A Highland bull from the Sorne fold at Kirriemuir, Angus, sold for what is believed to be a breed record at Oban Livestock Mart earlier this week.
Smashing breed records at 27,000gns on Tuesday, February 15th, was the March 2019-born bull from Angus 2nd of Sorne, from Ken Headspeath, who farms with daughter, Jordan.
Brought out with assistance from friends Robert Fletcher and Stacey Gibson, this lad stood senior bull champion and is by Angus 2nd of Earn, out of Eve 6th of Sorne.
United Auctions’ auctioneer, Raymond Kennedy knocked the gavel down to Jon and Queenie Strickland. They run the Cladich fold near Dalmally, alongside stockman Stuart Campbell, who was the judge of this year’s show.
15,000gns and under
On his heels at 15000gns, and selling to Sam Vogyl, Minnesotta, was Murchadh Dubh of Mottistone.
This March 2020-born bull is from a relatively new breeder, Ewen Macmillan of Lurg and Townhead Farms, Lurg Farm, Fintry, Glasgow.
Claiming the champion honours in the two-year-old section, he is by Coirneal 3rd of Balmoral, bred out of Solas Molach 4th of Mottistone, which bred the 23000gns Eoin Mhor 17th of Mottistone, sold at the Mottistone dispersal in 2020.
The same American buyer also forked out 10,000gns for Iain Ruadh of Glengoyne. This was a third prize two-year-old bull from Ewan Mackay’s Glengoyne fold at Killearn, Glasgow.
He is by former Oban junior male champion, Ceannard of Eilean Mor, out of Boidheach Ruadh 5th of Glengoyne.
This is the same female line as the 9,000gns Sobhrach of Eileen Mor, which stood senior champion heifer in October.
Also going under the hammer at 10,000gns, was the reserve senior champion Tearloch 2nd of Earn, from Heather Corrigall, Nigg, Ross-shire.
He is a full brother to Hector of Earn, which sold for 5000gns and sired the reserve champion at Stars of the Future and by Angus Ruadh of Wester Croachy, out of Magaida 1st of Earn. Murdo Maclean, Flichity Farm, Inverness secured this lot.
5,500gns and under
Meanwhile, Ardura Estate, Craignure, Isle of Mull, received 5500gns for third prize senior bull Seonaidh Mhor of Ardura.
Selling to Tom Nelson, Glengorm, he is by Callum Dubh of Craigowmill, out of Jennifer 1st of Glengorm.
Next best at 4,000gns was the best yearling bull, an April 2021-born bull named Alastair Ban of Cnoc na Sith, from Iain MacKay and Claire Simonetta, Torloisk Farm, Isle of Mull.
By a previous Alastair of Cnoc Na Sith, he is out of Dossan of 9th of Coirefuar, and ventures to Carol Weir, Blanefield House, Kirkoswald, Maybole.
Female prices
Meanwhile, females sold to a top of 6000gns for Robina Dhubh 17th of Cailaich from R and S Strachan, Cailaich Farm, Calgary, Isle of Mull, which also sold to Carol Weir, Blanefield House.
She is by Camus Dubh of Allanfearn, out of Robina Dubh 4th of Cailaich.
According to the society, two other females sold at 32,00gns. This included a second prize three-year-old heifer from Alastair Fitzsimon, Tregallon Farm, Lochfoot, Dumfries.
This was Smeorach 9th of Tregallon, by Sean Ruadh of Romesdal, which was purchased by Balrownie Farms, Menmuir, Brechin.
Matching that price tag was Red Grouse of Hartside by Ossian of Allanfearnm out of Beadarach Peigi of Burnbank.
