Some of the country’s best and most expensive Limousin bulls were heading to the Highlands and Islands last night after their breed sale at Stirling.
Of the 111 bulls catalogued, 25 failed to turn up and 56 found new homes to average £5,601.
Last February 62 Limousin bulls averaged £4,625.
British Limousin Breed Society chief executive Iain Kerr said the bulk of bulls were sold to commercial beef farmers rather than pedigree breeders, and described the trade as “selective but solid”.
“If they had conformation, length and growth potential they were easily sold,” he added.
The exception to the commercial trade was the supreme and junior champion Harestone Jim.
This 18-month-old bull from the Aberdeenshire breeder Neil Barclay, Insch, was bought by Limousin breeder Michael Cursiter, Laga Farms, Evie, Orkney, for 10,000gn. The sire is an AI son of Fieldson Alfy who has bred bulls to 120,000gn in the past.
Stirling pedigree breeder Andrew Burnett, of Upper Spittalton, Blair Drummond, was paid 9,000gn for his fourth prize-winner, Spittalton Jimbob, a July 2014 sire.
He was bound for a ferry to the island of Islay and the herd of W&M Wood, Octofad Farm, Port Charlotte.
The Scottish Government’s bull stud at Inverness bought two of Mr Burnett’s other sires.
They paid 5,000gn for the April 2014 born Spittalton Judge, and 5,400gn for Spittalton Juror.
Meanwhile, another of Mr Burnett’s sires, Spittalton Jupiter, sold for 5,000gn.
Three bulls made 7,800gn.
The intermediate champion, Goldies Jonjo from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot Farm, Mouswald, Dumfries, was bought at that price by G&M Porter, Carrabus, Bridgend, Islay.
Mr Goldie’s reserve junior champion, Goldies Black Jonah, was bought by R Simpson & Son, Mains of Creuchies, Alyth.
Senior champion Homebyres Jardine, from John Logan, Homebyres, Kelso, was bought by Hugh Mackay, Tomloan, Ardclach, Nairn.
Mary Fotheringham and Hazel McNee, Overfinlarig Farm, Tealing, Dundee, sold Westhall Black Justthejob for 6,500gns.
He was bought by George Wardie, Cairnborrow, Glass, Huntly.