BULLS met a strong demand at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s February sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Sixteen bulls made five figures and more than 53 made 5000gns or more. Averages on the year were up by £1,058 to £6,668. The clearance rate was 91 per cent with 114 bulls sold out of the 125 forward.

Leading the day’s trade at 30,000gns was Swalesmoor Liam from the Swalesmoor Partnership, Lauderdale. A first prize winner at the National Limousin Show he was bought by Messrs Ridley, Wigton, and Richard Harker, Kendal.

Swarland Likelylad from A&D Proctor, Morpeth, the junior male champion sold for 22,000gns to Neil Barclay, Aberdeenshire.

Commercial producers, including several local were busy buying with JC & J White, Lunedale, paying 18,000gns for Hightown Leon from John Smith-Jackson, Haltwhistle.

John White said: "It was the best crossing type of bull in the market in my opinion and exactly the type I go for. I really liked his father Waindale UFO and this bull displays the shape and style that is required to breed show calves."

Haneve Luigi, April 2015 born, from John Murray, West Butsfield, Tow Law, was reserve senior champion and sold for 16,000gns to commercial producer Alistair Ward, Frosterley.

Mereside Leo from RM Hazard & Sons sold for 13,000gns to James Cooper of the Tomschoice pedigree herd at Hilltop Farm, Dacre.

A Peart & Son, Woodcroft Farm, Frosterley, paid 9,000gns for Garyvaughan Leo from CV&EM Lewis, Welshpool.