ON February 6, the first British Limousin Cattle Society sale of the year took place at United Auctions, Stirling, smashing the previous year’s records with 52 bulls achieving an average of £6,689 (+£940 on 2022). A 93 per cent clearance rate demonstrates a strong demand for Limousin from both pedigree and commercial buyers.
Alice Swift, British Limousin CEO, said: “There was a super atmosphere at the sale, and it was great to see the market packed with breeders and buyers. The result was a strong trade which is extremely encouraging and fills me with a sense of optimism for the future.
“The wonderful thing about Limousin is the cattle speak for themselves, and the sale result was testament to that.”
Overall Male Champion and Senior Male Champion for the day was Elrick Shogun, who sold for 15,000gns, presented by MJ Massie, Mains of Elrick, Ellon. Born April 2021, at 21 months Shogun has a Beef Value of LM50, which is in the top 10% of the breed.
He is sired by the herd’s stock bull Whinfellpark Nobu, who was purchased in the Carlisle February 2019 sale for 7000gns. Shogun is out of the homebred cow Elrick Olga. Shogun went home with AC Fotheringham, Ballinloan, Perthshire. MJ Massie went on to sell a further two bulls, achieving an average of £10,850 for the day.
Judge for the day was Llyr Hughes of the Pabo Pedigree Limousin herd, who commented:
“The outstanding quality of stock presented made the task of judging a wonderful chal-lenge. All bulls were turned out to a very high standard with great style, shape, and presence. Overall Male Champion for the day was extremely square and correct with a great topline. The Junior Male Champion will be one to watch for the future.”
Reserve Intermediate Champion was Anside Samson, who sold for 14,000gns, brought forward by Mr and Mrs S Irvine, Braehead Farm, Keith. Samson, who was born April 2021, has a Beef Value of LM33.
He is sired by the homebred bull Anside Oden and out of the homebred cow Anside Odelia, who goes back to Goldies Fortress. At 21 months old Samson heads north to reside with M Meldrum, Shenval, Banffshire.
At 22 months of age, Dyke Saltire sold for 12,500gns to A and R Paton, Easter Greenhill, Falkirk. Saltire, who was presented for sale by JR MacGregor, Dyke Farm, Glasgow, and has double F94L myostatin and an impressive Beef Value of LM53, which is in the top 1% of the breed.
Born March 2021, he is sired by the herd’s stock bull Goldies Lordoftherings, which the herd purchased in Stirling, February 2017, for 12,000gns and out of the homebred cow Dyke Jolly. Messrs JR MacGregor sold a further five bulls, achieving an average of £7,315 on the day.
Junior Male Champion and selling for 12,000gns was Spittalton Scapa from J Burnett, Upper Spittalton Farm, Stirling. J Burnett sold a further three bulls, achieving an average of £7,455 for the day. Scapa, at 18 months old, born July 2021, has a Beef Value of LM36. He is sired by the herd’s stock bull Barrons Oj, which the herd bought in Carlisle, May 2019, for 9000gns. Scapa is out of the homebred cow Spittalton Nurse, who goes back to Burnbank Judge. He has a short journey home with William Thomson and Son, Hilton of Beath, Fife.
Westhall Superman flew out of the ring on a final bid of 10,000gns from purchasers D Baillie of the Calla Pedigree herd, Calla Farm, Lanark. Born May 2021, at 20 months old Superman displays double F94L myostatin and a Beef Value of LM39, which is in the top 25% of the breed.
He is sired by Newhouse Overfinlarg and out of the homebred cow Westhall Lecca. He was the first of two bulls presented for sale by M Fotheringham and H McNee, Over Finlarg Farm, Dundee, who achieved an average of £9,975 for the day.
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