Duncan Munro, Invercharron Mains, Ardgay, had a field day at Dingwall and Highland Marts' Young Farmers Over Wintering competition, winning the top two awards amongst the haltered cattle, supreme junior and the overall championship.

His show stopper was a 555kg, 11-month-old British Blue cross bullock, bought from Shewglie Farmers in October for £920. He later sold for the top price of £1220 to Backmuir Livestock, Keith.

Mr Munro (17) was back in business winning the reserve overall at the show and sale of 20 YFC calves, judged by Rebecca Stuart and William Moir, who gave the blue and white sash to a similarly aged home-bred Limousin cross stot from Invercharron. Similarly aged to the champion, it realised £1020 to AP Warrender, Waterside Place, Peterhead.

By the end of the day, 14 YFC bullocks averaged 223.6p having sold to 276.5p per kg for a 340kg Limousin cross from Scott MacRae, Shawpark, Glaickmore and £1220 for the overall champion from Mr Munro.

Heifers (6) averaged 215.2p and sold to 243.5p per kg for the third prize haltered heifer, a 345kg Limousin cross from Antonia Taylor Ramsay, Balnespick, Kincraig and £1020 for the second prize unhaltered entry, a 515kg Limousin cross from Neil Duncan, The Ranch, Inshes.

The award for the highest daily live weight gain and highest gross margin was awarded to Robert Pottie who also won the trophy for the best new exhibitor, with his 580kg Shorthorn cross gaining 1.46kg a day and selling at £1140.

Lead stockperson was Georgia Fraser, Little Croy.

Outwith the YFC show and sale, the 684 store and 68 OTM cattle, saw bullocks (411) average 215.1p per kg having sold to 266.9p for 296kg Limousin crosses from Cambusmore Estate, Dornoch and £1275 for a 665kg Simmental cross from Lochdhu, Nairn.

Heifers (268) averaged 209.5p, selling to 249.3p per kg for a pair of 345kg Limousin crosses from Lower Whitebog, Fortrose and £1160 for a 556kg Limousin cross from Milldam, Meikle Ussie.

Young bulls (5) sold to 220.7p per kg for a 367kg Limousin cross from Lower Whitebog and £1000 for a 525kg Simmental cross from Kinnahaird Farm, Contin. The average was 206p.

OTM prime and feeding cows (66) averaged 126.9p per kg having sold to 169.2p per kg for a 715kg Limousin cross from Kinchyle Farm, Inverness and £1230 for an 880kg Simmental cross from Kinnahaird Farm, Contin.

LEADING awards

Unhaltered cattle – Bullocks – 1 and reserve unhaltered, Robert Pottie, Easter Dalziel, 580kg, £1140; 2, Archie Bisset, Easter Springfield, 430kg, £1020; 3, Rory MacIntosh, Ardbrae House, Daviot, 525kg £1060. Heifers – 1 and unhaltered champion, Scott MacRae, Shawpark, 470kg, £980; 2, Duncan, The Ranch, 515kg, £1020; 3, Archie Bisset, Easter Springfield, 400kg, £920.

Haltered cattle – Bullocks – 1, Duncan Munro, Invercharron, 555kg, £1220; 2, David Dingwall, Clashoch, Balblair, 470kg, £1000; 3, Carrie Hamilton, The Crossings, Muir of Ord, 505kg, £1000. Heifers – 1, D Munro, Invercharron, £1020, 2, Carrie Hamilton, The Crossings, 430kg, £920.

LEADING prices Bullocks - Up to 250kg – Monessie Farm, Roy Bridge, £590, 264.6p; 251 – 300kg – Cambusmore Estate, £790, 249.0p; 301 – 350kg – 2 Glaick, Ardross, £900, Cambusmore Estate, 263.5p; 351 – 400kg – Kennachy, Forss, £970; 252.1p; 401 – 450kg – Kennachy, £1,040, Coldhome Farm, Fortrose, 242.1p; 451 – 500kg – Kindeace, Alness, £1,100, 234.4p; 501 – 550kg - Milldam, £1,145, Redfield, North Kessock, 215.4p ; 551 – 600kg – Easter Urray, Muir of Ord, £1,200, Lochdhu, 204.4p; 601 – 650kg – Easter Urray, £1,240, 205.0p; 651 – 700kg – Woodside, Strathpeffer, £1,260, 191.7p.

Heifers - Up to 250kg – Coldhome Farm, £570, 235.5p; 251 – 300kg – Beehive, Duncanston, £625, 238.6p; 301 – 350kg – Lower Whitebog, £860, Dalmagarry Farms, Tomatin, 244.4p; 351 – 400kg – Coldhome Farm, £910, Kennachy, Forss, 247.2p; 401-450kg – Udale, Poyntzfield, £990, Lower Whitebog, 230.4p; 451-500kg – Rose Cottage Croft, Strathpeffer, £1,110, Kindeace, 229.2p ; 501-550kg – Wester Dunnet, Thurso, £1,130, 207.3p; 551-600kg – Wester Dunnet, £1,110, Milldam, 208.6p.