A six-month-old embryo calf from Ian and Wendy Callion’s Lodge herd from Bolfornought, Stirling, led the way at a joint Limousin production sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, selling for 7000gns.

The sale, which also featured maiden heifers from Neil and Stuart Barclay's Harestone herd from Insch, was topped by Lodge Pearl, a calf bred from Lodge Emerald, a daughter of the herd's French stock bull, Attila; sired by the Irish-bred Elite Foreverbrill, a Wildoge Vantastic son. A full sister of Lodge Lavender, sold here in 2016 for 7500gns, Pearl was purchased by Mark McKinstry for his 25-cow pedigree Ballyaulkin herd from Nuttscorner, Crumlin.

“I really liked her for her style and presence and she is just full of shape," said Ian McFadden, Ballyaulkin herd manager, who was looking for quality females to add to their herd.

The first lot in the catalogue, the rising eight-year-old cow Lodge Gwyneth, and her bull calf made the second top price of 4500gns when selling to Craig and Jack Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith, Banffshire. Another by Attila, she is out of the Bailea Olympia daughter, Lodge Actress which sold for 6800gns at the herd’s sale in 2016.

Gwyneth’s calf at foot was the bull, Lodge Pierre, sired by the herd’s new French stock bull Mattben, purchased in 2017 in Limoges.

The four-year-old Lodge Lady made 3500gns selling to the Dentview herd of Mike Slater, Rose Cottage, Beckermet, Cumbria.

Two lots from the Harestone offering made 4000gns to include the April 2017-born heifer Harestone Naomi, by Drummin Jameson, an Irish-bred bull, purchased by the Barclays at Roscrea after he stood junior champion. Naomi is out of the Broadmeadows Cannon-sired Harestone Inga, and also sold to Mark McKinstry for the Ballyaulkin herd.

Matching the 4000gns sale was the May 2017-born Harestone Nutmeg. She is also by an Irish sire in Killcastle Eric, and out of Harestone Ironmaiden, a daughter of the French sire, Rocky described as one of the herd’s best cows. She headed up to Caithness, purchased by Messrs Douglas, Bower, Wick.

averages: Lodge herd – Five lots, £4515. Harestone herd – 23 maiden heifers, £1572.72.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.