The Aidansfield Salers herd was dispersed on Saturday, January 9th, 2021, following the death of its founder.
Conor Colgan, originally from Northern Ireland, died after collapsing on the farm in Northumberland on Friday, November 27th.
A spokesperson for the Salers Cattle Society UK said: “Conor had developed a state-of-the-art research station in Lowick, Northumberland, focused on feed efficiency, genetic improvement, and carbon reduction.”
“Conor loved cattle and he had a great eye for stock. This was reflected in the cattle presented at the market in Stirling and the subsequent support at the sale from pedigree and commercial buyers.”
Aidansfield Salers
There was a strong demand for younger breeding stock his herd dispersal sale.
United Auctions, Stirling, hosted the dispersal of the Aidansfield herd of pedigree Salers on behalf of the late Conor Colgan.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the market facilitated viewing and bidding in line with current regulations, streamed the sale live via their webcam as well as providing online and telephone bidding facilities.
Bulls
P & R Burbage of Oakfields Farm invested in 34 females to join their Salers herd based in Northampton.
They also purchased the top-priced animal of the day, Cleuchhead Kingpin, a Drumlegagh Brandon son out of Cleuchhead Jolie 8th for 5500gns. This bull was from the Gitan line, a very influential sire in France.
Taking the second top price of the day 5000gns was also for a stock bull, Tolquhon Napoleon. This July-2018-bull by Sligo Ohmy out of a Garou sired dam Tolquhon Amber went home to J M Aitken, Carlopshill, Penicuik.
Cows
There were 88 cows for sale and taking top spot in this section was a 2016-born Lowick Hall Granada, by Tolquhon Trafalgar out of Lowick Hall Charlotte. She sold for 3100gns to pedigree breeder Murray Lyle of Mid Cambushinnie, Dunblane for his Strathallan herd.
Murray Lyle also purchased the imported French cow Joice for 2500gns, a daughter by Atchoum, out of Colombe and Lowick Hall Galant for 2400gns, a Tolquhon Trafalgar-sired cow, both were in-calf to Gourmand.
John Martin & Son, Swinlees, Dalry purchased two cows. The first was Lowick Hall Gravitas by Tolquhon Trafalgar out of Lowick Hall Christine and in-calf to Gourmand for 2800gns. M
Matching that bid was A Minto & Son, West Linton for Lowick Hall Halle a 2017-born daughter of Tolquhon Bonaparte, in-calf to Gourmand. Swinlees also purchased Lowick Hall Gypsy another Trafalgar daughter for 2500gns.
Orr & Partners, West Calder acquired Lowick Hall Gucci for 2700gns.
Meanwhile, J & J Craig, Lanarkshire paid 2500gns for Lowick Hall Glenluce and J M Anderson. Banff also went to 2500gns for Lowick Hall Ingrid, a Highland daughter out of Lowick Hall Geraldine.
Other notable prices
New members to the Salers Cattle Society R.A. Armstrong, Hexham purchased four cows and two in-calf heifers.
The first was Cleuchhead Mhairi at 2000gns, next was Lowick Hall Gem for 2100gns. Also, for 2400gns they secured Lowick Hall Cantal, an Emir-sired daughter, Lowick Hall Paris, for 2600gns.
The two Gourmand sired in-calf heifers were both secured at 1900gns a piece for Lowick Hall Icicle and Aidansfield Julie.
Fenwick Jackson took home two cows and one in-calf heifer for his Cory herd at Jedburgh.
Lowick Hall Susie 2nd made 1000gns. Lowick Hall Gin, a Tolquhon Bonaparte daughter was secured at 2100gns and the in-calf heifer, a Gourmand sired daughter, Aidansfield Josephina made 2100gns.
J Wight, Biggar, also added two cows to his Carwood herd, Lowick Hall Cleopatra 1650gns and Lowick Hall Fiat, a Tolquhon Bonaparte daughter in-calf to Gourmand for 2200gns.
Society president, Tom Walling, Farmstock Genetics, Selkirk purchased two lots for his Cumbrian herd, Nature, an imported daughter of Hornfleur out of Hortensia, for 1750gns and Nanou an Icare daughter for 2200gns.
In-calf heifers
Topping the in-calf heifer trade was Aidansfield Janie another Bonaparte daughter out of Lowick Hall Verbier she sold to R C Gatherer, Johnstone for 2800gns.
Pedigree breeders Colin McClymont, (Cuil) Newtown Stewart purchased two Gourmand sired in-calf heifers Lowick Hall Illucidate for 2700gns and Aidansfield Judy for 2600gns. The McClymont’s also paid 1850gns for a Gourmand sired maiden heifer, Aidansfield Kelly.
Quigley (Ardmachree), Enniskillen purchased Lowick Hall Isabella for 2400gns. She joins his earlier purchase, Cleuchhead Gentle 1118 for 2200gns, on the trip back to Northern Ireland.
Society chair, Andrew Sleigh, Ellon, purchased Lot 104, Harperley Orleans for his Tolquhon herd for 2300gns. Furthermore, council member Rob Livesey, Melrose purchased Aidansfield Johanna, 2400gns and Aidansfield Jewel, a Gourmand-sired daughter for his Cleuchhead herd at 1900gns.
J M Aitken, (Carlophill) Penicuik purchased Aidansfield Joyce, 2100gns and Aidansfield Jemimah, 2200gns and W & A M Aitken of Scotstounbank, Blyth Bridge purchased four maiden heifers. These included Aidansfield Kid at 1250gns, Aidansfield Katie for 1300gns, Aidansfield Kim at 1250gns and the last female lot of the day Aidansfield Kohl, a Gourmand-sired heifer, for 1300gns.
R A Milne, Kennieshillock, Elgin purchased Aidansfield Kate at 1600gns and Aidansfield Krona, 1500gns.
Besides, P J Maginn & Sons, Lisnamaul take Aidansfield Kay and Aidansfield Kash back to Northern Ireland for 1550gns and 1800gns respectively
Summary – Aidansfield Salers dispersal sale:
- 88 cows sold, average £1929.87, top price 3100gns
- 41 in-calf heifers, average £2230.61, top price 2800gns
- 15 yearling heifers, average £1592.50, top price 1900gns
- 4 stock bulls, average £3806.25, top price 5500gns
