Livestock

THAINSTONE – Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1,080 store cattle, including young bulls and young calves. Bullocks (625) averaged 221.2p to 301.7p per kg for a 358kg Blonde cross from Maesquoy, Harray and £1,290 for a pen of four 638kg Limousin crosses from Overhall, Ruthven. Heifers (440) averaged 220.9p to 391.8p per kg for and £1,340 for a 342kg Limousin cross from Newton of Budgate, Cawdor. Bulls (10) averaged 200.7p sold to 223.8p per kg for a 324kg Limousin cross from Pitcalzean, Nigg and £975 for a 454kg Charolais from Kierfiold, Sandwick. Young calves (five) sold to £500. “Given the stringent guidelines we now require to work under great credit must go to our loyal customers and staff for their support and understanding in these difficult times. Yearling cattle were especially well bid for. Our new online bidding facility was once again in operation. Overall averages are very much in line with last week’s sale, despite a plainer show of cattle being forward.” Leading prices per head and per kg: Bullocks up to 300kg- Dale, Stromness £755, 267.7p; 301-350kg – Newton of Budgate £885, 276.6p; 351-400kg – Maesquoy £1,080, Quoyholmslie, Stromness 286.5p; 401-450kg – Little Herdway, Kirriemuir £1,090, 271.1p; 451-500kg – Nistagar, Harray £1,110, Ballinloan 234.8p; 501550kg – Bendauch, Kinellar £1,170, Gorn, Balfour 226.4p; 551-600kg – Staye, Deerness £1,220, 219.4p; 601-650kg – Bendauch £1,280, 207.1p; 651-700kgBendauch £1,280, 194.5p. Heifers up to 250kgBorrobol, Kinbrace £570, 252.2p; 251-300kg – Newton of Budgate £775, 289.2p; 301-350kg – Newton of Budgate £990, 282.9p; 351-400kg – Little Herdway £1,320, 336.7p; 401-450kg – Clynelish, Brora £1,085, 196 Lednabirichen, Dornoch 257.3p; 451-500kg – Nistagar £1,110, Ballinloan 222.6p; 501-550kg – Buchaam, Strathdon £1,200, 230.8p; 551-600kg – Bendauch £1,195, 203.9p; 601-650kg – Bendauch £1,320, 218.5p. STIRLING – Caledonian Marts sold 167 cattle. Prime heifers sold to 240p per kg and £1,566. Prime bullocks sold to 240p per kg and £1,598. Bulls under 30 months old sold to 200p per kg and £1,544.