Averages: 48 bulls £4107.

Reports : Patsy Hunter

Photogrpaher: Emma Cheape

Top quality bulls met a buoyant demand at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' multi-breed show and sale, staged alongside the Royal Northern Agricultural Society's Spring Show at Thainstone, on Wednesday.

Sale leader at 8500gns was the third prize Simmental, Islavale Jester from the Stronach family's herd from Berryleys, Keith. A son of Ranfurly Confederate, a bull bought at the Dirnanean sale and sire of the 24,000gns Islavale Heston. A rising two-year-old bred from the Dirnanean Bradley-sired heifer, Islavale Eleanor VG86, Jester was knocked down to Messrs Gill, Brucefield, Portmahomack, Ross-shire.

The champion Simmental from Billy and Anne MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, made 5800gns when knocked down to G Ramsay and Son, Boghead, Auchindoun, Keith. This was Blackford Jaguar, a 23-month-old son of the noted Blackford Galaxy.

Charolais bulls peaked at 6800gns for the overall champion, Bonnykelly Officer, from Graeme and Mark Leggat, who were producing their second overall champion here. Their show stopper this year is by the same sire as last year's winner, Gretnahouse Ivory, a bull that has bred sons to 9500gns and 6800gns, and out of the Newhouse Challenger daughter, Bonnykelly Fern – one of 20 cows in the herd. Officer sold to Peter Junor, Ballaggan, Dores, Inverness.

Two other sons of Gretnahouse Ivory from the same home sold well, with the July, 2018-born Bonnykelly Oliver, making 5500gns to Messrs MacIvor, Newlands of Geise, Janetstown, Thurso, and the May, 2018-born Bonnykelly Orlando, at 5000gns, to Kenny Smith, Bogentassie, Lumphanan, Banchory.

Colin Stuart and family from Lettoch and Belnoe, Glenlivet, were also in the money selling the second top priced Charolais, Lettoch Oxford, at 6200gns. This 20-month-old bull is by the 11,000gns Balthayock Imperial and sold to Sandy Anderson, Nether Tillygarmond, Banchory.

Another similarly bred Charolais from the same home, Lettoch Oscar, made 6000gns to Alan Mcarthur, Cretlevane, Balfron, Glasgow.

Top priced Limousin at 5200gns Aileen Ritchie’s reserve champion Limousin, Ritchies Outrunner from Tamala, Whitecairns. He is by Ampertaine Elgin and sold to WN Lindsay, Cairnleith, Kirriemuir.

Three other Limousin bulls sold for 5000gns including Elrick Ozzy from Mike Massie, Mains of Elrick, which sold to C and G Thomson, Upper Tillenhilt, Midmar; Shannas Online from John and Margaret Penny, to Kenny Morrison, Haddoch, Huntly; and the Limousin champion Kair Oxford, from Graham Anderson, Mains of Kair, Fordoun, to Sandy Morrison, Bush of Muldearie, Keith.

Top price Aberdeen-Angus bull sold was 4200gns from Alexander Norrie, Wrae Farm, Turriff, when purchased by A and C Watson, Glasslaw, Dunnottar.

A Salers bull named Rigel Nike from Rigel Pedigree, Levenfields, Middleton on Leven, Yarm, stood any other breed champion and made 4200gns to Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness.

And, the Hereford bull, Glenlivet Hiccup from Molly Stuart, Lettoch, Glenlivet, sold for 3800gns to Messrs Duncan, Inchsford.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts