SIGNET breeding values helped the top one per cent of Charolais bulls scoop a massive £8,038 premium at the Perth Bull Sales this week.

Thrunton Voldemort - 55,000gns

More than 92 per cent of bulls sold were Signet recorded with the average price for the top ten per cent being £4,576 and the top one per cent £12,686.

Samuel Boon, Manager of MLC Signet Breeding Services, said that there was a noticeable move towards bulls with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and breeders are selecting their highest rated animals for sales such as Perth.

He added: "Commercial bull buyers place great faith in the EBVs produced by Signet because they are simple to use and can identify the most profitable animals for their herds.

"Signet EBVs have been used by the beef industry for more than 20 years and are easy to interpret."

At Perth 17 top one per cent animals were sold at an average price of £12,686, 60 top ten per cents at an average £4,576, 41 top 25 per cents at £3,701 and 22 "above average" at £3,019.

* Signet is responsible for the delivery of Beefbreeder - a Beef Cattle Performance Recording Service - to Charolais Cattle Breeders. The service provides breeders and bull buyers with nine Estimated Breeding Values for traits of commercial importance such as growth rate and carcase quality, as well as two breeding indexes Beef Value and Calving Value. This information enables beef producers to select animals with superior breeding potential.

Charolais Bull establishes new Perth 55,000gns sale record
Perth Charolais bulls meet a flying trade
Champion Galloway Heifer Secures Top Price at Carlisle