A Limousin bull took the top price of 4,000gn at Dingwall Mart yesterday.
The sale of pedigree bulls achieved a clearance rate of 64% with 25 bulls sold out of the 39 forward.
“There was a selective trade with buyers looking for agile bulls with good locomotion,” said Dingwall and Highland Marts executive director Paul Spencer.
Leading the sale at 4,000gn was an August-2013 born Limousin bull from W. F. Cruickshank and Sons, Clury Farm, Grantown. Clury Imhotep, by Tahitien, sold to Castlecraig Farms, Nigg, Tain.
The next best price of 3,800gn was achieved by a July-2009 born Limousin bull from D. Grant, Slattadale, Lochmaree. Clury Empire, which is by Clurly Sultan, sold to Strathaird Farms, Broadford, Skye.
Thereafter at 3,700gn was the reserve supreme and Simmental champion from the pre-sale show, from Druid Temple Farm, Inverness. Dellfield Excalibur is an April 2013-born son of Curaheen Apostle. He sold to T. B. Pottinger, Baillie Farm, Bridge of Westfield, Thurso.
Two lots then went on to achieve 3,500gn.
The first was an October-2013 born Limousin bull from A. Macnab, Kildun, Dingwall. Alagils Igitur, by Ionesco, sold to A. Maclean, 123 Craigston, Barra.
Next at this price was a September-2013 born Simmental from Druid Temple Farm, Inverness. Dellfield Eliminator, by Annick Wisconsin, sold to D. and D. Fraser, Dunian Mains, Inverness.
The supreme champion – a January-2013-born Limousin bull, Brims Invincible by Tehix, from W. and A. Oag, Brims Mains, Forss, Thurso – sold for 3,000gn to the pre-sale show judge.
Judging the show was Liam Muir, of Upper Onston, Orkney.
He said: “The tops were good, especially the Limousin bulls and the Simmentals were quite good too. The other breeds were maybe more mixed.
“The champion was very correct and he had the right fleshing.”
The Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Shorthorn champions all went unsold.
Meanwhile, the first part of the dispersal of the Well House pedigree herd of Simmentals topped at £3,000 yesterday.
This price was achieved for a June-2012 born heifer with bull calf at foot.
Well House Natalie 21st, by Islavale Whisky 2 and out of Well House Natalie 12th, sold to John P. Clark, Kinnahaird Farm, Contin.
The same buyer paid the next best price of £2,900 for a March-2010 born cow with a bull calf at foot.
Well House Pandora 7th is by Well House Sensation and out of Well House Pandora 6th.
In all, 59 sold from the Well House lot to average £1,696.61.
The pre-sale show was sponsored by Messrs Mackenzie of Whitebog, Aardvark Contracting and Bank of Scotland.