Stirling Beef Shorthorns peak at 9,500gns

“Quality bulls accompanied by high breeding values met a ready demand from suckler producers during what was a sticky sale underpinned by the current beef farming climate, yet trade for females continued as strong as ever with an 88% clearance,” commented breed society secretary, Frank Milnes.

Sale leader at 9,500gns was Hussar of Upsall TI +17, SRI +20, a 22 month old red and little white by Broughton Park Thunder and out of a homebred dam. Bred and exhibited by the Hon Gerald Turton, Upsall, Thirsk, he sold to Antrim Estates, Glenarm, Ballymena to run with its 100 cow suckler herd which supplies the Glenarm Shorthorn Beef brand.

“We’d already picked out Hussar beforehand on his Breedplan data, in particular calving ease, eye muscle area and intramuscular fat, and he’s from a good damline. When we arrived to Stirling we found him to be the most easy fleshing bull on the yard,” said farm manager, Bryan Wilson. “Added together, those components made Hussar the ideal bull to put over our commercial herd which produces high quality branded beef, the majority of which is sold to high end London restaurants.”

Mr Turnton offered another Broughton Park Thunder son, this time the two year old roan Highland King of Upsall TI +22, SRI +19 at 4,800gns to L Robertson, Barrock, Thurso.

Next at 8,500gns was Glenisla Hooch TI +19, SRI +19, a 19 month old roan by Glenisla Excalibur 803 from Major John Gibb, Glenisla, Blairgowrie, to P Coates, Armathwaite, Carlisle. Earlier in the day the same vendor offered Glenisla Hallmark TI +25, SRI +24, a 22 month old roan Glenisla Foxhound son at 7,500gns to A&C Farms, Langham, Rutland, whilst another Excalibur 803 son, the 23 month old white Glenisla Hercules TI +33, SRI +29 made 4,800gns to N Moore, Stoke Bliss, Tenbury Wells.

The intermediate and overall supreme champion from Mark and Tracy Severn, Barkisland, Halifax commanded an 8,000gns from Stuart and Gail Currie, Rathmell, Settle. Poyntington Himself TI +13, SRI +14, a roan 22 month old by Meonhill Foreman was purchased by the Severns as a calf from Dr and Mrs SGF Cave, Dorset.

A bid of 7,800gns secured the junior and reserve overall champion, Heir Apparent of Longfield for Thomas Staunton, North Kinvara, Galway. Bred and exhibited by Tina Russell and Simon Bradley Farmer of the Stanford Park Partnership, Stanton in the Vale, Oxford, Heir Apparent was a 19 month old roan by Lowther Eclipse and out of a Tarrant bred dam.

Two Chapelton Winsome sons were in the money for Douglas McMillan, Luncarty, Perth. The 22 month old roan, Coldrochie Hector TI +26 SRI +21 made 5,500gns to GH Stirling and Sons, Galashiels, whilst Coldrochie Hattrick TI +32, SRI +25, a 21 month old roan sold for 5,000gns to Ormsary Farms, Lochgilphead.

Three more entries shared a 5,000gns bid. Chapelton Harmony TI +36, SRI +28, a 23 month old roan by the 6,800gns Glenisla Banqo from Donald Biggar, Castle Douglas went home with Strathisla Farms, Ruthven, Blairgowrie. Next at 5,000gns was the 21 month old red and white Cairnsmore Hunter TI +15, SRI +11, a son of the 15,000gns Chapelton Dauphin from Bill and Jane Landers, Newton Stewart to EG Farming, Lerwick, Shetland.

The final 5,000gns call was made by Redhouse Farms, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie for Gregors Hotshot TI +17, SRI +15, a 20 month old light roan by the homebred Gregors Fergus from Chesterhall Parks Farm, Wiston, Biggar.

The female section was led at 4,800gns by the champion, Elliot Roxburgh Lass TI +12, SRI +9, a Canadian bred 22 month old roan from John Elliot, Kelso. Sired by Sull GNCC Salute and out of HC Myrtle Bo, she was sold in calf to the 13,000gns Chapelton Braveheart to JH Wilson, Settle. The same buyer also paid 2,400gns for Galla Honor Eugenie TI +6, SRI +5, a 20 month old dark red Kidston Rambo 1 daughter from JW Frame, Wiston, Biggar.

Two, 22 month old Millerston Einstein daughters were in the money for Jack Ramsay, Mauchline, Ayrshire. First to go at 3,400gns was the reserve female champion, the roan Millerston Primrose Hill TI +3, SRI +5 to A&C Farms, Langham, whilst Balnabroich Farms, Dundee secured the red Millerston Augusta Hug TI +6, SRI +6 for 2,600gns.

Next at 2,800gns was Cairnsmore Her Highness TI +16, SRI +15, a roan 14 month old by the 15,000gns Chapelton Dauphin from Bill and Jane Landers, Newtown Stewart. She was secured by J Fyall, Sittyton, Newmacher, Aberdeen who also went to 2,500gns for Eva Wildeyes 9 of Skaillhouse TI +5, SRI +4, a 22 month old red heifer by Special Blend 2 of Skaillhouse from C Macadie and Sons, Thurso.

Averages: 34 bulls £4,348; 14 females £1,916.

Auctioneers: UA