A strong show of pedigree bulls and females were exhibited at the Royal Northern Spring Show on Wednesday the 26th of February at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
The show held in conjunction with Aberdeen and Northern Marts was sponsored for the second year by NorthLink Ferries with Stephen Sutherland, Sibmister, Castletown, Thurso judging the pedigree bull’s section.
The pedigree bull sale saw a top price of 16,000gns achieved for the Champion Charolais Bull, with a total of 37 bulls averaging £6,913 and 4 Limousin Females averaging £3,123.75 (+ £236.25) from well-known consignors across the North East of Scotland going on to sell to new owners.
Averages: 9 Charolais, £9,625 (+£3,082.69); 12 Limousin, £6,125 (+560); 10 Simmental, £7,665 (+£1,832.73); 4 Aberdeen Angus, £5,625 (+900); 1 Saler, £4000; 1 Shorthorn, £3,800.
The Charolais breed once again topped the sale with the Champion Charolais, Bonnykelly Upperclass, a May 2023 born bull from R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, tapping out at 16,000gns selling on to J C McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, Westhill.
Judge Stephen Sutherland tapped Harestone Ujeanluc, the Champion Limousin as the Overall Spring Show Pedigree Bull Champion. The 22-month-old Limousin sired by Kersknowe Jake from R & N Barclay, Harestone Farm, Crathes, Banchory went onto sell for 9,000gns to B T Kitson, Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire.
Achieving the second top price of 13,000gns was Tonley Usher, a May 2023 born Charolais Bull from N A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford which went onto sell to B Mackie & Sons, Milton of Noth, Rhynie, Huntly.
J C Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss, Forres went onto sell their April 2023 born Simmental Bull, Coltfield Principal, for 10,000gns to G McConnach & Drumneachie, Birse, Aboyne. The Simmental Champion was awarded to 22-month-old, Backmuir Pacific, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith which tapped out at 8,000gns selling to J & J Henderson, Udale Farm, Poyntzfield, Dingwall.
Three additional bulls achieved 9,000gns, first being a Charolais, Bonnykelly Uppermost also sired by Kersknowe Jake from R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, which went onto sell to Gordon Wilson, Fichlie, Glenkindie, Alford. Next the Reserve Champion Charolais, Tonley Umpire, an August 2023 born Charolais Bull from N A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford sold to C & G Thomson, Upper Tillenhilt, Midmar. With Islavale Pizza, the Simmental Reserve Champion, a 15-month-old Simmental Bull from W S Stronach, Berryleys, Grange, Keith going on to sell to J P Clark Ltd., Kinnahaird Farm, Contin, Strathpeffer.
In the Aberdeen Angus section, a top price of 8,500gns was achieved for January 2023 born Ballindalloch Fernado from Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch Castle. Sired by Rosemead January, the Aberdeen Angus went on to sell to Mesr Rennie, Mosstonmuir, Guthrie, Forfar. A N Calcot & Blelack, Aboyne achieved 6,000gns for their 21-month-old Aberdeen Angus, Blelack Hill Ectasy, selling to J & A Kindness, Blackhouse, Methlick. The Champion Aberdeen Angus was awarded to 22-month-old Blelack Hill Energy from A N Calcot & Blelack, Aboyne achieving 4,000gns selling to A Mackay & Sons, Strath Farm, Watten Caithness.
Tapping out at a top price of 4,000gns in the Any Other Breed of Bull section was the Any Other Breed Champion from J C McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, Westhill. The 23-month-old Saler, Corrichie Tate, sold to Firm of Macke, Whitebog, Fortrose, Ross-shire.
In the sale of Limousin females from J Penny & Son, Shannas, Clola, Peterhead, a top price of 3,000gns was achieved three times over, selling to H & R Davidson, Corsairtly Farms, Keith, Moray; D W Youngson, Turhill, Auchtylair, Stuartfield and to A R Ironside, Cairnbo, Gamrie.
Scott Chapman, auctioneer at Aberdeen and Northern Marts said “The annual Spring Show and Sale of bulls seen a great demand for all breeds which resulted in averages greatly increased on the year.
"We’d like to thank Stuart Garrett, Managing Director of NorthLink Ferries for his continued support and for presenting the overall championship.”
PRIZE LIST
Class 1: Charolais Bulls – Born on or after 5th May 2023 and before 2nd June 2023
1st – Lot 7 from Mr R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh
2nd – Lot 5 from J A Wilson & Sons, Kinclune, Glenkindie, Alford
3rd – Lot 9 from J A Wilson & Sons, Kinclune, Glenkindie, Alford
4th – Lot 11 from N A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford
Class 2: Charolais Bulls – Born on or after 2nd June 2023
1st – Lot 17 from N A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford
2nd – Lot18 from C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Braes of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch
3rd – Lot 19 from J & S Middleton, Cowfords Farm, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh
4th – Lot 14 from J A Wilson & Sons, Kinclune, Glenkindie, Alford
Charolais Bull Champion
Lot 7 from Mr R Leggat, Mormond Prop., New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh
Charolais Bull Reserve Champion
Lot 17 from N A Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford
Class 3: Limousin Bulls – Born on or after 4th March 2023 and before 17th April 2023
1st – Lot 27 from Ian Miller, Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie
2nd – Lot 24 from D J Mckerrow & Sons, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon
3rd – Lot 28 from M J Massie, Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon
4th – Lot 31 from R & K Davidson, Corsairtly Farm, Keith
Class 4: Limousin Bulls – Born on or after 17th April 2023
1st – Lot 35 from N R Barclay, South Road, Insch
2nd – Lot 36 from A & J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk
3rd – Lot 33 from Ian Miller, Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie
4th – Lot 38 from A & J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk
Limousin Bull Champion
Lot 35 from N R Barclay, South Road, Insch. Well done!
Limousin Bulls Reserve Champion
Lot 27 from Ian Miller, Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie
Class 5: Simmental Bulls – Born on or after 15th March 2023 and before 24th April 2023
1st – Lot 47 from R & A Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith
2nd – Lot 42 from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon
3rd – Lot 44 from R & A Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith
4th – Lot 45 from J C Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Forres
Class 6: Simmental Bulls – Born on or after 24th April 2023
1st – Lot 55 from Mr W S Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith
2nd – Lot 49 from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon
3rd – Lot 53 from Mr G W Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk
4th – Lot 50 from R & A Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith
Simmental Bull Champion
Lot 47 from R & A Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith.
Simmental Bulls Reserve Champion
Lot 55 from W S Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith
Class 7: Aberdeen Angus Bull
1st – Lot 59 from A N Calcott & Son, Blelack, Dinnet
2nd – Lot 61 from A J Norrie ESQ, Wrae Farm, Turriff
3rd – Lot 60 from A N Calcott & Son, Blelack, Dinnet
Aberdeen Angus Bull Champion
Lot 59 from A N Calcott & Son, Blelack, Dinnet
Aberdeen Angus Bull Reserve Champion
Lot 61 from A J Norrie ESQ, Wrae Farm, Turriff
Class 8: Any Other Breed of Bull
1st – Lot 64 from McIntyre J C & Son, Milton of Cullerlie
2nd – Lot 62 from Rattray Estate Ltd, Home Farm Rattray
3rd – Lot 63 from Rattray Estate Ltd, Home Farm Rattray
Any Other Breed of Bull Champion
Lot 64 from McIntyre J C & Son, Milton of Cullerlie
Any Other Breed of Bull Reserve Champion
Lot 62 from Rattray Estate Ltd, Home Farm Rattray
Overall Champion Bull Pedigree
Lot 35 from N R Barclay, South Road, Insch