Harehead Savivatu is the star of Castle Douglas sale

A strong entry of stock seen an increase in in-calf heifers section. With a packed ringside cautious, but ready to do business.

Pedigree Luing in-calf heifers started the sale with top price reaching 2,800gn for the reserve champion of the in-calf section, a home bred pair from Messrs CJ and JM Symons, Attonburn, Kelso, selling to N Campbell, Currburn, Kelso. This gave an average of £2,058 for 20.

Overall champions were a homebred pair from Robert McNee Ltd, Benhar, Armadale, selling to 2,300gns to the judge Iwan Davies, Hafod y Maidd, Corwen. Benhar herd averaged £2,023 for 11 sold.

Overall this seen 53 in-calf heifers average £1,918. Twenty one more in-calf heifers than last year.

Pedigree bulling heifers followed through with 111 selling to average £1,241.

First prize bulling heifers from D and A Stanners, Tyndale, Prescot, sold to P Simmers, Backmuir, Keith for 1,600gns. Selling to average £1,488 for 12.

Second prize went to D and A Barr, Milkieston, Peebles, for 1,400gns again same buyer. Milkieston averaged £1,319 for nine.

Other seller were Professor W A Penny CBE, per Mr N Anderson, Harehead, Duns, sold 18 to average £1,680, W Graham and Son, Craigdarroch, Sanquhar sold five to average £1,649, Cadzow Bros, Luing, Isle of Luing, sold 17 to average £1,198, P Crerar, Lammermuir, Stenton, sold nine to average £1,178 and Floors Farming, per Mr B Gilchrist, Floors, Longformacus, sold 4 to average £1,103.

27 bulls were forward with 23 selling to average £4,914.

The top price reached 17,000gns, the second highest prize reached for a Luing bull for Harehead Savivatu from Professor W A Penny CBE, per Mr N Anderson, Harehead, Duns.

Weighing in at 884kg, measuring 56” at the shoulders with a scrotal circumference of 42cm, this April 2014 born son of Finlarg Nero and out of a five year old cow, homebred Harehead Lola. He was a joint purchase from P Simmers, Backmuir, and D Sawrij, Kedzlie Farms. Harehead continued to have a successful day with Harehead Sumo selling for 7,000gns to Cadzow Bros, Luing, and Harehead Seve selling for 4,000gns to R B Sutherland, Outchester Farm, Belford.

R and H McNee, Finlarg, Tealing, sold Finlarg Sentator for 11,000gns to Mr D Helm, Haltree, Heriot, and Finlarg Scorpio for 7,500gns to P Simmers, Backmuir.

Other top prices included Luing Sherman from the Cadzow Bros, Luing, for 7,000gns to Professor W A Penny CBE, per Mr N Anderson, Harehead, Benhar Sheriff from Robert McNee Ltd, Benhar, for 6,200gns to Lord Johnstone, Raehill Farms Ltd, Lockerbie, Commonside Scannia from Kirsty Dunlop, Commonside, Hawick, for 4,200gns to joint purchasers Mr G MacRae, Kintail, Muir of Ord, and Mr R Lockett, Old Knockbain, Dingwall, and Culmaily Sheamus from A C McCall, Culmaily, Golspie, for 4,000gns to Robert McNee Ltd, Benhar.

Following on from storm Henry, ferry cancellations nearly stopped Silwick Spencer making possibly the trickiest trip down from Orkney to Castle Douglas. First time consigner Messrs B and K Ridland, Silwick, Orkney, sold him for 3,000gns to PD and J Johnston, Herdship, Barnard Castle.