Keen demand seen at OBBA show and sale of bulls

Yesterday, Wednesday, saw a good turnout of bulls and buyers at Orkney Auction Mart for the Orkney Bull Breeders Association’s annual show and sale.

This year saw judge Liam Muir, of Upper Onston, Stenness, cast his experienced eye over the bulls put forward for the show, which began at 10.30am.

Four breed champions were chosen on the day.

The champion of the Limousins was a bull, shown and bred by Laga Farms Ltd, Evie, named Lagas Muscleman. the bull was sired by Norman Irish and out of Lagas Crystal. The reserve champion Limousin was Dounby Mack, a homebred bull from Messrs Spence, Norton, Dounby.

The only Shorthorn bull eligible for judging was Lagas Kevin, shown by Laga Farms Ltd, Evie.

The title of Champion Aberdeen Angus went to Skaill Dudley, an April 2016 born bull, bred and shown by Messrs Davidson, Skaill, Sandwick. This bull was sired by Logie Politician and was out of dam, Skaill Diana. The reserve champion for the breed was Skaill Legend, also bred and shown by Messrs Davidson.

The champion Charolais, out of a strong class of bulls, was Baillieston Mark, shown and bred by the Baillie family, Biggings, Toab. Baillieston Mark, born on January 8, 2016, was sired by Maerdy Hasse and was out of dam Baillieston Fuchsia.

The sale followed the show and saw the auditorium at the mart packed, with a keen local demand for quality bulls seen.

Lagas Muscleman left the ring unsold but was later sold at the gate for 2,500gns to Messrs J. S. & M. H. Hamilton, Gorn Harray. Dounby Mack sold for 2,900gns to E. Hourston, Mucklehouse, Swannay.

Bidding fell short of the buyer’s reserve for Lagas Kevin and he left the ring unsold.

Bidding was brisk for Skaill Dudley and he sold for 3,500gns to Balfour Estates, Shapinsay. Bidding also fell short on Skaill Legend and he left the ring unsold.

Other leading Aberdeen Angus prices at the sale were: Biggings, Toab 3,000gns; Messigate, Tankerness 3,000gns.

There was also some brisk bidding around Baillieston Mark and he sold for 7,000gns to Messrs T. & M. Seatter, Hammer, Westray. Baillieston Major also created considerable interest and was knocked down for 6,200gns to West Brough Farms, Sanday.

There were two Unregistered Simmental bulls forward for sale from Messrs Paterson, Veltigar, Tankerness. There was considerable interest in these bulls and they realised 4,500gns to Messrs Rosie, Quoybond, South Ronaldsay, and 3,800gns to Messrs Leslie, Lopness, Sanday.

Of the Aged bulls for sale, top price was £3,400 for a three-year-old Simmental, from Messrs Dennison, Odiness, Stronsay to P & A Kemp, Huchaquoy, Swannay.

Other leading prices for Aged bulls — Norton, Dounby (Limousin) £2,300;  Brockan, Stromness (Shorthorn) £1,300; Cauldhame, Stromness (Shorthorn) £1,320; Messigate, Tankerness (Aberdeen Angus) £1,650;  Newbigging, Dounby (Aberdeen Angus) £2,000;  Netherton, Holm (Aberdeen Angus) £1,900.

More photos from the show are available through www.theorcadianphotos.co.uk and searching for ‘bull show’.