TWO Shorthorn crosses from Niall Bowser, Agaty, took the champion and reserve tickets at Caledonian Marts' show and sale of 407 native store cattle. 

Taking the championship was a heifer which later sold to the judge, David Tulloch, Riggfoot, for the top price of £1160 while the bullock that stood reserve sold to Jim Brown, Gaindykehead, for £980. 

In the Aberdeen-Angus section, 89 bullocks averaged 246p per kg and sold to 275p from AG Simpson, Portend, and £940 from Argaty, while 56 heifers levelled at 214p (+19p on the year) having peaked at 230p from both MC McDonald and Co, Beachmeanach, and BR Bayley, Midton. Angus heifers also sold to £1030 from W Erskine, Woodcockdale. 

Shorthorns reached 275p for bullocks from Portend and £980 for the reserve from Argaty, while heifers reached 223p from Portend and £1160 for the champion from Argaty. Bullocks (90) averaged 219p (+30p) with 53 heifers at 201p (+6p). 

Bullocks from CC McArthur and Co, Nunnerie, topped the Luings at 225p while heifers sold to 218p from WB and AD Robertston, Balneathill. The 31 bullocks averaged 212p (+13p) with eight heifers at 212p. 

Other sections saw 58 Hereford bullocks average 208p (+14p) and sell to 257p from Pollock and Carrour, Gartnagrenach; 16 Highland bullocks averaged 148p (+7p) and reached 164p and £780 from AH Kirkpatrick, Strathmore; and six Belted Galloway bullocks averaged 215p (+23p) and sold to 250p and £650 from Rettie Farming Co, Hilltown of Ballindean. 

LEADING prices:

Bullocks – A-A – 263p, 261p Beachmeanach; 259p Argaty; 257p Low Peninver; 256p, 248p Gartnagrenach; 246p Midton and Ifferdale. Sho – 243p Portend; 234p, 230p North Moorhouse; 226p Little Galla; 220p Chesterhall Parks. Lui – 222p, 216p Balneathill; 212p Nunnerie. 
Heifers – A-A – 231p Midton; 230p Beachmeanach; 220p Argaty. Sho – 223p Portend; 210p Argaty; 206p Chesterhall Parks.