January Newsletter 2023

Charolais, the breed that leads the way
As we see an end to 2022 and the start of 2023, we can look back on 2022 as a busy but very successful year for the
society and look forward to 2023 with huge positivity and excitement for the breed.
Autumn Sales
Stirling
There was a lot of negativity around the run up to the autumn sales in the press with it being so dry throughout the
summer and feed, fertiliser and fuel costs so high. However, Charolais sired suckled calves were still out stripping
everything else in the store ring, this showed at the bull sales with the breed having another flyer of a sale. With 84
bulls changing hands to a top of 28,000gns, an average of £7467.50 and an 82% clearance, what was even more pleasing
was there were 21 more bulls sold on the year which is a whopping 33% increase in numbers sold and 7% increase in
clearance rate. This is down to the commercial men striving to produce the most efficient and desirable suckled calf
which leaves them the best return on there capital, this being a Charolais.
The show was very ably judged by Duncan MacGregor Corrie herd his Champion was Glenericht Superb for W K & P
Drysdale selling for 20,000gns to L Houston of the Gretnahouse herd. Top price was Falleninch Stormzy for AB Hornall
selling for 28,000gns in a 4 way split to RA Milne & Son, Elgin; R & N Barclay, Harestone; A MacGregor, Allanfauld and H
Goldie, Goldies herd.
Dispersal Sales
October also saw a very sad day losing two stalwarts of the breed in Iain Millar, Lochend and Snowdon Oates,
Ravensworth who both dispersed their herds. The depth of breeding in both herds was clear to see with the trade
reflecting the years of dedication and hard work to get their herds to where they were. With Iain selling to a top of
21,000gns for an outstanding yolk in Lochend Lightning and her bull calf at foot Lochend Thunder. Snowdon sold to a
top of 8,500gns for Ravensworth Nicola. I must thank both men for all you have done for the breed over the years, Iain
being a past Chairman of the Society as well. Both of you will always be welcome at any Society event as your wealth of
knowledge and experience is invaluable to the breed as well as the many friends that you have both made.
Swatragh
The show and sale in Swatragh was Judged by Stuart Barclay Harestone Herd and he had an outstanding show of cattle
to judge with depth and quality from start to finish, it was a credit to the breeders. A special mention has to go to both
of the female classes, they were as good a show of females as you would see anywhere in the UK.
33 bulls sold to average £4239.77 with a clearance rate of 63%. Two bulls had joint top price of 7,200gns, firstly for the
Champion Drumconnis Santiago from J McGrath and secondly for the Junior Champion Brogher Senator from T Phair.
Jack Smith had an exceptional draft sale of females which topped at 10,400gns for a 9-month-old heifer calf Bessiebell
Tilly.
Welshpool
The show was extremely well judged by David MacKenzie of the Thurso herd. There was a total of 41 bulls change
hands at an average of £4582.87 and a 76% clearance. The Overall Champion was Esgob Star from GM Jones and sold
to 6,000gns. Top price on the day was 8,000gns for Maerdy Sermen from D E Evans. This was a very solid trade of bulls
again backed up by strong trade for Charolais sired suckled calves in Wales & Southern England.
White Gold Sale
Friday 20 January is the second White Gold sale following on from last years very successful debut sale where females
topped at 18,000gns for Tweeddale Rosemary. It’s a great opportunity for new and established herds to buy some of the
top genetics within the breed. This year there are 37 entries forward.
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