Cross bullock crowned champion at Dingwall

Marts: Limousin cross sells for £1,250 at 15th anniversary show

A Limousin cross bullock was crowned cream of the crop at the 15th anniversary show and sale of store cattle at Dingwall.

Judge Jim Brown of Gaindykehead Farm, Airdrie, chose the 13-month-old bullock, weighing 535kg, as his champion in the pre-sale show.

It was put forward by Mark Munro of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, and sold for £1,250 to Backmuir Livestock, Keith.

The reserve champion title went to the leader from the Aberdeen-Angus section.

This was a 15-month-old bullock, weighing 555kg, from Messrs L & A Taylor, Ardjachie, Tain.

He sold for £1,210 to Messrs D Y Bishop & Co Ltd, Fletcherfield, Kirriemuir.

In total, 904 bullocks sold to average 219.4p per kg, which is back 32.8p a kg on the year.

The top bullock price per kg was 295.5p for a 440kg Limousin cross from Castlecraig Farms, Nigg, and £1,425 gross for a pair of 620kg Charolais crosses from Woodend, Killearnan.

Heifers averaged 208.5p per kg for 567 sold, which is back 31.5p a kg on the year.

The top heifer prices were 368.9p a kg and £1,900 gross for a 515kg Charolais cross from the Anderson family at Smallburn Farms, Duffus, near Elgin.

Dingwall and Highland Marts said: “All classes,

“All classes met a more buoyant trade than expected”

although well back on the exceptional trade of last year, met a more buoyant trade than expected.” Full prize list: Junior bullock: 1 and junior champion – I Grant, Slattadale, 400kg, £1,040; 2 – I Grant, 358kg, £880; 3 – I Grant, 358kg, £880.

Junior heifer and junior reserve champion – Smallburn Farms, Duffus, 375kg, £1,040.

Intermediate bullock: 1, intermediate and overall champion – J Munro & Son, Invercharron, 535kg, £1,250; 2 – Seafield Park Farm, Nairn, 545kg, £1,250; 3 – Castlecraig Farms, Nigg, 440kg, £1,300.

Intermediate heifer: 1 and reserve intermediate –Messrs Seafield Park Farm, 535kg, £1,290; 2 – Smallburn Farms, 515kg, £1,900; 3 – Seafield Park Farm, 495kg, £1,190.

Senior bullock and senior champion – Seafield Park Farm, 565kg, £1,250.

Aberdeen-Angus bullock: 1, Angus champion and reserve overall – Messrs L & A Taylor, Ardjachie, 55kg, £1,210; 2 – Messrs R R MacKay & Co Ltd, Rattar, 500kg, £1,305.

Aberdeen-Angus heifer and reserve Angus champion – Castlecraig Farms, 440kg, £910.

Best Simmental bullock – Mr D F Clarke, Rhannich Farm, 590kg, £1,290.

Best breeding heifer: 1 - Smallburn Farms, 515kg, £1,900; 2 -Seafield Park Farm, 535kg, £1,290; 3 -Mr D F Clarke, 505kg, £1,125.

Pair of bullocks – Castlecraig Farms, 432kg, £970.

Pair of heifers: 1 – Smallburn Farms, 435kg, £960; 2 – Castlecraig Farms, 430kg, £970.

Pen of four bullocks: 1 – Castlecraig Farms, 452kg, £1,030; 2 – Messrs L & A Taylor, 531kg, £1,180.

Pen of four heifers – CastlecraigFarms,415kg,£970.

PRIZE: Mark Munro, right, of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, with Martin Mackay of show sponsor Brodies LLP