Averages for Highlands up
Averages for Highlands up
HIGHLAND cattle breeders were heartened by the encouraging trade for stock at the breed societys spring gathering at Oban, where most section averages were well up on 1997.
Top call came for the 1992-bred yellow bull Ben Buidhe of Inve-rary from Mary Lauder, Oban. This son of Dougal of Cliburn made 3600gns to John Macleod, Macleod Estates, Dunvegan, Skye.
Tordarroch Estates, Inver-nesshire offered their show-winning white bull Bruce of Tordarroch, a son of Dalriada of Ballyheather. He stood reserve champion on the day under judge John Elwood (Sevenoaks, Kent) and made 3000gns to Gilbert McClung, Kelso who specialises in producing pure Highland beef.
For the second year running the male championship was won by Meggernie Estate, Aberfeldy, Perthshire. The red Hector Ruadh 2nd of Meggernie made 900gns to Stewart and Margaret Park, Allanton, Strathclyde who also target the Highland beef scheme.
Heifer trade was well up and peaked at 2200gns for the black maiden heifer Baravalla Uasail of Croc Mhor from Mr McClung. Buyer was Edward Halford, Stocksfield, Northumberland.
AVERAGES: 18 two-year bulls £820; five yearling bulls £523; 12 aged bulls £1067; 30 three-year heifers £918; 12 two-year heifers £538; 21 yearling heifers £400 and eight cows £702. (Caledonian Marts)