UNITED Auctions sold a total of 1817 store cattle at its April show and sale, where A Cook, of Kinneil Mill, had the task of placing the single and penned entries. 

Although there was no overall champion, the first prize bullock from Messrs Thompson, Hilton of Beath, topped the show calves at £1240 at a weight of 528kg. The first prize heifer from Messrs King, South Hill of Drips, weighed in at 484kg and realised £1140. 

But selling for the top price of £1340 was a 624kg Charolais cross bullock from Middleton, with the 886 beef-bred bullocks also selling to 304.3p per kg for a 230kg Limousin cross from Craigview, Isle of Arran. 

Bullocks levelled at 233.82p, while the 77 dairy bullocks averaged 160.66p having sold to 186.7p from Meikle Camquhill and £925 from East Banknock. Averaging 220.31p, the 845 heifers peaked at 278.7p for a 330kg Charolais cross from Laigh Alticane and £1280 for a 600kg British Blue cross from The Ross. 

A selection of cast cows saw the 148 beef types average 143.07p with the 54 dairy cows at 106.34p. 

Also on offer were 1569 store and breeding sheep, where store hoggs reached £73.50 for crosses from Stralochy.

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, out April 15, for all the leading awards and prices.