A red Limousin cross heifer from Messrs McMillan, Eskechraggan, Bute, secured the pre-sale championship and sold for the top price of £1850, or 638p per kg at Craig Wilson’s sale of 321 suckled calves at Ayr.

Backing his decision, the champion was purchased by the judge, Alistair Paterson, Low Threemark.

Reserve was a Charolais bullock from Messrs Wright, Pinmore Mains, Girvan, which later realised £1000 or 277.8p per kg.

Overall, 212 bullocks averaged 258.8p per kg or £795.97 per head, which represents a rise of +£38 or +12.1p on last year’s dear trade. The 109 heifers levelled at 254.3p or £722.25, up £27.94 and 19.5p, respectively.

Eskechraggan also topped the entry of 461 store lambs with Texels which sold at £79.

LEADING prices

Bullock calves – Per head – Sim – £1100 Lawhill; £910, £830, £820 Darleith; £860 Langholm; £840 Dykefield. Lim – £1060, £1000 Carbello; £1040, £1000, £880 West Brockloch; £970, £900, £850 Whatriggs; £940 Dykefield; £930 South Craigton; £930, £850 Barskelly; £920 Skeldon Drive and Eskechraggan. BB – £1040 M Cowan, £760 Darroch Brae; £720 Scart. Char – £1000 Pinmore Mains; £940, £890 Barskelly; £905, £900 Polnoon; £880, £860 Bynehill; £840 Scart; £830 High Cairn; £820 Windyhall and Bynehill. A-A – £1000 Low Ballees; £880 High Logan; £820 High Cairn; £700 Littleton; £685 Kilwhinleck. Hfd – £680 Pinmerry. Per kg – Lim – 302p Busbiehill; 286.4p Kilwhinleck. Char – 295.6p Bynehill; 292.8p Barskelly. BB – 282.7p Scart; 278p East Overland. A-A – 268.6p Kilwhinleck. Sim – 266.7p Langholm. Hfd – 260p Pinmerry.

Heifers calves – Per head – Lim – £1120 Scart; £980 Blair, £950, £810 West Brockloch; £790, £785 Bynehill. Char – £1000 Pinmore Mains, £800 Bynehill and Rankinston; £790 Barskelly; £775 Polnoon and Windyhall; £755 High Cairn and Bynehill. BB – £840 Scart; £700 Busbiehill. A-A – £685, £640 Kilwhinleck; £590 Busbiehill. Hfd – £650 Pinmerry. Sim – £680 Darleith. Per kg – Char – 425.5p Pinmore Mains; 270.6p Bynehill. Lim – 333.3p West Brockloch; 294.7p Scart; 282.8p Knockdon. BB – 300p Scart; 291.7p Busbiehill. Hfd – 251.9p Pinmerry. A-A – 239.7p Kilwhinleck. Sim – 256.8p East Overland.

Store lambs – Tex – £78 Ashrowan; £76 Eskechraggan. Lln – £74.50, £62 Shield Mains. Suff – £74 Eskechraggan. Cross – £67 Laight (Dalmellington); £61 Harplaw. BF – £59, £57 Balmurrie; £56 Black Clauchrie.