‘Working Genes’ sale sets record prices and averages

Records were sent tumbling at the “Working Genes” sale of Neil and Debbie McGowan Incheoch, Blairgowrie, as online bids secured functional forage-reared genetics.

Trade was up £131 and £580 a head on the year for Lleyns and Texels, respectively, at the McGowans’ thirteenth on-farm sale, with the highest averages yet.

John Scott, Fearn Farm, Tain, set a new sale record when bidding £5,000 for the Blizzard son Incheoch Cyclone.

See also: Ram trade blows hot and cold without Kelso

John Scott and Partners bought the top-price Texel

Lleyn shearlings topped at £3,050 for a high-index Equity son, which was bought by Henry Nelless, Thistleyhaugh, Morpeth.

Jim Logan, Pirntaton, secured this Texel for £1,800

An Angus bull was bought by Robert Fleming, Glen Luce, Wigtownshire, for a trade-topping £6,900.

Six Simmental bulls topped at £6,200 for Incheoch Keystone. Commercial producer John Ritchie, Dunning, produced the top bid.

Five Luing bulls averaged £3,400. Dirnanean Yukon topped at £4,000, which was secured by Scott Girvan, Berryfell herd.

Jet Eric Best sold to Robert Fleming, Stairhaven herd, Glenluce

Averages: 97 (+11) shearling rams, £1,295.88 (+£325); 42 (+4) Texels, £1,548.81 (+£580); 44 (+5) Lleyns, £1,194.32 (+£131); 11 New Zealand Suffolk cross Texels (£736); Six Simmental bulls, £4,433 (United Auctions)