Oban Autumn Sale 2024
Averages: 8x three-year-olds, £5,145; 14x two-year-olds, £3,712.50; 21x yearlings, £2,735; 30x calves, £2,201.50.
No records were broken but Highland cattle breeders went home very happy from the annual Autumn Show and Sale, held at Oban on Sunday and Monday.
A tremendous show of cattle met with an enthusiastic home audience who were making up for the fact that the regular trade between the UK and the rest of Europe, including Ireland, is on hold due to Bluetongue restrictions. By the end of the day, trade peaked at 13,000gns and averages were up in just about every category.
Overall and senior champion, Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, 13,000gns
Topping the trade was the overall and senior champion, Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, from the Carnegie family (Kevin, Dylan and Ryan), who farm at Brechin in Angus. They have made significant investment into the breed in the past few years and this classy heifer gave them a major payback when selling for 13,000gns to Kevin and Sonya Fletcher’s Coul Estates, Laggan, who have been regular purchasers of top flight cattle since starting their fold in recent years.
This red three-year-old is by Eoin Mhor 17th of Mottistone, which cost a record-breaking 23,000gns when purchased alongside Akeko’s dam, Catriona Akeko of Mottistone, 5500gns at that fold’s dispersal sale. She had been reserve female at the National Show, held this year at the Black Isle, and was also overall champion at Fettercairn and at the East of Scotland Club Show. She was sold in calf to the 3000gns Uilleam 2nd of Earn.
Lili of Balrownie, 7,000gns
The same home also got 7,000gns for Lili of Balrownie, by the same sire and out of Lili 23rd of Achnacloich. Paying that was Alfie Cheyne, from Mayen Estate, Rothiemay, Huntly. A significant buyer again at this sale, Mr Cheyne has recently purchased more land taking his holding up to 400 acres and is setting up a large fold of Highland cattle, plus a herd of Aberdeen-Angus. His 21 purchases at this sale cost more than £70,000 and a new stockman will be in place in January to look after the cattle.
Reserve champion and best yearling heifer, Lora 2nd of Leys, 8,000gns
Despite being unable to take any animals home because of export restrictions, the breed’s long-time German supporter, Falko Steinberg put in the winning bid for the reserve overall and yearling champion, Lora 2nd of Leys, from Leys Castle Farm, which is run by breed president, Hugh Saggers with Dale Scott at the halter. Bred from a successful dam line going back to Mottistone, this daughter of Dougald 2nd of Leys has been a bit of a star in the show ring, including being champion at Nairn and reserve at Sutherland.
Tara Gael 9th of Tordarroch, 7,000gns
The first-prize two-year-old heifer, Tara Geal 9th of Tordarroch, from John Cooper of Tordarroch, Inverness, was another to hit 7,000gns when selling to Andrew Polson, Glenfinnan, Findon. By Macrae Charles of Maol she was out of Tara Geal 3rd of Tordarroch.
Best heifer calf, Frangag A-Rithis of Cladich, 7,000gns
Also, at 7,000gns, was the champion calf from Jon and Queenie Strickland, Cladich, Dalmally. Their Frangag Ruadh A-Rithis of Cladich follows a strong line of calf champions from that fold and sold to Blackmountain Estate who get a red daughter of Angus 2nd of Sorne.
Another from the same home, Sorcha Dubh A-Rithis 3rd of Cladich, this time by Murchadh Dubh of Luruha, was knocked down at 6,500gns when selling to American buyers, the Danielson family from Iowa. This will be returning to Cladich for a future flushing programme.
Sorcha Dubh A-Rithis 3rd of Cladich, 6,500gns
The same buyers put Glasgow City Council’s famous Pollok fold into the top bracket with Siusan Ruadh 67th of Pollok, when they paid 5,500gns to get this in-calf heifer. She’s by Prionnsa 2nd of Balmoral and sold in calf to Josh of Ranch. The fold, managed by Matt Auld and Mel Curran, saw new apprentice, Hannah Walsh take the halter for the ringside success.
The two-year-old champion, Esmi 3rd of Gartocharn from Jim and Catherine McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn, made 6,500gns when selling to Alfie Cheyne. She is by Brodie of Culfoich and out of a former reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show, Catriona 3rd of Gartocharn.
Best two-year-old heifer, Esmi 3rd of Gartocharn, 6,500gns
Another yearling heifer to make the grade was the third-placed Maree of Allanfearn, from Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton from Strathpeffer. By Stuart Bheag of Cladich, she made 4,800gns to Halford Farming, Peartree Farm, Newcastle.
Another from Pollok, Barabel 16th of Pollok, was one of three lots to make 4,500gns. This brindle yearling is by Russell of Craigowmill and was knocked down to Alfie Cheyne, who also picked up the cow and calf combination, Ailsa 2nd of Lyntoun, a seven year-old cow by All Ruadh of Crannich with her bull calf at foot, at that price from David Dickson, Hamilton Hall Lodge, West Linton.
Also making 4,500gns was Magaidh of Cross Requill, from J S and R Harris, South Shields Farm, Strathaven. A black yearling heifer, she’s a full sister to a 6,500gns bull sold in February, being by Black Prince of Ranch and out of Magaidh of Commore, and made the cash to Blastamore Farms.
Reserve two-year-old heifer, Cadrann 4th of Eilean Mor, 8,000gns
Auctioneers: UA Oban.
Ken Fletcher
Judge’s report
I would like to start by saying thank you for inviting me to judge, I fully enjoyed the experience, and it was so nice to judge animals that I haven't seen before. I would also like to thank the exhibitors for all their time and effort.
There was a fantastic selection of outstanding cattle which made my job very difficult, especially the calf classes. It was also wonderful to see plenty of people ringside for the show and sale with prices that reflected the quality.
It was a great weekend for the breed and proves how special the breed is to so many people.
Robert Wain
Prize list
Class 1 - Three-year-old heifer
1st Catriona Akeko of Balrownie | Balrownie farm
2nd Lili of Balrownie | Balrownie Farm
3rd Banrigh 14th of Hyndford | Alan Prentice
4th Kerrie Dhubh of Balrownie | Balrownie
Class 2 - Two-year-old heifer
1st Cadrann 4th of Eilean Mor | Karen and Michael MacGregor
2nd Fern 3rd of Black Glen | Grant Hyslop
3rd Frangag 5th of Earn | Heather Corrigall
4th Robina Ruadh of Balemartine | The Armstrong family
Class 3 - Two-year-old heifer
1st Esmi 3rd of Gartocharn | Jim and Catherine McKechnie
2nd Flora of Ranch | Graeme and Rebecca Easton
3rd Mhairi Ruadh 3rd of Earn | Heather Corrigall
4th Tess of Ceannacroic | Dunlossit Farming Ltd
Class 4 - Two-year-old heifer
1st Tara Gael 9th of Tordarroch | Tordarroch Estates
2nd Eileen 4th of Killochries Fold | Killochries fold
3rd Princess 37th of Killochries | Killochries fold
4th Sorn Dubh of Ardentraive |The Keys family
Best two-year-old heifer
Esmi 3rd of Gartocharn | Jim and Catherine McKechnie
Reserve
Cadrann 4th of Eilean Mor | Karen and Michael McGregor
Class 5 - Yearling heifer
1st Lora 2nd of Leys | Leys Castle
2nd Magaidh of Cross Reguill | J S and R Harris
3rd Morag Prigie of Druim An Lochside | Marcus and Sharon MacBean
4th Furan Beathag Riabhach 4th of Castles Estate | Castles Estate
Class 6 - Yearling heifer
1st Lady Caroline 4th of Lyntoun | David Dickson
2nd Connie Isabella of Cherrytree Croft | Cherrytree Croft
3rd Maree of Allanfearn | Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton
Class 7 - Yearling heifer
1st Conni 3rd of Gartocharn | Jim and Catherine McKechnie
2nd Barabel 16th of Pollok | Glasgow City Council
3rd Cannach of Castles Estate | Castles Estate
4th Furan Beathag 4th of Castles Estate | Castles Estate
Best yearling heifer
Lora 2nd of Leys | Leys Castle
Reserve
Conni 3rd of Gartocharm | Jim and Catherine McKechnie
Class 8 - Heifer calf
1st Alis Jean 6th of Borland | Keith Howman
2nd Sileas Ruadh of Achinreir | Jane Isaacson
3rd Robina Ruadh 2nd of Balrmartine | The Armstrong family
4th Princess Og 2nd of Castles Estate | Castles Estate
Class 9 - Heifer calf
1st Frangag Ruadh A-Rithis of Cladich | Mrs Jon Strickland
2nd Lady White 9th of Gray Brae | Douglas and Hilary Crane
3rd Princess Mairi Dubh 2nd of Cladich | Mrs Jon Strickland
4th Baravalla Beg 2nd of Cladich | Mrs Jon Strickland
Class 10 - Heifer calf
1st Sorcha Dubh A-Rithis 3rd of Cladich | Mrs Jon Strickland
2nd Iona Gael of Strathearn | Strathearn fold
3rd Bannoch Ruadh 2nd of Cailaich | R and S Strachan
4th Barabel Ban Flath 33rd of Glengorm | Glengorm
Class 11 - Heifer calf
1st Princess Ruadh 6th of Cnoc Na Sith | Iain MacKay and Claire Simonetta
2nd Mairina Ciatach 25th of Glengorm | Glengorm
3rd Dorothy Nighean 31st of Glengorm | Glengorm
4th Barabel of Cailaich | R and S Strachan
Class 12 - Heifer calf
1st Anna Fiadhaich 15th of Glengorm | Glengorm
2nd Dorothy Nighean 32nd of Glengorm | Glengorm
3rd Caraid of Cailaich | R and S Strachan
4th Mairina Ciatach 27th of Glengorm | Glengorm
Best heifer calf
Frangag Ruadh A-Rithis of Cladich | Mrs Jon Strickland
Reserve
Lady White 9th of Gray Brae
Class 13 - Cow and senior heifer
1st Ailsa 2nd of Lyntoun | David Dickson
Best pair of suckled heifer calves
Cladich fold
Best pair of in-calf heifers
Balrownie fold
Overall champion
Catriona Akeko of Balrownie | Balrownie farm
Reserve
Lora 2nd of Leys | Leys Castle
Young handlers 10-15 years
1st Tara Adams
2nd Ruaridh Mackay
3rd Eva Armstrong
4th Poppy Dalgleish
5th Ewan McDonald
6th Cameron McDonald
Young handlers 16-26 years
1st Hannah Walsh
2nd Lauren Morris
3rd Kelsie Prentice
4th Eilidh MacKay
Champion young handler
Tara Adams
Champion young handler, Tara Adams
