Aberdeen Angus Show & Sale

The Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society held their annual spring sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, part of the native multi breed sale held on 20^th May.  A much reduced entry forward than catalogued were a selective trade with 36 bulls of the 54 forward changing hands, a 67% clearance.  The females were much the same with 18 of the 28 forward sold, resulting in a clearance rate of 64%.  The bulk of the trade was underpinned by a solid commercial demand for both bulls and females.

The pre-sale show was ably judged by young breeder Nicola Howie, Cairnton, Aberdeenshire, who found her Champion in Gretnahouse Blacksabbath X383 having been Junior Champion, and selling for 7250 gns outside the ring.  Gretnahouse Blacksabbath is a November 2021 born ET son of Rawburn Fastball, and out of a Blelack dam.  Reserve Junior Champion was Brailes Black Bruce Y233, a February 2022 born Brailes Fabulous son out of a Weeton Blackbird female, and sold for 7000 gns to Messrs V & S Wallace, Co. Londonderry.  The Senior and Reserve Overall Champion, Newbank Fergus X379 was unsold through the ring.  The Reserve Senior Champion was awarded to Ettrick Gregor X290, consigned by Gordon Gray, Selkirk, went on to sell for 6200gns and goes home to commercial cows at Messrs Gray of Unthank.  Alistair Clark & Sons, Duncanziemere, Ayrshire sold two bulls to average 8000 gns, the best of which was Duncanziemere Jupiter Y470, a youngster out of the last 3 in the catalogue, and only 13 months old on sale day.  Jupiter realised the top price of the day for the breed, selling to 10,000gns for this entirely home bred bull calf, who is away to pedigree work shared between Messrs Graham, Carruthers and Messrs McCornick at Newton Stewart.  Next best was Messrs McSporran, Eilean, Innerleithen who sold Eilean Errol X196, a 2 yr old Schivas Jason Eric son, for 7000 gns to Ardyne Organic Farms Ltd, Dunoon.  Gordon Gray, Ettrick, sold first prize winner in class 2, Ettrick Banker X286, for 6000 gns to Messrs Pate, Toxside, Gorebridge for commercial work.   Neil Wattie of Tonley, Alford sold 4 bulls to average 5125 gns, the best of which was Tonley Elpaso X906, a September 2021 homebred senior who realised 6500 gns and goes home with PC Charleton, Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland.  Dr William and Mrs Margaret Taylor of Crookhill, Stocksfield, Northumberland sold two of their entry to average 4250 gns with their best realising 5500 gns for Crookhill Ecosse X055, who sold to Messrs Wilson, Moniave, Thornhill, again for commercial work.  Two further bulls reached 5000 gns, the first was Harry Hodgson’s Harold Billy Bob X226, and the second was Christopher Timm’s Wensleydale Euphemara Xrated X066.

Females met a selective demand with the top price being McCornick Ellen Erica Y238, who was just a yearling heifer and joins her stable mate heading to Mark Halstead, Norfolk.  Martin McCornick averaged just shy of 2000 gns for 4 sold on the day.  Next highest price came from a consignment of 8 yearling heifers from RJ & LA Acton, Bardon Mill, Hexham.  Their top was Housesteads Enya Y877, having been purchased by Cannon Farm Partnership, Welshpool.   Messrs WD Allen, Humbleheugh, Alnwick sold their pair of heifers for 2000 gns each, both away to different homes in Dumfriesshire.  Alistair Clark, Duncanziemere also sold a pair of heifers for 2000 gns each.  Matching that trade were  Andrew Hodge and daughter Emma who sold their first prize heifer in the pre-sale show, Rulesmains Kitty Y641, purchased by Messrs Holden who bought a pair of heifers on the day.  The last at 2000gns was a two year old heifer with calf at foot, consigned by Dr William and Mrs Margaret Taylor, Crookhill Miss Bishampton X052.