Stirling result for 'Perth' bull sales

THE buoyancy of the beef market was reflected in a rip-roaring trade for both Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorn bulls yesterday at the "Perth" spring bull sales at United Auctions' new Stirling mart.

Both breeds saw average prices soar to record heights with 146 Aberdeen-Angus averaging 5,047 compared with 4,921 at the final sale at the old Perth mart last February, when only 129 bulls were sold. Spirited bidding for the top bulls resulted in 58 bids of 5,000 guineas or more, including nine five-figure prices.

"The market is being driven by a strong commercial demand and premium prices for Aberdeen-Angus finished cattle and high prices for both cull cows and cull bulls," said Paul Jeenes, the newly-elected president of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and a former managing director of BP Nutrition.

Beef Shorthorn also recorded their highest ever average of 4,560 for 39 bulls, including the highest price paid for a bull since 1946 when Pittodrie Upright sold for 14,500gns – a record which stands to this day. Yesterday's top price was only 500gns short of that record at 14,000gns.

Leading the Aberdeen-Angus charge was N F Massie and Sons, Blelack, Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, who sold 11 bulls for a total of 109,725 to average 9,975 for their consignment, with a top price of 25,000gns for their supreme and intermediate champion to Aberdeenshire housebuilder Bill Bruce, chairman of Scotia Homes, for his Aberdeen-Angus herd at Logie, Ellon.

The Massie family also sold their senior champion for 18,000gns to Georgina Dobson, The Wall, Kynnersley, Shrewsbury.

But the top price was 28,000gns paid by Gordon Brooke, Linton Wold Farm, Malton, Yorkshire, for the reserve junior champion from Jim Logan's Galawater herd at Pirntaton, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, whose three bulls chalked up the outstanding average of 15,750.

Another Border herd was on the receiving end of the next highest price when J & J Campbell of Wedderlie, Gordon, Berwickshire, sold their reserve senior champion for 13,000gns to Lord Catto's Schivas Estates, at Ythanbank, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. The Wedderlie average for six was 8,352.

Another at 13,000gns was a second prize bull from P H & Mrs R M Close of Littleton Farm, Turnberry, Girvan, Ayrshire. The buyer was Lady Glendyne for her Hurdcott herd at Craigeassie, Forfar, Angus.

This was followed at 12,000gns for an unplaced bull from Alastair Fraser, Newton of Idvies, Forfar, to D E R O'Brien, Co Kerry, Ireland, and for a second prize bull from J & W Arnott, Haymount, Kelso, to Howard Quayle, Ballavitchel, Isle of Man. Two bulls were sold at 4000gns and 2000gns for export to Denmark.

The top price for Beef Shorthorns of 14,000gns was paid by Jack Ramsay of Millerstone, Mauchline, Ayrshire, in a joint purchase with Martin Moore, Woodstock Bower, Tenbury Wells, Worcester, for the junior champion from Harry Horrell, Peterborough.

The champion, from Quality Meat Scotland chairman, Donald Biggar of Chapelton, Castle Douglas, realised the next highest price of 13,000gns to Ian Graham, Killochries, Kilmacolm, Renfrew. Biggar also bought one from Major John Gibb, Glenisla, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, at 6,200gns.

Supermarket group Morrisons went to 9,000gns to secure one from Playfair Farms to use in the herd of Beef Shorthorns they are establishing at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, where they also have an Aberdeen-Angus herd.

The Massie family were also in the money in the Beef Shorthorn ring, selling their reserve supreme champion for 7,000gns to Lowther Park Farms, Penrith, Cumbria.

The three-day sale continues today with the show and sale of Limousin bulls and heifers.