Dingwall & Highland Marts sold 456 adult head of breeding cattle this week, up 46 on the year.

In-calf heifers typically sold from £1,600 and £1,900, with a top of £2,200 gross for a Simmental-cross. Sales director Paul Spencer said: “Our annual special sale of spring-calving heifers is a tried and tested auction with cattle from Skye and all over the north of Scotland. We had all kinds of cattle, with a good amount of traditional breeds and Simmentals for sale. Being based in the Highlands, cattle for out wintering are popular too.

This Limousin-cross in-calf heifer born May 2017 sold for £1,680.

“Consigners ranged in size, with some selling five up to around 20 and we also had a couple of dispersals today too.

“The job was reasonable, with sensible prices for all parties. It wasn’t off the scale, with only a few over £2,000/head, but the majority were in the high teens between £1,600 and £1,900. People were not just buying for numbers; heifers had to fit their herd at home. Shorthorns were popular and Limousin-crosses with size were easily sold. The most popular sire being used on the heifers was a Limousin bull for ease of calving.

This Limousin-cross in-calf heifer born May 2017 sold for £1,680.

“The store trade has been very heartening and the money has been coming back into suckler producers from the finishers. We were expecting a tough season but it hasn’t happened as people have been buying with confidence.”

This Simmental-cross in-calf heifer born November 2017 sold for £1,300.

Sheep

Spencer said the sheep trade has taken off: “We are selling five-year-old Cheviots off hard hills for £75-90/head, which is £20 up on last year.”

He said the gimmer trade has been similar to in-calf heifers, with buyers looking for size and power and the ability to push out a decent lamb in the spring. This has led to good money for good-sized gimmers.

“Store lambs are going from strength to strength and getting dearer all the time. We are seeing buyers come from Wales and Somerset to our sales.

“We probably have a bit of history with these buyers but the trade has really reignited recently.

“Prices are up £4 to £5 a lamb quite easily, with plainer or smaller lambs up more.”

This Limousin-cross in-calf heifer born March 2015 sold for £1,700.

This black Limousin in-calf heifer born January 2017 sold for £1,350.

This Limousin in-calf heifer born March 2017 sold for £1,600.

This British Blue in-calf heifer born January 2017 sold for £1,800.

This Shorthorn in-calf heifer born January 2017 sold £1,600.

This Shorthorn-cross in-calf heifer born May 2017 sold for £1,750.

This Shorthorn in-calf heifer born April 2017 sold for £1,700.
This Shorthorn in-calf heifer born April 2017 sold for £1,280.