Averages: 29 bulls £3038; nine females £2022.

Aberdeenshire livestock agent and cattle showman, Blair Duffton, backed his decision and bought his choice of champion at a society show and sale of pedigree Limousins at Ballymena, on Monday forking out 5300gns for Carmorn Nutcracker.

The bull, a February 2017-born ET son of the 140,000gns Trueman Jagger from C and F McAuley, Toomebridge, Co Antrim, is bred from Carmorn Gucci.

"Nutcracker is a modern bull with a tremendous top line and back end. I believe he will do well with cross-bred cows and will produce superior calves," said Mr Duffton who first selected the bull as junior champion and then supreme overall.

Next best at 5000gns was Ballyrickard Mrbean, from IN Davidson, Larne, Co Antrim. This November 2016-born bull is by Norman Ely, out of Ballyrickard Judy, and also solld across the Irish Sea with G Yarr from Angus.

At 4400gns, Archies Maximus from McKenna Bros, Bellaghy, Co Derry, was knocked down to Ross Millar, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone. Similarly aged, Maximus is by Archies Jazzyjeff and out of Goldies Interflora.

Females sold to 3400gns for the section champion, Rahoney Natasha from H and D McFarland, Trillick Co Tyrone. This April 2017-born ET is by Ampertaine Gigolo, bred from Rahoney Hazel and sold to Mel Lucas, Antrim, Co Antrim.