29th June 2006 - Homes under the hammer in new venture

Almost 300 people were present for Aberdeen & Northern Marts' first ever auction of residential property today (Wednesday, June 28th).

The event - at Thainstone EXCHANGE, Thainstone Centre, Inverurie - saw a total of 17 houses in Inverurie and Aberdeen offered for sale through sole selling agents Paull & Williamsons Solicitors on behalf of Malcolm Allan Housebuilders Ltd and Uppermill Farms Ltd. Auctioneer for the event was Allan Taylor of Aberdeen & Northern Marts.

With guide prices starting at £95,000, all but one of the houses exceeded their guide figures, selling for between £117,000 and £372,000.

Commenting on the sale, Malcolm Allan said: "I am extremely pleased with the auction and it satisfies me on something I have always wanted to do because I don't favour the present offer system.

"I think the success of the sale would even satisfy any 'doubting Thomases' on the potential of the auction system for selling property, and I hope that others will follow the example that this sale has set. The feedback from the event was very good and purchasers left please with their day's business."

ANM Group Ltd chief executive Brian Pack added: "We felt that property auctions were something that was missing from our business and we are delighted to have done our first one. It went very well and its success augurs well for the future - we are looking to sell more residential properties and farms by this means."

One successful bidder said: "It was great to know exactly what you were paying instead of submitting bids and hoping for the best. This is the first time I have purchased a property by auction and it was a very comfortable and enjoyable experience."

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20th June 2006 - Balnacraig stock sells to 6,500gn

Pedigree stock from a leading Deeside herd sold to a top price of 6,500gn at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Friday (June 16th).

Some 63 head of cattle from the Balnacraig herd were put under the hammer following a decision by Gordon and Douglas Cruickshank to dissolve their partnership.

Selling for the herd's top price of the day at 6,500gn was the May 2005-born yearling heifer, Balnacraig Ainsi. An embryo out of one of the herd's foremost females - Balnacraig Jasmin - and by Ryedale Paragon, she was bought by I. G. Thomson, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank.

Achieving 3,800gn and bought on behalf of a Welsh buyer was the May 2004-born maiden heifer Balnacraig Viola, a daughter of Ferry out of Balnacraig Sabbath, whilst the May 1997-born Bellfield Nanette and her heifer calf realised 3,500gn. Bellfield Nanette is by Hartside Jacko and out of Bellfield Jeanette and was bought by A. Work, Dunmore, Orphir, Orkney.

The May 2001-born Balnacraig Sarah - by Ryedale Paragon and out of Moray Dawn - and her heifer calf sold for 3,200gn to I. G. Thomson, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank and the same price was paid by Liam Muir from Orkney for the September 2000-born Balnacraig Red Lady, by Balnacraig Optimum and out of Bellfield Gamine, and her calf.

Bellfield Gamine was also the mother of a calving cow by Balnacraig Randall which also achieved 3,200gn. The February 2003-born Balnacraig Ulay is also on her way to Orkney after being bought by Laga Farms Ltd.

Meanwhile, the top price for bulls from the Balnacraig herd - 2,000gn - was achieved on three occasions.

Balnacraig Ace - a March 2005-born embryo son of Ryedale Paragon and Balnacraig Jasmin - went to W. J. MacGillivray, Fleenas-na-Gael, Nairn while the May 2005-born Balnacraig Alpine by Croftlimousin Spencer and out of Balnacraig Shona was purchased by P. Ferries, Cairnbeathie, Lumphanan.

Also fetching 2,000gn - this time to J. & M. Troup, South Bank, Skene - was Balnacraig Aspen, a June 2005-born son of Croftlimousin Spencer and out of Balnacraig Saffron.

Commenting on the sale, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor said: "The high standard of pedigree stock on the market attracted buyers from all four corners of the UK who were keen to acquire from these renowned bloodlines."

Averages were as follows:

9 cows with autumn-born calves averaged £1,820;
21 cows with young calves or coming to calving averaged £1,743.50;
10 bulling heifers averaged £1,905.75;
12 yearling heifers averaged £1,907.50 and 11 young bulls averaged £1,360.23.

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19th June 2006 - Texel Prime Lamb Championship goes to Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay's J. E. Forrester picked up top spot in a Texel prime lamb competition at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie yesterday (Thursday, June 15th).

(Betty Forrester with the Prime Lamb winners)

The event was held by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjunction with the North of Scotland Texel Club, and sponsor was Towns & Carnie. A total of 44 pairs entered the show, with prices averaging 162.9p/kg.

The overall champion pen - chosen by judge Blair Duffton of Huntly comprised two 41.5kg Texel crosses which were bought by Mr Duffton on behalf of The Store, Foveran for £150 each (361p/kg). The same buyer paid £100 each (206p/kg) for the reserve champions - a pair of 58.5kg pure Texels from Brian Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour.

The full prize list was as follows:

Pair of light pure breds:
1 B. Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour (39.5kg, £70);
2 A. G. Howie, West Knock, Stuartfield (43kg, £71);
3 B. Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour (44kg, £66).

Pair of heavy pure breds:
1 B. Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour (48.5kg, £100);
2 G. L. Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon (52kg, £84);
3 S. Johnstone, Burnside, Dipple, Fochabers (48kg, £75).

Pair of light cross breds:
1 J. E. Forrester, Aldie, Cruden Bay (41.5kg, £150);
2 A. Greenlaw, Sheep Park Farms, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (39.5kg, £70);
3 F. Penny, Poolharry Cottage, Hatton (44.5kg, £71).

Pair of heavy cross breds:
1 B. Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour (45.5kg, £86);
2 I. Cooper & Partners, Backhill of Thornton, Bourtie, Inverurie (45kg, £79);
3 G. Dalton, Nether Contlaw, Milltimber, Aberdeen (49kg £75).

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16th June 2006 - Homes under the hammer in new venture

A total of 17 homes will be put under the hammer later this month when Aberdeen & Northern Marts holds the company's first ever auction of residential property.

The houses comprise new homes and a property portfolio that is being closed down by the current owners, Malcolm Allan Housebuilders Ltd and Uppermill Farms Ltd, through sole selling agents Paull & Williamsons Solicitors.

Among the lots on offer will be residential flats, and semi-detached and detached dwellinghouses in Aberdeen and Inverurie, with guide prices ranging from £95,000 to £325,000. Two are brand new and will come with full National House-Building Council (NHBC) warranties.

Commenting on the venture, ANM Group Ltd chief executive Brian Pack said: "We are very excited about this auction and believe that there is a real opportunity to develop sales of this kind here in the North east - they are very popular in England but haven't been promoted to the same extent in Scotland.

"This new kind of sale for Aberdeen & Northern Marts is also very much in line with the policy of diversification which is evident throughout the Group."

Mr Pack added: "It is great that Malcolm Allan - a long-time supporter of the Group - has decided to launch these auctions with 17 outstanding properties in Inverurie and Aberdeen."

Malcolm Allan added: "We feel that the buying public should have an alternative method of buying properties. The auction system is very fair and transparent and we hope that we can get support for this enterprising venture."

The auction will take place in Thainstone EXCHANGE, Thainstone Centre, Inverurie from 3pm on Wednesday, June 28th, but bidders are advised to be present by 2pm at the latest.

To obtain details on the properties, to arrange a viewing or to find out more about how to bid at the auction, contact Paull & Williamsons Solicitors on (01224) 622622. Information on the properties can also be downloaded from the ANM Group Ltd website at www.goanm.co.uk/propertyauctions

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16th June 2006 - No sale of store and breeding cattle and sheep on Friday 23rd June

Due to next week's Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, there will be no sale of store and breeding cattle and sheep at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Friday, June 23.

The weekly sale of feeding cows, prime cattle and sheep on Thursday, June 22 will continue as normal and will be followed, after the prime sheep, by the week's sale of feeding ewes and rams.

"More and more people are attending the Royal Highland Show's main livestock days on the Thursday and Friday," explained Aberdeen & Northern Marts' general manager, John Gregor. "Many people have suggested this move in the past and, as this is a quiet period of the year for the trading of store stock, we have decided to change the format for one week to accommodate customers' wishes."

For further information, call Aberdeen & Northern Marts on (01467) 623700.

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14th June 2006 - DISPERSAL SALE OF TOP DEESIDE LIMOUSIN HERD AT THAINSTONE'S FRIDAY SPECIAL SALE OF BREEDING CATTLE

The dispersal sale of a top Deeside Limousin herd is to take place at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Friday, June 16th.

The pedigree Balnacraig herd is being dispersed due to the decision by Gordon and Douglas Cruickshank to dissolve their partnership, and 66 adult head will be sold by Aberdeen & Northern Marts. This number comprises eight cows with November-born calves, 25 cows with young calves or coming to calving, ten bulling heifers, 12 yearling heifers and 11 yearling bulls.

When it was founded in 1992, the Balnacraig herd utilised female stock from the Bellfield and Shire herds and was set up on Limousin bloodlines, rather than Signet data.

The later use of top stock bulls Ryedale Paragon, Croftlimousin Spencer and Rosebank Tudor helped establish the herd's reputation, underlined by the 13,500gn sale of a son of Ryedale Paragon out of one of the herd's foremost breeding females, Balnacraig Jasmin. Six of her yearling daughters by Ryedale Paragon will be for sale at the June 16th auction.

Commenting on the sale, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor said: "The management policy at Balnacraig has been to concentrate on producing naturally reared, hardy stock with the emphasis on using home-grown forage to produce liveweight.

"The herd is well known for its quality and we expect there to be considerable interest among buyers."

Prospective buyers are welcome to inspect the Balnacraig herd in advance of the sale, and appointments can be arranged by contacting Douglas Cruickshank on (013398) 82301 or (07732) 471679.

Also forward on June 16th will be the entire autumn calving herd of commercial cattle from representatives of the late A. C. McRobert, Dulix, Glenbuchat.

On offer will 75 Limousin, Simmental and Aberdeen Angus cross cows in regular ages with strong, well-bred July/November-born Charolais cross calves. All are scanned in calf to top Charolais sires, and will be calving from August 14th onwards.

Allan Taylor added: "This herd from Glenbuchat has consistently bred quality, growthy, commercial store cattle and these are sure to appeal."

In addition will be 15 Continental heifers with Limousin cross calves at foot from E. M. Smith, Towiemore, Keith.

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6th June 2006 - Prime Texel event set to attract good number of entries

A show and sale of Texel prime lambs at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie next Thursday (June 15th) looks set to attract a good number of entries.

The event is being held in conjunction with the North of Scotland Texel Club and sponsored by Towns & Carnie. It will feature classes for light and heavy pure and cross Texels which will be judged by Blair Duffton from Huntly.

The show will commence at 11am with the sale to follow at 1pm.

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2nd June 2006 - Strong OTM Sales lead to new Thursday format

With numbers of OTM farrow cows and bulls now exceeding 200 a week, in addition to the weekly sales of prime cattle and sheep, auctions at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie are in line for a new format from next Thursday (June 8th).

From next week, Aberdeen & Northern Marts will be selling farrow cows from 10am followed by prime cattle about 11.30am, with the ballot to take place at 11am. Prime sheep will be sold from 1pm or immediately after the prime cattle.

Commenting on the first six months of OTM sales, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' general manager John Gregor said: "As we expected, live auctions are playing an important role in re-establishing the market for farrow cows, collecting animals and sorting them to match the right buyer with the right animal, whether they be feeding cows or well finished animals ready for slaughter.

"At our weekly sale we are seeing the numbers offered for sale from consignors across the North and North East of Scotland steadily growing as these auctions offer them a good platform to get the best price possible. The recent trade has seen cows exported to Northern Ireland and we hope that the reopening of the European export market will lead to further buoyancy over time as export markets build."

Mr Gregor added: "The new format which we will introduce on Thursday, June 8th will undoubtedly enhance our Thursday prime stock sales at Thainstone Centre and will be more convenient for buyers."

Thainstone's facilities make it well placed to meet the welfare needs of animals. Those travelling long distances to arrive the day before the sale and animals travelling onwards to abattoirs in the south can both make use of the excellent lairage facilities. In addition, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' staff are actively assisting consignors of small numbers with the co-ordination of haulage.

Prime and OTM cattle auctioneer Alan Hutcheon added: "There is a definite air of confidence and optimism in the market and that is clearly demonstrated by the averages from the sales. On the return of Over Thirty Month animals to the food chain in November, the average was around 62p/kg and it has now risen to about 85p/kg for beef cows, with dairy cows now averaging 70p/kg, providing they are reasonably well fleshed. In comparison to the compensation farmers were receiving from the OTMS disposal scheme, we are undoubtedly returning far more money into the pockets of farmers for cull animals.

For further information on sales of OTM cows,
visit http://www.goanm.co.uk/anmarts/livestockauctions/otm
or call Aberdeen & Northern Marts on (01467) 623700.

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