A LIMOUSIN cross heifer from the Munro family - Mark, Debby, Duncan and Tilly - of Invercharron, Ardgay, stood champion at The Spectacular show and sale held at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' Thainstone centre, and went on to sell for the top price of £4000.

This year's sale saw 38 calves forward, where only three failed to find new homes. The 17 heifers cashed in at 4.49p per kg or £1983.75, while 21 bullocks levelled at 4.06p or £1728.42. 

Leading the way was a 495kg, home-bred 11-month-old heifer named Baby Shambles. Sired by Bailea Cavalier and out of a British Blue cross cow, she stood reserve at Sutherland Show and first in her class at every show. She sold for £4000 to David Blair, Littleinch Farm, Balmerino, Newport On Tay. 

Next best at £3400 and topping the bullock trade was an Orcadian-bred animal, Balfour Baillie's home-bred 17-month-old Limousin cross from Sebay View, Tankerness. Champion bullock in the yearling animals today and yearling champion in the black and blue section at the Orkney County, as well as first at East Mainland, he also sold to David Blair, Littleinch Farm. 

Two came under the hammer at £3000 from the Munro family including their 483kg, 11-month-old home-bred British Blue cross heifer when snapped up by Ayrshire's James Nesbit, Sorn Mains, Mauchline. Matching that price was their 268kg, four-month-old Limousin cross bullock named Benjamin, which was bought by Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms. 

Champion animal in the younger calves was the Robertson family's home-bred March 2018-born Limousin cross bullock from Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry. By Powerhouse Harlequin and weighing in at 291kg, he is out of a British Blue cross Limousin and was knocked down for £2500 to JCB Commercials.