United Auction’s March show and sale of store cattle at Huntly, had 931 cattle forward, and saw averages improve on the year, with bullocks and heifers levelling at 223.1p (+6.2p) and 220.5p (+5.2p) respectively.

Bullocks sold to 276.4p per kg for Charolais crosses from Wedderburn, Glen of Foundland, and to £1300 for Limousin crosses from Tochineal, Cullen. Among the heifers, trade peaked at 262.2p for Limousin crosses from Coleburn, Elgin, and to £1370 for Simmental crosses from Allaloth, Clochan.

Travelling from Arbroath, judge, Fraser McEwan, West Mains of Colliston, tapped out his champion in a 430kg Charolais cross heifer from Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown, which he later bought for £1120 or 260p per kg.

Reserve champion was a 425kg Limousin cross bullock from Belnoe, Glenlivet, which later made £1070 or 251.7p.

LEADING prices

Heifers – Up to 250kg – £595, 241.9p Avielochan, Aviemore. 251-300kg – £775 Raws, Dufftown; 264.2p Coleburn, Elgin. 301-350kg – £885, 252.9p Coleburn. 351-400kg – £995 Gaich; 258.3p Leschangie, Kemnay. 401-450kg – £1120, 260.5p Glenrinnes Estates, Dufftown. 451-500kg – £1115, 229.9p Gaich, Grantown on Spey. 501-550kg – £1160, 223.1p Inverlochy, Tomintoul. 551-600kg – £1265, 219.5p Tochineal, Cullen. 601-650kg – £1295, 212.3p Tochineal. 651-700kg – £1370, 200.9p Allaloth, Clochan.

Bullocks – 251-300kg – £645,215p Meikle Northburn, Cuminestown. 301-350kg – £910, 275.8p Wedderburn, Huntly. 351-400kg – £1010 Inverlochy, Tomintoul; 276.4p Wedderburn, Huntly. 401-450kg – £1090 Auchnascraw; 254.3p Raws. 451-500kg – £1120 Newton of Tulloch, St Katherines; 237.2p Auchnascraw, Glenlivet. 501-550kg – £1225, 223.9p Tochineal. 551-600kg – £1285, 217.8p Tochineal. 601-650kg – £1295, 210.6p Tochineal. 651-700kg – £1300, 197p Tochineal.