A joint top price of 18,000gns was achieved at the Luing Cattle Society sale at Castle Douglas for bulls from the Blackhouse and Craigdarroch herds.
Averages also improved in all sections and with a 96% clearance, albeit for reduced numbers.
Society chairman Stewart Wood, Garson, Orkney, said: “It was a great sale. Not many breeds will achieve a 96% clearance rate and there was a strong demand from both commercial and pedigree herds. The numbers are perhaps down on the year but they are back to where they were 10 years ago.
“Numbers were probably too high at one point and are at a better level now.”
Mr Wood also highlighted the breed’s first society sale, taking place at Stirling, on Monday, February 19.
“It is a great opportunity to showcase the breed to other breeders at Stirling and expose ourselves to all markets,” he said. “We are excited to see how it starts and hope it is something we can build on.”
First to make 18,000gns was Craigdarroch Becks from the Graham family, Craigdarroch, Sanquhar. Their 23-month-old bull is sired by Harehead Yogi, which was bought at the online sale for 15,200gns and is out of a Finlarg Nimrod-sired home-bred daughter. He was knocked down to Danny Sawrij, Kenzlie Farms, Galashiels.
Craigdarroch Banksy made 17,000gns for the same home when selling to Gary Hindmarsh, Blakehopeburnhaugh. This one is a son of Kirkland Yorkie, which bred last year’s 15,000gns entry and again out of a Finlarg Nimrod daughter.
Another the same way bred, Craigdarroch Bud, then made 8000gns to David Ferguson of Drannandow Farms, Newton Stewart.
The last lot in the ring, Blackhouse Bundee-Aki, from Billy and Andrew Renwick, Blackhouse, Yarrow, Selkirk, also made 18,000gns. This May 2022-born entry is a son of the previous record priced bull Nunnerie Xenon which made 25,000gns, and is out of a home-bred dam that goes back to Clunie Figo. He sold to David Harker, Over Thwaite Home Farm, Carnforth.
The last of the five-figure prices was attained by Nunnerie Buzzard which made 10,000gns for Alistair and David MacArthur, Nunnerie, Elvanfoot, Biggar. This May 2022-born bull is sired by the 17,000gns Finlarg Tornado, which has bred sons to 25,000gns.
He is out of a home-bred dam, by Dirnanean Justice, and found a new home in Golspie with AC and AL Mccall, Culmaily.
Andrew McNee, Benhar, Woodend, Armadale, also had a good day with a top price of 9000gns paid for Benhar Blacksmith. This March 2022-born bull is backed by home-bred genetics being sired by the 4000gns Benhar Zephyr, while the dam, Benhar Pansy, goes back to Benhar Dynamite.
He was knocked down to Neil Anderson, who was buying of behalf of Professor Penny’s Harehead unit at Cranshaws, Duns.
On the same price tag was the 22-month-old bull, Culmaily Brora, from the McCall family, Culmaily, Golspie. A son of Finlarg Ziggy, he is out of a Craigdarroch Texas daughter and sold to Robert and Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg, Dundee.
Next best at 8000gns was Commonside Brigadier from Graham, Kirsty and Fiona Dunlop, Commonside, Hawick. This March 2022-born entry is from the first crop of sons by the privately purchased Nunnerie Vegas, and out of Commonside Nickytams which goes back to Commonside Kintyre. He was purchased by LE Porritt, the Lampert, Brampton.
Among the females, a top price of 4200gns was paid for a pair of bulling heifers from the Graham family, Craigdarroch. The 22-month-old duo are both sired by Harehead Yogi and bred from Harehead Jake daughters. They were knocked down to Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Muthill, Crieff, who bought a further four bulling heifers from Craigdarroch at 3700gns twice and 3400gns twice.
In-calf heifers reached 3600gns for Benhar Lily from Andrew McNee, Benhar, when selling to the Hamiltons, Allanton, Darvel. This July 2021-born heifer is by Lammermuir Tremendous, bred from a Benhar Murray daughter and sold due to Benhar Adonis.
At the pre-sale show, judge Jamie Gilchrist, Ettrickshaws, Selkirk, found his champion pair in two Benhar in-calf heifers. The polled heifers from the McNees are sired by Milkieston Xavi, and sold for 2500gns per head to Allanton.
The first prize bulling heifers were two Benhar Tweed daughters from David and Andrew Barr, Milkieston, Peebles. These 21-month-old heifers sold to AC Burke, Nether Stewarton, Eddleston.
Auctioneers: Wallets Marts.
Averages: 22 bulls, £7832.05 (+£502.24 for four fewer), 19 in-calf heifers, £2232.63 (+£398.05 for 17 less), 47 bulling heifers, £2474.20 (+£888.70 for 13 less).
Leading Herd Averages
Herd (No) Top (gns) Avg (£)
Bulls
Craigdarroch (4) 18,000 12,469.00
Blackhouse (4) 18,000 8794.00
Benhar (3) 9000 6825.00
In-calf heifers
Benhar (7) 3600 2775.00
Rockcliffe (12) 2100 1916.00
Bulling heifers
Craigdarroch (6) 4200 3955.00
Milkieston (13) 2800 2512.00
Harehead (22) 2500 2339.00
Glenelrig (6) 1400 1409.00
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