Aberdeen Angus heifers from Mike and Melanie Alford, Foxhill herd, Devon, landed the champion and reserve honours and the top two prices at 8000gns and 6800gns.

Dearest was the reserve champion, Foxhill Princess Carina, an April 2022-born heifer that is a full sister to the 30,000gns Blelack Princess Carina calf bought at the Blelack dispersal in 2021. Her dam is the 32,000gns Blelack Princess Carina bought at the same sale. Champion at the Royal Highland and the Great Yorkshire, Carina is also a full sister to the breed champion and inter-breed champion of champions at the Ayr Show last year. Sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay and brought out by Drew Hyslop, she sold to Balavil Estate, Kingussie, Inverness.

The Scottish Farmer: Foxhill Diamond Mist Z255 was female champion for Mike and Melanie Alford and sold for 6800gns (Photograph: Catherine MacGregor)Foxhill Diamond Mist Z255 was female champion for Mike and Melanie Alford and sold for 6800gns (Photograph: Catherine MacGregor)

The Alford’s equally well bred champion Foxhill Diamond Mist, a 13-month-old ET heifer made 6800gns selling to D Whiteford and Co, Borewell, Scremerston, Berwick Upon Tweed. She is bred from Weeton Diamond Mist and was the female native inter-breed champion and reserve overall native at the Agri Expo on her sole previous outing. Her sire is the 22,000gns Linton Gilbertines President.

Next best at 2200gns was the three-year-old in-calf heifer, Eastlands Primrose from the draft sale of MK and G Sprowl’s Eastlands herd from Rothesay, Bute. By McCornick Delboy she sold to the Taylors of Tannadice, Inverquarity, Kirriemuir.

Leading Awards

Heifers born on or between November 29, 2021 and January 3, 2023 – 1 and reserve champion, Mr. and Mrs M Alford’s Foxhill Princess Carina, by Kilmaluag Eriskay, 8000gns to Balavil Estate, Kingussie, Inverness; 2, R Gardiner’s Newton Muchalls Eyrie, by Gretnahouse Florian, unsold; 3, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lady Ruth, by Brailes Fabulous, 2000gns to TA Roberts, Betws Yn Rhos, Conw, Wales; 4, R and C Rettie’s Retties Laura ET, by Brailes Fabulous, to JA Taylor, Skirling Craig, Biggar.

Heifers born on or after January 4, 2023 – 1 and champion – Mr and Mrs M Alford’s Foxhill Diamond Mist, by Linton Gilbertines President, to D Whiteford and Co, Borewell, Scremerston, Berwick upon Tweed; 2, Mosston Muir Farm’s Mosston Muir Estrelita, by Balmachie Ranald, 2000gns to G Stretton, Park Farm, Princethorpe, Rugby; 3, Mosston Muir Farm’s Mosston Muir Princess Caroline, by Balmachie Ranald, 1900gns to T Gelfs, Westleaze, Beaminster, Dorset.