The Aberdeen-Angus champion from Aberdeenshire breeders Neil and Graeme Massie took home the top price at yesterday’s May bull sale at United Auctions in Stirling.
The Massies, who run pedigree herds of Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Charolais cattle at Blelack Farm, Dinnet, Aboyne, sold their champion for 10,000gn to Ray Gardiner and Craig Smart who run the Newton Muchalls herd at Lyne of Skene, Westhill, Aberdeenshire.
May 2014-born Blelack Jury Eric is by Blelack Equity, which has previously bred sons to 15,000gn, and out of Blelack Jury Erica.
The next best price in the Aberdeen-Angus section was 6,000gn twice.
First at this price was a first-prize winning lot from Willie McLaren, Netherton, Blackford.
January 2014-born Netherton Marvel is by The Moss Mr Eshton and out of Netherton Missie. He sold to Mr and Mrs J Stevenson, Linburn Farm, Erskine, Renfrewshire.
The other lot at 6,000gn was April 2014-born Tonley Eminem from Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford.
Eminem is by Blelack Evor, which has bred sons to 24,000gn, and out of Tonley Elma. He sold to S and JF Fisher, Bush of Ewes, Langholm, Dumfries.
The reserve breed champion – October 2014-born Kilmaluag Jack Eric from Donald Rankin, Kilmaluag House, Duntulm, Isle of Skye – sold for 5,000gn to Liam Muir, of Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney.
In all, 23 Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold out of the 24 forward to an average of £4,638.26. Last year’s sale saw 24 sell to an average of £3,933.
Meanwhile, the Shorthorns topped at 6,500gn when the pre-sale show champion went under the hammer.
April-2014 born Miltonlockhart Humphrey is a homebred son of Tofts Winner, out of Tofts Princess. He was put forward by William Allan, of Milton Lockhart Estate, Crossford, South Lanarkshire, who is a new entrant to the breed. The buyer was J Innes and Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
Next best for the Shorthorns was 3,500gn for June 2014-born Balgay Hador from Balgay Farm, Inchture, Perthshire.
This Chapelton Braveheart son, out of Chapelton Pixie, sold to JGS and D Duncan, Jacobshall, Gamrie, Banff.
The reserve breed champion – March 2014–born Alvie Hedwig from the Alvie Farm Partnership, Kincraig – sold for 1,600gn.
In all, 11 Beef Shorthorn bulls sold to an average of £2,846 and a clearance rate of 85%. This is up £230 on last year’s sale when 12 sold.
Lastly for the native breeds was the first ever May show and sale of Highland cattle at Stirling, where a top price of 1,600gn was achieved for the reserve male champion.
March 2014-born Russell 2nd of Craigowmill, which was put forward by Ken Brown of Ledlanet, Kinross, sold to David Smith, of Flowry Brae Farm, Memsie, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.
The next best price of 1,400gn was achieved by the male champion – January 2013-born of Iain Mottistone from Michael Poland, West Ferlochan Farm, Benderloch, Oban.
This one, which was shown by the fold’s stockman Willie Maclean, is by Iain of Balmoral and out of Lynn of Mottistone. He sold to AJ Ewing, Dumbretton Farm, Annan, Dumfries.
Six Highland bulls sold to average £1,047, while three females sold to average £595.