Highland Cattle autumn sale show hailed another success

A tremendous show of cattle met with an enthusiastic home audience who were making up for the fact that the regular trade between the UK and the rest of Europe, including Ireland, is on hold due to Bluetongue restrictions. By the end of the day, trade peaked at 13,000gns and averages were up in just about every category. The eight three-year-old heifers cashed for a level of £5145 (last year five averaged £5417); 14 two-year-olds hit £3712.50 12, £2616); 21 yearlings averaged £2735 (20, £2425.50) and 30 calves levelled at £2201.50 (27, £1983.75).

Topping the trade was the overall and senior champion, Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, from the Carnegie family, Kevin, Dylan and Ryan, who farm at Brechin, in Angus. They have made significant investment into the breed in the past few years and this classy heifer gave them a major payback when selling for 13,000gns to Kevin and Sonya Fletcher’s Coul Estates, Laggan, who have been regular purchasers of top flite cattle since starting their fold in recent years.

This red three-year-old is by Eoin Mhor 17 of Mottistone, which cost a record-breaking 23,000gns when purchased alongside Akeko’s dam, Catriona Akeko of Mottistone, which had cost 5500gns at that fold’s dispersal sale. She had been reserve female at the National Show, held this year at the Black Isle, and was also overall champion at Fettercairn and at the East of Scotland Club Show. She was sold in calf to the 3000gns Uilleam 2 of Earn.

The same home also got 7000gns for Lili of Balrownie, by the same sire and out of Lili 23 of Achnacloich. Paying that was Alfie Cheyne, from Mayen Estate, Rothiemay, Huntly. A significant buyer again at this sale, Mr Cheyne has recently purchased more land taking his holding up to 400 acres and is setting up a large fold of Highland cattle, plus a herd of Aberdeen-Angus. His 21 purchases at this sale cost more than £70,000 and a new stockman will be in place in January to look after the cattle.

The reserve two-year-old champion secured the second-best price of the day, 8500gns, when selling again to Coul Estate. From Karen and Michael Macgregor, Glenborrodale, Acharacle, Cadrann 4 of Eilean Mor is a red daughter of Harris of Balemartine and out of Cadrann of Eilean Mor.

Despite being unable to take any animals home because of export restrictions, the breed’s long-time German supporter, Falko Steinberg, put in the winning bid for the reserve overall and yearling champion, Lora 2 of Leys, from Leys Castle Farm, which is run by breed president, Hugh Saggers, with Dale Scott at the halter. Bred from a successful dam line going back to Mottistone, this daughter of Dougald 2 of Leys has been a bit of a star in the show ring, including being champion at Nairn and reserve at Sutherland.

The first-prize two-year-old heifer, Tara Geal 9 of Tordarroch, from John Cooper, Tordarroch, Inverness, was another to hit 7000gns when selling to Andrew Polson, Glenfinnan, Findon. By Macrae Charles of Maol she was out of Tara Geal 3 of Tordarroch.

Also at 7k was the champion calf from Jon and Queenie Strickland, Cladich, Dalmally. Their Frangag Ruadh A-Rithis of Cladich follows a strong line of calf champions from that fold and sold to Blackmountain Estate who get a red daughter of Angus 2 of Sorne.

Another from the same home, Sorcha Dubh A-Rithis 3 of Cladich, this time by Murchadh Dubh of Luruha, was knocked down at 6500gns when selling to American buyers, the Danielson family, from Iowa. This will be returning to Cladich for a future flushing programme.

The same buyers put Glasgow City Council’s famous Pollok fold into the top bracket with Siusan Ruadh 67 of Pollok, when they paid 5500gns to get this in-calf heifer. She’s by Prionnsa 2 of Balmoral and sold in calf to Josh of Ranch. The fold, managed by Matt Auld and Mel Curran, saw new apprentice, Hannah Walsh, take the halter for the ringside success.

The two-year-old champion, Esmi 3 of Gartocharn, from Jim and Catherine McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn, made 6500gns when selling to Alfie Cheyne. She is by Brodie of Culfoich and out of a former reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show, Catriona 3 of Gartocharn.

Another yearling heifer to make the grade was the third-placed Maree of Allanfearn, from Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton, from Strathpeffer. By Stuart Bheag of Cladich, she made 4800gns to Halford Farming, Peartree Farm, Newcastle.

Another from Pollok, Barabel 16 of Pollok, was one of three lots to make 4500gns. This brindle yearling is by Russell of Craigowmill and was knocked down to Alfie Cheyne, who also picked up the cow and calf combination, Ailsa 2 of Lyntoun, a seven year-old cow by All Ruadh of Crannich, with her bull calf at foot, at that price from David Dickson, Hamilton Hall Lodge, West Linton.

Also making 4500gns was Magaidh of Cross Requill, from JS and R Harris, South Shields Farm, Strathaven. A black yearling heifer, she’s a full sister to a 6500gns bull sold in February, being by Black Prince of Ranch and out of Magaidh of Commore, and made the cash to Blastamore Farms.

Judge was Mr Robert Wain. Auctioneers: UA Oban; Ken Fletcher.