PEDIGREE bulls hit a top of 6100gns at Dingwall and Highland Marts’ annual show and sale at Dingwall, when an Aberdeen-Angus entry from Donald Rankin, of Kilmaluag House, Isle of Skye, attracted the best of the bids. 

With 22 bulls selling to average £2957.85, the top price was paid for Donald’s September, 2015-born Kilmaluag Rambo, the dearest sold so far by the privately purchased Retties JFK from Donald’s 25-cow herd. His dam, Coolermoney Rochell, was a prize winner in Ireland as well as senior breed champion at the Stars of the Future. Rambo heads to work at Remiggy, Lybster, for JF MacGregor. 

The Howies’ Knock Master, a March, 2016-born Limousin from West Knock, Peterhead, followed next at 4800gns when sold to Fanblair Farm, Kiltarlity. Sired by the 21,000gns Goldies Goldfinger, he is the eighth and final calf out of Knock Abigail. 

Redhill Hooligan from D and DM Leslie, Redhill, Elgin, was knocked down to A Ross, Brenachie, Kildary, for 4200gns. This Simmental bull’s pedigree features Thursford Casino on to Redhill Ammie. 

Dearest of the Charolais bulls at 4100gns was Wendy Kingaby’s Utopia Lionheart from the herd near Pennan, Fraserburgh. His pedigree features Blelack Edition on to Redheughs Coventry. Lionheart was bought by J Fraser, 3 Glaick, Ardross. 

And, at 4000gns, H Macrae, Glenbrittle, Carbost, bought Gary and Angela Christie's Simmental bull, Rockytop Heston, from Birchfield, Huntly. He is backed by home genetics, being by Rockytop Ernie and out of Rockytop Weigela Florin.

Averages: 11 Limousin bulls, £2340.45; four Simmental bulls, £2984.10; three Charolais bulls, £3604.65.