A Limousin cross bullock was crowned overall champion at yesterday’s anniversary show and sale of store cattle at Dingwall and Highland Marts.
The 585kg April-2014 born lot from Grant Anderson, of Auchenhalrig Farm, Fochabers, was snapped up for £1,500 by show judge Bill Cameron, of Burnside of Edingight, Keith.
Mr Cameron said: “There was a good show of cattle, especially the stots. Trade seemed to be good – dearer than expected – because there’s an abundance of grass and the fat price has gone up.”
The supreme beast, which stood as intermediate champion earlier in the day, was bred by Lloyd Fowlie, of Guise, Tough, Alford, and bought by Mr Anderson privately in the spring.
Yesterday’s win was Mr Anderson’s second supreme championship at the anniversary sale, now in its 12th year.
The top price achieved at the sale was £1,540 for a 680kg Charolais cross bullock from W. J. Jack and Son, Woodend, Muir of Ord. This lot sold to Backmuir Trading at Keith.
Standing reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show was the senior champion from James and Jane Farquharson, of Camaultmuir, Kiltarlity, Beauly.
Their 565kg March-2014 born Limousin cross bullock was bought by G. and S. McConachie, of Berrybrae, Wardhouse, Insch, for £1,480.
Thereafter the junior champion – a 545kg 10-month-old Limousin cross bullock from J. Munro and Son, of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay – sold for £1,420 to Backmuir Trading.
The Aberdeen-Angus champion, a 575kg bullock from D. and C. Sandison, Smerral Farm, Bower, sold for £1,390 to David Buchan, of Savock, Longside.
In all 972 bullocks sold to an average of £2.54 a kg – up 11.4% on last year’s sale when 811 sold to average £2.28 a kg. While, 552 heifers sold to an average of £2.45 a kg – up 12.9% on last year when 449 sold to average £2.17 a kg.
The mart’s managing director, Ian Tolmie, said: “A great show of cattle made an absolutely tremendous trade. We had a lot of regular buyers and new buyers present.”
Aberdeen and Northern Marts is holding its annual summer show and sale of store cattle tomorrow.
The sale will see 1,000 lots go under the hammer at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
The event, which is sponsored by Turriff Agri-parts, will be judged by Colin Gregor, of Skiebhill, Aberchirder. As well as stores, there will also be a number of weaned calves on show and for sale.
The mart’s deputy general manager, Alan Hutcheon, said: “This is an ever-popular show and sale with an excellent selection of summer grazing cattle, including a number of consignments from Orkney and Caithness.”
The show kicks off at 8.30am followed by the sale at 10am.