Society Sales

124th ANNUAL AUTUMN SALE

Sunday 10th & Monday 11th October, 2021

Averages: 3 three-year-old heifers, £6300; 6 twoyear-old heifers, £1872.50; 13 yearling heifers, £2511.92; 11 heifer calves, £2166.81.

The Highland Cattle Society’s annual autumn show and sale made a welcome return to Oban Livestock Centre this week, where a top price of 10,000gns was achieved for the overall champion from the McConachie family’s Culfoich fold.

Breeders witnessed increased averages compared to the previous sale held in 2019, particularly for younger females as yearling heifers traded £1393.17 dearer on the year, while heifer calves increased by £1248.06.

Carlin 6th of Culfoich, 10,000gns.

Securing a personal best of 10,000gns for past president Gordon McConachie, and his family who run 20 females near Grantown-on-Spey, was Carlin 6 of Culfoich, which judge Jim McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn, tapped out as champion the previous day.

This April, 2020-born heifer shown by daughter Rachael, is by the 3600gns Jacob 2 of Benmore, which stood male champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2019, and previously bred two yearling female champions at Oban for the family.

Bred out of Laria 1 of Culfoich, which won the junior championship at the Royal Highland Show in 2010, this rising yearling heifer sold to Germany with Falko Steinberg, who purchased his first Highlander at Oban in 1988 and now runs 17 breeding females.

Sobhrach 2nd of Eilean Mor, 9000gns.

Also achieving a personal best for the couple when sold to Balrownie Farms, Brechin, was the three-yearold heifer champion Sobhrach 2 of Eilean Mor, which is due to calve in March to Harris of Balemartine.

Backed with successful breeding lines behind her, she is sired by Ceannard 16 of Cnoc, out of a previous Sobhrach of Eilean Mor, and is a full sister to the reserve female champion in 2019 which sold for 8000gns.

Banrigh 10th of Hyndford, 7000gns.

Lanarkshire breeder Alan Prentice, of the Hyndford fold, Ravenstruther, sold his dearest female to date when his three-year-old heifer, Banrigh 10 of Hyndford, made 7000gns.

This heifer is by Alasdair 4 of Douglas, a bull which has done well for Alan on the show circuit, and is bred out of Banrigh 4 of Hyndford.

In-calf to Torquil 2 of Ubhaidh, she was purchased by Ewen Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry.

It was a particularly memorable day for The Applecross Trust team from Strathcarron, when they topped the heifer calf trade at 6700gns, after returning to the sale ring for the first time in 35 years.

Ila Dhubh of Applecross, 6700gns.

Brought out by stockpersons Michael Summers and Floortje VanSchuppen, was the black February-born Ila Dhubh 2 of Applecross, by Angie Beag of Miungarigh, out of Ila 7 of Applecross.

She was knocked down to Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton, Annan, who was buying on behalf of a client.

John Cooper’s Culloden fold at Tordarroch Estates, near Inverness, produced the next top price of 3600gns for March-born heifer calf, Heather 17 of Tordarroch.

She is by Macrae Charles of Maol, out of Heather 3 of Tordarroch, and sold to Emma Macri-Waller.

Bonnie Ruadh 1st of Balemartine, 3500gns.

Just behind at 3500gns, from the Armstrong family’s Balemartine fold on the Isle of Tiree, was Bonnie Ruadh 1 of Balemartine, which stood reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show.

This April, 2020-born heifer is by Uisage Beatha of Dunach, out of Virgina Buide 2 of Cnoc, and was purchased by Morag Middleton, Barna fold.

Last to hit the 3000gns bracket was Neoinean Ruadh 6 of Leys, from Leys Castle Farm, Inverness.

Brought out by farm manager Hugh Saggers, and stockman Dale Scott, this January, 2020-born heifer from the 35-cow herd, is by Sir Lawrence 11 of Springfield, out of Neoinean Ruadh 4 of Leys, and sold to Willie MacLean, Inverglen, Barcaldine, Oban.

Karen and Michael Macgregor were back in the money at 2300gns for the yearling heifer Ros Dath Airgid 2 of Eilean Mor, which sold to Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton.

She is by the same sire as the 9000gns sale, out of Ros Dubh of Eilean Mor.

The pre-sale show held on the Sunday, attracted a large crowd of spectators, and saw sisters Sophie and Tara Adams from Aberdeenshire, lead the way amongst the young handlers.

Sophie stood first in the class of 15 to 18-year-olds and went on to take the overall champion accolade, while Tara won the under 14 years section and stood reserve to her elder sister.

Katrina Macarthur

Fionnghal 3rd of Culloden, 1500gns.

PRIZE LIST Three-year-old heifer - 1 and champion three-year-old, Sobhrach 2 of Eilean Mor, 9000gns; 2 and reserve champion three-year-old, Bileag Bhaite 3 of Craigowmill, unsold; 3, Morag 72 of Woodneuk, 2000gns. Two-year-old heifer – 1 and champion two-year-old, Princess Dubh 11 of Craigowmill, 2000gns; 2 and reserve champion two-year-old, Prosaig Dubh of Shenavallie; 3, Iolar 3 of Woodneuk, unsold. Yearling heifer – 1, Neoinean Raudh 6 of Leys, 3000gns; 2, Roxanne 2 of Culloden, 2000gns; 3, Bachy Mor 41 of Woodneuk, 1600gns. Yearling heifer – 1, yearling heifer champion and overall champion, Carlin 6 of Culfoich, 10,000gns; 2 and reserve overall champion, Bonnie Ruadh 1 of Balemartine, 3500gns; 3, Sorcha 5 of Woodneuk, 1400gns.

Heifer calf – 1 and champion heifer calf, Cassie Buidhe 8 of Cladich, 1300gns; 2, Furan Magaidh 3 of Cladich, 1600gns; 3, Lady Jane Stuart 3 of Cladich, 1600gns. Heifer calf – 1 and reserve heifer calf, Fionnghal 3 of Culloden, 1500gns; 2, Princess Abbie Campbell of Cladich, 1200gns; 3, Roxanne 3 of Culloden, 1000gns. Yearling bull – 1 and champion, Prionnsa Gilleasbaig of Craiglusker Farm Fold, 1100gns. Bull calf – 300291 of Tordarroch, 520gns.

Prionnsa Gilleasbaig of Craigluscar Farm Fold.

Tara Gael 8th of Tordarroch, 3600gns.

131st ANNUAL SPRING SALE

Sunday 10th & Monday 14th February, 2022

History was well and truly made at the 131st annual spring show and sale of Highland cattle at Oban on Monday, when a new breed record of 27,000gns was achieved for a three-year-old bull from the Sorne fold at Kirriemuir, Angus.

A packed ringside of spectators and buyers were present over the two-day event, including breeders from Holland, Germany, Italy, France and America, who witnessed fierce bidding for the best of Highland bulls.

Angus 2nd of Sorne, 27,000gns.

Smashing breed records at 27,000gns and setting a new centre record for Oban Livestock Market, was the March, 2019-born bull from Angus 2 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 2 of Earn, out of Eve 6 of Sorne.

United Auctions’ auctioneer Raymond Kennedy, knocked the gavel down to Jon and Queenie Strickland, who run the Cladich fold near Dalmally, alongside stockman Stuart Campbell, who was the judge of this year’s show.

Murchadh Dubh of Mottistone, 15,000gns.

Next best, at 15,000gns, when selling to Sam Vogyl, Minnesotta, was Murchadh Dubh of Mottistone a March, 2020-born bull from relatively new breeder Ewen Macmillan of Lurg and Townhead Farms, Lurg Farm, Fintry, Glasgow.

Eoin Mhor of Black Glen, 3000gns.

Lifting the champion honours in the two-year-old section, he is by Coirneal 3 of Balmoral, bred out of Solas Molach 4 of Mottistone, which bred the 23,000gns Eoin Mhor 17 of Mottistone, sold at the Mottistone dispersal in 2020.

Iain Ruadh of Glengoyne, 10,000gns.

The same American buyer also paid 10,000gns for Iain Ruadh of Glengoyne, 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 5 of Glengoyne, which is the same female line as the 9000gns Sobhrach of Eileen Mor, which stood senior champion heifer in October. Also selling for 10,000gns, was the reserve senior champion Tearloch 2 of Earn, from Heather Corrigall, Nigg, Ross-shire.

Full brother to Hector of Earn, which sold for 5000gns and sired the reserve champion at Stars of the Future, he is by Angus Ruadh of Wester Croachy, out of Magaida 1 of Earn.

The buyer was Murdo Maclean, Flichity Farm, Inverness.

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 Thaggnam, out of Jennifer 1 of Glengorm.

Alastair Ban of Cnoc-na-Sith, 4000gns.

Not far behind at 4000gns 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 9 of Coirefuar, and sold to Carol Weir, Blanefield House, Kirkoswald, Maybole.

Robina Dhubh 17th of Cailaich, 6000gns.

Females sold to a top of 6000gns for Robina Dhubh 17 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 4 of Cailaich.

Two other females sold at 3200gns including second prize three-year-old heifer from Alastair Fitzsimon, Tregallon Farm, Lochfoot, Dumfries.

Smeorach 9th of Tregallon, 3200gns.

This was Smeorach 9 of Tregallon, by Sean Ruadh of Romesdal, which was purchased by Balrownie Farms, Menmuir, Brechin.

Red Grouse of Hartside, 3200gns.

Matching that price when sold to RSPB, Kinnabus Farm, Islay, was Red Grouse of Hartside, by Ossian of Allanfearnm out of Beadarach Peigi of Burnbank.

Katrina Macarthur

PRIZE LIST Class 1 - Two-year-old bull – 1 and reserve champion two-year-old, Magnus Dubh 2 of Leys; 2, Prionnsa Dubh of Craigluscar Farm Fold; 3, Black Grouse 2 of West Edmondsley. Class 2 - Two-year-old bull – 1, Muilleach of Rannoch; 2, Hector 2 of Tordarroch; 3, Ruairidh Mhor of Black Glen. Class 3 - Two-year-old bull – 1, champion two-year-old and overall male champion, Murchadh Dubh of Mottistone; 2, Jock of Sguir Mor; 3, Iain Ruadh of Glengoyne. Class 4 – Senior bull – 1, senior bull champion and reserve male champion, Angus 2 of Sorne; 2 and reserve senior champion, Tearloch 2 of Earn; 3, Seonaidh Mhor of Ardura. Class 5 – Aged bull - 1, Eoin Mhor of Black Glen; 2, Flath of Benmore. Class 6 – Yearling bull – 1 and reserve yearling bull champion, 100439 of Glenkinglass; 2, 300940 of Castles Estate; 3, 700006 of Balrownie. Class 7 – Yearling bull – 1 and best yearling champion, 300708 of Cnoc Na Sith; 2, 100052 of Brindle Point Croft. Class 9 – Three-year-old heifer – 1 and overall female champion, Red Grouse of Hartside; 2, Smeorach 9 of Tregallon; 3, Claggorm 52 of Glengarnock. Class 10 – Two-year-old heifer – 1 and champion twoyear-old heifer, Smeorach 10 of Tregallon; 2, Iona of Cairnross; 3, Isla of Cairnross. Class 11 – Two-year-old heifer - 1 and reserve champion two-year-old, Alice 22 of Tordarroch; 2, Boideach 2 of Hunters; 3, Fiochag 6 of Hunters.

Nighean Dubh of Luruha 2800gns.

Class 12 – Yearling heifer – 1, champion yearling and reserve female champion, Nighean Dubh of Luruha; 2 and reserve champion yearling, Caileag Bheag of West Edmondsley; 3, Julie 7 of West Edmondsley. Class 13 – Yearling heifer – 1, Fraoch Dhubh of Cailaich; 2, Robina Dubh 17 of Cailaich; 3, Millie Carlin 6 of Craigluscar Farm Fold. Junior young handlers 13 years and under – 1, Ethan Braines; 2, Tara Adams and Eva Armstrong. Junior young handlers aged 14-18 years – 1, Callum Mackay; 2, Eilidh Mackay; 3, Iona Mackay. Overall Junior Handler – Ethan Braines Best presented exhibit – Smeorach 9 of Tregallon. Best pair of females – Hunters Fold. Reserve – Cailaich Fold.

Young Handlers Report

When initially asked to judge the young handlers class, I will be honest and say I wasn’t really looking forward to it. This class has been getting stronger every year, with increasing entry numbers. Although great to see such enthusiasm from the young ones, I was feeling slightly daunted by the task ahead of me.

Once all exhibitors were in the ring, I could see they were extremely competent exhibitors. They had obviously done a lot of other shows before, but more importantly, it was clear they had done a lot of preparation at home as well.

Calum MacKay.

In the under 14’s class, Ethan Braines was my standout first place, who then went on to win the overall young handlers championship. I loved his style from the moment he entered the ring. He oozed confidence, and even with his grandfather beside him, he never once looked for reassurance or support as he kept his eyes firmly on myself as the judge.

He had great style when showing the animal. He was holding the halter in the correct manner and had the animal’s head up in the air to get my attention. He always made sure his animal was standing correct and behaved at all times. I asked all the handlers different questions about their animal, and again Ethan was very confident in his answers. One question I asked was if he had worked with the heifer much at home. He replied “she was a little naughty to start with at home, but we worked with her after school to get her a little quieter.”

Another question I asked a lot of the other exhibitors was what they liked so much about the breed, to which many replied “the quiet nature of the breed and the friends they had made within the Society”, which I can truly relate to. Another question I asked was if they were keen to join the agricultural industry once leaving school. The general response was that they would like to be part of it. It was very reassuring to see such good numbers competing in these classes.

Ethan Braines.

In the 14-18 years class, Calum MacKay was my first place and he was also my reserve champion young handler. He impressed me with his showmanship in bringing out a large 2 year old bull. The whole time he was in the ring, he showed he had good control of the animal in a large ring of other exhibitors.

Calum was also very confident when answering questions, for example how many cows were in his family’s fold and the breeding behind the bull he was showing. He showed he had a clear interest in the Highland breed. Once I had placed my exhibitors, I said to Calum “you should have shown the bull in his own class, as you did a more professional job than your father!”

One of the things I would like to mention is that first impressions are a big part when showing, however I feel it is more important the way the animal is brought out and shown to a high standard. I also think it is very important to prepare and practice at home, and it was evident throughout both classes that they are all going to make talented stock men and women in the future.

Stuart D. Campbell

Four top tips from myself would be: 1. Always keep your eyes on the judge 2. Practice as much as possible at home 3. Always be smart and confident 4. Never be frightened to ask questions

From Where I Stood

Oban Highland Sale Spring 2022

One never can predict how any event such as our recent annual Oban sale will go as there are so many factors involved. These include the number and quality of cattle on offer, demand and to some extent the prevailing economic conditions within the cattle sector. From where I stand it looks as though our industry going to undergo quite dramatic changes in relation to how it is supported. Will those changes favour more grassbased production systems and in turn favour native breeds; who knows? What I do know is the interest in the Highland breed from across the world has never been higher. The international audience at our recent sale is testimony to that, along with the fact that seldom a week will pass where I will not receive an enquire for semen or embryos; last week I had an enquire from a Highland breeder in Alaska.

All of this goes some way to explain the high level of interest from Highland breeders from the United States at our recent Oban sale. US breeders are looking for cattle with breed character and probably more importantly structural correctness which will help to broaden genetic diversity on the North American continent and beyond, making semen and embryos available to Highland breeders worldwide.

The weekend itself got of to a great start with what I considerd to be a highly entertaining show on Sunday morning. Although the two-year-old bulls were not in many cases quite as good as former years most of the prize winners were shown in good form and were in demand the following day.

The senior bulls were somewhat the same with two of the top bulls sought after with more than a little enthusiasm by home based breeders.

Yearling bulls were probably the most consistent class, showing plenty of power and growth potential, the youngest coming out on top by the end of the judging. They also met with a strong demand from home-based breeders.

The female section was somewhat lacking as there were no senior heifers on offer which in past years always put on a great show being very difficult to beat when it came to the championship award. Nevertheless the quality of the heifers in the three-year-old class went some way to make up for the lack of in-calf heifers, with first time exhibitors coming to the fore and being worthy winners of the championship award at the end of the show. The two-year-old heifer section although lacking numbers produced what many thought to be the heifer with the most potential, ending up a worthy reserve champion.

The yearling section produced what was probably the finest show of black Highland females seen at any sale for many years and selling well beyond sellers’ expectations; many more could have been sold to advantage.

The highlight of the day occurred prior the female championship award with the ever-popular young handlers competition. The senior section was especially hotly contested. I do not recall seeing so many young handlers in the ring showing cattle with such a high degree of professionalism, never putting a foot wrong whilst at the same time showing the cattle under their charge always to advantage regardless as to where they stood in the eventual line-up.

Our judge took time to talk to each of the young exhibitors, whilst at the same time keeping them in suspense prior to making his final decision, a job really well done by all concerned.

At the conclusion of the show I was more than a little convinced that the following day would go well. You could sense the positivity around the ringside during the show along with the enquires directly afterwards. Having said that what turned out to be a record braking sale was somewhat in excess of even my expectations.

All of the exhibitors have to be congratulated with regards to the presentation of all of the exhibits, it was first class. The first-time exhibitors can be justly proud of the awards they gained, they were worthy winners. Keep up the good work - you were a credit to the Highland breed.

At the end of the event what I asked myself was this. Some of our largest fold owners have been somewhat noticeable by their absence at our Oban sales in recent years - will they be tempted to enter stock at forthcoming sales and take on the young guns? I would like to think so.

I left our Oban event with the feeling that our Highland breed is without question in very good hands with so many enthusiastic young breeders coming to the fore; they played a big part in what was, a highly successful event.

Looking forward to seeing them all again in October.

Angus Mackay