From where I stood at the Oban Highland Spring Sale, according to Angus Mackay
One never can predict how any event such as our recent annual Oban sale will go as there are so many factors involved. These include the number and quality of cattle on offer, demand and to some extent the prevailing economic conditions within the cattle sector.
From where I stand, it looks as though our industry going to undergo quite dramatic changes in relation to how it is supported. Will those changes favour more grass-based production systems and in turn favour native breeds; who knows? What I do know is the interest in the Highland breed from across the world has never been higher.
The international audience at our recent sale is testimony to that, along with the fact that seldom a week will pass where I will not receive an enquiry for semen or embryos. Last week I had an enquiry from a Highland breeder in Alaska.
All of this goes some way to explain the high level of interest from Highland breeders from the United States at our recent Oban sale. US breeders are looking for cattle with breed character and, probably more importantly, structural correctness which will help to broaden genetic diversity on the North American continent and beyond – making semen and embryos available to Highland breeders worldwide.
The weekend itself got of to a great start with what I considered to be a highly entertaining show on Sunday morning. Although the two-year-old bulls were not in many cases quite as good as former years, most of the prize winners were shown in good form and were in demand the following day.
The senior bulls were somewhat the same with two of the top bulls sought after with more than a little enthusiasm by home based breeders.
Yearling bulls were probably the most consistent class, showing plenty of power and growth potential, the youngest coming out on top by the end of the judging. They also met with a strong demand from home-based breeders.
“I left our Oban event with the feeling that our Highland breed is without question in very good hands, with so many enthusiastic young breeders coming to the fore. They played a big part in what was, a highly successful event.”
The female section was somewhat lacking, as there were no senior heifers on offer which, in past years, always put on a great show being very difficult to beat when it came to the championship award. Nevertheless, the quality of the heifers in the three-year-old class went some way to make up for the lack of in-calf heifers, with first time exhibitors coming to the fore and being worthy winners of the championship award at the end of the show.
The two-year-old heifer section, although lacking numbers, produced what many thought to be the heifer with the most potential, ending up a worthy reserve champion.
The yearling section produced what was probably the finest show of black Highland females seen at any sale for many years and selling well beyond sellers’ expectations; many more could have been sold to advantage.
The highlight of the day occurred prior to the female championship award with the ever-popular young handlers’ competition. The senior section was especially hotly contested. I do not recall seeing so many young handlers in the ring showing cattle with such a high degree of professionalism, never putting a foot wrong, whilst at the same time showing the cattle under their charge always to advantage, regardless as to where they stood in the eventual line-up.
Our judge took time to talk to each of the young exhibitors, whilst at the same time keeping them in suspense prior to making his final decision, a job really well done by all concerned.
At the conclusion of the show I was more than a little convinced that the following day would go well. You could sense the positivity around the ringside during the show, along with the enquires directly afterwards. Having said that what turned out to be a record breaking sale was somewhat in excess of even my expectations.
All of the exhibitors have to be congratulated with regards to the presentation of all of the exhibits, it was first class. The first-time exhibitors can be justly proud of the awards they gained, they were worthy winners. Keep up the good work - you were a credit to the Highland breed!
At the end of the event what I asked myself was this: some of our largest fold owners have been somewhat noticeable by their absence at our Oban sales in recent years - will they be tempted to enter stock at forthcoming sales and take on the young guns? I would like to think so.
I left our Oban event with the feeling that our Highland breed is without question in very good hands, with so many enthusiastic young breeders coming to the fore. They played a big part in what was, a highly successful event.
Looking forward to seeing them all again in October.
Angus Mackay
