Castletown farmer Stephen Sutherland judges pedigree bulls as top price hits 16,000gns
A strong show of pedigree bulls and females were exhibited at the Royal Northern Spring Show on Wednesday at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
The show, held in conjunction with Aberdeen and Northern Marts, was sponsored for the second year by NorthLink Ferries with Stephen Sutherland, Sibmister, Castletown, judging the pedigree bull’s section.
The pedigree bull sale saw a top price of 16,000gns achieved for the Champion Charolais Bull, with a total of 37 bulls averaging £6913 and four Limousin females averaging £3123.75 (+£236.25) from well-known consignors across the north-east of Scotland going on to sell to new owners.
Averages: 9 Charolais, £9625 (+£3082.69); 12 Limousin, £6125 (+560); 10 Simmental, £7665 (+£1832.73); 4 Aberdeen Angus, £5625 (+900); 1 Saler, £4000; 1 Shorthorn, £3800.
The Charolais breed once again topped the sale with the Champion Charolais, Bonnykelly Upperclass, a May 2023-born bull from R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, tapping out at 16,000gns selling on to J C McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, Westhill.
Judge Stephen Sutherland tapped Harestone Ujeanluc, the Champion Limousin as the Overall Spring Show Pedigree Bull Champion. The 22-month-old Limousin sired by Kersknowe Jake from R & N Barclay, Harestone Farm, Crathes, Banchory, went onto sell for 9000gns to BT Kitson, Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire.
Achieving the second top price of 13,000gns was Tonley Usher, a May 2023-born Charolais Bull from NA Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, which went on to sell to B Mackie & Sons, Milton of Noth, Rhynie, Huntly.
J C Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss, Forres went onto sell their April 2023-born Simmental Bull, Coltfield Principal, for 10,000gns to G McConnach & Drumneachie, Birse, Aboyne. The Simmental Champion was awarded to 22-month-old, Backmuir Pacific, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith which tapped out at 8000gns selling to J & J Henderson, Udale Farm, Poyntzfield, Dingwall.
Three additional bulls achieved 9000gns, first being a Charolais, Bonnykelly Uppermost also sired by Kersknowe Jake from R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, which went onto sell to Gordon Wilson, Fichlie, Glenkindie, Alford.
Next the Reserve Champion Charolais, Tonley Umpire, an August 2023-born Charolais Bull from NA Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, sold to C & G Thomson, Upper Tillenhilt, Midmar. With Islavale Pizza, the Simmental Reserve Champion, a 15-month-old Simmental Bull from W S Stronach, Berryleys, Grange, Keith going on to sell to JP Clark Ltd., Kinnahaird Farm, Contin, Strathpeffer.
In the Aberdeen Angus section, a top price of 8500gns was achieved for January 2023-born Ballindalloch Fernado from Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch Castle. Sired by Rosemead January, the Aberdeen Angus went on to sell to Mesr Rennie, Mosstonmuir, Guthrie, Forfar. AN Calcot & Blelack, Aboyne achieved 6000gns for their 21-month-old Aberdeen Angus, Blelack Hill Ectasy, selling to J & A Kindness, Blackhouse, Methlick.
The Champion Aberdeen Angus was awarded to 22-month-old Blelack Hill Energy from AN Calcot & Blelack, Aboyne achieving 4000gns selling to A Mackay & Sons, Strath Farm, Watten, Caithness.
Tapping out at a top price of 4000gns in the Any Other Breed of Bull section was the Any Other Breed Champion from J C McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, Westhill. The 23-month-old Saler, Corrichie Tate, sold to Firm of Macke, Whitebog, Fortrose, Ross-shire.
In the sale of Limousin females from J Penny & Son, Shannas, Clola, Peterhead, a top price of 3000gns was achieved three times over, selling to H & R Davidson, Corsairtly Farms, Keith, Moray; D W Youngson, Turhill, Auchtylair, Stuartfield and to A R Ironside, Cairnbo, Gamrie.
Scott Chapman, Auctioneer at Aberdeen and Northern Marts, said “The annual Spring Show and Sale of bulls saw a great demand for all breeds which resulted in averages greatly increased on the year. We’d like to thank Stuart Garrett, managing director of NorthLink Ferries, for his continued support and for presenting the overall championship.”
