averages: 31 in-calf heifers, £2212 (-£84 for the same); 85 bulling heifers, £2007, (+£732 for the same ); 30 bull, £7889 (+£1895 for one fewer).

Switching to an online platform failed to dampen trade at the Luing Cattle Society's annual sale staged through Wallets Marts where prices peaked at 15,200gns on two occasions and averages improved significantly amongst the bulling heifers and the bulls.

One of two to hit 15,200gns was Professor Penny's Harehead Yogi, a Commonside Valiant son, out of Harehead S19, a Finlarg Nero daughter, from Harehead, Cranshaws, Duns. Putting in the final bid for this April-2019 born bull were Willie and Billy Graham, Craigdarroch, Sanquhar.

Financing this transaction was Craigdarroch Yale from the father and son duo, who's own joint sale leader, sold to Neil Anderson who manages the Harehead unit. This 22-month-old is a son of Culmaily Turbo, and out of a home-bred Finlarg Nimrod daughter.

Helping the Craigdarroch pen of four bulls average £13,020, was Craigdarroch Yoker which realised 14,200gns, selling to Rory Bell for his Plenderleith herd, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso. An April-2019 born bull by Finlarg Nimrod, Yoker is out of a home-bred dam by Harehead Jake.

Selling at 11,400gns for the Grahams was Craigdarroch Yankee, which now travels all the way up to Orkney with Tom Lyth of Heatherhouse, Tankerness. Another similarly aged bull, this time by Craigdarroch Wrangler, which again goes back to Finlarg Nimrod, he is out of a home-bred dam by Craigdarroch Sid.

The final lad in the pen, Craigdarroch Yahtzee, sold for 8800gns to Welsh breeder, Ro Williams and Son, Caerddaniel, Llanaber, Barmouth, Gwynedd. Another April-2019 born bull, sired by Culmaily Turbo, out of a Finlarg Nimrod-sired dam.

David and Andrew Barr of Milkieston, Eddleston, Peebles, sold one of their two entries for 14,000gns to Craig Hamilton, of Allanton Farming, Darvel. The May 2019 born bull, Milkieston York, is by Benhar Tweed and out of a Harehead Kirk sired dam.

The last to hit five figures at 11,200gns was Finlarg Yukon from Robert and Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee, who sold three bulls to average £9940. Yukon, a 22-month-old bull is by the 5000gns Lammermuir Tremendous, out of the Benhar Klassik daughter, Finlarg Bracken and sold to Billy and Andrew Renwick, Blackhouse, Selkirk.

Ronald Smith, Wester Coull, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, forked out 9400gns for the McNee's Finlarg Yorkie. This May-2019 born is by the same sire and out of another home-bred dam by Benhar Lennox.

Next in the line up at 9200gns was Blackhouse Yarrow from Billy and Andrew Renwick, which sold locally to Peebles-shire breeders David and Andrew Barr, Milkieston. Another spring 2019-born bull, Yarrow is by Benhar Magnum and out of a home-bred dam by Clunie Figo.

Females didn't disappoint either with a pair of in-calf heifers from Roy and Andrew McNee's Benhar herd from Woodend, Armadale, leading the way at 3200gns each.

The pair of July 2018-born heifers sold in calf to Milkieston Xavi, and head down to Ayrshire with Craig Hamilton, Allanton Farming.

After selling the equal top priced bull, Craigdarroch was again in the money selling the top priced bulling heifers, a pair at 2700gns each. Forking out the cash for these girls – one by Carigdarroch Wrangler and the other by Finlarg Nimrod – was Professor Penny, Harehead.

Another duo heading home to Allanton at 2650gns each, came from Robert and Hazel McNee from Over Finlarg, Tealing. They are by Lammermuir Tremendous.

Milkieston sold 16 bulling heifers to average £2205 with a top of 2450gns paid for a pair purchased by Messrs Telfer, Glendouran, Biggar.

Top price for Harehead was 2400gns paid for a pen of bullers purchased by D Clarkson and Sons, Woodlands, Biggar.

The society also held a charity auction in aid of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation ahead of its Premier Sale, which raised a whopping £3620.

All the 19 items were donated by the Luing Cattle Society membership and ranged from a roast of silverside to a short break in accommodation near Ullapool.

Auctioneers: Wallets Marts.

Herd averages

In-calf heifers

Herd (No.) Avg (£) Top (gns)

Benhar (8) 2901 3200

Rockcliffe (16) 2015 2500

Upper Chatto (3) 1978 1950

Ardwell (4) 1798 1750

Bulling heifers

Finlarg (4) 2651 2650

Craigdarroch (6) 2485 2700

Milkieston (16) 2205 2450

Harehead (15) 2139 2400

Nunnerie (10) 2063 2100

Lampert (12) 1820 2050

Benhar (6) 1759 1800

Upper Chatto (11) 1575 1785