Dingwall Mart a ‘battleground’ as top cattle prize draw catches the eye of buyers
HEAD-TURNING cattle and sheep took pride of place at Dingwall Mart’s annual prime stock show and sale.
The event was sponsored by Highland Tractors, KDJ Macrae Agri and Services and Matthew Barrack Sheep Dipping Services.
This year’s judging engagement was accepted by Mr A. Grant of John Stewart Butchers, Banff.
READ MORE
Highland mum recounts moment she realised she had won TWO cars
Be ahead of the game and sign up for free twice weekly Ross-shire news briefing
Another fine show of cattle graced the ring this year with the champion ticket heading east to Messrs W.A. Fettes Braes of Enzie, Buckie, for their first prize continental, Limousin cross heifer, scaling 515kg.
The ring was described as “a battleground” as purchasers vied to snap up this year’s champion. It was the judge who backed his decision as she cashed in at 680p per kg to gain pride of place in his Banff shop.
Never far away from the prizes is young Black Isle stockman Callum Maciver, Easter Strath of Auchterflow. The last two years’ champion winner saw his native champion, a Shorthorn cross heifer, take the reserve ticket. The 660kg heifer was also well sought after, with live ring regulars, John Munro & Son Butchers purchasing her for 470.0p per kg.
Prize list
Overall Champion, Champion continental and 1st prize best continental heifer – W. A Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie for a 20-month old 515kg Limousin cross selling at 680.0p per kg (£3502) selling to John Stewart Butchers, High Street, Banff.
Reserve Champion, champion native and 1st prize best native heifer – Callum Maciver, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen, for a 27-month old 660kg Beef Shorthorn cross selling at 470.0 per kg (£3,102) selling to John M Munro Butchers,Dingwall.
1st prize best native bullock – M Thomson, Ospisdale, Dornoch, 318p
2nd prize best continental heifer – Messrs J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay, 400p
1st prize best continental bullock - Mr Callum Maciver, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen, 372p.
2nd prize best continental bullock – Mr Callum Maciver, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen, 368p
1st prize pair – Mr Callum Maciver, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen
2nd prize pair – Bridgend Farm, Humberston, Dingwall
28 prime cattle were sold at the Christmas Show & Sale sponsored by Highland Tractors, K D J MacRae & Partners, Shawpark and Barrack Dipping Services and judged by Mr Andy Grant, John Stewart, Butchers, Banff.
Prime bullocks (8) averaged 340.5p and sold to 372.0p per kg and £2,287.80 gross for a 615kg British Blue cross from Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen.
Prime heifers (20) averaged 362.7p and sold to 680.0p per kg and £3,502.00 gross for a 515kg Limousin cross from Braes of Enzie, Buckie.
Other leading prices per kg
Bullocks: Easter Strath of Auchterflow, (LimX), 368.0p, 342.0p, Gaich Farm, Dulnain Bridge, (BRBX), 334.0p, Bridgend Farm, (LimX), 328.0p, The Cloy, Fortrose, (CharX), 328.0p, Groam, Kirkhill, 328.0p, Ospisdale, 318.0p.
Heifers: Easter Strath of Auchterflow, (BshoX), 470.0p, (LimX), 362.0p, 358.0p, 350.0p, 346.0p, 330.0p, (SimX), 332.0p, Invercharron, (LimX), 400.0p, Braes of Enzie, (LimX), 370.0p, Bridgend Farm, (LimX), 340.0p, 330.0p, (SimX), 318.0p, The Cloy, (LimX), 340.0p, Shorecroft, Culbokie, (SimX), 310.0p, 300.0p, Groam, (LimX), 305.0p, 300.0p.
Other leading prices per head
Bullocks: Groam, (LimX), £2,181.20, Gaich Farm, (BRBX), £2,087.50, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, (LimX), £2,086.20, £2,060.80, The Cloy, (CharX), £1,902.40, Bridgend Farm, (LimX), £1,754.80.
Heifers: Easter Strath of Auchterflow, (BshoX), £3,102.00, (LimX), £2,266.30, £2,029.50, £2,027.20, £1,995.00, £1,969.00, £1,954.90, (SimX), £1,909.00, Groam, (LimX), £2,160.00, £2,058.75, Invercharron, (LimX), £2,120.00, Shorecroft, (SimX), £2,040.00, £2,015.00, Bridgend Farm, (LimX), £2,023.00, £1,881.00, (SimX), £2,003.40, Braes of Enzie, (LimX), £1,942.50, The Cloy, (LimX), £1,887.00,
582 prime lambs were also sold.
It was described as “a tremendous show of lambs…as all breed classes were full of quality”.
Dingwall stalwarts Messrs Munro, Invercharron, took the top prize as their pen of 1st prize Texel cross lambs went all the way, being tapped out as the day’s champion pair, scaling 54kg they realized £280 per head to Messrs Mackenzie, Tulloch.
Continuing with the cattle success young Fraser & Erin Fettes took the reserve champion spot for their pair of 43kg Continental 1st prize winners and Munro Butchers purchased them for their Dingwall shop at £170 per head. Sheep trade on a whole remains strong, meat remains key with vendors spending money filling a hopper reaping the rewards. Ewes were extremely dear with numbers short and purchasers needing more.
Prize List
Overall Champion pair of lambs and 1st prize pair of Texel lambs – Invercharron, 54kg, £280.
Reserve Champion pair of lambs and 1st prize pair of Continental lambs – Braes of Enzie, 43kg, £170.
Pair of Texel lambs – 2nd prize – Braes of Enzie, 50kg, £155, 3rd prize – Drumancroy, 51.5kg, £141.
Pair of Suffolk lambs – 1st prize – Tillybo, 52kg, £170; 2nd prize – Invercharron, 45.5kg, £135; 3rd prize –Kinnahaird Farm, 45kg, £140.
Pair of Mule lambs – 1st prize – Tulloch Farm, 45kg, £130, 2nd prize – Meikle Ussie, 56kg, £140, 3rd prize – Crasky Farm, 45kg, £132.
Pair of Beltex lambs – 1st prize – Invercharron, 56kg, £210, 2nd prize – Invercharron, 49kg, £150, 3rd prize – 1 Drummuie, 44kg, £175.
Pair of Continental lambs – 2nd prize – Craigiebank, 47kg, £150, 3rd prize – Craigiebank, 44kg, £146.
Pair of Blackface lambs – 1st prize – Tulloch Farm, 42.5kg, £128, 2nd – Tulloch Farm, 40kg, £116.
Pair of Cheviot lambs – 1st prize – 238 Rearquhar, 51.5kg, £142.
