NAIRN JAC member Ally Fraser, provided the star attraction at the Young Farmers' overwintering show and sale at Thainstone, producing the show champion winner which went on to top the sale at £2200.

The yearling calf, a black Limousin cross heifer is by Beulah Joblot, and was selected by the judge, Craig Malone, Pitcairn, Cardenden. Bred by George Macarthur, Mid Fleenas, she passed the weighbridge at 516kg to produce a gross profit of £680 when selling to Blair Duffton, Huntly.

Keith young farmer, Gary Morrison, had a day to remember too, winning not only the award for the best overwintered animal but also bagging the supreme championship in the home-bred section and a second prize in the junior intermediates.

The former, the second prize heifer to the champion, was a 14-month-old 522kg Limousin cross from Bush of Muldearie, Mulben, Keith. She was bred by JJ MacDonald, 103 Carnan Eochar, South Uist and was later knocked down at £1950 – the second top price – to produce a profit margin of £950 after being bought by Jim Baillie, Sebay Farm, Tankerness.

Champion in the unhaltered section was the 17-month-old pedigree Limousin heifer, Muldearie Nicole, by Springwood Enzo. She sold for £1350 to Harry Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead.

Mr Morrison also received £1450 for his second prize junior intermediate, a 13-month-old 454kg Limousin cross heifer bred by Bill and Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie. She produced a £680 margin.

Next highest disclosed price was £1450 paid twice for bullocks from Keith YFC member, Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul. First was the bullock champion purchased by Backmuir Livestock, Keith. This 15-month-old Limousin cross which scaled 542kg was bred by DD and JA Scott, Grutha, South Ronaldsay.

Selling for the same price for Mr Robertson, was the first prize home-bred British Blue cross bullock, a six-month-old son of Midlock Jackpot that passed the weighbridge at 270kg and sold to Ronnie Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt.

Deer and District member, Craig Buchan, Nether Savoch, Longside, also came up with the goods, selling his second prize unhaltered bullock for £1400 to Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith. This 612kg, 18-month-old entry was bred by the Munros from Invercharron, Ardgay.

Two calves realised £1280 including the second prize unhaltered heifer from Keith YFC member, Bradley Robertson, Roebank. This April, 2018-born British Blue cross heifer bred by Simon Stephen, Meikle Geddes, Cawdor, weighed in at 422kg and again sold to Harry Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains.

Later a 13-month-old, 492kg Limousin cross bullock from Lower Speyside member, Harry James Ross, Coldholme, Dallas, Forres, made the same money selling to JG Smith, Wester Campfield, Glassel, Banchory. He was bred at Dunmaglass Mains, Inverness and stood first in the light bullock section.

Overall, 20 heifers averaged 267p per kg or £1232 with 15 steers cashing in at 245p or £1193.33.

LEADING awards

Highest average daily liveweight gain – Steers – 1, Graeme Rhind, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, 1.534kg/day; 2, Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, 1.475kg; 3, Stuart Ross, Wardhead, Strichen, 1.258kg. Heifers – 1, Craig Buchan, Nether Savoch, Longsid, 1.375kg; 2, James Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss, 1.301kg; 3, Gary Morrison, Bush of Muldearie, Mulben, 1.296kg

Highest feeders’ margin – Steers – 1= James Maciver, £360 profit, 146days and Harry James Ross, Coldhome Farm, Dallas, £360,146days; 3, Stuart Ross, Wardhead, Strichen, £320. Heifers – 1, Gary Morrison, £950; 2, Gary Morrison, £680; 3, Ally Fraser, Easter Clune Farm, Lethen, £680.

Best presented and paraded – 1, Bradley Robertson, Roebank, Grange; 2, Kimberley Mackie, Whiteside, Tullynessle; 3, Ellen Glennie, Burnside, Keig. Best quality animal – Ally Fraser. Best home-bred animal – Gary Morrison.

Best overwintered steer – 1, Mark Robertson, 27points (kept less days); 2, Harry James Ross, 27points; 3, Graeme Rhind, 24points. Heifers – Gary Morrison, 28points; 2, James Maciver, 25points; 3, Gary Morrison, 24points.

Calladrum Cup – 1, Gary Morrison, 28points; 2, Mark Robertson, 27points; 3, Harry James Ross, Coldhome Farm, Dallas, 27points.

Novice award – 1, Harry James Ross, 27points; 2, Graeme Rhind, 24points; 3, Craig Buchan,24points

Junior Young Farmer award – 1, Graeme Rhind, 24points; 2, Craig Buchan, 24points; 3, Stuart Ross, 17points

Young Farmers Club award – 1, Lower Speyside – 92points; 2, Keith – 77points.