STORE cattle met a strong trade with averages well up on the year at Dingwall and Highland Marts’ anniversary show and sale at Dingwall, where the champion went on to sell for the top price of £1550. 

Selected by judge S Connon, of Skilmafilly, Auchnagatt, was the senior champion, a 21-month-old 640kg Charolais cross bullock from WJ Jack and Son, Woodend, Killearnan. 

In reserve and selling for £1350 was the Shorthorn champion, a 450kg 10-month-old bullock from Smallburn Farms, Elgin. 

The champion led the sale at £1550, with bullocks also leading the price per kg at 336.4p for a 220kg Limousin from Midbadgrinan, Culbokie. The 827 bullocks levelled at 252.2p, a rise of 21.8p on the year. 

Heifers (621) were up 18.1p to average 240p, having peaked at 322.2p for a 360kg Charolais cross from Wester Rarichie, Tain, and £1520 for a 525kg Limousin cross from Hilton, Tain. 

LEADING awards:

Junior (born on or after August 1, 2016) – Bullock – 1 and junior champion, Smallburn Farms, Duffus, 360kg, £1130; 2, I Grant, Slattadale, 345kg, £980; 3, J Munro and Son, Invercharron, 365kg, £1030. Heifer – 1 and reserve junior, Smallburn Farms, 395kg.
Intermediate (born between April 1 and July 31, 2016) – Bullock 1 and intermediate champion, Invercharron, 440kg, £1280; 2, Invercharron, 410kg, £1210; 3 IJ Stewart, Lower Whitebog, 435kg, £1180. Heifer – 1 and reserve intermediate, J and J Henderson, Udale, 555kg, £1300; 2, Smallburn Farms, 545kg, £1280; 3, Invercharron, 420kg, £1200.
Senior (born before April 1, 2016) – Bullock – 1, senior champion and supreme champion, bullock, WJ Jack and Son, Woodend, 640kg, £1550; 2 and reserve senior, Woodend, 570kg, £1400; 3, R MacKenzie, Glebe of Deisher, 600kg, £1450. Heifer – 1, Glebe of Deisher, 585kg, £1420.
Shorthorn bullock – 1 and reserve supreme, Smallburn Farms, 450kg, £1350
Pairs – Bullocks – 1 and best pair, Woodend, 605kg, £1460; 2, Woodend, 482kg, £1360. Heifers – 1, Smallburn Farms, 530kg, £1280; 2, W Mackintosh, Lyne of Urchany, 375kg, £990.
Pens of four – Bullocks – 1 and best pen, Woodend, 590kg, £1460. Heifers – 1, Duffus, 545kg and 530kg, £1280; 2, KDJ MacRae and Partners, Shawpark, 566kg, £1300.

LEADING prices:

Bullocks – Up to 250kg – 9 Balmacara, Kyle of Lochalsh, £810, 324p. 251-300kg – Bogburn, Duncanston, £850; 14 Port Henderson, 296.3p. 301-350kg – Lochdhu, Nairn, £1010; Kirkton Farms, Bunchrew, 290.4p. 351-400kg – Woodside, Muir of Tarradale, £1190; Smallburn Farms, Duffus, 313.9p. 401-450kg – Smallburn Farms, £1350, 300p. 451-500kg – Rattar, Thurso, £1300; Invercharron, Ardgay, 295.1p. 501-550kg – Muirton Mains, Urray, £1430, 273.3p. 551-600kg – Woodend, £1460; Lochdhu, 290.6p. 601-650kg – Newton of Ferintosh, Conon Bridge, £1460; Woodend, 242.2p. 651-700kg – Woodend, £1460, 222.9p.
Heifers – Up to 250kg – Pithogarty, Tain, £640, 268.9p. 251-300kg – Lochdhu, £840, 280p. 301-350kg – Fornighty Farm, Lethen, £960, 290.9p. 351-400kg – Rhevackin Farm, Kiltarlity, £1000; Balmacaan, Drumnadrochit, 285.5p. 401-450kg – Invercharron, £1200, 285.7p. 451-500kg – The Rowans, Brora, £1270; Smallburn Farms, 262.5p. 501-550kg – Shawpark, Glaickmore, £1280; Hilton Farm, 289.5p. 551-600kg – Shawpark, £1430; Udale, Poyntzfield, 248.7p.