TRADITION DICTATES that the Aberdeen-Angus breed always has precedence at the Stirling Bull Sales but that has not always translated into top prices.
That was especially so last October with only 50% of the 38 offered selling for an average of £4,012.
This year, however, the breed had something of a revival with the average rising to £5,466, up £1,454 but for exactly half the number sold.
There had clearly been a rethink among breeders as to the quality and numbers of bulls that should be on offer at the October sales.
There has also been a perception, borne out yesterday as it happened, that the October sale suits a sale of females better.
The percentage of bulls sold although not spectacular was much improved.
Of the 29 forward 19 sold equating to a 66% clearance.
The reserve price was also increased from £1,500 to £2,000 in a bid to keep the offering more selective.
The top male price of the day went, not as many expected to the pre-sale champion from the Bishops of Warrenho, but to a fifth prize winner from retired textile machinery manufacturer Gordon Brooke.
Previously of Malton, Yorkshire but now of Upper Huntlywood, Earlston, Mr Brooke has built up a 120-cow herd.
His sale leader yesterday made 1,2000gns, selling to John Elliot based at Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.
The 21-month-old Linton Gilbertines Rocco is an embryo transfer son of former Blelack stock bull Netherallan Peter Pershore.
Rocco’s dam was Elliot Rosebud, a 9,000gns purchase at John Elliot’s reduction sale and a National Calf Show winner in 2005.
Rosebud’s sire is 2004 Canadian show bull of the year Riverbend Powerline.
The pre-sale junior and overall champion Warrenho Elite sold for 11,000 gns to Angus Neish, Rodmead, Wiltshire.
The Warrenho herd is based at Church Farm Wokingham, Surrey but owners Alan and Rob Bishop here bringing the bull north of the border for the second time in only a few months.
Elite was a first prize winner and one of the winning pair at this year’s Aberdeen-Angus National Show which was hosted by Perth Show. Elite is out of Warrenho Elegant and by the home-bred sire Warrenho Dalmigavie, the breed champion at the last Royal Show in 2009.
Another Dalmigavie son, Warrenho Emperor, made the next best price of 9,000gns selling to Neil Wattie, Alford.
Emperor was the other member of the National Show winning team at Perth in August and is out of Eastfield Ethelda.
He was Oxfordshire Show interbreed champion this year.
The Bishops have 30 pedigree cows and are no strangers to Stirling success.
Last year’s October champion was also by Dalmigavie.
Other leading prices:
6,500gns Alan Lawson, Hallington, Newcastle-on-Tyne with Hallington Lord Tim by Nightingale Proud Jake selling to Jimmy Walton, Flotterton, Morpeth and Michael Dixon, Stobbs.
6,200gns Gordon Brooke, Earlston, with Linton Gilbertines Pryor Star by the 28,000gns Galawater Bentley selling to Flett ,Orkney.
6,000gns John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains with Rawburn Mambo Prince by Netherallan Peter Pershore selling to Marsdens Farms, Penistone, Yorkshire.
5,500gns Neil Massie, Blelack, Aboyne with Blelack Pilot by Blelack Equity selling to Carskeig Partners, Southend, Campbelltown.
5,000gns Ballathie Estate, Stanley with Ballathie Brando by Rawburn Emblem selling to yesterday’s judge Liam Muir, Orkney.