14th October 2008
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 15th) sold 1,709 weaned calves at their special annual district ballot show and sale.
The judge, Mr R. Mackenzie, Wester Craiglands, Fortrose, awarded the overall champion of the McCallum Haulage sponsored show to a six month old Limousin heifer from Dunmaglass Mains, Dores, scaling in at 320kg and realising 275p per kg and £880 to Mr Colin Mackay, Westburn, Thurso. The reserve champion was a 345kg, ten month old Limousin heifer from Limekilns, Avoch, which realised 202.2p per kg and £700 to the judge.
Bullocks (925) averaged 175.6p and sold to 319.1p per kg for a 235kg Limousin from No. 4 Bualnaluib, Aultbea, and £970 gross for a 485kg Limousin from No. 141 Burnside, Kinlochbervie.
Heifers (777) averaged 155.9p and sold to 275p per kg and £880 gross for the champion, a 320kg Limousin cross from Dunmaglass Mains, Dores.
Young bulls (seven) averaged 121.9p and sold to 153.8p per kg for a 195kg Limousin from Balvraid, Glenelg, and £420 gross for a 335kg Simmental cross from No. 34 Newmarket, Laxdale.
"All classes met strong enquiry from start to finish."
Leading prices per head and per kg
Bullocks up to 200kg - Borrodale, Glendale, £410, 220.4p; 201-250kg - No. 4 Bualnaluib, £750; Corrimony, Glen Urquhart, 228.3p; 251-300kg - Invercharron, Ardgay, £700, 237.3p; 301-350kg - Castle Grant Home Farm, Grantown on Spey, £780, 255.7p; 351-400kg - Newton of Ferintosh, Conon Bridge, £800, 219.2p; 401-450kg - Balchraggan, Dores, £850, 202.2p; 451-500kg - Balchraggan, £875, No. 141 Burnside, 200p; 501-550kg - Blackford Farm, Croy, £850, No. 21 Cabrich, Kirkhill, 158.9p; 551-600kg - Alvie Estate, Kincraig, £875, 156.3p.
Heifers up to 200kg - No. 30 Big Sand, Gairloch, £370, 194.7p; 201-250kg - No. 9 Lochussie, Dingwall, £480, 202.5p; 251-300kg - No. 4 Bualnaluib, £610, 230.2p; 301-350kg - Limekilns, Avoch, £700, 202.9p; 351-400kg - Dunmaglass Mains, £740, 194.7p; 401-450kg - No. 9 Lochussie, £710, 159.6p; 451-500kg - Abersky, Torness, £730, 149p; 501-550kg - No. 141 Burnside, £860, 165.4p.