Increase in stock at Caithness anniversary sale

An entry of 1,234 cattle at the Aberdeen and Northern Marts Caithness’s 20th anniversary saw significant increases over last year’s averages.

Leading the sale was a 584kg, 27-month-old British Blue heifer, which sold for £2,300 to local hotelier Murray Lamont of Mackay’s Hotel in Wick.

The heifer, from Iain Gunn, Murza, Bower, was sold by ABN to mark the anniversary, with all proceeds going to three local young farmers clubs.

Judge Mike Martin, of Garguston, Muir of Ord, selected a 17-month-old Limousin cross steer as the champion.

The 603kg beast from David Kennedy, Whitegate, Canisby sold for £1,300 to David Brown, Dipple, Moray.

Selling to the same home for £1,480 was the reserve champion steer from Iain Gunn – a 24-month-old British Blue cross, weighing in at 663kg.

1,234 cattle sold to average £886.35 – an increase of £52.06 on 2011. 698 bullocks averaged 193.6p a kg, an increase of 11.6p on last year, to 248p and £1,400, while the average for the 536 heifers was 192.9p a kg, up 15p on 2011, to 303.3p and £1,650.