Local farmers and pedigree beef cattle breeders, Harold Stubbs, Crummy, Lisnaskea, and grandson Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt, clinched the junior and supreme overall championship titles at last week’s Stirling bull sales.

Their success didn’t end there, as the supreme Simmental champion Derrycallaghan Ernest, also secured a joint top bid of 12,000gns at the Scottish saleyard’s spring show and sale.

This 14-month-old entry was one of the youngest bulls in the catalogue, and is a son of the noted Kilbride Farm Newry. His dam is the Raceview King daughter Derrycallaghan Beauty 10 – one of four cows in the herd. Setting a new herd record he sold to breed judge, Michael Barlow who runs the Denizes herd based at Four Oaks, Preston, Lancashire.

Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw, secured the reserve intermediate championship with the August 2013 born Drumlone Engineer. He was sired by Omorga Murray, and is out of the Milton Lord Tiffany daughter, Brookwood Pretty Polly. Buyers at 9,500gns were Messrs. JC Innes and Sons, owners of the Strathbogie herd based at Dunscroft, Aberdeenshire.

Following close behind at 9,000gns was Owenskerry Excellent, a first prize winner from Brian and Linda Cowan, Fivemiletown. Born in September 2013, he is by Omorga Volvo and out of the Dripsey Super King daughter Owenskerry Vicky – one of five cows in the herd. He sold to L Forster, West Nubbock Farm, Hexham. The Cowan family also realised 4,200gns for Owenskerry Elliott. Sired by Popes Barclay, this September 2013 born bull was bred from the Omorga Murray daughter Stralongford Shannon.

The fifth placed Cleenagh Egbert attracted a bid of 4,800gns for Adrian Richardson, and son Clive, Drumbroughas, Maguiresbridge. Born in September 2013, he is a full brother to the 12,000gns Cleenagh Avon – sold at the NI Simmental Club’s elite sale at Omagh in 2010. He joins Quixwood Farm, Duns, Berwickshire.

Aaron Quigley, Mackan, Enniskillen, realised 4,000gns for the July 2013 born Ard-Machree Excellent. He was sired by Dripsey Super King, and is out of an Omorga Murray daughter carrying the Stralongford prefix.

Selling at 3,000gns was the September 2013 born Stranlongford Esquire bred by the Hanna family from Trillick. He was sired by Ashland Brandy, and is out of a Rickardstown Jumbo daughter carrying the Seaview prefix.

Brothers Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, sold the third prize winning Coolcran Emperor for 3,000gns. He is also by Ashland Brandy, and out of the Siegfried daughter Camus Valentine.

In the female line-up Adrian and Clive Richardson’s Cleenagh Eliza claimed the reserve championship ribbons, and sold to G Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik, for 3,500gns. Born in June 2013, she is by the herd’s jointly owned 10,000gns stock bull Drumlone Anchor – junior and supreme Perth champion in October 2010. Her home-bred dam is a daughter of the 20,000 Euro Curaheen Tyson.

The first prize winning Breaghey Elberta sold at 2,900gns for Wesley Abraham from Braeside Farm, Irvinestown. Bred by Andrew Clarke, Tynan, this April 2013 born heifer was sired by Dripsey Super King, and is out of the 3,100gns Corrick Vida.

In the Charolais section Trevor Phair from Bellanaleck realised 8,000gns for the July 2013 born Brogher Input. This fourth prize winner was sired by the 16,000gns Oldstone Egbert son Corrie Alan ET, and is out of a home-bred dam by Balthayock Nougart. Buyer was RJD Milne, North Bethelnie, Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire. Trevor Phair also realised 2,600gns for the unplaced Brogher Ian. Born in August 2013, he was sired by Blelack Digger, and is out of a home-bred dam by the 55,000gns Sportsmans Columbo.

The father and son team of Stuart and David Bothwell, St Angelo, Ballinamallard, sold four bulls to average £4,659 per head. Their best at 5,750gns was the second placed Killadeas Ireland. Born in August 2013 he was sired by the herd’s 16,000gns stock bull Blackford Dynamite – intermediate and supreme Perth champion in October 2009. His dam is the Derrygiff Mills daughter Killadeas Bea. Buyers were R and M Wilson, Dykes Farm, Dalry, Ayrshire. Blackford Dynamite was also behind the breeding of the third prize winning Killadeas Ivor. This May 2013 born entry was bred from the Dunlon Ulick daughter Killadeas Erie. He sold for 5,000gns to W Stewart, Bridge of Marnock, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

United Auctions was celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Perth/Stirling Bull Sales. The Simmental breed enjoyed an 80% clearance rate – the highest recorded at the multi-breed beef event; with 129 bulls selling to level at £4,964 (-£303).

Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to a top of 13,000gns, and 109 lots averaged £5,260 (-£847) in a 64% clearance.

Beef Shorthorn bulls peaked at 13,000gns, with 56 lots attracting a 63% clearance to level at £5,066 each (-£391).

Limousin bulls reached a ceiling of 10,500gns, and 62 lots were traded in a 64% clearance to average £4,625 (-£622).

Charolais bulls topped at 18,000gns, with 136 lots selling to average £6,821 (+£283) in a 76% clearance.