Pedigree bulls reached a top price of 4,000gn at Dingwall and Highland Marts’ annual show and sale of bulls.
A 91% clearance rate was achieved when 22 of the 24 bulls forward sold to new homes.
Sale leader was the reserve overall champion from the pre-sale show, judged by young Graeme Rhind from Newton of Struthers, Kinloss.
This was Caithness Nick, an April 2017-born Charolais bull from Dannie Campbell’s 20-cow herd at Lingland, Lybster.
By Caithness Josh and bred out of the Blelack Digger-sired Caithness Icequeen, he sold to Willie Nicolson, Glenconnon, Uig, Isle of Skye.
Limousins from Albert and George Howie’s Knock herd at West Knock, Stuartfield, Peterhead, sold to 3,500gn and 3,400gn.
Brought out by William Moir, dearest was the pre-sale champion Knock Nearco, when sold to HI MacKinnon, Broadford, Isle of Skye.
He is by the 21,000gn Goldies Goldfinger – a bull which has bred sons to 11,000gn for the overall champion at the Stirling Bull Sales last October, as well as the champion and reserve Limousin bulls at this year’s Royal Northern Spring Show, which sold for 8,000gn and 6,500gn.
Selling for 3,400gn to Bruce Watt, Cairntack, Belhelvie, was the second prize Limousin bull, Knock Nato. He is an April 2017 ET-bred bull by Ampertaine Foreman, out of Knock April, which has bred sons to 8,500gn.
Also selling for 3,400gn was the Beef Shorthorn, Smallburn Legacy, from Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms, Elgin.
This March 2017-born bull is by Coldrochie Front Rank and heads to work with Messrs Simpson at Braefindon Farm, Culbokie.
At 3,300gn was another Charolais, this time a March 2016-born bull from J Falconer, Tacher, Latheron, Caithness.
He sold to D Glover, Rurach Croft, Inverinnick.
Next best at 3,100gn was a Simmental bull from Brian and Stuart Grant, Druid Temple, Inverness.
This was Dellfield Intergalactic, an 18-month-old son of Aultmore Gambler, which sold to the Nicolson family at Househill Mains, Nairn.
Three bulls came under the hammer at 3,000gn including the Aberdeen-Angus Inkstack Fusion from the Taits at Inkstack, Thurso.
By Inkstack Prometheus, this two-year-old bull sold to Backmuir Livestock, Keith.
Walter Cruikshank and family from Clury, Dulnain Bridge, received the same money for Limousin bull Clury Ned – a 27-month-old son of the 11,000gn Maraiscote Fergus, when sold to Messrs Foster, Kiltarlity, Beauly.
Last to sell for 3,000gn was the 24-month-old Charolais, Utopia Nugget from Wendy Kingaby, Mains of Auchmedden, Fraserburgh.
He is by Blelack Edition and sold to the Beattie family, Raitcastle, Nairn.