A record-
The ceiling was broken for the first time ever today at the Steinish mart’s final sale of the year which doubled up as an early Christmas sale.
Sandy Maclean of Callanish, Lewis, won the Supreme Champion shield for his 20 month locally bred bullock. The animal also won the Best Bullock trophy. The 520 kg Limousin cross was bought by Bobby Smith for WJ Macdonald butchers for £760.
Anderson of Arivruaich took first prize in the heifer section for a 520kg Limousin cross which sold for £800.
The champion sheep prize was awarded to Ann Mackay of Eorodale, Ness, for Texel cross lambs which were later purchased by Charles Macleod butchers for £105 a head.
Murray Macleod of Swainbost won the reserve sheep award for a pair of cross lambs which reached £80 each.
Good quality animals sold well with texel lambs from Ann Mackay going for £78 while blackface lambs from Morrison of 17 Habost, reached £72 a head.
Top priced ewes from Smith, Bragar sold for £68 and the bidding went up to £180 for a ram from Macleod, 30B Arnol.
Mart chairman Norman Maciver said the series of annual sales in Stornoway was very much in in line with national trends.
He pointed out that producers were better off selling in through the local mart -
He said: “Some cattle have sold locally here which would not have reached a better price anywhere else.
“We are seeing a lot of cattle and breeding ewes staying on the island and that’s a good sign for the industry.“
Auctioneer Kenny Mackenzie of Dingwall and Highland Marts said: “It has been a very
satisfactory result for an end-
He reckoned buyers of store cattle were wary after experiences last season.
He said: “Calves were a bit stickier but that’s in line with what’s happening everywhere.
“Calves were bought too dear last year and gave a poor return after high winter costs like for feed. People are very cautious.”
Stornoway mart breaks 10,000 sheep mark 18/11/10
Sandy Maclean won two prizes for his bullock