A much reduced entry compared to the catalogue was forward for the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society’s spring show and sale at Carlisle, where Carruthers Equador Z229 from Donald and Kerry Graham, topped the trade at 10,000gns.

The 15-month-old bull from Birsca, Corrie, Lockerbie, is a son of Auchencrieve Exodus, out of Carruthers Eleanor, which goes back to Carruthers Earthquake. Reserve senior at the pre-sale show and reserve at the Winter National Show, last year, Equador found a new home with LR Carmichael, Barwick Hill, Ponteland.

The Scottish Farmer: Champion, Wensleydale Black Voltage later realised 9000gns Champion, Wensleydale Black Voltage later realised 9000gns

The judge, Euan Campbell, of the Kilmallie herd, Oban, found his champion in the December 2022-born, Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140 from Chris Timm, West Farm, Pickering.

Black Voltage later sold for 9000gns to Mike and Mel Alford, Foxhill, Devon, who got for their money a son of Gretnahouse Blakboot V082, out of Wensleydale Black Vision which goes back to Blelack Ensign l796.

The rising two-year-old, Tree Bridge Parthenon Y988 from David Evans, Tree bridge, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, made 7500gns when selling to commercial breeders, Messrs Rutherford, Whitfield, Hexham. Second in his class, he is sired by Linton Gilbertines Elgin T149 and is out of the Nightingale Perry daughter, Tree Bridge Pride.

The Scottish Farmer: Tree Bridge Parthenon made 7500gns Tree Bridge Parthenon made 7500gns

Aberdeenshire breeder, Graeme Massie, Finzean, gave 7000gns for McCornick Energy from Martin McCornick, Boreland, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart. This 14-month-old bagged a red ticket in the show and is sired by McCornick Evening Express and out of McCornick Evergreen, a Skaill Dino daughter.

Stouphill Blaze Y445 was next in the money, selling at 6600gns for Dallas and Ruth Allen, Stouphill, Humbleheugh, Alnwick. This September 2022-born bull stood first in his class and is sired by Stouphill Murphys Prince and bred from Stouphill Bloom. Final bidders were Messrs Hendry, Stow, Galashiels.

Hugh and Sandy Wilson, Newbank, Beattock, Moffat, sold their fourth prize bull, Newbank Dakota, for 6500gns. This 16-month-old is by Idvies Master Boy and out of Newbank Ditto. He travels down to Wales with Messrs Williams, Chwilog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

The Scottish Farmer: To priced female of 3000gns was Crook Hill Blackbird To priced female of 3000gns was Crook Hill Blackbird

Heading up to Orkney with Liam Muir, Stenness, Stromness, at 5800gns was Eilean Pitbull, from Alastair and Ben McSporran, Eilean Farm, Innerleithen. This second prize winner is by Logie Bruce V897 and bred from Eilean Pip.

Next best at 5000gns was the second prize, Trebister Erik Y005, from Catherine Laurenson and Nairn Wyllie, Sparrowpit, Buxton. Their October 2022-born bull is by Cheerbrook Profit V138, out of Trebister Elsk and sold to Messrs Goldie, Lochmaben, Lockerbie.

The small offering of females was more difficult to cash with 11 of the 18 forward sold, resulting in a 61% clearance.

A top price of 3000gns was paid for the reserve female champion, Crook Hill Blackbird Y067 from William and Margaret Taylor, Crook Hill farm, Stocksfield. This October 2022-born in-calf heifer is a daughter of QHF West Coast SGR and out of Crook Hill Blackbird W045. She sold due in October to Fordel Ma Puma, to Graeme Massie, Finzean.

Alistair Clark and sons, Brian and Alistair, Avisyard, Cumnock, sold Duncanziemere Edwina Z518 for 2200gns to Callum Donald, Glenluce, Newton Stewart, for his new herd. This 14-month-old heifer is by the 10,000gns Duncanziemere Exodus and out of Duncanziemere Edwina S210. First in her class at the pre-sale show, she sold free of the bull to Messrs Davies, Stanton long, Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Averages: 31 bulls, £4877.42 (+£232.63 for five fewer sold); 11 females, £1872.73 (-£87.27 for seven less).