Strong bids for Aries herd of long tradition
Strong bids for Aries herd of long tradition
A CAPACITY crowd lifted the spirits of black-and-white cattle breeders when lively bidding brought a note of optimism to trading at the dispersal of Hugh and Gavin Robertsons Aries herd.
Gavin, who is to emigrate with his family to Manitoba, represents the third generation of Robertsons to have bred cattle under the Aries prefix. The herd is one of the oldest in the Herd Book having been registered in 1921.
Cattle were moved from the farm in Kelso to Kirkby Thore where committed bidding reached a top of 5700gns. The call came from Alastair Laird who bought the imported April calved heifer Quality Lieut Lasdy for his Blythbridge herd.
Classified Very Good-86-2yr, this Hanoverhill Lieutenant daughter is out of a 13,900kg Leadman dam that bred the 10,000gns Quality Raider F Ladgie sold at the 1996 Black and White sale.
Mr Laird also paid 4000gns for Frandale Counselor Rozella, another imported 1995-bred heifer with a successful show record. Her dam was by Starbuck.
James Currie and Son paid 3600gns for the second calver Aries Inspired Willow to add to their Carlinside herd in Lanarkshire. And heading for Steve Mumfords Maizefield herd at Penrith at 3100gns was Brynhyfryd Star Hope, a Browndale Stardust second calver that was champion at this years Northumberland County Show.
Scottish buyers dominated, with 114 head heading north of the border and 19 to Ulster.
Averages: 116 cows and calved heifers £1210; 67 served heifers £805 and 72 maiden heifers £389. (Norton and Brooksbank) *