Charolais bulls met a flying trade at Stirling Bull Sales on Monday with a new breed sale average set and a top price of 46,000gn paid.
A total of 22 bulls sold to five-figure sums and more than 60 lots sold for between 5,000 and 10,000gn.
British Charolais Cattle Society chief executive Peter Phythian said previous perceptions that Charolais cattle were out of vogue were wrong.
He said the breed was enjoying a resurgence in popularity, backed up by commercial demand and the strong prices being achieved for Charolais cross store cattle.
An average of £7,635 was achieved for 115 bulls at a clearance rate of 88%. This is up £1,514 on last year when 111 bulls went through the ring.
Leading the sale was the overall champion from veteran Perthshire breeder Major David Walter and his son Neil of Balthayock, Perth.
Their sale topper, brought out by husband and wife stockman duo Davie and Tracey Nicoll, was May-2016 born Balthayock Minstrel, by Balthayock Ferdinand and out of Balthayock Gem. He sold jointly to the Neil and Stuart Barclay’s Harestone herd at Insch and Bill Bruce’s Balmyle herd at Meigle.
Major Walters’ success continued with Balthayock Manifesto, by Balthayock Imp, selling for the second top price of the day at 19,000gn. He sold to P.M. and S.M. Donger, Seawell Grounds, Foxley, Northants.
Thereafter, the Barclay family’s Harestone herd sold to a top of 18,000gn for April-2016 born Harestone Monarch, by Thrunton Socrates. He sold to Neil Barclay’s son-in-law Hugo Retailieau, who runs a pedigree herd in France.
The next best price of 16,000gn was achieved twice.
First was the reserve senior champion from Balthayock selling to H. R. and C. Dalrymple, Kings Arms, Crailloch, Girvan. He was May-2016 born Balthayock Mandate, by Maerdy Grenadier.
The other at 16,000gn was July-2016 born Thrunton Montego, by Maerdy Hearthrob, from the Campbell family at Thrunton Farm, Alnwick. He sold to C.A. Smith, Wester Coull, Tarland, Aboyne.
Meanwhile, the Adam family which runs the Newhouse herd at Newhouse of Glamis, near Forfar, sold to a top of 15,000gn for the reserve intermediate champion. This was July-2016 born Newhouse Maxamus, by Meardy Hearthrob, selling to J.A. Connolly, Brigadoon Charolais, Northern Ireland.
Thereafter, 14,000gn was paid twice. First was Balthayock Mikado, by Balthayock Imp, from Major Walters. He sold to James Jeffrey for his Kersknowe herd near Kelso.
The other at 14,000gn was the reserve overall champion – August-2016 born Maerdy Montypython from Welsh breeder Esmor Evans. By Blelack Fabulous, he sold to J. Price, Oakchurch Farm, Staunton-on-Wye.
Harestone then achieved 13,000gn selling Harestone Master – an ET son of Thrunton Fairfax – to P. Cooper and Son, Govals Farm, Kincaldrum, Angus.
The next best price of 12,000gn was achieved four times.
The bulls at this price were: Strathisla Major, by Southwillow Hal, from Robert McAskie, Twin Cottage Croft, Hill of Muldearie, Keith, selling to Backmuir Trading Ltd, Keith; Falleninch Mars, by Fairway Jefferson, from Andrew Hornall, Falleninch Farm, Stirling, selling to A. Strachan, Clochie, Lethnot, Angus; Harestone Macgregor, by Inverlochy Ferdie, from Neil and Stuart Barclay, selling to L. Forster and Son, West Nubbock Farm, Hexham; and Maerdy Maesmor, by Maerdy Gouverneur, from Esmor Evans, selling to the Crawfords for their Coolnaslee herd at Maghera, Co Londonderry.
Other leading prices included: 11,500gn for Ballinlare Midas, by Burradon Goodfellow, from J.H. Wilson and Sons, Doranshill, Newry, Co Down, selling to T. Howden and Son, Balleny, Balerno; 11,000gn for Maerdy Maosglas, by Blelack Fabulous, from Esmor Evans, selling to B. Keir and Son, Ladymill, Alford; and 11,000gn for Glenericht Mecca, by Fleets Vibrant, from W.K. and P. Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie, selling to D. Muirhead, Firhills Farm, Letham Grange, Angus.
Females sold to a top of 7,000gn for the champion – Goldies Madame from Hamish Goldie. The buyer was K. Earle, Llwyncrwn Farm, Dyfed, Wales.
