STRONG demand for the Aberdeen-Angus breed continued right through to the females, with prices peaking at 9500gns for the 10-month-old heifer calf, Rawburn Miss Essence, from John and Johnnie Elliot's herd based at Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.

The first heifer sold by the Rawburn Elysium son, Rawburn Firebrand, which was out of a Canadian import, she sold to Richard Hassell of Brailes Livestock, Banbury, Oxford.

Notably, her dam, Rawburn Miss Essence, an eight-year-old ET bred from the Canadian cow, DMM Miss Essence 147H, which has bred sons to 28,000gns, and sired by Hoff Limited Edition, made 8000gns selling to Balavil Estate, Kingussie, Inverness, now managed by Robert Marshall. She sold due in May to Rawburn Boss Hogg.

Mr Marshall, who was dispersing his own Strath Urr herd was in the money too, receiving 8300gns for Belhaven Zephyr, a six-year-old show cow by Muirhall Double Edition out of Belhaven Zara Lisa. Breed champion at the Yorkshire Show in 2015, she sold due next month to GV Duke, to Iain Colville, Glenford Road, Grove, Belfast.

Her twin-born yearling heifers, by Logie Limited Edition, also proved popular selling at 3500gns and 3400gns. The former, Strath Urr Zafira S011, was purchased by Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton, Annan, with the latter, Strath Urr Zahara S012, headed to Hawick with AR Bell, Kirkton.

Topping the collective sale at 7000gns was the female champion, Border Lyne Gentle Julia, from Michael and Anne Story and daughters, Rachael and Fiona, who are better known for their Borderesk Beltex flock from Longtown.

The family, who were selling here for the first time in several years, secured their first female title with a two-year-old daughter of Netherallan Peter Pershore, out the show heifer, Border Lyne Jasmin, by Kincardine Castle Etive Mhor. Reserve champion at Dumfries and Westmorland Shows last year, she sold in-calf to Netherton Federation, to SM Thomson, South Coldoch, Kirklane, Blairdrummond.