Stirling Charolais peak at 22,000gns; 92 bulls average £6,578
Charolais lead multi-breed week: highest number of bulls sold + highest average price
British Charolais met a strong commercial demand from a packed ringside in Stirling on Wednesday 23 October where prices peaked at 22,000gns and 92 entries sold through the ring to average £6,578 at the breed society’s autumn sale. Charolais once again remained dominant during the week’s multi-beef breed fixtures, by recording the highest number of bulls sold and highest average price.
“Bulls with length, quality conformation and good EBV data met a ready trade throughout with a further 14 lots booked through the final auctioneer’s sale sheet bringing the total clearance to 75% with 106 lots sold, a significant increase on the year,” commented the society’s chairman, Alasdair Houston. “Despite a further year on year reduction in suckler cow numbers, this week’s trend provides further evidence of the momentum swing back to Charolais as the top terminal beef sire. More producers are recognising the higher values and faster growth of Charolais cross cattle than any other breed, combined with modern British Charolais improved calving genetics. Look at this autumn’s sales of store and suckled calves and see the premium.”
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Balmyle Headline at 22,000gns
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Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead with Balmyle stockman, Bruce Groat and Bill Bruce with their 22,000gns sale leader, Balmyle Headline
Sale leader at 22,000gns was the much admired Balmyle Headline TI +56, SRI +53, an 18 month old by the 9,500gns Maerdy Egret and out of Balmyle Uptowngirl, who goes back to renowned lines on both sides – the 28,000gns Perth champion Brampton Nacador and to Dingle Hofmeister. Bred and exhibited by Perthshire based Bill Bruce, Balmyle, Meigle, he went to join Swalesmoor Charolais’ 40 cow herd, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie. “He was the sole bull in the catalogue for us – we liked his style, shape, size and breeding,” commented herd manager, Iain Campbell.
Another entry from the same breeder, this time the 18 month old Balmyle Hamish TI +58, SRI +53 by the Royal Highland champion, Balmyle Eclipse and going back to Dingle Hofmeister, made 8,000gns to W Duncan, Insch, Aberdeen.
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Elrick Highlander at 17,000gns
Next at 17,000gns was the 18 month old Elrick Highlander TI +49, SRI +41 from Michael Massie, Auchnagatt, Ellon to John Wight and Sons, Crawford, Biggar to run with the family’s Midlock pedigree herd. Sired by the 11,000gns Maerdy Dublin, he was out of a homebred dam by Blelack Roger.
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Mowbraypark Hercules at 15,000gns
Three lots shared a 15,000gns price tag. First to go was Mowbraypark Hercules TI +41, SRI +36, a 19 month old Klibreck Ecosse son and out of a Bassingbourn bred cow that goes back to Mowbraypark Paramount and the highly celebrated Gigi. Bred and exhibited by Mike and Margaret Atkinson, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon, the buyer was JAC Campbell, Scrabster, Thurso.
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Gretnahouse Heman at 15,000gns
Next at 15,000gns was Gretnahouse Heman, a 19 month old among the breed’s top Breedplan values and the highest in the catalogue at TI +86, SRI +77. Bred by Alasdair Houston, Gretna Green, he was by Blelack Digger, out of Gretnahouse Beauty, a member of his 70 cow herd and going back to the noted Balmyle Paradise. He went to join Hamish Goldie’s 70 cow herd at Ruthwell, Dumfries. “We’ve bought him on the strength of his dam and grand damlines which we are aware have proved to be consistent high performers,” said Mr Goldie.
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Gretnahouse Hasty at 8,000gns
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Gretnahouse Hero at 9,500gns
Another 19 month old Blelack Digger son from Alasdair Houston, this time Gretnahouse Hasty TI +65, SRI +60 made 8,000gns to Courance Farms, Lockebie whilst minutes before, the same purchaser invested 9,000gns in Gretnahouse Hero TI +71, SRI +66, a 19 month old within the breed’s top 1% by Balthayock Adonis and out of a Moncur General sired homebred dam.
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Goldies Hotspur at 14,000gns
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Goldies Hardy sold for 8,000gns
Hamish Goldie recouped his entire 15,000gns spend within two hours when the first class prize winner, the 17 month old Goldies Hotspur TI +66, SRI +64 was knocked down sold to Russell, Mary and William Mill, who run 40 pedigree cows and 200 sucklers at Westfield , Thurso. “We liked his shape, length and accompanying good Breedplan data in particular eye muscle area which at +6.9 is within the breed’s top 1%,” said Mr Mill whose weaned calves consistently arrive within the day’s top 10% of prices at Quoybrae sales. A Goldies Elation son, and out of a homebred dam going back to Goldies Vicechancellor, 24 hours earlier he had been awarded the junior championship.
Later in the day Mr Goldie offered the 16 month old Goldies Hardy TI +60, SRI +60 for 8,000gns to Ross Farms, Gorebridge. Sired by the 8,000gns Blelack Blackberet, he was out of a homebred damline going back to the 14,000gns Goldies Banker.
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The Intermediate and Supreme Champion Culford Hector at 14,000gns
Two lots were bid to 14,000gns. First was the intermediate and overall supreme champion, the 18 month old Culford Hector TI +26, SRI +31, a Holstead Cracker son and out of Culford Cherry. He went to join David Renwick’s 130 cow suckler herd, Dundonnell, Ross-shire. “This bull stood out as soon as he came in to the ring, he was very correct,” he said. Event judge, John Jeffrey, Kersknowe was of a similar opinion when the previous day he gave Hector the intermediate title, before going on to award him the supreme championship. “He is very correct, very long and well fleshed throughout, and he first caught my eye when he came in to his class. Hector was a clear winner in the intermediate section and without doubt, carried that through to the top.”
For his exhibitors, Darren and Donna Knox, winning the Stirling silverware came as a surprise despite Hector’s success on this season’s show ring including winning the Royal Norfolk and National Charolais Show at The NEC. “A big thanks to all those who encouraged us to make this our first ever 700 mile round trip to Stirling, however we never expected he would take the supreme title. We’re thoroughly delighted,” explained Darren, farm manager to a mixed arable beef finisher unit at March, Cambridge who established the couple’s six cow Drumshane herd five years ago with a heifer from Donna as a 30th birthday present. Culford Cherry was introduced to the herd last year when she and the two week old Hector were secured as a cow and calf pair in Newark for 2,300gns from Stephen Flack, Suffolk.
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Elgin Highlander at 14,000gns
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Elgin Hallmark sold for 9,000gns
The day’s second 14,000gns bid was made by J Hepburn, Hawick for Elgin Highlander TI +44, SRI +42 bred and exhibited by the Milne family, James, Matthew and Sam, and parents Roy and Kirsty, Llanbryde, Elgin. Sired by the 10,000gns Thrunton Alpha, he was out of a homebred dam going back to Harestone Tyrol and half-sister to Elgin Catherine, this year’s Royal Highland champion.
Earlier on, the Milnes offered their 21 month old Elgin Hallmark TI +39, SRI +42 for 9,000gns to B Teasdale, Copley, Bishop Auckland. Sired by the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger, he was out of a homebred dam by Harestone Tyrol.
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Charbron Heredity at 12,000gns
Mike Brown, Barons Cross Charolais Stud, Aymestrey, Worcester was enjoying his best ever day at Stirling in 40 years of breeding Charolais. His sale leader at 12,000gns was Charbron Heredity TI +39, SRI +39, a 19 month old by the 25,000gns Goldies Unbeatable and out of a homebred dam going back to Burradon Talisman. With four top awards from the show season to his name, he was knocked down sold to B Buchan, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh.
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Charbron Honourable the reserve junior champion sold for 9,500gns
Next from Barons Cross’s 16 cow herd at 9,000gns to E Corfield and Son, Bishops Castle was the reserve junior champion, Charbron Honourable TI +36, SRI +39. A 16 month old Balthayock Matthew son, he was out of a homebred dam by Barnsley Piquet and he claimed the reserve supreme championship at Burwarton Show on his only other trip out.
Mr Brown’s final entry at 7,500gns was the 15 month old Charbron Harvest TI +42, SRI +44, another Balthayock Matthew son, out of a Burradon Talisman sired dam and accompanied by a string of tickets. The buyer was P and M Davies, Sennybridge.
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Dunesk Hero the first prize winner sold for 11,000gns
Father and son team, Graeme and Graeme Mather, Fern, Brechin went to 11,000gns for the first in class, Dunesk Hero TI +59, SRI +56, a Blelack Digger sired 18 month old and out of a homebred dam by Moyness Statesman from neighbours, Jimmy and Margaret McMillan, Farnell, Brechin.
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Cretlevane Hurricane at 11,000gns
The day’s second 11,000gns call came from HR Dalrymple, Ballantrae, Girvan for Cretlevane Hurricane, a 17 month old by the 7,000gns Thrunton Einstein and out of a homebred dam by Billingley Siralex from A McArthur, Balfron Station, Glasgow.
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Carscreugh Hernando sold for 10,500gns
Another Goldies Banker son in the money at 10,500gns was Carscreugh Hernando TI +46, SRI +50, a 19 month old with a string of this show season’s titles to his name. Bred and exhibited by AK Brooke, Glenluce, Newton Stewart, the buyer was Easter Tulloch Ltd, Laurencekirk.
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Blelack Highlander at 10,000gns
A bid of 10,000gns secured Blelack Highlander TI +66, SRI +60, for Alex Bayne and Son, Auchterader, Perth. Bred and exhibited father and son team, Neil and Graeme Massie, Aboyne, this 18 month old was by the 15,000gns Goldie Dynamite and out of a homebred dam by the 25,000gns Perth supremo, Thrunton Socrates.
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The 9,500gns Maerdy Harrypotter
Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold offered his highest entry Maerdy Harrypotter TI +55, SRI +50 at 9,500gns to K Mallarkey, Ythan Bank, Ellon. A 15 month old Kelton Trident son, he was out of a homebred dam going back to Royal Welsh interbreed champion, Maerdy Beauty. Harrypotter together with two of his stable mates by Trident won the champion group of three.
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Thrunton Hawkwind sold for 9,000gns
Next at 9,000gns was the 18 month old Thrunton Hawkwind TI +62, SRI +57, a son of the 26,000gns Balmyle Dickler and out of a Mortimers Politician sired homebred dam. Bred and exhibited by the Campbell family, Colin and sons Ian and John, Thrunton, Alnwick, he was knocked down sold to Balbirnie Home Farm, Freuchie, Fife.
Balthayock Homer TI +49, SRI +55, an 18 month old from David Walter, Balthayock, Perth changed hands for 7,500gns to A Miller and Sons, Thurso. Sired by the 8,000gns Ugie Echo, he was out of a homebred dam by the 26,000gns Balbithan Vespasian.
Major Walter secured a second 7,500gns bid in a split call from G D Pate and Sons, Humbie, and Aikeyside Farming, Haddington, East Lothian. Balthayock Horace TI +32, SRI +38 was another Echo son and out of a homebred dam going back to Balmyle Thunderbird.
Four entries shared a 7,000gns bid. First to go was the 19 month old Bonnykelly Herdsman TI +48, SRI +51 from Graeme Leggat, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh. A Newhouse Challenger son, he was out of a dam by Ravensworth Osbert and returned to Aberdeenshire with George Wordie, Glass, Huntly.
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Derryharney Happyharry sold for 7,000gns
Next at 7,000gns was Derryharney Happyharry TI +40, SRI +35, an 18 month old Shanlieve Rudie son and out of a homebred dam by the 10,000gns Perth supremo Thrunton Bonjovi. Bred and exhibited by Harold Stubbs and A Burleigh, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, Happyharry was knocked down sold to J Leiper and Sons, Ponteland, Newcastle.
A bid of 7,000gns secured John Jeffrey’s Kersknowe Hallmark TI +52, SRI +40, an 18 month old Sackville Dynamite son for near neighbours, J Morton and Son, Melrose.
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Cuanview Hero, the senior champion sold for 5,500gns
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Maerdy Huntly the reserve intermediate champion passed the ring unsold
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Vexour Galina, the Female Champion at 7,000gns
Female Section
Last but not least at 7,000gns was the supreme female champion, Vexour Galina TI +64, SRI +66, a two year old from Jan Boomaars, Woldingham. A Dingle Hofmeister daughter and out of a homebred dam going back to the 120 cow herd’s foundation animal, she went to join John Erskine’s Dartonhall herd, Killylea, County Armargh.
“The much improved trade for Charolais females came after a day’s trading for bulls which gave all the signs they would prove to be excellent investments for breeders either establishing new herds or further developing their established pedigree enterprises,” commented the society’s chief executive, David Benson.
Next at 4,800gns was Newhouse Gigi TI +40, SRI +33, a rising two year old Silver Joss daughter and out of a homebred dam by the 32,000gns Perth Junior champion Solitude Attaboy. She sold to S Middleton, Creevagh, County Derry.
A draft from D and M Campbell’s Caithness herd was led at 4,200gns by Caithness Georgie TI +27, SRI +30, two and a half year old heifer by Harviestoun Casino and out of a homebred dam by Moncur General. She went to Orkney with D Taylor, South Ronaldsay.
Two Casino sired heifers shared a 4,000gns bid. First was Caithness Fifi TI +40, SRI +38 sold in calf to Caithness Garth. The buyer was Clive Richardson, Portadown, County Armagh. Minutes later, Caithness Gipsy commanded a 4,000gns bid from P and H Bainbridge, Caldwell, Richmond.
Averages: 92 bulls £6,578; 9 females £4,142
Auctioneers: United Auctions
Prize Winner Line ups
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The Supreme and Reserve Supreme Champions l to r BCCS President Ralph Needham, Simon Brown CKD Galbraith (sponsor) Donna Knox, Darren Knox with Culford Hector, Martin Sivill with Maerdy Huntly and the judge John Jeffrey
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The Senior Champion Alan Burleigh with Cuanview Hero and Graeme Leggat with Bonnykelly Herdsman
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The Junior Champions, l t r Ralph Needham, Simon Brown, Hamish Goldie with Goldies Hotspur, Ewan McRobert with Charbron Honourable and John Jeffrey
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The Intermediate Champions. l to r Ralph Needham, CKD Galbraith Simon Brown, Darren Knox with Culford Hector, Martin Sivill with Maerdy Huntly and the judge John Jeffrey
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The Maerdy team sired by Maerdy Blackout won the Burnton Trophy for the best group of three bulls by the same sire owned and bred by the exhibitor
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The Female Champion Vexour Galina with Ray Firminger, CKD Galbraith’s Gordon McConachie, BCCS President Ralph Needham and the judge, John Jeffrey
Leading sires with a minimum of 3 bulls sold to qualify
| Sire | Number sold | Range (gns) | Average (£) | |
| 1 | Blelack Digger | 5 | 3,500 – 15,000 | 8,925 |
| 2 | Maerdy Dublin | 3 | 3,500 – 17,000 | 8,400 |
| 3 | Balmyle Bollinger | 3 | 4,250 – 9,000 | 6,667 |
| 4 | Kelton Trident | 3 | 4,000 – 9,500 | 6,650 |
| 5 | Balmyle Eclipse | 4 | 5,200 – 8,000 | 6,615 |
| 6 | Ugie Echo | 3 | 3,000 – 7,500 | 6,300 |
| 7 | Maerdy Blackout | 3 | 3,200 – 8,000 | 5,845 |
| 8 | Maerdy Deiniol | 5 | 3,500 – 6,500 | 4,998 |
| 9 | Gwenog Banjo | 4 | 2,600 – 6,000 | 4,620 |
| 10 | Thrunton Voldemort | 4 | 3,500 – 4,000 | 4,462 |
Top 10 leading herds with a minimum of 3 bulls sold to qualify
| Breeder/Prefix Number Range (gns) Average (£)sold | ||||
| 1 | A G Houston / Gretnahouse | 3 | 8,000 – 15,000 | 11,200 |
| 2 | W P Bruce Ltd / Balmyle | 4 | 5,200 – 22,000 | 10,946 |
| 3 | R A Milne / Elgin | 3 | 6,200 – 14,000 | 10,200 |
| 4 | Barons Cross / Charbron | 3 | 7,500 – 12,000 | 9,975 |
| 5 | M J Massie / Elrick | 3 | 3,500 – 17,000 | 8,400 |
| 6 | H Goldie / Goldies | 5 | 2,800 – 15,000 | 7,245 |
| 7 | D F W H & N R Walter / Balthayock | 3 | 3,000 – 7,500 | 6,300 |
| 8 | N F Massie / Blelack | 4 | 3,500 – 10,000 | 6,274 |
| 9 | H C Stubbs & A Burleigh / Derryharney | 3 | 4,800 – 7,000 | 6,055 |
| 10 | D E Evans / Maerdy | 6 | 3,000 – 9,500 | 5,775 |
Breakdown of bulls sold according to their terminal index
Number sold Range (gns) Average price (£)
Top 25% 71 2,400-22,000 6,455
Mid range 22 2,800-12,000 5,708
Bottom 25% 5 2,500-14000 6,520
Breakdown of bulls sold according to their calving ease direct
Number sold Range (gns) Average price (£)
Top 25% 26 2,600-15,000 5,911
Mid range 53 2,400-22,000 5,948
Bottom 25% 21 2,500-14000 6,230
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The tick tack boys Murray Hardie and Ross Fotheringham relay the bids to the auctioneers
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