A GOOD show of cattle saw all classes sell at good rates at Dingwall and Highland Marts' sale of 701 store and 148 breeding cattle, last week. 

Store averages were up on the year as 416 bullocks averaged 229.9p per kg (+9.6p) with 281 heifers at 220.3p (+7.6p). They peaked at 310.3p for a 290kg Charolais cross bullock from 91/92 Achviach, Dornoch, with bullocks also hitting £1315 for a 625kg Limousin cross from Newton of Ferintosh, Conon Bridge. 

Heifers reached 278.7p and £1310 for a 470kg Limousin cross from Aldourie Farm, Inverness, with a 605kg Limousin cross from Kirkhill Farm, Alves, also making £1310.

Four young bulls levelled at 190.1p, having peaked at 211.4p and £740 for a Charolais cross from 20 Lonbuie, Kiltarlity.

Among the breeding cattle, a top of £2250 was paid four times for in-calf British Blue heifers from the part dispersal from Kirkton Farms, Conon Bridge, with the 129 in-calf cows selling to £1900 for a Blue from the same home. Breeding bulls (four) sold to £1100 for an Aberdeen-Angus from 13 Cross Skigersta Road, Isle of Lewis.

Also on offer were 78 OTM cattle, where the 78 cows averaged 132.2p and sold to 176.8p for a Shorthorn cross form Dhivach, Drumnadrochit, and £1400 for a Limmy cross form Torgorm, Conon Bridge. 

LEADING prices:

Bullocks – Up to 250kg – Cranford, Gollanfield, £630, 273.9p. 251-300kg – 91/92 Achviach, £805, 277.6p. 301-350kg – Boggiewell, Fortrose, £910, 279.5p. 351-400kg – Clury Farm, Dulnain Bridge, £1075, 285.2p. 401-450kg – Kindeace, Alness, £1130; Wester Craiglands, Fortrose, 256.4p (x2). 451-500kg – Woodside, Muir of Ord, £1170; Wester Craiglands, 254.4p. 501-550kg – Meikle Ussie, Dingwall, £1150, 223.3p.
Heifers – Up to 250kg – 283 Torboll, Dornoch, £650, 265.3p. 251-300kg – Boggiewell, £740; Dunmaglass Estate, Dores, 273.1p. 301-350kg – Achnahannet, Dulnain Bridge, £820; Balvullich, Muir of Ord, 260.3p. 351-400kg – Clury Farm, £970; Coul of Fairburn, Urray, 250.7p. 401-450kg – Alterwall, Lyth, £1020, 233.4p. 451-500kg – Dunain Mains, Inverness, £1090, 228.5p. 501-550kg – Aldourie Farm, £1290, 250.5p. 551-600kg – Ardross Castle, Ardross, £1220, 219.8p. 601-650kg – Alterwall, £1200; Kirkhill Farm, 216.5p; 
In-calf females – Cows – Sal X – Westfield, Thurso, and Kirkton Farms, £1650. Sim X – Westfield and Kirkton Farms, £1650. BB – Kirkton Farms, £1600. Char X – Kirkton Farms, £1550. Lim X – Kirkton Farms, £1520. Heifers – BB – Kirkton Farms, £1700. Sim X – Kirkton Farms, £1700.
Cast cows – Sim X – The Cloy, Fortrose, £1130; Torgorm, 166p. Char X – Torgorm, £1270. Lim X – Meikle Ussie, Dingwall, £1210; Torgorm, 167.7p. Sho X – Alterwall, Lyth, £1170; 169.6p. BB X – Torgorm, £1090. Sal X – Torgormack, Beauly, 147.5p. A-A X – The Cloy, 145p.