A LARGE entry of 1475 store cattle was forward for Dingwall and Highland Marts’ 15th anniversary show at sale at its principal centre, last week, where despite all classes being well back on the exceptional values of last year, cattle met a more buoyant trade than expected. 

Taking the overall championship at the pre-sale show judged by Jim Brown, Gaindykehead, Airdrie, was the intermediate leader, a Limousin cross bullock from the Firm of J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay. The 13-month-old tipped the scales at 535kg and sold for £1250 to Backmuir Livestock, Keith. 

In reserve was the Aberdeen-Angus champion, a 15-month-old bullock weighing 555kg from L and A Taylor, Ardjachie, Tain, which sold to DY Bishop and Co, Fletcherfield, Kirriemuir, for £1210. 

Topping the sale at £1900 and 368.9p per kg, however, was the first prize breeding heifer from Smallburn Farms, Duffus. This was a Charolais cross weighing 515kg. Overall, 567 heifers averaged 208.5p (-31.5p on the year). 

Bullocks sold to 295.5p for a 440kg Limousin cross from Castlecraig Farms, Nigg, as well as £1425 for a pair of 620kg Charolais crosses from Woodend, Killearnan. Bullocks cashed in to average 219.4p (-32.8p) for 904. 

Also forward were 88 OTM cattle which averaged 130.5p and were topped by a Limousin cross from Calrossie Mains, Nigg, at 181.5p and £1370.

LEADING awards:

Bullock – Junior (born on or after Aug 1, 2017) – 1 and junior champion, I Grant, Slattadale, 400kg, £1040; 2 and 3, Slattadale, 358kg, £880, and 358kg, £880. Intermediate (born between April 1 and July 31, 2017) – 1, intermediate champion and overall champion, Firm of J Munro and Son, Invercharron, 535kg, £1250; 2, Seafield Park Farm, Nairn, 545kg, £1,250; 3, Castlecraig Farms, Nigg, 440kg, £1300. Senior (born before April 1, 2017) – 1 and senior champion, Seafield Park Farm, 565kg, £1250. Aberdeen-Angus – 1, Aberdeen-Angus champion and reserve overall, L and A Taylor, Ardjachie, 555kg, £1210; 2, RR MacKay and Co, Rattar, 500kg, £1305. Best Simmental – 1, DF Clarke, Rhannich Farm, 590kg, £1290.
Heifer – Junior – 1 and reserve junior, Smallburn Farms, Duffus, 375kg, £1040. Intermediate – 1 and reserve intermediate, Seafield Park Farm, 535kg, £1290; 2, Smallburn Farms, 515kg, £1900; 3, Seafield Park Farm, 495kg, £1190. Aberdeen-Angus – 1 and reserve Aberdeen-Angus, Castlecraig Farms, 440kg, £910.Breeding heifer – 1,Smallburn Farms, 515kg, £1900; 2, Seafield Park Farm, 535kg, £1290; 3, DF Clarke, Rhannich, 505kg, £1125.
Pair – Bullocks – 1, Castlecraig Farms, 432kg, £970. Heifers – 1 and best pair, Smallburn Farms, 435kg, £960; 2, Castlecraig Farms, 430kg, £970.
Pens of four – Bullocks – 1 and best pen, Castlecraig Farms, 452kg, £1030; 2, L and . Taylor, Ardjachie, 531kg, £1180. Heifers – 1, Castlecraig Farms, 415kg, £970.

LEADING prices:

Bullocks – Up to 250kg – Alvie Farms, Kincraig, £600, 260.9p. 251-300kg – Keppoch Farm, Dundonnell, £780, 291p. 301-350kg – Keppoch Farm, £800, 253.6p. 351-400kg – Slattadale, Lochmaree, £1040; Lochdhu, Nairn, 273.1p. 401-450kg – Castlecraig Farms, £1300; Conan Mains Farm, Conon Bridge, £247.6p. 451-500kg – Rattar Mains, Thurso, £1305, 261p. 501-550kg – Woodend, Killearnan, £1295; Rattar Mains, 251.5p. 551-600kg – Woodend, £1340, 231p. 601-650kg – Woodend, £1400, 229.8p. 651kg+ – Woodend, £1420, 213.5p. 
Heifers – Up to 250kg – Alvie Farm, £900, 360p. 251-300kg – 14 Port Henderson, Gairloch, £670; Fornighty Farm, Lethen, 232.8p. 301-350kg – Bridgeside Farm, Ardersier, £730; 6 Ardindrean, Kiltarlity, 219.3p. 351-400kg – Castlecraig Farms, £1100; Smallburn Farms, 277.3p. 401-450kg – Castlecraig Farms, £1020; Tullochgorum Farm, Boat of Garten, 237.2p. 451-500kg – Seafield Park Farm, Nairn, £1200, 240.4p. 501-550kg – Seafield Park Farm, £1290, 241.1p. 551-600kg – 13 Nether Inshes, Inverness, £1230, 217.7p. 601-650kg – Balvaird Farm, Muir of Ord, £1280, Glenaldie, Tain, 198.4p.
OTM cattle – Per head – Dell Farm (Lim X) £1270; Burnside (A-A) £1190; Guisachan Farm, Tomich, (Sim X) £1,130, Midfearn Farms, Ardgay, (A-A X) £1130; New Croft, Knockfarrel, (Sho) £1070; 4 Bualnaluib (BB X) £1010; Culmailly Farm, Golspie, (Lui X), £970. Per kg – Keppoch Farm (Lim X) 180p; Dell Farm, Farr, 4 Bualnaluib, Aultbea, (BB X) 160.3p; Auchmore Farm, Muir of Ord, (Sal X) 157.7p; Burnside, Bonar Bridge, (A-A) 154.6p; 6 Ardindrean (A-A X) 151.1p; Mayfield, Scrabster, (Sim X) 150.3p; Glenaldie, Tain, (BB) 148.3p.