A PEN of Beltex lambs from R Lines, Killocraw, Bellochantuy, Campbeltown, ruled supreme and topped the trade at C and D Auction Marts' annual Christmas show and sale, this week.

Scaling 41kg, they made £130 to the judge, Philip Burton of West Scottish Lamb abattoir.

Mr Burton also purchased the reserve pen for £100 apiece. That was 40kg Beltex from TN Cavers, Sorbie, Langholm.

Outwith the show, 6105 prime lambs averaged 174.3p per kg with SQQs at 175.3p. Top price was 256p for Beltex from Messrs Gribbon, Waterside, Dumfries, and £120 for a Beltex from Killocraw.

In the cattle, a Limousin heifer weighing 635kg from J, J and D Taylor, Englishtown, stood champion and later sold for 300p or £1905 to the judge, Joe Kirkup of W Kirkup and Sons Butchers, Longtown. Mr Kirkup awarded the reserve honours to a Galloway bullock from A Carruthers and Sons, Peela Hill, which he then purchased for 250p.

LEADINGawards:

Prime lambs – Tex X – 1, McKelvey, Burnside, 42kg, £87; 2, Fotheringham, Drumcairn, 43kg, £102. Bel or Bel X – 1 and champion, Lines, Killocraw, 41kg, £130; 2 and reserve, Cavers, Sorbie, 40kg, £100. Cont – 1, Lines, Killocraw, 41kg £87; 2, Laird, Yeldabrek, 36kg, £88.

Suff X – 1, Hird, Broomhills, 59kg, £96; 2, Hird, Broomhills, 55kg, £96. NOE Mule – 1, Kyle, Spoutbank, 45kg, £76; 2, Gass, Nunscleugh, 47kg, £76. Scotch Mule – 1, Simpson, Kirkhouse, 50kg, £80; 2, Simpson, Kirkhouse, 48kg, £76. NCC – 1, Thomson, Hownam Grange, 44kg, £80; 2, McCulloch, Over Hillhouse, 43kg, £76. SCC – 1, Warden, Skelfhill, 42kg, £75; 2,

Reid, Glendearg, 38kg, £72. BF – 1, Tod, Glenshanna, 41kg, £76; 2, Cavers, Sorbie, 41kg, £72.

Prime cattle – Lim bullock – 1, Gass, Nunscleugh, 610kg, 238p; 2, Story, Newbiggin, 600kg 231p. AOB bullock or heifer – 1, Carruthers, Peela Hill, 620kg, 250p; 2, Kyle, Spoutbank, 565kg, 228p. Lim heifer – 1, Taylor, Englishtown, 635kg, 300p; 2, Story, Newbiggin, 540kg 242p. Char heifer – 1, Vevers, High Stenries, 565kg, 239p. Cont bull – 1, Vevers, High Stenries, 555kg, 213p. Beef cow – 1, Gass, Nunscleugh, 710kg, 126p. Dairy cow – 1,

Imrie, Harelawhole, 810kg, 121p.