A LARGE entry of 402 native-bred cattle were forward for Caledonian Marts’ annual show and sale at Stirling, where the champion and reserve went on to top the sale.
It was two bullocks that caught the eye of judge, John Paterson, Garrionhaugh, with the champion ticket going to a Shorthorn from Bill MacKinnon, West Dron, which later sold to J Gilvear and Sons, Graystale, for 286p per kg, the top of the day, or £1260. 
The reserve, an Aberdeen-Angus from R and W Moffat, Bowridge, led the gross trade at £1300 and also realised 226p when also sold to J Gilvear and Sons. 
Other bullocks peaked at 195p and £1160 for Herefords from M Sibbald, Cowden, with the same home selling Angus heifers to 203p and £900. 
Galloways and Belted Galloway bullocks reached 196p and £760 for a pen from JM and D Maxwell, Blairvockie, with Highlands to 192p and £900 from R Haldane, Cloan Estate. 
Continental bullocks hit 202p for a Simmental cross from AG and ME Bateman, Langholm, and £990 for a Limousin cross from W Bateman, Easter Coilechat. 
Angus bullocks achieved the best average of 202p while Shorthorn bullocks were second best at 201p, with other bullock averages at 191p for Herefords, 184p for Highlands, 182p for Galloway and Belted Galloways, and 195p for continentals.  
Among the heifers, Shorthorns peaked at 203p and £900 from W Erskine, Woodcockdale, with the same home topping the continental heifer section at 211p and £990 with a Limmy cross. Highlanders sold to 186p from Cloan Estate and £870 from CA Prentice, 8 West Bank, Ravenstruther. 
Heifer averages included Angus at 193p, Shorthorns at 186p, Highlands at 151p, and continentals at 182p. 
Also forward were 2832 store sheep, where a show and sale of Blackface wedders was judged by Alan Taylor, Southholm. His champion pen from the 25 plus class from A Frame, Burnside, went on to top the Blackie entry at £56.50, and the 1646 Blackies levelled at £42.03 (+£1.02 on the year). 
Other lambs reached £90 for Mule ewe lambs from Devol House, with stores to £68.50 for Texels from Craigievern. 

LEADING awards and prices:

Blackface wedders – Pen of 25 plus – 1 and champion, A Frame, Burnside, £56.50; 2, Glenturret Estates, £52; 3, Montgomery Farms, £49. Pen of 50 plus – 1 and reserve, Miss Cameron Spittlehill, £50; 2, I Malcolm, Cromlix, £51; 3, D Willison, Craigend, £50.50. 
Ewe lambs – Mule – £90, £86 Devol House. English Mule – £85 East Mitchelton. Cont X – £60 East Mitchelton. Suff X – £60 Carie. Tex X – £59 Carie. 
Store lambs – Tex – Craigievern £68.50. Tex X – Craigannet 67.50. Cont – Torr £67. Cont X – Spinkhill £65. Suff – Torr £50. Suff X – Easter Jawcraig £60. Mule – Easter Dullatur £52.50. BF (outwith show) – Rotmell £51.50; Edentaggart £51; Aberuchill £50; West Tandlemuir £49.50. 
Feeding ewes – BF X – £40 East Mitchelton. Chev – £32 Accurach. BF – £30 Glenturret Estates and Accurach.