31st March 2009
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd, (April 1st) sold 810 store cattle and 23 OTM cattle at their annual show and sale, where all classes met a fantastic trade.
Bullocks (482) averaged 186.6p and sold to 235.2p per kg for a pen of 253kg Luing crosses from No. 5 Strathnaver, Kinbrace, and £1,080 gross for a 645kg Charolais cross from The Cloy, Fortrose.
Heifers (328) averaged 184.2p and sold to 323.5p per kg for a pair of 340kg Simmental crosses from Bunchrew Farm, Inverness, and £1,360 gross for a pair of 535kg Simmentals also from Bunchrew Farm.
The Ness Motors, Robertsons of Tain, H.I.S Inverness and N.F.U Dingwall sponsored Show and Sale of store cattle judged by Tom Stevenson, Balmacolly, his overall champion was a 550kg Limousin heifer from Messrs MacIver Partners, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, realising £1,020 gross to the judge. Reserve champion was a 515kg Limousin bullock from Messrs J M Fraser & Sons, Easter Clune, realising £1,000 also to the judge.
North Sutherland & Caithness leading prices per head and per kg:
Bullocks 251-300kg - No. 168 West Helmsdale, £520, 185.7p; 301-350kg - Kennachy, Forss, £750, 223.9p, £760, 217.1p, No. 5 Strathnaver, £600, 191.7p; 351-400kg - No. 14 Baligill, Strathy, £800, 200p, £720, 194.6p, Kennachy, £790, 216.4p; 401-450kg - No. 5 Stempster, Westfield, £875, 194.4p, £840, 180.6p, £805, 175p; 501-550kg - No. 5 Stempster, £940, 174p.
Heifers 301-350kg - Kennachy, £690, 202.9p, £650, 188.4p, £600, 176.5p; 401-450kg - No. 5 Stempster, £780, 177.3p, £760, 175.9p; 551-600kg - No. 5 Stempster, £890, 154.7p.