A strong show of Limousin suckled calves dominated the trade at Caledonian Marts Premier Show and Sale of suckled calves at Stirling on Friday 7 September.

The top price of £2800 matched last year’s high and was secured by a Limousin heifer from father and son team John and Craig Robertson, who are well known for producing top quality show calves from their 170 cow unit at Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry.

Reserve Senior Champion, Limousin Cross Heifer, £2800

Their leader was a nine-month old out of a Limousin cross dam that is herself out of one of the best breeders in the herd who has produced many show winners. On her first outing, the 400kg heifer secured the Reserve Senior title and was knocked down to Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, Greenyards, Stirling.

Close behind at £2600 was the Senior Champion Harry, a Limousin cross bullock from the Lairds at Sunnyside and Carbello, Cumnock. Brought out by Alan and Shona Stevenson the 13-month old was purchased as a calf at foot along with his Limousin cross mother from John McAlister, West Thomaston. Harry, who tipped the scales at 510kg, came to the sale having had a successful summer on the show circuit and was snapped up by the Judge on the day Craig Malone of Pitcairn, Cardenden.

Harry, Senior Champion, Limousin Cross Bullock, £2600

The Champion, and next in the trade stakes at £2400, came in the shape of Limousin cross bullock Blue Magoo from Brian Harper, Greenwells, Falkirk. In a first for the fixture, Brian secured his second Supreme Championship in a row. However, in contrast to previous years when Brain’s show stock had been purchased as calves at foot, the 290kg Blue Magoo was bred at home out of a Limousin cross dam.

Blue Magoo, Supreme Champion, Limousin Cross Bullock, £2400

Photos: The Scottish Farmer