Strong bidding for Simmentals
Strong bidding for Simmentals
FIVE-FIGURE prices were not the order of the day for Simmentals at Perth last week but there was no shortage of well-fleshed bulls with scale and width to attract strong bidding.
Although the average of £2767 for the 121 sold was down £33 on the year, breed secretary David Gaunt was far from disappointed.
"We have sold six more bulls compared with last February when the average rose by £200, so this was a good, steady trade."
The top price of 8500gns came late in the day for the junior and reserve overall champion Innerwick Festival from Lyndsay and Dorothy Moffat.
Yet another good son of Brinkton Brilliant, he was bred in the owners 14-cow herd at Dunbar. Festival is the result of eggs taken from the Moffats imported show cow Star Susanna after she had to be put down.
Impressing with length and shape, he heads for the Scone AI centre of Scottish Livestock Services.
Lancashire butcher James Wood and his wife Vikki strengthened their Simmental herd at Dutton, Preston, with a 5600gns investment in Glebefarm Future, a great-ended bull by Hillcrest Caesar. Consigned by Co Tyrone breeders T J and A Shaw, he had a 400-day weight of 847kg and looks a useful prospect.
There was power and style to spare in Brinkton Fraser, a Sacombe Wishful Thinking son from East Yorkshire breed stalwarts Bob and Jean Lunness. This grandson of the legendary Stuartslaw Melody deservedly took the senior title and made 5500gns to B Wyand, Norwich.
The senior bulls produced an interesting transaction when leading Charolais breeder David Walter, Balthayock, Perth, claimed Albert and Paul Clements (Stowmarket) Darsham Frankie, another good son of Gretnahouse Supersonic. At 3500gns he is a new venture for Maj Walter who will use the bull to breed suckler replacements.
Ross-shire-based Milnafua Farms Milnafua Felspar stood supreme champion, the fifth such Perth title for the herd. The bull, by Hayton Walcott, made 3800gns to A and J Dunlop, Kirriemuir.n