11,000GNS ISLAVALE NIGHTRIDER LEADS ABERDEEN SIMMENTAL SALE

• Backmuir sells to 8800gns
• Rockytop bull at 8500gns
• 11 bulls average £5832.27

The May 2022 born Islavale Nightrider from Mr W S Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith made 11,000gns to lead the Simmental trade at the Royal Northern Spring Show & Sale held at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Wednesday the 28^th of February.

Islavale Nightrider is by Coose Lincoln EX90, and is out of Islavale Faye VG88, a Curaheen Bandit daughter.  With solid figures for both Calving Ease and Maternal (Milk), this bull was snapped up by local commercial producer W & V Leith, North Crannoch, Crossroads, Keith. The herd sire Coose Lincoln EX90 has previously had his first sons at sale sell up to 13,000gns at Stirling in October 2023.

Earlier in the day at Thainstone, pre-sale show judge Andrew Anderson, Smallburn, Duffus had placed Islavale Nightrider 22 as the Overall Supreme Simmental Champion.  For the prolific Islavale herd, this is the third year in a row that they’ve topped the Simmental prices at this sale.

Three Simmental bulls made over 8000gns at the sale with eleven in all selling to average a healthy £5832.27.

Selling at 8800gns was Backmuir Nigel 22 from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith.  This bull, May 2022 born, is by the homebred Backmuir Kryptonite, and is out of Wolfstar Islay (TF).  Purchasing Backmuir Nigel 22 was T Alexander, Lyth, Wick, Caithness.

At the 8,500gns was Rockytop Nimrod 22 Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly.  April 2022 born this bull, by Kilbride Farm Fearless out of Rockytop Gaia’s Juniper, sits in the breed’s top 5% for Maternal (Milk) with a figure of +12.  Nimrod went onto sell to Colin Inglis, Blairsgreen Farm, Saline, Dunfermline. Again, at the recent Stirling sale, Rockytop sold another Kilbride Farm Fearless son for 8000gns.

Another from the Stronachs in the shape of Islavale Nevada made 5800gns when selling to J Watson, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh. With a breed top 1% figure for Maternal (Milk) of +14, this April 2022 born bull is by Corskie Highlander 16 EX93, and is out of Islavale Illusion ET EX90.

Drumsleed Nemesis 22, from Mr GW Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, made 5,500gns when selling to Orkney, and M Donaldson, Tankerness.  Sired by Dellfield Kingpin 19, this April 2022 born bull is out of Drumsleed Katelyn 19.

OTHER PRICES INCLUDED:

4,000gns         Lot 58  Pitmudie Nuffield 22 sold to J Watson, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh.

4,000gns         Lot 61  Tillyeve Nigel 22 sold to The Hay Partnership, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire

4,000gns         Lot 62  Auchorachan Nemisis 22 sold to J & J Henderson, Poyntzfield, Dingwall

AVERAGE:

11 Bulls           £5832.27

SIMMENTAL PRE-SALE SHOW RESULTS

Class 6 – Simmental Bulls born on or after 15^th March 2022 and before 20^th April 2022

1^st. Lot 64 – G & A Christie, Rockytop Nimrod, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly 

2^nd. Lot 66 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Northstar, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 

3^rd. Lot 63 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nevada, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

4^th. Lot 62 – D & R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan Nemesis, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch 

Class 7 – Simmental Bulls born on or after 20^th April 2022

1^st. Lot 74 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nightrider, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

2^nd. Lot 77 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Noah, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon 

3^rd. Lot 75 – R & A Simmers, Backmuir Nelson, Backmuir Farm, Keith 

4^th. Lot 69 – Mr G W Smith, Drumsleed Nemesis, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk 

Simmental Championship

Lot 74 – Mr W S Stronach, Islavale Nightrider, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith 

Reserve Champion

Lot 77 – Messrs C & M Bruce, Tillyeve Noah, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon