SHANNAS Illusion from John and Margaret Penny, of Shannas, Mintlaw, Peterhead, sold for 7,000gns, and led a strong Limousin trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society Sale held at Thainstone, Inverurie on February 25. The sale was within the Aberdeen and Northern Marts Royal Northern Spring Show and Multibreed Sale of pedigree cattle.

Judge Anne MacPherson, of Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness, awarded the April 2013-born Shannas Illusion the Limousin Championship and the Overall Supreme Interbreed Championship.

Illusion is by Craigatoke Bart, a Haltcliffe Underwriter son, and is out of the Dyke Thunder daughter Shannas Ballerina. Selling with solid performance figures for growth and muscle, the champion bull was purchased by Liam Muir, of Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness.

The first bull in the ring, Shannas Irnbru, got the Limousin sale off to a good start when selling for 4,000gns to E Jaffrey, of Candyglirach, Drumoak, Banchory.

This bull is another by Craigatoke Bart and is out of Shannas Champagne. Rounding off a good sale for the Pennys was the 4,500gns Shannas Invincable, an April 2013-born Dyke Thunder son (by Haltcliffe President) and out of Shannas Tinkerbell who now heads to HJ Arnott, Westerton, Memsie, Fraserburgh.

A good show of Limousin bulls met with an excellent trade that saw averages up by £702 on the year to £4,256 for the 15 bulls sold. The clearance rate was 83 per cent.

At 6,000gns was Livet Ike from Stephen Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Banffshire. July 2013-born, this bull is by the 28,000gns AI sire Procters Cavalier and is out of the home-bred dam Livet Brooke who carries Bailea Imij and Ronick Member breeding. Purchasing this bull was Rhindu Farm, Rhindu, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch.

Albert Howie, West Knock, Stuartfield, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire made 5,500gns when selling his black Limousin bull Knock Black Inferno to Robert Chapman, West Cockmuir, Strichen, Fraserburgh. By the Irish sire Baileys Finalest, a Queenshead Altea son, this April 2013-born bull is out of the Newhouse Billy daughter Knock Felicity.

Emslies Imij made 4,800gns when selling for Harry Emslie, Kinknockie, Mintlaw, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. Sired by the herd stock bull Procters Cavalier, he is out of Emslies Doreen, a Milbrook Vintage daughter. The June 2013-born Imij had earlier stood as the Reserve Overall Champion in the Limousin section. Emslies Imij was bought by RA Finnie, Bush Farm, Crathie, Ballater. Selling at 4,200gns was the Bailea BMW son Emslies Black Istabraq also from Harry Emslie when purchased by G Wilson, Fichlie, Glenkindie, Alford. The dam of this July 2013 bull is Hafodlas Bronfraith, a Saphir daughter.

Averages: 15 bulls £4,256 (up £702). Auctioneer: ANM.