Perthshire breeders, Robert and Maimie Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, were well rewarded for their trip down to Darlington Farmers Auction Mart's Christmas show and sale, coming home with silverware for the best bull.

Their winner, a 790kg British Blue, selected by the judge, Michael Jewitt, Spennymoor, later went on to sell for 235p per kg or £1870 to Mr Jewitt.

Glasgow-based Jean Mackay, Harelaw, Barrhead, also came up with the goods, producing the champion cow in the shape of a six-year-old British Blue which also sold to the judge at 224p per kg or £1872.

The show of 46 clean cattle, judged by Mike Maloney of Mike Maloneys Country Butchers and Bakers of Warsop and Blidworth, was also led by a British Blue cross. This was a 522kg bullock from Frank Page of Lodge Farm, Elkington, out of a pure Limousin cow. He is by the 13,000gns Blue sire, Droit Hector, and later went on to sell for a new centre record of 740p per kg or £3862 to SK and AJ Linsley, Church Street, Shildon.

The entry of 291 cattle, 1944 sheep and eight pigs, saw the reserve presented to a Limousin heifer from first time consignors, the Black and Blue Show Team of Stoneycroft, Herefordshire, with a 550kg red Limousin heifer. She is by the Irish-bred bull, Liscon Bigshow and also sold to the Linsleys of Shildon at 410p or £2255.

No fewer than 13 cattle sold for more than 300p per kg and six realised in excess of £2000 with the 46 clean show levelling at 296.5p per kg and £1781.75

Overall, 92 prime bulls sold to 255p per kg or £2063; 78 steers hit 740p or £3862; 110 heifers sold to 410ppk or £2255 and 11 OTM to 224p and £1872

The 1415 prime lambs hit a top of 274p and £129.50 with 529 cast sheep to £135 and eight prime pigs to 114p and £85.50.

LEADING awards

Bulls – Continental – Lightweight – 1 and reserve bull, JK and CE Farming, Blue House Farm, 250p per kg, £1772; 2 and 3, WC Stones and Son, Pepper Hall, 249p, £1347 and 239p, £1175. Heavyweight – 1 and bull champion – 1 and 2, R and M Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, 235p, £1870 and 250p, £1975; 3, JK and CE Farming, Blue House Farm, 242p, £1860. HF – 1, 2 and 3, R Hall and Son, Kilton Hall Farm, 192p, £1152; 186p, £1127 and 198p, £1201.

Steers – Lim/Blonde – Lightweight – 1, M Robinson and Sons, East Alwent, 284p, £1428. Heavyweight – 1 and 3, Renton Highlaws, High Highlaws, 310p, £2070 and 278p, £1576; 2, A Geary, Yew Tree Farm 278p, £1576. Any other breed – Lightweight – 1 and champion, Frank Page, Lodge Farm, 740p, £3862; 2, M Robinson and Sons, 270p, £1525; 3, TN Callender, Ox Eye, 262p, £1498. Heavyweight – 1, AG Laws, High Village Farm, 290p, £2050; 2, M Robinson and Sons, 282p, £1723; 3, A Barnett, Brinns Farm, 285 p, £1772.

Heifers – Lim/Blonde – Lightweight – 1, A Geary, Yew Tree, 320p, £1782; 2, MI Wainwright, Todhall, 288p, £1290; 3, Renton Highlaws, 285p, £1544. Heavyweight – 1, A Barnett, 345p, £2232; 2, F Page,295p, £1970; 3, B Walker, Birch Spring, 315p, £1697 to Woolley Bros Ltd, Sheffield. Other breed – Heavyweight – 1, A Barnett, 305p, £1860; 2, F Page, 310p, £2086; 3, JL Marks, Gilly Flats, 300p, £1692.

Bred – 1 and 3, F Page, 740p, £3862 and 310p, £2086; 2, A Geary, 320p, £1782.udby

Open – 1 and reserve, Black and Blue Show Team, Stoneycroft, 410p, £2255; 2, JB Thompson, Stainby House, 318p, £1672.

OTM – 1, J Mackay, Harelaw, 224p, £1872; 2 and 3, AS and SM Kemp, Whitwell, 204p, £1591 and 204p, £1599.