An increased entry saw prices peak at £3500 at Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ show and sale of spring calving heifers and breeding cattle at Thainstone, where 591 head of adult breeding cattle, to include 501 in-calf heifers, averaged £1659.54.

Topping the trade was the pre-sale champion, selected by judge Gordon Cameron, Acharacle, from Harry Emslie, Kinknockie, Mintlaw, purchased by WA Taylor, Woodland, Ballater, on behalf of a telephone bidder.

The champion, a 31-month-old British Blue cross heifer sold due to calve in the spring to the Limousin bull Whisky Infinity –the Royal Welsh Show and champion of champions at Turriff Show in 2017.

Mr Emslie also took the pairs championship with two Limousin crosses which are in calf to the same sire. They sold for £2350 per head to JA Smith, The Rowans, Brora.

Matching that £2350 bid were three heifers including two British Blue crosses and a Limousin cross from Gordon and Lynsey Carroll, Edendiack, Gartly, Huntly, purchased by JWR Moar and Co, Crook, Rendall.

The first prize Simmental heifer from Aileen Ritchie, Talmala, Burnside, Whitecairns, realised £2150 to JB Wilkie and Sons, Braigiewell, Echt.

And, in-calf Salers heifers reached £2000 for a pen of two from JA Sleigh and Sons, Newseat of Tolquhon, purchased by C and C Adam, Braeside, Cushnie.

LEADING awards

Single heifers – By a Simmental bull – 1, Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, £2150; 2 and 3, J Dow, Upper Sauchen, Ordhead, £1980 (x2). By a Limousin – 1, 2 and 3, Emslies Livestock, Mintlaw, £1900, £2200 and £2050. By a British Blue – 1 and 3, Emslies Livestock, £3500 and £1900; 2, WJ Kingaby, Mains of Auchmedden, Pennan, £1950. By a Salers – 1 and 2, JA Sleigh and Sons, Newseat of Tolquhon, £2000; 3, A Gibb and Co, Backhill of Seggat, Auchterless, £1580. By any other breed – 1, G and L Carroll, Edendiack, Gartly, £1850; 2, Emslies Livestock, £1950.

Heifer pairs – By a Simmental bull – 1, JA Sleigh and Sons, £1820; 2 and 3, J Dow, £1980 and £1950. By a Limousin – 1 and 2, Emslies Livestock £2350 and £2050; 3, B Duffton, 2 Bogie Street, Huntly, £2000. By a British Blue – 1 and 2, Emslies Livestock, £1900 (x2); 3, G and L Carroll, £2100. By a Salers – 1 and 2, JA Sleigh and Sons, £2000, £1780; 3, A Gibb and Co, Backhill of Seggat, £1580. By any other breed – 1, Emslies Livestock, £1900; 2, A Gibb and Co, £1600