The reserve champion, a February-born 266kg Limousin cross steer from Balfour Baillie, Sebay View, Orkney, secured the top price of £6200 at Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ sale of weaned calves, when selling to Blair Duffton.

The judge, Angus Greenlaw, Sheep Park Farms, Huntly, awarded his champion to an April born 272kg Limousin cross heifer from the same home which later realised £4000 to A Wilson, Hardrigg Hall.

Spring-born bullocks (336) averaged 352p (+21p on the year), while spring-born heifers (321) cashed in at 354.8p (+28.6p).

Outwith the show stars, heifers sold to £2600 for a 292kg March-born Limousin cross from J Robertson and Co, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, when the hammer fell to W Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul.

Bullocks reached £2150 for a 306kg March-born Limousin cross from J K Hunter, Wedderburn, Huntly when selling to Backmuir Livestock.

Cattle from Hougharry and Ard Runair, North Uist, led the West Highland calves, with bullocks selling to 460.8p for a 332kg Limousin cross and to £1530 for a 232kg British Blue cross, while heifers peaked at 711.2p and £1650 for a 232kg British Blue cross and a 286kg Limousin cross respectively.

West Highland heifers (99) averaged 312.5p (+28.2p on the year), with bullocks (86) levelling at 348.7p (+48.7p).

LEADING awards

Show and sale of spring born weaned and suckled calves

Bullock born before March –1, F and K Moar Crook Rendall 406kg £1560; 2, R Wright Woodend Croft Clovullin 384kg £1580; 3, Miller Farms North Lurg Midmar 384kg £1330.

Bullock born after March – 1, Balfour Baillie Sebay View Tankerness 266kg £6200; 2, JS Youngson Westerton Cullerlie; 3, Macarthur Bros Mid Fleenas Nairn .

Heifer born before March – 1, J Robertson and Co Newton of Logierait Pitlochry 384kg £1850; 2, F and K Moar Crook Rendall 396kg £2100; 3, F and K Moar Crook Rendall 406kg £1900.

Heifer born after March – 1, Balfour Baillie Sebay View Tankerness 272kg £4000; 2, Miller Farms North Lurg Midmar 278kg £1260; 3, U Macdonald Lower Cairnglass Ardersier.

Pair of bullock calves – 1, W Law, West Cruichie, Drumblade 342kg £1290; 2, Osborne Farms Balmadies Forfar 340kg £1200.

Pair of heifer calves – 1, Osborne Farms Balmadies Forfar 328kg £1180; 2, D Whyte Hindstone New Aberdour 286kg £1150; 3, Osborne Farms Balmadies Forfar 350kg £1200.

Pen of four calves – 1, D Whyte Hindstone New Aberdour 368kg £1300; 2, W Law West Cruichie Drumblade 408kg £1340; 3, Osborne Farms Balmadies Forfar 328kg £1210.

LEADING prices

Spring born bullocks – Up to 250kg – Greystone £1050. 251-300kg – Mid Fleenas £1800. 301-350kg – Wedderburn £2150. 351-400kg – Woodend Croft £1580. 401-450kg – Crook £1560. 451-500kg – Tillenturk £1520.

Spring born heifers – Up to 250kg – Greystone £2050. 251-300kg – Newton of Logierait £2600. 301-350kg – Lower Cairnglass £2400. 351-400kg – Mid Fleenas £2500. 401-450kg – Crook £1900. 451-500kg – Tillenturk £1470.

West Highland bullocks – Up to 250kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £920. 251-300kg – Tigharry £1115, Barvas. 301-350kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £1420. 351-400kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £1480.

West Highland heifers – Up to 250kg – South Scord £830. 251-300kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £985. 301-350kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £1550. 351-400kg – Houharry and Ard An Runair £1110. 401-450kg – Pinehoulland £1220.