Local Simmental and Charolais breeders enjoy Perth success

Editorial Department • Published 25 Feb 2010 09:57 0 Comments

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Top local Simmental changes hands for 10,000gns at Stirling

Local pedigree Simmental and Charolais breeders were among those who savoured success at last week's Perth Bull Sales, hosted by United Auctions at its new purpose-built £15 million complex on the outskirts of Stirling.

The legendary multi-breed beef event has been running for over 150 years, and continues to be one of the UK's premier pedigree auctions, attracting in excess of 1,000 entries from breeders throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In the Charolais section bidding reached heights of 26,000gns and 22,000gns, with a total of 18 lots attracting five-figure price tags. Bidding was underpinned by commercial producers, which resulted in 163 bulls changing hands to average £6,072 - a new UK record for Continental beef breeds.

Leading the County Fermanagh line-up was Lisnaskea butcher, Adrian Richardson, and sons, Clive and Trevor, who sold two bulls at 9,000gns each. First into the sale ring was the home-bred Hillview Farm Deserve - half brother to the 4,200gns junior champion at Dungannon in May 2006. This August 2008 born third prize winner was sired by Allanfauld Vagabond, and is out of a Derrygiff Mills daughter purchased privately from Gilbert Crawford's Coolnaslee herd in Maghera.

Also commanding 9,000gns for the Richardson trio who run 12 pedigree Charolais cows at Drumbroughas, Maguiresbridge, was the first prize winning Tonaghmore Duke. Born in September 2008. He was bred by Harold Crawford from Fintona, and was purchased at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club's November show and sale at Dungannon. He was sired by the Lyonsdemesne Tzar son, Tonaghmore Augusto, and is bred from a Doonally New daughter.

Next best at 8,000gns was the first prize winning Drumlone Delboy, a July 2008 born Indurain son bred and exhibited by Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw. He was bred from the Maerdy Impeccable daughter, Tullygarley Ondine.

British Charolais Cattle Society president, Stuart Bothwell, and son, David of St Angelo, Ballinamallard, realised 7,500gns for Killadeas Dessie - full brother to the Perth October 2008 junior champion. This fifth prize winner was born in August 2008, and was sired by the Meillard son, Dunlon Ulick. His dam is the Brampton Embark daughter, Killadeas Novelty.

The Bothwell father and son team also secured 5,000gns for the third prize winning Killadeas Duncan. He is another son of the herd's stock bull, Dunlon Ulick, bred this time from a Doonally New daughter.

First-time exhibitor at Perth, Trevor Phair, who runs 50 suckler cows and 14 pedigree Charolais at Killybracken, Florencecourt, sold the unplaced Brogher Duke for 6,500gns. Born in August 2008, he was sired by the Orfeo son, Sang-D'or - and is one of the first sons of Sand-D'or to be sold in the UK. His dam is the home-bred Brampton Embark daughter, Brogher Una.

Harold Stubbs, Lisnaskea, and grandson, Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt, sold the third prize winning Mandela Dollar for 5,200gns. Born in November 2008, he is by Burradon Talisman, and is out of a Rockyranch Icon daughter carrying the Camber prefix.

In the Simmental section prices soared to a top of 20,000gns twice, with 135 bulls selling for a record average of £4,751 per head - up £200 on the same period last year.

Adrian Richardson was in the money again, selling the first prize winning Cleenagh Walter for 6,500gns. This September 2008 born bull was sired by the Raceview King son, Dripsey Super King, and was bred from Anatrim Karen.

The July 2008 born Castlehill Wagner came under the hammer at 3,800gns for Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw. This third prize winner was sired by Elaghmore Neptune, and is out of a Freighduff Brendan daughter carrying the Castlehill prefix.

The annual Perth spring show and sale was conducted over two weeks. The first stage of the event took place in early February when the Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Limousins, came under the hammer.

Black genetics dominated trade claiming three of the top price tags in the Limousin section.

Bidding was sticky at times, but peaked at 12,000gns on two occasions, and saw 68 Limousin bulls sell to level at £4,376 per head - up £150 on this time last year, but with nine less bulls changing hands. However, it was the black-coated bulls that were in demand, with nine selling to average £8,061 each.

Aberdeen Angus bulls attracted a roaring trade with nine bulls securing five-figure price tags. Prices peaked at 28,000gns and 25,000gns, while the sale average scaled to record heights with 146 bulls changing hands to average £5,047 - compared with £4,921 for 129 bulls at last year's final sale at Perth Agricultural Centre.

Prices for Beef Shorthorn bulls soared to a top of 14,000gns, almost shattering the breed's 14,500gns record which was set by Pittodrie Upright in 1946. The breed achieved its highest ever average of £4,560 for 39 bulls sold, which is an increase of almost £700 on this time last year when 27 bulls levelled at £3,861 each.

* The Perth autumn bull sales take place at Stirling Agricultural Centre on Monday, October 18 to Wednesday, October 20 2010.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Feb 10

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