THE strong commercial demand for pedigree Simmental bulls con-
tinued at the Stirling Simmental Sale on Monday, May 2, at United Auctions’ Stirling Agricultural Centre with a record average for the May fixture of £5,632, up by £287, for the 25 bulls sold.
The new mark eclipsed last year’s figure, which was also a Simmental record average for the May Sale.
Topping the sale at 8800gns was the September 2020 born Islavale Luxor from WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith. This bull, a heifer’s calf by Curaheen Bandit, and out of Islavale Candy 4 VG 86, was purchased by Messrs Farquharson & Son, Deuchar Farm, Forfar, Angus, for use in their 50-cow commercial herd.
Clark Farquharson said: “In visiting the Islavale herd and the quality of the females and the breeding behind this bull was very impressive. We like the Simmentals for their milkiness and quiet temperament and in purchasing this bull we very much hope to keep improving the quality of our females.” For the prolific Islavale herd it was another great day’s trading with further Islavale bulls selling for 8500gns, 7800gns twice, and 6000gns and to an average of £6,807 for the six sold.
The Stirling Simmental trade continued the run of breed sales that has seen a commercial and pedigree demand produce both in-
creased averages and clear-ance rates. Commenting after the sale, Iain Kerr, the society’s General Manager, said: “With an increasing industry cost base, commercial producers are looking for all-round efficiency.
“The benchmark of the Simmental breed is milky fertile, easy calving females. Add that to fast growing Simmental sired progeny and being the leading beef breed for age at slaughter, Simmentals are ticking a lot of boxes for the forward beef industry.”
As well as the increased breed average, the sale saw 25 of the 31 bulls forward sell
to give an 81 per cent clearance rate, and with 13 bulls in all making 5000gns and over.
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