Aberdeen-Angus breeders left Stirling yesterday pleased and relieved with trade that saw the average price for bulls rise £544 on last year.
Of the 132 sires on offer 93 (70%) were sold, to average £5,804.
Last year 109 bulls averaged £5,260.
Aberdeen-Angus Society chief executive Johnny Mackey said that commercial beef farmers underpinned the strong trade.
“There was a lot of chat around the ring about the late payment of the CAP premium but the figures tell a very positive story,” he said.
“Farmers are being more selective in what they buy, given the financial climate, but we’re seeing all the major retailers now stocking Aberdeen-Angus beef and paying a premium for it,” he said.
“The aim now is to get as much breeding stock into commercial production as possible.”
The top price paid for bulls was 24,000gn and thereafter 10,000gn was achieved five times.
The champion AA bull worth 24,000gn has a new home in Fife.
Lundin Links farmer and housebuilder Rae Grieve, of Carlhurlie Farm, paid the day’s top price for Tonley Evor, the breed’s supreme champion a 22-month-old bull from Aberdeenshire breeder Neil Wattie of Mains of Tonley.
Doing the bidding was Carlhurlie farm manager Alistair Cormack.
Meanwhile, the herd sold reserve female champion Carlhurlie Elite for 2,800gn to Mr Thomson, Coldoch, Stirling.
First at 10,000 was a third-prize winning bull from Alasdair Houston’s Gretnahouse herd at Gretna Green.
The April-2014 born Gretnahouse Blackpot is by Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Blelack Blackbird. He was bought by John Gilmour at Macmerry, East Lothian.
Next at 10,000gn was a second-prize winning lot from Tom and Jack Arnott at Haymount, Kelso.
Haymount Eversmith is a May-2014 born son of Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Haymount Elouzza. He was bought by Alex Sanger, Prettycur, Montrose.
The Arnotts also sold a third-prize winning bull the June-2014 born Haymount Geresso for 10,000gn.
This one is a Skaill Darkness son out of Haymount Gerastara. He was bought by Hugh Hodge Ltd at Stanley, Perth.
Thereafter the junior champion August-2014 born Blelack Mr Braveheart from Neil and Graeme Massie of Blelack Farm, Dinnet, Aboyne made 10,000gn, selling to Messrs McCosker in Ireland.
This one is a home-bred son of the 10,000gn Warrenho Emperor, out of Blelack Miss Bangle. He was the first Emperor son to be sold by the Massies.
Last at 10,000gn was a second-prize winning lot from Upper Huntly Wood Farm, Earlston, Berwickshire.
The farm is owned by the trustees of the late Gordon Brooke and managed by John Elliot.
Linton Gilbertines Black Prince, a June-2014 born son of Linton Gilbertines Rowan, out of Linton Gilbertines Black Princess Cherry, sold to PS Johnston, Brockan, Stromness.