Averages mostly improved on the year at United Auctions' Christmas show and sale of 523 suckled calves, store and breeding cattle at Dalmally, where a top price of £1240 was achieved for the champion, a 536kg Charolais cross bullock from A and I MacInnes, Ruaig, Tiree.

Commercial champion at both Tiree and Lorn Shows, this bullock later sold to W Cameron, Keith.

The reserve champion, a 287kg spring-born bullock from FD and D McVicar, Lephinchapel, realised 300p per kg. Bullocks averaged 223p per kg (+10p) or £1240 for the champion, to level at £641.13 (-£5.32).

Lephinchapel also sold the top priced heifers at £1070 with a 341kg British Blue cross heifer, while a pair of 195kg Shorthorn crosses from J and J MacPherson, Balliemeanoch, produced the lead price per kg at 333.3p. Heifers averaged £597.96 (+£68.90) or 216p per kg (+22p)

LEADING prices

Bullocks – Per head – A-A X – £990, 10 Eoligarry, Barra; £960, Steall; £880, 10 Eoligarry. BS X – £810, 10 Eoligarry; £800 (x2), Gartincaber. BB X – £1190, £1150, £1100, Ruaig, Tiree; £1060 (x2), £820, Lephinchapel. Char X – £1240, Ruaig; £800 (x2), Merkins. Lim X – £1030, Ruaig; £860, Lephinchapel; £840, Craig Farm; £840 (x4), 10 Eoligarry. Lui X – £750 (x2), Luss Estate Co. Sal X – £760, Otter Estate. Sim X – £1150, 10 Eoligarry; £1000, £960, £870, 13 Eoligarry. Per kg – A-A X – 240p, 10 Eoligarry; 235p (x4), Steall. BS X – 231p (x2), Feorline. BB X – 283p, Lephinchapel; 283p, Feorlin; 274p, 259p (x2) Lephinchapel. Char X – 263p (x7), Ederline Estate; 261p, 257p, Musdale; 248p (x2), Merkins; 244p (x4), Couston. Lim X – 300p (x3), Lephinchapel; 279p, Cuiluaine; 276p, 274p, Lephinchapel; 273p, Stonefield Farms; 270p (x2), 13 Eoligarry; 266p (x6), Ellary Estate. Sal X – 258p, Otter Estate. Sim X – 266p, Ellary Farms; 253p, Pitcastle Estate; 250p, 10 Eoligarry.

Heifers – A-A X – £610, Otter Estate. BS X – £710 (x3), Gartincaber; £650 (x2), Stonefield Farms; £650 (x2), Gartincaber. BB X – £1070, £990, £820, Lephinchapel. Char X – £830, Gartincaber; £770, Bragleenmore. Lim X – £880, £870, 13 Eoligarry; £860, 16 Carnoch; £810, 10 Eoligarry. Lui X – £750, Luss Estate. Sim X – £760 (x3), £730, Couston; £730, Merkins. SH X – £920 (x3), Cruachan, Killin. Per kg – BS X – 273p (x2), Stonefield Farms; 244p (x3), Gartincaber; 240p, Feorlin. BB X – 332p, 313p, 244p, Lephinchapel; Char X – 251p (x2), Kildavaig; 249p (x3), Merkins; 247p (x8), Kildavaig; 240p (x9), Laggan Farms. Lim X – 265p, Lephinchapel; 260p, 10 Eoligarry; 252p, Merkins; 250p, 240p, 10 Eoligarry; 238p, Lephinchapel; 238p, 10 Eoligarry. Sim X – 259p (x2), Kilvaree; 240p (x3), 234p, Couston. SH X – 333p (x2), 274p, 272p (x2), Balliemeanoch.

In-calf heifers – £1920, Dall; £1850, £1720, £1700, £1620, Duncroisk.