Dumfriess-shire cattle producer, Andrew Bunting, Midtown, New Abbey, made his presence felt at Harrison and Hetherington's May Day show and sale of 1210 store cattle at Kirkby Stephen, buying the overall champion for £1400.

His purchase, an 11-month-old British Blue cross heifer was consigned by Messrs Brass, Bridge End, Soulby.

Reserve was a 12-month-old Limousin cross steer from John and Mandy Smith-Jackson, Hightown, Haltwhistle, which made £1300 to Messrs Sedgewick, Newton Aycliffe.

Top price however, was £1620 paid for a Limousin cross heifer from Messrs Sowerby, Terrys Farm, Ormside which was bought by Messrs Cooper, Troughton Hall, Broughton in Furness. Terrys Farm also produced the lead herd average selling 30 for a whopping £1287.83.

This was closely followed by Crookholm Farm, Canonbie, which sold 11 at £1250.91

A flying trade throughout saw more than 70 cattle sell for between £1200 and £1600, with a quarter of the cattle forward selling for in excess of £1100. As a result, the overall steer average was £1012.27, with heifers cashing in at £953.87 being achieved.

LEADINGHERD averages

Farm (No) £

Terrys Farm (30) 1287.83

Crookholm (11) 1250.91

Hawkrigg (10) 1167.50

Peacock Hill (6) 1136.67

Argill House (10) 1115.63

New Hall (50) 1097.81

Bridge End (40) 1092.50

Yore House (10) 1084.38

Bleathgill (7) 1053.57

Abbey Park (14) 1048.57

LEADING prices

Store cattle – Steers – Lim – £1400 (x2), £1385, £1365, £1325, Terrys Farm; £1335, Yore House; £1335, Abbey Park; £1335 Waters Farm; £1305, New Hall; £1300 Hightown. BB – £1345, Terrys Farm; £1290, £1285, Bridge End Farm; £1275, New Hall. BS – £1245, £1205, £1165 Eastfield Farm. Char – £1185, £1125 Hawkrigg Farm; £1165 Waters Farm. Blonde – £1175, £1100, £1080 Cranberry. A-A – £1055 Stripes Farm; £1055 (x2) Low House. Hfd – £1000, £930, £915 South House. HF – Wharton Hall.

Heifers – Lim – £1620, £1360 (x2), £1300, Terrys Farm; £1600, Asby Hall; £1520, £1300, Crookholm Farm; £1365, New Hall; £1335, Argill House; £1325, Hawkrigg Farm; £1300 (x2) Gilts. BB – £1550 (x2) Crookholm Farm; £1505, Middle Bank End Farm; £1485, New Hall Farm; £1400 Bridge End Farm; £1355, Fold House Farm; £1320, Low Bank House. A-A – £1080 Low House; £955 Stripes Farm. Blonde – £1030 Low House. Char – £995 Bowderdale Head; £975 (x2) Middle Bank End Farm. Hfd – £955 Stripes Farm; £900 South House.

Bulls – BB – £1235, Fell View; £1025 Roseleigh. Char – £955 Roseleigh.