As the main sponsor of the two day Christmas shows and sales of cattle and sheep at the Caledonian Mart, Stirling, we were pleased to see so many old (and new) clients and it was great to see that trade that was up on last year for both the cattle and the sheep.
George Hipwell, Neil Menneer, Grant Pyle and Alasdair Allan were meeting up with the farming community at the mart and made the following observations:
- Market prices for livestock (cattle and sheep) continues to be strong with year on year increases – we saw sheep averaging out at £97.59 – up £22.62 on last year.
- Strong farmgate prices continue to provide confidence to the farming sector however there is still uncertainty on the horizon.
- It was clear that across both days the same topics of discussion arose.
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- Naturally, discussions were around the land market – in terms of sales and values – read our 2021 sales and valuations summary.
- What next and what opportunities lie ahead focused heavily on diversification/ woodland creation on a farm scale and the ever-present discussion around carbon – be that selling units or cutting carbon footprint.
- The future of farm subsidies is still hotly debated as were discussions around the challenges facing the rural sector in terms of availability of labour, rising input costs, climate change and the political landscape.
Christmas Prime Cattle Show and sale – 2nd December
The Judge of the day was Mr Ryan Briggs of Briggsy’s Quality Butchers, Jedburgh. What caught Ryan’s eye was a fully correct Limousin Bullock from C & K Malone, Pitcairn which was picked out as Overall Champion. The Bullock weighed in at 552kg and the hammer went down at 400ppkg, bought by Ryan of Briggy’s Butchers, Jedburgh.
Reserve Champion went to a Native Bred Heifer from D Dickinson, Brockwoodlees, which oozed in quality. This came into the ring at 616kg and sold to 330p purchased by Hugh Black & Sons Butchers, Stirling
The Best Bred Bull went to A Orr, Lomond Muir with a Limousin, weighing in at 780kg selling to 235p.
Class 1 Single Continental Bullock:
1st & Overall champion – C & K Malone, Pitcairn, 552kg at 400p purchased by the Judge.
2nd – M Orr & Son, Penston, 606kg at 270p purchased by T Johnston, Butchers, Falkirk.
3rd – T H Gray, Balquharrage, 590kg at 270p purchased by T Johnston, Butchers, Falkirk.
Class 2 Single Native Bred Bullock:
1st – D MacGregor, Burnhead, 600kg at 272p
2nd – M & J Ross, Romesbeoch, 656kg at 262p
3rd – WM Pettigrew, Faskine, 682kg at 245p
Class 3 Single Continental Bullock:
1st – W Peters, Cuilt, 576kg at 290p purchased by H A Black, Butchers, Stirling.
2nd – JH & NT Turnbull, Meadowend, 538kg at 268p purchased by H A Black, Butchers, Stirling.
3rd – W Peters, Cuilt, 608kg at 280p purchased by H A Black, Butchers, Stirling.
Class 4 Single Native Heifer:
1st & Reserve Champion – D Dickinson, Brockwoodlees 616kg at 330p purchased by H A Black, Butchers, Stirling.
2nd – D MacGregor, Burnhead, 572kg at 265p purchased by T Burns & Sons, Butchers, Bo’Ness.
3rd – Ross Farms, Wester Middleton, 572kg at 282p purchased by H A Black, Butchers, Stirling.
The Martinmas Show and sale of store lambs
Selling at the Martinmas sale was Head Sheep Auctioneer Ally Logan – this was his last Christmas Martinmas sale as he retires later in Spring 2022. For those who know him, you would expect it to be quite an occasion – and it was.
Pictures: Champion & 1st Prize Beltex: M & J Kennedy, Lurgan, Aberfeldy at £152 and Excellent pen from Argaty Farm, Doune
Martinmas show and sale results in full:
Sold: 8028 Store Lambs & Feeding Ewes. All Classes of lambs met the dearest trade of the season – 3252 lambs selling over £100. Dearest average of the day went to the Beltex Section with 324 averaging £140 (+£45.20 on the year). Overall average for the sale levelled out at £97.59 (+£22.62 on the year). Judge on the day was James Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill:
Champion & 1st Prize Beltex: M & J Kennedy, Lurgan, Aberfeldy at £152.
Reserve Champion & 2nd Prize Beltex: J Robertson & Co, Newton of Logierait, Ballinluig at £148.
3rd Prize Beltex: £142 R Hardie, Parkhead.
1st Prize Texel: £119 Black, Tangy, Campbeltown
2nd Prize Texel: £118 Gauld, Standingfauld, Muthill
3rd Prize Texel: £116 T Davis, Toraston (Isle of Coll)
1st Prize Suffolk: £131 Devonshaw Estates
2nd Prize Suffolk: £123 Devonshaw Estates
3rd Prize Suffolk: £117 McGowan, Balchrystie
1st Prize Mules: £117 D&L Graham, Mains of Burnbank
2nd Prize Mules: £112 G Allan, Glenquey
3rd Prize Mules: £108 D Nicol, Auchtenny
1st Prize Blackface: £106 D McGregor, Burnhead
2nd Prize Blackface: £98 A Dunn, Redhall
3rd Prize Blackface: £96 R W Mackay & Co, Stronmagachan
