Livestock

A top price of 35,000gns and an average of £6,683.85, up £905.87 on the year were the highlights of the sale of Limousin cattle at Carlisle.

Simmental bulls sold to a 14,000gns high for Islavale, with the average up 411 on the year at 5,589 and a clearance rate of 64 per cent.

Limousin bulls sold to a 9,500gns high, to average 4,652, down 143 on the year, with a clearance rate up 5 per cent on 2019 at 70 per cent.

Ease and accessibility of virtual livestock sales has seen auction marts invest in digital technology in response to fluctuating Covid-19 restrictions.

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.

Future policy must allow farmers to continue their dual role in maintaining and enhancing landscapes while producing food, an NFU report has highlighted.