Beef females re-write the record books

Pedigree beef bulls enjoyed a buoyant trade during Borderway’s annual beef month in May with several breeds selling more than the previous year and increasing their average, writes auctioneer David Dickinson.

Nicola Francis of Schering Plough, right, Matthew Elliott of H&H Insurance Brokers, both sponsors and breeder Hugh Arnold with the Simmental champion at April’s show and sale at Borderway.

The Limousin breed sold 43 bulls more than last year and pushed up the average by just over £100 while the Belgian Blue average increased by £70 and sold 36 bulls over last year’s figures.

The Charolais breed sold similar numbers but bumped up the average by £350. All in all, 67 more bulls sold showing an increase in the overall average of £357.

However, while the bull trade was driven by a very strong commercial trade with no breed or centre records broken, it was the female section that was to re-write the record books.

Belgian Blues over the past two years have sold bulls to 21,000gns – a breed
record. This year it was the turn of the females, with a young cow selling for 30,000gns creating a new breed record.

Also a new centre record was set for Aberdeen Angus females with a heifer being knocked down at 10,000gns. Female numbers were down by 40 head on the year but the overall average showed a rise of £505.

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