All beef breeds enjoyed a bumper trade at United Auctions' multi-breed sale at Stirling where averages improved in virtually all sections; a new May record of 22,000gns was achieved and a further eight sold at five-figure prices.

Leading the fray was the sole Simmental bull from Michael and John Barlow's Denizes herd from Leyland, Lancs, which sold to Alan Wright, St Mungoes Farm, Argaty, Doune. The father and son team who topped the Simmentals in February with sons of Denizes Hamish, were again to the fore with another by the same sire. Denizes New Orleans, an October 2022-born entry, is out of Denizes Melody.

The Limousin breed achieved the highest clearance at 91% and sold the most bulls with five at five-figure prices. Three of those were bulls from Donald MacGregor's Dyke herd, Milton of Campsie, brought out by herdsman, John Duncan.

Dearest at 12,000gns was Dyke Tornado, a two-year-old son of Goldies Lordoftherings purchased by Huntlyhill Farms, Huntlyhill Mains, Lanark.

Minutes later, Dyke Tenor, from the same stable and by the same sire, made 11,000gns selling to Mairi Paterson and son Robert, Dunruchan and Craigneich Farms, Crieff, Perthshire.

Making 10,000gns to NA McCulloch, Kenmuir, Stranraer, was Dyke Tango, a son of Whinfellpark Ohagan.

Bruce Goldie's herd from Dumfries was another in the money, selling two Limousins at 12,000gns. First was Goldies Toshiba, a son of the privately purchased Wilodge IJ, which was knocked down to E McLeod, Blackhole, Finzean, Banchory.

Selling for the same money was Goldies Trafalgar, a son of the 40,000gns Ampertaine Opportunity, purchased by AN McArthur, Lossit, Portnahavan, Islay.

Brother Hamish Goldie, led the Charolais with the Caylers Rocky-sired Goldies Timmy, which also made 12,000gns when selling to new breeder, James Brown of the Cardon herd, Broughton, Biggar.

Just behind, on 11,000gns, local breeder Murray Lyle, Dunblane, sold Loganbar Topgun, the Charolais champion to S and L Robertson, Roebank, Grange, Keith. He is by the easy calving stockbull, Thrunton Nike.

Salers achieved the highest average at £7228 for six, having sold to 11,000gns for the pre-sale champion, Rednock Shaggy, a polled son of Rednock Oswald, from Gill and Malcolm Pye, Port of Menteith. He headed home with Rannagulzion Farms.

The champion Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn topped their sections with the former, Stephick Elvis, from Stephanie Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling, selling for 8000gns. This was Stephick Elvis, a son of Weeton Diamond Mine, which was knocked down to JT Fleming, Falnash, Teviothead.

Dearest amongst the Beef Shorthorns was Cindy Townsend's Coxhill Sterling a son of the record priced Meonside Nidavellir, purchased by Ian Chapman, West Cockmuir, Strichen, Fraserburgh, for 7800gns.

Overall, 26 Charolais averaged £6789 with a 72% clearance; 22 Simmentals levelled at £6720 (85%); 21 Aberdeen Angus levelled at £5295 (81%); six Salers, £7228 (75%); five Beef Shorthorns, £6038 (86%) and 42 Limousin bulls averaged £6700 (91%).

For full report and pictures see this week's The Scottish Farmer (11th May 2024)