October 20, 2020 Primate is top of the tree for the Charolais at Stirling! – Stirling Bull Sales – 18th October 2020

With the current COVID-19 situation still on-going and the challenges this continues to bring to the farming industry, it was not possible to have the normal and much anticipated pre-sale show at the autumn Stirling bull sales. Fortunately, the sale was still able to proceed and it was clear to see that Charolais bulls were once again in high demand. 43 bulls sold, selling to an average of £6627, up by £1068 on the previous year, with a clearance of 60%.

Peter Phythian, the Society chief executive said “ despite these difficult and challenging times to run our bull sale, buyers came out in force and showed the demand Charolais have in the store market which reflected in our sale today, with averages up over £1,000 a bull on last Octobers sale.” Read more…

Topping the day’s trade at 20,000gns was the 18-month-old Gretnahouse Primate from Alasdair Houston, of Gretna House Farms, Mossknowe House, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire. Sire verified to the easy calving Westcarse Jimmy, purchased by Alasdair back in 2016, who’s sons have previously sold for up to 11,000gns. Gretnahouse Primates dam is Gretnahouse Iugesse, sired by the well-known trait leader for calving ease direct Blelack Digger. This lad was destined to be a breeder’s bull and went under the hammer to Hamish Goldie of South Bowerhouses, Ruthwell, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire.

Selling at 16,000gns, the second top price of the day went to Glenericht Pablo, bred by W K & P Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. This 18-month-old lad is fully parent verified to Glenericht Limpet and Glenericht Juicygirl, a daughter of Balthayock Graduate who they purchased back in to 2013. This lad sold to J Wight & Sons of Carwood Farm, Lanarkshire.

Third top price of the day was the 10,000gns bull Thrunton Paramount, bred by J H C Campbell & Sons, Thrunton Farm, Thrunton, Northumberland. At 18-months old and sired by the 28,000gns Maerdy Jerusalem, out of Thrunton Lucinda, a daughter of Thrunton Gladiator a trait leader for calving ease direct. This lad was purchased by Rettie

Thrunton Performer and from the same stable, sold for 8,800gns, this March 2019 born lad is also sired by the 28,000gns Maerdy Jerusalem and out of Thrunton Floret, a daughter from the easy calving Balmyle Dickler. Purchased by W Barbour, Carsegowan Farm, Dumfries.

Next to secure 8,800gns was Glenericht Parker, April 2019 born, and another bred by W K & P Drysdale, also sired by Glenericht Limpet, his dam Glenericht Hayley is a daughter of the 16,000gns Clyth Diplomat. This lad sold to W S Paterson of Golland, Kinross.

On a roll, April 2019 born Thrunton Platinum went under the hammer for 8,000gns, this time sire verified to Thrunton Gladiator, a trait leader for calving ease and out of Thrunton Hoopla, a daughter of Thrunton Doubletop. Purchased by W Milne of Ernan, Waterside Road, Strathdon.

Also selling for 8,000gns was Balmyle Panther, bred by W P Bruce Ltd, Balmyle, Meigle,Perthshire. This 17-month-old bull is fully parent verified and sired by Balthayock Minstrel and out of Balmyle Dorothea, a daughter of Sackville Adonis. Purchased by W & W Dawsons & Sons of Whinbrae, Aberdeenshire.

Goldies Premier hammered down at 7,200gns, bred by Hamish Goldie of South Bowerhouses, Ruthwell, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire. This 19-month-old bull is sired by the easy calving Balthayock Marquis and out of Goldies Lilac, a daughter from the 15,000gns bull Gretnahouse Heman. Purchased by Coghill.

The gavel came down five times at 7,000gns, first was Bombax Pirate, bred by C Smeaton & Sons, Cotton of Ovenstone, Inverarity, Angus. This 21-month-old bull is sired by the famous, easy calving Westcarse Houdini, out of Mornity Marilyn, a daughter of the 15,000gns Maerdy HWRE. This lad sold to Easter Tulloch Ltd of Kincardineshire.

March 2019 born Gretnahouse Pointer followed; bred by Alasdair Houston from Gretna House Farms, Mossknowe House, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire. Sired by the 17,000gns Balthayock Gladiator and out of Gretnahouse Lannabel, her sire Wesley Equinox is a trait leader for calving ease direct. This lad was purchased by R McNee Ltd of Woodend farm, West Lothian.

Also selling for 7,000gns was Thrunton Pathos, another from the J H C Campbell stable. This 18-month old bull is fully parent verified and sired by the 28,000gns Maerdy Jerusalem and out of Thrunton Linnet, a daughter of Thrunton Gladiator, a trait leader for calving ease direct. Purchased by J & W Kellas of Raws Farm, Keith.

Next to follow at 7,000gns was the 17-month-old bull Glenericht President, another bred by W K & P Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. This 17-month-old bull is parent verified to Glenericht Limpet and Glenericht Idyll, a daughter of Blelack Digger who is a trait leader for calving ease direct. This lad sold to A J Beaton of 3 Gesto, Isle of Skye.

Marwood Pascal, born in May-2019 and bred by RA & J Blyth, Middleton House Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool, Cleveland was the last to hammer down at 7,000gns. Sired by the 16,000gns bull Balthayock Lineup, his dam Marwood Iona, is a daughter of the 55,000gns bull Sportsmans Columbo. Purchased by W F & H Logan of Maxwelston, Ayrshire.

Not far behind at 6,800gns came Bassett Piper, bred by Miss J Atkinson and sold by Brailes Livestock, Isalyn, Main Street, Upper Brailes, Banbury, Oxfordshire. Sired by Whitecliffe Highlight. His dam Bassett Hifi is a daughter of the 10,000gns bull Harestone Domino. This lad went to Ross Farms & Co LTD, Wester Middleton, Midlothian.

Two lots traded at 6500gns. First up was Glenernan Piper, bred by W & N Milne, Ernan, Waterside, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. This 21-month-old bull is sire verified to the 17,000gns Elgin Jagger and out of Glenernan Linda, a daughter of Glenernan Highlander. Purchased by Ellis & Keir of Cairncoullie, Aberdeenshire.

Next to secure 6500gns was Coolnaslee Parker, bred by Jonathan Crawford, Maghera, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Sired by the 12,000gns bull Maerdy Maesmor, his dam Coolnaslee Lyra is a daughter of the 12,000gns bull Maerdy Fiend. Purchased by C A Smith of Wester Coull, Aberdeenshire.

Coming in at 6200gns was Elrick Pele, bred by Mr M J Massie, Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. At 17-months old, this bull is sire verified to the easy calving Maerdy Gouverneur, and out of Elrick Juniper, a daughter of Thrunton Fearless. Purchased by D Findlay & Sons of Pirnhall farm, Stirling.

Three further lots traded at 6000gns.

First of the three was the 21-month-old Glenernan Pele, another bred by W & N Milne, also sired by the 17,000gns bull Elgin Jagger and out of Corskellie Jinni, a daughter of Dingle Hofmeister. Purchased by Kincraigie Farms, By Banchory, Aberdeen.

Second to secure 6000gns was February 2019 born Newlogie Perejacquemin, bred by AJR Farms, Milton Of Collieston, Ellon, Aberdeenshire. A Newlogie Nobel son, out of Newlogie Naya, a daughter of the French bull Berry Mic. This lad went to C Smith of Broomhill, Dunecht.

Last of the three to hit the 6000gns mark was Lochend Poldark, bred by Mr & Mrs J W Millar, Lochend Farm, Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire. This April 2019 born bull is sire verified to the easy calving Gretnahouse Ming and out of Lochend Lightning, a daughter of Oldstone Egbert. Purchased by E & L Munro, Rogiehill, Aberdeen.

Kersknowe Padre, bred by Mr J Jeffrey, Kersknowe, Kelso, Roxburgshire secured the bid of 5800gns. Born in April 2019 and sired by Kersknowe Jake and out of Kersknowe Mistress, a daughter of the 16,000gns bull Burradon Insomniac, this bull was purchased by R McCarlie Ltd, Wester Hassockrigg Farm, Lanarkshire.

Also, to secure a bid of 5800gns was Tweeddale Perfectpitch, bred by J Watson & Co, Bowsden Moor Farm, Bowsden, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland. This June 2019 born bull, sired by Blelack Blackberet and out of a Blelack Digger daughter Tweeddale Icemaiden. This bull was purchased by Walker.

Two bulls went under the hammer at 5500gns, both bred by Major D F W H & N R Walter, of Garden House, Balthayock, Perth, Perthshire. First to go under the hammer was Balthayock Pluto, born in May 2019 and sired by the easy calving Balthayock Meteor, his dam Balthayock Highness is a daughter of Swalesmoor Cracker. Purchased by R Atkinson of Rose Tree farm.

Balthayock Pioneer followed at 5500gns, also born in May 2019, sired by the easing calving, 11,000gns bull Gretnahouse Lunar, his dam Balthayock Inga is another daughter of Swalesmoor Cracker, this one selling to Evans Corfield & Son of Big Huntingdon, Ludlow.

A further two bulls reached 5200gns. Tweeddale Pegasus, an April 2019 born lad and another from J Watson & Co. Sired by the 23,000gns bull Goldies Jasper and out of Tweeddale Icemaiden, a daughter of the easy calving Blelack Digger. Purchased by G & A Milne of Standing Stones, Banchory.

Also securing the bid of 5200gns and from the same stable was Tweeddale Paddy, born in the same month and also sired by the 23,000gns bull Goldies Jasper, out of Tweeddale Ironlady another daughter of Blelack Digger, this time selling to J Farquhar of Kinaldie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.