Fourth consecutive win for James Gunn at Quoybrae

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Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ Caithness Livestock Centre sold 813 store cattle on Monday, an event that included the annual Caithness Young Farmers’ overwintering competition sponsored by Mackay, West Greenland.

Bower young farmer James Gunn, secured his fourth consecutive championship win at Quoybrae, where heifers averaged 211.6p per kg or £1075 and bullocks levelled at 211.6p or £1260.63.

His bullock, a 13-month-old Limousin cross weighing 555kg, was bred by Gordon Begg, Vauldale, Nybster, which James purchased last October for £1000. He sold for £1320 to Backmuir Livestock, Keith.

James also sold the top-price animal in the sale for £1330 to Backmuir Livestock. This was his first prize heavy bullock, a 15-month-old British Blue cross bullock. Scaling 687kg, this bullock was purchased last year for £940 and bred by C and E Ogg, Buchaam, Strathdon.

Last to sell for James at £1275 was his first prize intermediate bullock, a 14-month-old Limousin cross bred by Ardhuncart Farms, Ardhuncart, Kildrummy. Purchased for £900 from Chris Sutherland, Dunbeath Mains, he weighed in at 623kg and sold to Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith.

The reserve champion from fellow club member Colin Mackay of Hillhead, Lybster, also sold to Backmuir Livestock for £1180. Weighing in at 509kg, this Limousin cross bullock was purchased for £1020 from breeder, G Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster.

Forss YFC member Michael Gunn from Balmore, Dounreay, sold two Limousin cross bullocks for £1240 to Backmuir Livestock.

First at this money was a July, 2017-born bullock weighing 608kg which Michael bought for £910 last year. He was bred by C Sutherland, Clashach, Westfield.

Matching that price was a 654kg bullock bred by J & G More, Lynton Cottage, Ulbster. Born in November, 2017, he was purchased for £900.

In the open show and sale of store cattle sponsored by North of Scotland Newspapers, a Charolais bullock weighing 457kg from J & L Mackay, Hillhead, Lybster, stood champion and made £1180 to D & V Buchan, Longside, Peterhead.

The reserve champion, a 366kg Limousin cross heifer from ID Stewart, Reisgill, Lybster, sold for £970 to G & B Walker, Newton of Lewesk, Old Rayne.

Prize list:

Young farmers’ overwintered calves

Champion

Lot 3 – James Gunn, Whitefield, Reiss, £1320

Reserve

Lot 2 – Colin Mackay, Hillhead, Lybster, £1180

Purchased light bullock

1 Lot 3 – James Gunn, £1320

2 Lot 2 – Colin Mackay, £1180

3 Lot 1 – John Gunn, North Killimster, Wick, £1020

Purchased intermediate bullock

1 Lot 5 – James Gunn, £1275

2 Lot 4 – Michael Gunn, Balmore, Dounreay, £1240

Purchased heavy bullock

1 Lot 7 – James Gunn, £1330

2 Lot 6 – Michael Gunn, £1240

Purchased light heifer

1 Lot 8 – Colin Mackay, £1070

Home-bred bullock

1 Lot 9 – Danny Macbeath, Folly Farm, Murkle, £1080

Home-bred heifer

1 Lot 10 – Katie and Beth Dunnet, c/o Folly Farm, Murkle, £1080

Best daily liveweight gain (purchased bullock): 1 James Gunn; 2 Michael Gunn; 3 James Gunn.

Best daily liveweight gain (purchased heifer): Colin Mackay.

Show and sale of store cattle

Champion: J & L Mackay, Hillhead, Lybster, £1180. Reserve: ID Stewart, Reisgill, Lybster, £970.

Single bullock: 1 J & L Mackay, Hillhead; 2 J & L Mackay, Hillhead; 3 D A Budge, Brae Edge, Castletown.

Single heifer: 1 I D Stewart, Reisgill; 2 Messrs Douglas, House Park, Bower; 3 I D Stewart.

Pair of bullocks: Messrs Macivor, Newlands of Geise, Janetstown.

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