20th September 2010
PORTREE, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 20th) sold 1127 weaned calves at their annual district ballot show and sale, sponsored by the Limousin and Charolais Cattle Societies.
The judge, Mr A. Scott, Dukewell, Huntly, awarded the champion and the D.J. Macdonald (Orbost) Memorial Trophy to a 360kg Limousin cross bullock from Mr N. Morrison, 12 Portnalong, Carbost, realising £765. The reserve, from Mr J. McDiarmid, Brae Eynort, was a 390kg Limousin cross heifer realising £715. Special prizes for top price per kilo pair or more in the Charolais and Limousin sections were awarded to Upper Duntulm, for a pair of Charolais cross bullocks realising 242.6p per kilo and to ½ of 2 Kendram, (P. MacInnes), for a pair of Limousin cross bullocks, realising 234.1p per kilo.
Bullocks (623) averaged 184.9p and sold to 242.6p per kg for a pair of 235kg Charolais crosses from Upper Duntulm, Kilmuir, and £770 gross for a 425kg Charolais cross from Corriebhienn Farms, Portree.
Heifers (500) averaged 165.8p and sold to 263.2p per kg for a 190kg Aberdeen Angus cross from 3 Tarskavaig, Sleat, and £620 gross for a 420kg Charolais cross from 15 Glenconon, Uig.
Young bulls (3) averaged 182p and sold to 200p per kg and £460 gross for a 230kg Limousin cross from 6 Kilvaxter, Portree.
"A satisfactory trade overall saw quality continental crosses meeting a great demand, sale averages fell by £68 on the year with older stirks and very young calves showing the greater decrease."
Leading prices per head and per kg
Bullocks up to 200kg - 20 Borve, Skeabost Bridge, £435, 6 Heaste, Broadford, 230.6p; 201-250kg - Upper Duntulm, £570, Lynton, Staffin, 238.1p; 251-300kg - Brae Eynort, £615, 15 Glenconon, 225.9p; 301-350kg - Brae Eynort, £680, Totescore, Skeabost Bridge, 200p; 351-400kg - 12 Portnalong, £765, 212.5p; 401-450kg - Glenbrittle, Carbost, £680, Corriebhienn Farms, 181.2p; 451-500kg - 8 Torvaig, Portree, £670, 139.6p. Heifers up to 200kg - 3 Tarskavaig, £500, 10 Achachork, Portree, 202.6p; 201-250kg - 4 Heaste, £530, 3 Peingown, Kilmuir, 217p; 251-300kg - Corriebhienn Farms, £560, 207.4p; 301-350kg - Loch Rannoch, Carbost, £600, Corriebhienn Farms, 182.5p; 351-400kg - Corriebhienn Farms, £615, 170.8p; 401-450kg - 11 Borreraig, Dunvegan, £580, 15 Glenconon, 147.6p.