,000gns
A trio of bids then hit 9,000gns, the first being Ranfurly Jackpot from WD and JD Hazelton, 25 Bovean Road, Dungannon.
He is by the Saltire Talent son Auchorachan ACDC and out of the Hillcrest Champion daughter Raceview Fancywinty.
Jackpot is an early maturing type and currently averages TSI+74 and SRI +82. He caught the eye of Philiphaugh Estates, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk.
Ranfurly Jackpot 9,000gns
Matching this was Corskie Jackpot from the Greens, Garmouth, Fochabers, who was bought by JS Gunn, Mavsey, Caithness.
He is a son of the 22,000gns Dirnanean Bradley and is out of the Bel Dhu Capercaillie daughter Frolic who was classified EX90.
Corskie Jackpot 9,000gns
Last to hit 9,000gns was another Team Celtic son, this time from the Saltire herd of J and G Houliston, Drem, North Berwick.
Saltire Jaguar is out of the Kilbride Farm Dragoon daughter Saltire Gayle. The September 2018-born sire went home with JA Griffin, Hemingford Abbots, Cambridgeshire.
Saltire Jaguar 9,000gns
Females
Females topped at 4,200gns. Judge Phillip Simmers was back in the bidding again to take home the trade-topping female from the Annick herd of LD Quarm, Annick Lodge Estate, Irvine.
Annick Duchess is a June 2018-born heifer by Wolfstar Gold Digger and out of the Skerrington Visa daughter Annick Duchess.
Annick Duchess 4,200gns
A Chestermann outfit from N and N Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm, Whithorn, then led the cow-calf trade at 3,000gns.
The dam was the second-calver Chestermann Empire Mali, by the Mendick Butch son Sterling Empire and out of the Blackford Ringleader daughter Chestermann Ringleader Mali.
She sold with her November 2019-born bull calf Chestermann Knockout at foot. He is by the Overhill House Volvo son Data.
Both lots went home with Alexander Harley Seeds, Thomanean, Kinross.
Averages: 86 bulls (-12), £5,039 (+£64); 16 (-16) females, £1,995 (-£499); five cows and calves, £2,415. (United Auctions)