Despite the uncertainty in the market place, Hexham and Northern Marts first prize show and sale of traditional autumn-born cattle and predominantly native breed types, sold well.

The entry of 709 head saw 47 forward to be judged by father and son duo David and Allan Johnson, Tuthill, Cambo, who found their overall champion in a 22-month-old Beef Shorthorn heifer from last year's winners Messrs Milburn, Holling Hill, Rothbury. Bred and purchased by near neighbour David Milburn, Blueburn who manages the farm on behalf of Lord Max Percy, she went on to sell for the top heifer price of £1140 to John Alder, Kirkwhelpington.

Reserve was the Angus champion, a yearling bullock shown by Neil Purves, Colt Park on behalf of Messrs Orde. He sold for £970 to Messrs Adams, Northamptonshire.

Angus steers sold to £1175 from Martin Johnston, High Fotherley whilst heifers sold to £1120 from Edward Heslop, Colwell Demense.

Hereford cattle peaked at £1000 from Messrs Dawson, Skegness for older steers and heifers sold to £810 from Martin Wallace, Newton Stewart.

Shorthorn-bred types sold to £1055 for steers from Neil Hunter, Woodlands Hall and to £1140 for the champion heifer from Messrs Milburn Holling Hill.

A useful entry of Luing and Luing cross cattle from both sides of the Border peaked at £1010 for a pen of four steers from Messrs Shell, Brandon followed by another at £945 from Messrs Reid, Boreland, Peebles. Sim-Luing cattle also sold well at £1020 and £1010 from the same respective producers.

Galloways were also to the fore peaking at £820 from Chris and Jennifer Hall, Whitchester for a pen of four.

The annual show and sale of hill store lambs saw the first prize pen of Mules secure the championship. Consigned by A and T Dixon, Chirdon, they later sold for £68.50.

Beltex lambs from S and M Pickworth, Dotland Park, topped the trade at £91 and £85.50 with other Beltex from C Everitt, Jolly Body, making £85.50.

LEADING prices

Cattle 23-30months – Steers – Lim X – £1030, £990 (x2) Old Deanham. BB – £1060 Old Deanham. sim X – £980, Peddar Hill; £920 Raburn Cottage. A-A X – £1130, Old Deanham; £1095 Nampara and Catreen. Hfd – £1000, £995, £990, Collierley. Gall – £820, Whitchester.

Heifers – Lim – £1055 Old Deanham; £900 Bunker Hill and Old Deanham. BB – £935, £890 Old Deanham. BS – £1115, £1060 Woodlands Hall.

Cattle 17-22months – Steers – Char – £1010 White House Birtley and Brandon; £970, £960, £945 East Fourstones. Lim X – £1025 Wallhouses; £1000 South Gunnerton; £950 Brandon; £915 Kirkley Hall. BB – £960, Windy Hill. Sim X – £1115, £1090, £1070, High Fotherley; £1020, Brandon. A-A – £1175 High Fotherley; £1170 Hepple Whitefield; £1150 High Fotherley and Colwell Demesne; £1140 Wallhouses. Sals –

£965 Wallhouse. Hfd – £990 Ewesley; £990 The Tofts; £960, £920, £900 Ewesley. Lui – £1010 Brandon; £890, Boreland. Short – £1035 Hetherington.

Heifers – Lim X – £970 Bunker Hill; £930 Demesne Farm and Brandon; £905 White House Birtley. A-A – £1120 Colwell Demesne; £1010 Warden Law; £1005 Snape Farm; £1000 Partridge Nest. BS – £1140, £1100 Holling Hill. Lui – £800 Brandon.

Cattle 11-16months – Steers – Char – £910 Brandon. Lim – £1000 White House Birtley; £935, £900 Westburnhope; £895 South Gunnerton, £885 Tedcastle. Sim – £985, £900, Boreland. A-A – £1140 Kiln Hill; £1100 Partridge Nest; £1080 Lynnshield; £1060 Flotterton; £1055 Flotterton and Flotterton Cottage; £1045 Watch Hill; £1030 Snape Farm. BS – £1055 Woodlands Hall. Lui – £945, £890, Boreland.

Heifers – Lim – £870 (x2) Westburnhope. A-A – £1060, £900 Lynnshield.

Cattle 10 months and under – Steers – A-A – £890 New Rift.

Store lambs – Tex X – £78 West Houses; £77 Falstone Farm; £72.50 Brieredge; £70 West Kirkheaton. Dut Tex – £84.50, £80.50 Willimoteswick; £77 Burn House; £74.50 (x2) Willimoteswick. Suff X – £75, £67 Huntlaw Cottage, £66.50 The Bridges, £64.50 Huntlaw Cottage & Felton Demesne, £63 & £59 Felton Demesne, £58 Broadgates & West Houses, £57.50 Snabdough, £57 Rennys Barn

Charollais x – £68.50 Midgeholme

Beltex x - £91 Dotland Park, £85.50 Jolly Body & Dotland Park, £85 Fell Lane, £82 & £81.50 Dotland Park, £80 Wallend, £79.50 Fell Lane

Cheviot x - £60 Humbleheugh, £59 Bellshiel, £57 Humbleheugh, £55.50 Barrasford Green

Mule – £68.50 Chirdon, £62 Chirdon & Dyke Nook, £58.50 Low Oldshield, £57.50 Hareshaw, £56 High Lovelady Shield, £55.50 The Hott, £55 Hareshaw, £54 Agars Hill, £53.50 The Tilery, £53 Hareshaw

Blackface – £61.50 The Brigg, £51 Davyshiel & Featherwood, £49 Burnbank & Featherwood, £48.50 Featherwood, £48 Gleedlee, £47 Greenlees, £45.50 Cottonshope, £45 Grasslees, £44.50 Harsondale & Featherwood,

Swaledale - £36.50 Ouston & Linshiels