A NEW record price has been paid for a two-year-old Scottish-bred Aberdeen-Angus bull, which has raised hopes that the once lucrative export trade with the United States could open up again.

An American buyer has paid 75,000gns – believed to be a UK record price

– for Balmachie Black Bear, bred by John Lascelles snr and jnr of Balmachie, Carnoustie, Angus. This marks a new milestone for the and a re-opening of the export market to the USA, which was a leading destination for Aberdeen-Angus bulls in the 1950s and 1960s.

In fact, the existing record price at public auction, 60,000gns, has stood since 1963 when Lindertis Evulse was sold at Perth. The hope now, is that Black bear will not suffer the same fate as Evulse, which was put down after proving infertile.

“This is a major breakthrough for Aberdeen-Angus in the UK and we are delighted to have achieved this sale,” said John Lascelles, jnr, who has paraded the bull to championship success at three top shows over the past year.

“The buyer first saw the bull at the Royal Highland Show last June and has been relentlessly trying to buy him ever since. I am pleased that we have been able to retain the UK semen rights so the influence of this outstanding young bull will not be lost to the UK.”

Black Bear, a son of Rawburn Lord Ross and out of a Blelack-bred cow, by Blelack Lord Hornblower, has been in the championship line-up every time he has been shown. He was reserve supreme at the Scottish National Calf Show as a 10-month-old calf in 2008, the junior and reserve supreme championship at the Royal Highland Show, last June, and then supreme at the National Calf Show, at Carlisle, last October.

The buyers are husband and wife, Jackie and Kelly Grisson, of 8G Angus near Dallas, Texas, who have leading herds of both Angus and Brangus (Brahman cross Angus) and have built up a strong export trade in semen to Brazil and Venezuela.

Mrs Grisson saw the bull at the Highland Show and returned for the calf show in October determined to buy him. “American breeders are tending to breed smaller Aberdeen-Angus these days and Mrs Grisson was keen to buy a bull with greater growth potential to suit the conditions in their part of the US,” said Mr Lascelles.

The bull will remain at Balmachie for showing at the Highland in June before being sent to UK Sire Services, in Devon, for semen collection. He will then be shipped to the USA and Mr Lascelles has been asked to show him at the Houston Show.