Bold bidding makes for Charolais grande finale
Bold bidding makes for Charolais grande finale
By Jeremy Hunt
PERTH sales finished with a flourish last Thursday when the Charolais bulls went through the ring.
This breed has consistently attracted the fiercest trade here and last week saw a top price of 18,000gns and an average of £3396 for 196 bulls, reaffirming the breeds influence within the British beef sector.
Pedigree and commercial buyers threw aside current uncertainties and looked to the future with a display of confident bidding, as 46 bulls made 4000gns and over.
Northern Ireland breeders enjoyed a great day in the sale ring and the Bothwell familys two herds were at the sharp end of the business.
Wilfred and Edwin Bothwell, who run 120 head in their Foydra herd in Co Fermanagh, may have been disappointed when their impressive bull Foydra Mega was unplaced in the show ring, but this son of Grove Enterprise had plenty of admirers.
They put up a strong fight for him in the sale ring taking bids to 18,000gns before the gavel fell in favour of John Sawyers, Co Tyrone.
Stuart and David Bothwell, cousins to the Foydra Bothwells, brought a strong team of bulls from their herd at Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh and had a storming trade. Best call was 10,000gns and their six entries averaged £6615.
Top bid came for Killadeas Mars, a Brampton Embark son who heads for Bill Bruces Balmyle herd at Meigle, Pertheshire. Another by the same sire made 8000gns to * Mackay, Nairn.
There were two other 8000gns transactions. Leading Ayrshire stockbreeders George and John MacIlwraith sold their Dunure Majestic – by Thrunton Damien – to Neil Barclay for his Harestone herd at Banchory, while J and M Currie parted with Tullygarley Nijinsky, the junior champion, to K Sutherland, Caithness.
Billy Turners Brampton breeding, which was well to the fore in a host of the leading prices, was present in depth on both sides of Moelfre Mecsico and had clearly clicked for Welsh breeder Kevin Thomas when he sold him for 7200gns to Jim Goldie, Dumfries.
Moyness Matterhorn, an Impeccable son from Sandy Innes, Nairn made 6800gns to W Forbes, Banffshire and there were four bulls at 6500gns including the reserve supreme champion, Tamhorn Mustard, from Midlands breeder Mrs Jane Wyllie. This son of Maerdy Jehu was bought by M and G Tillbrook, Amersham, Bucks.
Bringing one bull 500 miles from Boscastle, Cornwall paid off handsomely for John Blewett. His Reddivallen Magnum, by a home-bred son of Brampton Chopper, stood supreme champion and was one of three bulls to make 6000gns. It went to Scottish breeders Lamont Hair and J Fisher. (United Auctions)
Top price Charolais at Perth, Foydra Mega, made 18,000gns.