THE upward movement in bull sale prices continued at Perth yesterday
when Simmentals came under the keen scrutiny of a crowded ringside.
Pre-sale expectations were pitched at a cautious level, but after the
last bull was sold, and the average tallied at #2536 for 102 head -- up
#608 on the year -- breed secretary David Gaunt commented:
''It's been a quite exceptional sale, which clearly shows the faith of
commercial breeders in Simmental cattle.''
Top price of the day was 9800gns for the first prize Brinkton Bruno,
from Bob Louness, Bankside, Goole, Humberside. The successful bidder was
well-known butcher Willie Wales, buying on behalf of Wallace and Wales,
Redding Properties, Galston, Ayrshire.
Two bulls sold at 5500gns each. The first was the reserve senior and
reserve overall champion Woodhall Bold, from Hector Macaskill,
Innerwick, Dunbar. This one went to long-time Simmental breeder Adam
Gray, Ingleston, Borgue, Kirkcudbright.
At the same price W. H. Robson and Sons, Kilbride, Ballyclare, Co
Antrim, sold Kilbride Farm Bermuda -- another first-prize winner -- to
John Thornhill, Poynton, Shropshire.
The overall and senior champion, Well House Barnaby, from Alice and
Bryan Munro, Well House, Beauly, Inverness, sold at 4600gns to Stanley
Johnston, 51 Glasgow Road, Perth.
Other leading prices -- 4400gns, from John Marshall, Hardgrove,
Dumfries, to Tom Gillespie, South Park, Borgue, Kirkcudbright; 4200gns
from W. Heaps, Derbyshires Farm, Chorley, Lancashire, to W. G.
MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness; 4000gns from Robert Forrest Ltd,
Preston, Duns, to G. W. Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Kincardine; 4000gns
from A. J. Minshall, Bent House, Stoke on Trent, Staffs, to S. Morrison
and Co, Easter Urray, Muir of Ord, Inverness; and 4000gns from Milnafua
Farms, Rosskeen, Invergordon, to Park Farms, Drumoak, Banchory,
Aberdeen.
Today is the big day, with Charolais bulls taking centre stage. The
overall standard was yesterday criticised by many ringside observers
during the judging, but the man who really mattered -- Andrew Adamson
from Newport on Tay -- seemed happy enough with his final selections.
He commented: ''There is a good selection of bulls for the commercial
buyer, with plenty of fleshy bulls. However, there may just be a lack of
top bulls for pedigree breeders.''
Supreme champion was the intermediate winner Bonnykelly Gordie, by
Newthrums Regal, from Bob Leggat, Mormond Prop, Fraserburgh. Mr Leggat
was clearly elated at his success, and stated: ''I'm really chuffed.
We've only been breeding Charolais for five years.''
However, this 12-strong herd tasted success last February, when a half
brother to the champion sold for 8200gns.
Standing reserve was the senior champion Bastwick Garth, from Goodwin
Farms, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The junior championship went to the much
fancied Ulster bull, Simpson's Greg, from Ken Veitch, Drumlone, Co
Fermanagh.
Aberdeenshire farmer Neil Massie, Blelack, Dinnet, lifted both the
champion and reserve tickets in a small show of females. The champion
sold for 5000gns to George Russell, Leslie Park, Denny, Stirlingshire.
Trade for bulls is expected to be firm, with more producers switching to
spring calving -- and a clear shortage of bulls in the market.
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