February 27, 2019 Increased demand for Charolais at Aberdeen

Strong commercial interest saw an increased demand for Charolais bulls at the Royal Northern Agricultural Society Spring Show on Wednesday 27 February. Bidding peaked at 9,500gns which was the highest price of the day across all breeds and 16 lots sold to an average of £4,463 with five more sold than last year and a clearance rate increase of 8% to 73%.

Society CEO Peter Phythian, was delighted with the sale “On the back of last week’s successful sale in the Spring round of the bull sales at Stirling, where Charolais sold the most bulls, had the highest average and best clearance rate, this just goes to prove that Charolais are still in demand despite the challenging market conditions. Obviously, as Charolais sired suckler calves are topping the markets on weight for age, with budgets tightened this year the suckler man wants a breed that will deliver the weights that the supermarkets demand in the shortest time, which is not only benefiting their pockets but also the environment”.

The top two Charolais sellers making 9,500gns and 6,800gns respectively, both came from Robert Leggat, New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, who was already on a high after securing the breed and then the overall championship in the morning’s pre-sale show.

Both of the top lots were June 2017 born bulls sired by the 10,000gns Carlisle reserve intermediate champion Gretnahouse Ivory, who has bred almost 60 progeny into the Bonnykelly herd since his purchase in 2015, and both dams go back to the 9,000gns Newdeer Show champion Newhouse Challanger.

The highest priced at 9,500gns was the day’s overall champion Bonnykelly Nominator, bred out of Bonnykelly Freda, he goes on to work in Auchindoun, Banffshire, with winning bidders J and K Kellas. His shed mate Bonnykelly Nimrod who secured a price of 6,800gns from purchaser’s FJ Keir, Alford, Aberdeenshire, is out of Bonnykelly Heidi.

The reserve champion was next in the trade stakes at 4,800gns. Logiestate Neil, a 22 month old, who was presented for sale by AJR Farms, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, is sired by the 8,500gns Newdeer show male champion Goldies Golddust, while the dam is the 26,000gns Maerdy Amontillado-sired Craigieford Hermajest, he was purchased by M and I Steel, Banchory, Kincardinshire.

There were two 4,500gns sales, the first Elgin Navara, was purchased by JJ Gord, Wellheads, Aberdeenshire. The April 2017 born Navara had been tapped out second in his class at the pre-sale show for breeders and exhibitors Roy and Matthew Milne, Kennies Hillock, Morayshire. His dam Elgin Ianthe is a second calving daughter of the 12,000gns Caylers Gladiator and he is sired by the 11,000gns Woodpark Elgin, whose sons averaged 11,000gns at Stirling in October.

Matching the 4,500gns price tag and this time exhibited by Andrew and James Gammie, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, was the 21 month old and red ticket winning Westpit Nevada. 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger is the sire here and his dam is Gretnahouse Eigg who goes back to the 18,000gns Derryharney Outstanding. He was snapped up by C Smith, Lumphanan, Kincardinshire.

Strathys Navigator was the next highest priced at 4,400gns. A son of the 9,500gns Maerdy Harrypotter, who has bred well for exhibitor Mr K Mallarkey, adding almost 60 progeny into the Airdlin Mains, Aberdeenshire based herd. He travels on the Stenness, Orkney, with new owner WSL Muir, who took a liking to this April 2017 born lad bred out of the 12,000gns Mountjoy Eros daughter Strathys Isable.

Two yellow ticket winners from John Wilson and Sons, Glenkindle, Aberdeenshire, were both knocked down at 4,000gns. Kinclune Nimrod, who was purchased by GH Sinclair, Latheron, Caithness, was the first, a 23 month old sired by the 12,000gns Stirling supreme champion Goldies Ivan and out of first time mum Kinclune Joanna who goes back to the 20,000gns Carlisle supreme champion Beechtree George.

The second 4,000gns bull from the Wilson family was the 19 month old Kinclune Norman a son of the 20,000gns supreme Perth champion Thrunton Crownprince and Kinclune Ivy, who is also a Beechtree George daughter and was purchased by D Henderson, Lyth, Caithness.

Averages: 16 bulls £4,462.50
Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts