Oban Autumn Sale 2021

Society Sale

12 Oct

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

Download Sale Average List

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 10000gns was achieved for the overall champion from the McConachie family’s Culfoich fold.

Overall champion, Carlin 6th of Culfoich, 10000 gns

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.

Securing a personal best of 10000gns 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.

Next best at 9000gns, was the second animal through the ring from Karen and Michael Macgregor’s 11-cow Eilean Mor fold at Port An Aiseig, Glenborrodale, Acharacle.

Also achieving a personal best for the couple when sold to Balrownie Farms, Brechin, was the three-year-old 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.

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, another record breaking price, after returning to the sale ring for the first time in 35 years.

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.

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.

Bonnie Ruadh 1st of Balemartine, 3500gns

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.

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.

Champion heifer calf, Cassie Buidhe 8th of Cladich, 1300gns

Reserve heifer calf, Fionnghal 3rd of Culloden, 1500gns

highland cattle saleshighland cattle shows

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