Beef Shorthorn bulls met a 6,200gns high, selling to an average of 4,410, up 971 on the year and a clearance rate of 64 per cent.

Cammock Nova, a September-2018 born bull from Niall and Katy Blair, Kilry, led the trade in the Salers section.

Females in the Beef Shorthorn section soared a 15,000gns high, marking a new female breed record price for John Elliot, Kelso.

Charolais bulls sold to a 20,000gns high, to average 6,627 up 892 on the year, with a clearance rate of 60 per cent.

Leading on the first of the three days at Stirling was a 10,000gns top call for Aberdeen-Angus bulls.

The sentiment that it is sometimes easier to talk to a stranger than to relatives or friends is one that struck a chord with dairy farmer Hannah Lawrence, who volunteers on the DPJ charity’s ‘Share The Load’ phone helpline. Hannah Park reports.

Wageningen University, at Leeuwarden, in the Netherlands, has installed a cow toilet on its dairy campus.

With reports of rising lungworm infections in cattle in recent weeks, vet Emily Francis offers some advice on protecting your herd and profits.

The extent to which drones could be helpful as a monitoring aid when checking sheep is being investigated as part of a trial in Australia. 

Arable farmer Martin Lines has a specific interest in farm conservation and management and is UK chairman of the Nature Friendly Farmer Network. Hannah Park reports.