A cracking show of top quality calves for Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ online Spectacular sale was topped by a heifer from Perthshire producers John and Craig Robertson, at £5350.

The event, held in conjunction with SellMyLivestock, saw 16 calves change hands, with three selling across the water to Northern Ireland and another heading south to Bristol.

John Angus, head of livestock at Aberdeen and Northern Marts, said the sale had been a phenomenal success, despite the usual Thainstone Spectacular show and sale format not being able to take place due to Covid-19 guidelines.

“The online sale attracted more than 50 registered bidders from all corners of the UK and saw frantic bidding throughout for tremendous calves from well-known commercial cattle breeders,” he said.

“Averages held up extremely well, with 13 heifers averaging £2377.27 and five steers at £1264.”

Topping the trade at £5350 when selling to Northern Ireland with T Davenney, Sixmilebridge, was a 12-month-old Limousin cross heifer from the Robertsons of Newton of Logierait, Dunkeld, who sold six calves to average £2436.67.

Their entry, which stood champion in the Aberfeldy Online Show, is by Calogale Irresistible and out of a Limousin cross cow. Her brother sold for £6000 at the Thainstone Spectacular in 2017 and went on to stand reserve champion at the Agri Expo.

Three other Newton of Logierait calves sold at £2800, £2250, £1600. Dearest was an 11-month-old Limousin cross heifer by a home-bred cross bull which sold to Norman Budge, Kilmuir, Portree.

Selling south to Bristol at £2250 with M Lanfear, Woodside Farm, Pilning, was a November, 2019-born Limousin cross heifer by Glenrock Inferno.

She is out of a dam that bred a former £4000 Royal Northern Spring Show champion and two other calves at £2400 and £1800.

Second top price of £3050 was paid for a six-month-old Limousin cross heifer from Ian Miller of Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, purchased by Blair Duffton, Huntly. She is by Melys Label.

Next best at £2050 was a 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer from Balfour Baillie, Sebay View, Orkney. She is by Glenrock Humdinger, and sold to D Lumgair and Son, Gask, Letham, Forfar.

Mr Baillie also sold a 16-month-old Limousin cross heifer for £1700 – a daughter of Ronick Magoo – to Cameron Sinclair, Brewthin, Cullerlie, Skene.

Mark Munro and family from Invercharron, Ardgay, sold three calves for £2050, £1850 and £1550 apiece. Dearest from the Invercharron consignment was a 12-month-old Limousin cross heifer by Lodge Hamlet, purchased by Blair Duffton, while the Stewarts from Gunhill, Pitcaple, Inverurie, paid £1850 for the family’s 17-month-old Limousin cross heifer by Powerhouse Lynx.

Top price from Michael Robertson and family of Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, was £1900 for an 11-month-old Limousin cross heifer. The first calf by the 10,000gns Homebyres Nistleroy to be sold, she was purchased by Seafield Park, Park Farm, Nairn.