Great sales and a new bull on the block from October Bull Sales

The highlight of the October Stirling Bull Sales was certainly being asked to judge the Simmental entry and I was delighted to be able to purchase the overall champion, Ranfurly Jackpot, from the Hazelton family. This Team Celtic son caught my eye for his style, locomotion and great carcass characteristics and later purchased him for 14,000gns. We’re particularly excited to see how he knits with Grafter daughters.

In the sale ring our top priced Simmental was Strathisla Jack, a Dirnanean Grafter son which sold for 8200gns to repeat buyer M Cruikshank, Old Meldrum. We also sold Strathisla Jethro for 4200gns to yet another repeat buyer, this time Gartincaber Farms, Drymen, while at 4000gns Strathisla Justice was knocked down to the Scottish Government Bull Stud.

Meanwhile, our sole Charolias entry, Cardean Otton, a son of Maerdy Henley, sold for 5000gns to T Millar and Son, Ringford, who have bought Simmental bulls from us before.

We’d like to wish all the buyers of our bulls the very best of luck and thank them for their repeat custom.

Strathisla Simmental females in demand at Stirling 

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we offered daughters of our highly successful stock bull Islavale Donald at the recent Stirling sale. We had tremendous interest in the heifers both at the sale and prior to that on farm and we'd like to wish all the buyers the very best with their purchases. 

Leading the way for us at 6800gns was Strathisla Honesty's Twiggy, which sold to Harte Peate Ltd, Ireland. This April 2016-born heifer is out of the Dressage Victorious daughter, Strathisla Dove's Twiggy.

Next up was Strathisla Hawthorn's Harriet, selling for 6000gns. This one is out of a home bred Omorga Samson daughter and found a new home with G McCammond, for the Maghereagh herd, Northern Ireland. 

Next at 5800gns was Strathisla Humble's Harriet, out of a Celtic Starbuck daughter. This one heads down to Cornwall for the Sowenna herd of the Hawkey family. 

Then making the journey from Stirling to Aberdeenshire with Gary Patterson for his Aultmore herd was Strathisla Hope's Veronica. This one is out of a Dressage Victorious daughter.      

Three females then headed to Messrs Hindmarsh, Northumberland, who have bought from us in the past. 

Charolais trade

Our one and only Charolais bull entered at the sale, Cardean MacBeth, sold for 6000gns. This one is by Lochend Hickory and is out of the Blelack Colonel daughter, Cardean Honeysuckle. He sold to repeat customer, J Fisher, Stranraer.  

Strathisla Simmental bulls in hot demand in Stirling 

Islavale Donald sons were in hot demand at Stirling in October where trade topped at 11,000gns for our pen of bulls. Sale leader was Strathisla Hagrid, out of the Omorga Samson daughter, Strathisla Branble's Twiggy. With a TSI of +91 and a SRI of +94, he sold to John Jeffrey for his Kiersknowe herd. 

Next best, selling at 8500gns was Strathisla Harvest, another Donald son, this time out of the Dellfield Brigadier daughter, Strathisla Echo's Twiggy. Buyer here was M Cruikshank.

Then at 7500gns was Strathisla Havana, another Donald out of the Celtic Starbuck daughter, Strathisla Beatrice's Mira. This one was knocked down to the Glenturk herd. Then wrapping proceedings up for us at 6500gns was Strathisla Hornblower, selling for 6500gns to High Brunton's Crudie herd. This one is again by Donald and out of Strathisla Cupid's Mira. 

In the show ring, we celebrated various high places, as well as champion group of three for Donald sons. Islavabe Donald has certainly made his mark on the herd, providing to knit well with various daughters of past stock bulls. 

We look forward to offering nine of our best Donald daughters for sale in Stirling in February. We've already had considerable interest in these heifers, they will be forward at Stirling only and are what we would normally retain as female replacements. Viewing is welcome at home.

February 2017: New stock bull joins Strathisla Simmentals

The recent February bull sales saw a new stock sire join the Strathisla herd in the form of Dirnanean Grafter who was bought for 20,000gns. Bred by the McGowan family and offered for sale by Neil Shand, Grafter is by Ranfurly Confederate and out of Dirnanean Polarine A8, a Starline Nelson daughter. He offers some exciting bloodlines for the Strathisla herd and we look forward to putting him to work in due course.

On the other side of the equation the Strathisla herd took the reserve female championship at the sale with Strathisla Fennel’s Veronica, a Dellfield Brigadier daughter out of Strathisla Tess’s Veronica, a Corskie Pascal daughter. She later sold for 3400gns to Hindmarsh Partners, Hexham.

June 2015: Simmentals and Charolais bring home the red tickets from the Highland Show

The Strathisla and Cardean show teams came home from this year’s Highland Show with two first placed heifers, which we’re incredibly pleased about. 

In the Simmental team winning her class was Strathisla Foxy’s Mira, an April 2014-born daughter of our stock bull Dellfield Brigadier out of the Dressogue Victorious daughter Strathisla Bessie’s Mira. 

Then in the Charolais classes, Cardean Jealous won her class and then went on to stand reserve junior female champion. Born April again, this one is by our senior stock sire Elgin Flagship and is out of the Blelack Colonel daughter Cardean Gucci.

May 2015: Victorious son sells for 3800gns in Stirling 

Selling at Stirling in May for 3800gns was Strathisla Elite, a Dressogue Victorious son out of Strathisla Amy’s Haka, an Omorga Samson daughter. This one was knocked down to  R Phaup, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire. 

February 2015: First Flagship son sells in Stirling 

The first Flagship son was offered in Stirling this month in the form of Cardean Iceman. Out of the Maerdy Othellow daughter Cardean Dixiechick, he sold for 3500gns to MacIvor, Janetstown, Thurso and also took a first place in his class. 

2014: Highland Show second place for Goldies Champion daughter 

The Highland Show this year saw us take  a second place with our Charolais heifer Cardean Hannah. This Goldies Champion daughter is out of Cardean Crystal, a Pedr Thumper daughter. 

2014: October Stirling trade tops at 6000gns for Cardean Charolais bulls 

Trade for Cardean bulls in October this year saw a top price of 6000gns for Cardean Irnbru, a Bleleack Colonel son out of the Thumper daughter, Cardean Velvet. Buyer here was J Fisher, Meikle, Stranraer who bought his full brother two years ago for 7000gns. 

Next best at 5500gns was the Blelack Digger son, Cardean Iceburg who is out of Cardean Fuchsia, a Blelack Colonel daughter. This one was knocked down to J Strain, Stranraer. 

Our last to go at 2500gns was Cardean Isis. By Pennal Dazzller, this one is out of Cardean Foxylady, another Blelack Colonel daughter. Buyer here was Messrs Rowlands, Llwyn Ifan Farm, Swansea. 

Then in our Simmental offering, our best was  Strathisla Ensign. This one is out of Strathisla Beyonce’s Twiggy, a Celtic Starbuck daughter and sold for 4800gns to W Walton, Otterburn, Northumberland.

Next up was Strathisla Embassy, one of the first of the sons to be offered for sale by Dellfield Brigadier. This one is out of Strathisla Bonnie’s Geraldine, a Dressogue Victorious son and traded for 4500gns to Lochty Farms, Peat Inn, Fife. 

Then at 3000gns was Strathisla Endeavour, another by Brigadier and this time out of the Victorious daughter, Strathisla Bessie’s Mira. This one went to W McHarg, Craibstone, Ayrshire. 

Popes Barclay doing the business at Strathisla

The Cogent team called in to Strathisla in the early spring to see how our  Popes Barclay sons were getting on and were particularly impressed with  this lad, Strathisla Ensign.

This March 2013-born bull is out of the Celtic Starbuck daughter Strathisla  Beyonce’s Twiggy and carries a TPI of +75 and a SRI of +86. He will  likely be in our selling team later in the year.

Successful Stirling Bull Sales for Strathisla Farms

This month’s Stirling Bull Sales saw the Cardean Charolais herd on good form taking a first prize with Cardean Haggis, a May 2012-born son of senior herd sire Blelack Colonel out of the Erriff Savo daughter Anneskeagh Virtue. He carries a TSI of +47 and a SRI of +41. He heads to David Smith, Castle Douglas.

Of our Simmental offering, Strathisla Daredevil sold for 4800gns. This September 2012-born son of senior herd sire Dressogue Victorious is out of the Blackford Lionheart daughter Strathisla Shona’s Veronica and has a TSI and SRI of +89. He sold to J McIntosh. Next up and selling for 3500gns was Strathisla Disraeli, another September 2012-born bull, this time by Celtic Starbuck and out of the Samark Superman daughter Strathisla Bambi’s Harriet. This one sold to Rob Wainwright. We’d like to wish all buyers the very best with their purchases.

We’re also pleased to announce the arrival of two new herd sires. Firstly having scooped the reserve senior championship, Islavale Donald from Stewart Stronach was purchased for 14,000gns. This is a Curaheen Bandit son out of the Glenturk Premier daughter Islavale Teresa. He was purchased for his outcross bloodlines and strength in the dam line. He also carries a milk figure of +6 and a TSI of +83 and Sri of +93.

Then purchased to go on Blelack Colonel daughters was the reserve senior Charolais champion Lochend Hickory from Iain Millar. This May 2012-born bull is a son of Mortimers Echo and is out of the Garner Editor daughter Lochend Uptowngirl, a dam line which has been responsible for breeding Lochend Rasper and Lochend Apache. He also carries a TSI of +55 and is positive for calving.

Repeat custom for Strathisla Simmentals

We’re pleased to announce the private sale of the March 2012-born Strathisla Diplomat, a Celtic Starbuck son out of Strathisla Amy’s Haka, an Omorga Samson daughter to repeat buyer G and A Henderson, Mauchline, Ayrshire. We’d like to wish the Henderson family all the best with Diplomat and look forward to hearing how his progeny perform in the future.

Strong start to show season for Strathisla Farms

It’s been a great start to the show season for our Charolais and Simmental herds this year as we took success at both Angus and Alyth Shows this summer ahead of our main show outing to the Highland this week.

Doing us proud at Angus Show was the April 2011-born Strathisla Chrissie’s Geraldine, an Omorga Samson daughter out of the Blackford Lionheart daughter Strathisla Geraldine 10th. She won her class and then went on to be reserve female champion. She also went one better at Alyth Show by winning her class, taking reserve female and reserve overall in the breed championship. Geraldine will be offered for sale at Stirling in October.

Flying the flag for our Charolais show team was the September 2011-born Cardean Gulliver, a son of our stock bull Blelack Colonel and out of one of our imported females Anneskeagh Amethyst. This one took a first at Alyth Show before clinching the reserve male championship. Then at Angus Show, the April 2012-born Goldies Champion daughter Cardean Hannah won her class. This one is out of the Pedr Thumper daughter Cardean Crystal.

Dressogue Victorious daughter scoops reserve female championship at Stirling

Having stood second in her class, the September 2010-born Strathisla Buttercup’s Mira went one stage further to secure the reserve overall female championship at Stirling this month.

By our senior herd sire Dressogue Victorious, she is out of the Agardsley Clinton daughter Strathisla Mira 46th and then went on to sell for 3000gns to pedigree breeders Messrs Lloyd, West Wales.

Wishing our buyers from Stirling all the best with their purchases

Leading the way for us in Stirling with the Simmental offering was Strathisla Caledonian, a June 2011-born son of our senior herd sire Dressogue Victorious, which sold for 4200gns. Out of the Agardsley Clinton daughter Strathisla Haka 38th, he sold with a SRI of +73 to Grove Farms, Irongray, Dumfries.

Next best for us selling for 3000gns was Strathisla Crackerjack, a September 2011-born Omorga Samson son out of the Corskie Pascal sired Strathisla Trudy’s Geraldine. Buyers here were Messrs A and C Barr, Lanark. Meanwhile, selling for 2600gns was Strathisla Cromwell, another son of Victorious, this time out of the Darsham Haddon daughter Darsham Rainbow. He sold with a TSI of +74 and a SRI of +78.

In the Charolais section of the sale wour September 2011-born Cardean Gangster, sold for 3200gns. By our senior herd sire Blelack Colonel, he is out of the Pedr Thumper daughter Cardean Apple who is a daughter of Brinkton Pamela. With a TSI of +50 and a SRI of +47, he sold to Matthew Hamilton, West Calder, West Lothian.

Private Simmental and Charolais bull sales remain strong

We’re pleased to announce a good end to 2012 with a couple of private sales of Simmental bulls and a Charolais bull off the farm. Repeat buyer George Fleming, Aberbothrie, has bought Strathisla Confidential, a June 2011-born Dressogue Victorious son out of the Corskie Pascal daughter Strathisla Tulip’s Mira, while Messrs Lang, Cortachy Home Farm, has purchased Strathisla Van Damme, a five year old Corskie Pascal son out of Agardsley Clinton daughter Strathisla Jasmine 10^th. This one has previously been running as a stock sire in our commercial herd.

Purchasing Cardean Duracell, a May 2008-born Solitude Attaboy son out of the Doonally Olmeto daughter Cardean Usherette, was Messrs Pattullo, Kirriemuir. Again this is a proven sire that has been running in our commercial herd.

We’d like to wish all three purchasers the very best with their new bulls and look forward to hearing how their progeny perform for them.

Cardean Guardsman takes intermediate championship at Stirling and sells for 9000gns

We were absolutely delighted with the performance of our two Charolais bulls in Stirling this week and kicking off proceedings for us was the April 2011-born ET-bred son of Oldstone Egbery out of the Maerdy Othello daughter and the best breeding female in the herd Cardean Snowdrop. He won his intermediate class and then went on to be placed intermediate champion under judge Michel Baudot, France. With a TSI of +31 and a SRI of +42, he then went on to sell for 9000gns to Greystoke Castle Estate, Penrith, Cumbria.

Next up for us was the fifth prize Cardean Goshawk. This one is an April 2011-born son of the senior herd sire Blelack colonel out of the Pedr Thumper daughter Cardean Velvet. He carries a positive index for calving ease, as well as a TSI of +44 and a SRI of +42 and sold to Messrs Fisher for 7000gns.

Of our Simmentals, the best was the April 2011-born Strathisla Coldstream, a son of past herd sire Omorga Samson out of the Glenturk Rolex daughter Strathisla Wonderous’ Veronica. He sold with a positive calving ease of +2 and a SRI of +99 for 4500gns to Messrs Gibb, Glasgow. We’d like to wish all our buyers the very best with their new purchases and look forward to hearing how their progeny perform.

Summer show success for Strathisla Farms

The Strathisla Farms show team has performed well this summer with both Charolais and Simmental cattle out in force at Alyth and the Royal Highland Shows. Our first outing this summer was at Alyth Show where our Charolais bull Cardean Guardsman, an Oldstone Egbert son out of the Maerdy Othellow daughter Cardean Snowdrop took the male and overall breed championship. He also stood fourth in an incredibly competitive yearling bull class at the Royal Highland Show which was the venue for this year’s World Congress. Also at Alyth, Cardean Gracious, an April 2011-born Goldies Champion daughter won her class and took the female and reserve overall championship.

At the Highland, our Simmental heifer Strathisla Chrissie’s Geraldine, an April 2011-born Omorga Samson daughter out of the Blackford Lionheart-sired Strathisla Geraldine 10th, stood fourth in a strong April-born yearling heifer class.

New Simmental sire joins Strathisla line up

We’re pleased to announce the arrival of new Simmental sire Dellfield Brigadier, an October 2010-born son of Stralongford Trojan, who was purchased having stood second at the February Perth Bull Sales in Stirling for 10,000gns.

Bred by Brian Grant, Inverness, he is out of the Sterling Maharaja daughter Dellfield Selina, he has a good set of 200-600 day figures, coupled with a TSI and SRI of +82. We were particularly taken with this bull’s natural fleshing ability, length and carcass attributes. We look forward to seeing how his progeny perform as a junior herd sire to compliment daughters of Dressogue Victorious.

Cardean Charolais sell to a top of 8500gns in Stirling

Setting a new herd record for the Cardean Charolais herd we were delighted to sell our second prize October 2010-born junior bull Cardean Firecracker in Stirling this month.

By our senior herd sire Blelack Colonel, who was reserve male champion and part of the reserve interbreed pairs and team at the 2011 Royal Highland Show, he is out of the Anneskeagh Uranus daughter Anneskeagh Amethyst, a female bought as an outcross bloodline from Ireland. He sold with a positive calving value and a TSI of +46 and SRI of +40 to commercial producer Wayne Brown, Powys, Wales.

Strathisla Simmentals selling well in Stirling

Simmental bulls sold to a top of 6500gns in Stirling this month at the Perth Bull Sales. Our sale leader was the September 2010-born Strathisla Braveheart who is a son of our senior bull, the 14,000gns Dressogue Victorious out of the Blackford Lionheart daughter Strathisla Veronica 8th and has a TI of +79 and SRI of +83. He sold for 6500gns to Messrs G M Swanson, Caithness.

Two bulls then sold at 4200gns, the first of which was Strathisla Bollinger, a son of Irish sire Celtic Starbuck out of the Omorga Samson daughter Strathisla Winnie’s Haka. He was knocked down to Messrs J Baird, Castle Douglas, while at the same money Strathisla Branson, another September 2010-born bull this time by Victorious out of another Blackford Lionheart daughter sold to W T Hendry and Son, Bannockburn.

Then selling for 3000gns was Strathisla Baron, another son of Victorious out of a Lionheart daughter from the successful Haka family. He sold to Messrs T Laing and Sons, Pitlochie while at 2600gns Strathisla Blackadder, another Victorious son from the Mira family, went to A Connolly, Moffat, Dumfriesshire.

We also sold a heifer, Strathisla Blondie’s Haka, a first prize daughter of Omorga Samson out of the Agardsley Clinton daughter Strathisla Haka 22nd, for 2800gns to Messrs G Wealleans and Son, Greenlaw.

Elgin Flagship’s figures soar in latest proof run

Following the latest proof run of Breedplan figures, we’re delighted that our new Charolais stock sire Elgin Flagship, purchased privately at November’s Stars of the Future Calf Show at Forfar from the Milne family, has gone up in Eye Muscle and also TSI and SRI. His new Eye Muscle figure is +6.0 and he has a TSI of +71 and SRI of +74.

Flagship was purchased to compliment Blelack Colonel daughters in the herd and with his combined correct stature, natural muscling and now fantastic performance figures, we are looking forward to his progeny.

Charolais bull Elgin Flagship purchased in £15,000 private deal for Strathisla Farms

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of new Charolais stock sire Elgin Flagship, purchased privately for £15,000 from Messrs R A Milne, Elgin, Morayshire, for our 60-cow Cardean herd.

By the 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger, this September 2010-born bull is out of the Harestone Tyrol daughter Elgin Darling and has a BCCS Terminal Index of +52 and a BCSS Self Replacing Index of +53, coupled with strong 200, 400 and 600-day weights. Flagship was bought at this month’s Stars of the Future Calf Show at Forfar Mart.

We first saw Flagship on farm as a weaned calf and have followed his progress with keen interest since then. He has been purchased to go on daughters of Blelack Colonel, a bull who is working tremendously well in the herd. Flagship’s muscular shape and great carcass attributes will work well on the large, deep framed cattle Colonel has produced in the herd.

Flagship’s pedigree will also compliment the herd. His grand-dam, Strowan Sapphire, is a prolific breeder and regularly produces top quality calves, of which her last, by Bollinger, sold for 8500gns. Flagship will now head to Kelso for semen collection.

Elgin Flagship

November 2011 - Success for Omorga Samson daughters at Forfar calf show

Strathisla Farms had a successful outing with some of next year’s hopefuls at the recent Stars of the Future calf show held at Forfar mart where Strathisla Candy's Haka, by Omorga Samson, stood second in her class, while Strathisla Chrissie's Geraldine, again by Samson, stood third in the same very strong class. Chrissie's full sisters have all been previously shown with Strathisla Willow's Geraldine standing first at the Royal Highland Show in 2010 and Strathisla Bubble's Geraldine standing second at the Highland 2011. The plan is for both these heifers to go to the Highland next year.

October 2011 - Strathisla Angelina’s Haka takes female championship at Stirling

Standing top of the female line up at Stirling this month for us was the April 2009-born Strathisla Angelina’s Haka, a daughter of our herd sire Omorga Samson. Haka is out of the Blackford Lionheart Strathisla Haka 42nd, a family renowned in the herd for being consistent breeders of quality females. She has been shown successfully this year and sold for the top female price of 4500gns with a positive calving value, a TSI of +29 and a SRI of +36 to R and C Simmers, Clola, Peterhead.

Our one Simmental bull, Strathisla Bond, a March 2010-born son of Omorga Samson, out of the Blackford Lionheart daughter Strathisla Haka 45th, sold for 3200gns to W T Hendry and Son, Bannockburn, Stirling. Our stockman Colin Fordyce’s bull Blair Bollinger, again by Samson and this time out of the Agardsley Clinton daughter Blair Lucy, sold for 4200gns to John Mitchell and Co, Duns, Berwickshire.

Strathisla Angelina’s Haka

October 2011 - Blelack Colonel sons average £6000 in Stirling

The first sons to be offered for sale in Stirling by our senior herd sire and Royal Highland Show reserve male champion Blelack Colonel averaged £6000 in Stirling this month. The first to sell was Cardean Forestgump, an April 2010-born bull out of the POedr Thumper daughter Cardean Acorn who is a daughter of Balmyle Shadow. With a TSI of +35 and a SRI of +34, he sold for 6500gns. Our second was the May 2010-born Cardean Forthefuture who is out of an imported female from Ireland, Anneskeagh Virtue, who is by Erriff Savo. He has a TSI of +51 and a SRI of +44 and sold for 5200gns.

September 2011 - Balmyle Belinda arrives at Strathisla Farms

Having been rather taken with Balmyle Belinda when we viewed the herd, we are pleased to have purchased her at the recent Balmyle reduction sale in Stirling for 5000gns. This April 2006-born cow comes from the best family line at Balmyle being the Balmyle Plum family which has sold many bulls topping at 7500gns. Balmyle Plumb has been retained as have several of the off spring from Plumb. Belinda's first calf sold to Greig Farms and the second calf, a heifer, sold for 3800gns at the sale. By Maerdy Othello, a proven sire that has worked very well here and with a tremendous heifer calf by Pennal Dazzller at foot, she is in calf to Balmyle Eclipse. Belinda has tremendous milk figures and eye muscle area with good overall figures. No doubt this family unit will fit in well with the Cardean herd and hopefully prove an exciting prospect in the future.

June 2011 - Blelack Colonel takes reserve male championship at Royal Highland Show

It was a successful outing to this year’s Royal Highland Show particularly for our senior Charolais bull Blelack Colonel who won his class then went on to be placed reserve male champion. Colonel was bought in Stirling February 2009 for 12,000gns and is by Thrunton Socrates out of Blelack Summer. Success at the show continued for him as he was part of the reserve interbreed group and reserve interbreed pairs.

Of the Simmentals at the show, we stood second with Strathisla Bubble’s Geraldine, an April 2010-born daughter of Omorga Samson out of Strathisla Geraldine 10th, while in the two year old heifer class Strathisla Angelina’s Haka, another daughter of Samson, stood third. Earlier in the year, she won her class at Alyth Show and will now be entered for sale in Stirling in October.

Blelack Colonel

Strathisla Bubbles Geraldine

Strathisla Bramble’s Twiggy

Kelton Candie

Kelton Elegant

Strathisla Willow’s Geraldine

April 2010 born heifers Strathisla Bopeep’s Haka and Strathisla Beau’s Mira, both by Dressogue Victorious

Blelack Colonel daughter Cardean Foxglove, born 15th April 2010

Cardean Desire – born 06.10.08 by Solitude Attaboy out of Cardean Ulrika (by Maerdy Othello)

Cardean Eclipse – born 21.03.09 by Solitude Attaboy out of Cardean Snowdrop (by Maerdy Othello)

Strathisla Willow’s Geraldine born 29.03.08 by Omorga Samson out of Strathisla Geraldine 10th (by Blackford Lionheart)

Strathisla Waverly

Strathisla Westminster

Strathisla Whistler

Cardean Disraeli

Cardean Dealornodeal