A SMALL but high-quality offering of Charolais bulls saw a high of 5,500gns and an average of £3,304, for the 15 bulls sold at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

The trade topper at 5,500gns was the reserve supreme and reserve male champion from breeders Mark and Jane Hayhurst, of Kirbymisperton.

The 18-month-old Whitecliffe Mountain is sired by the home-bred Whitecliffe Highlight and out of Whitecliffe Harriete, who goes back to the 38,000gns Perth reserve junior champion Goldies Champion.

He was purchased by G McClanachan and Sons, of Dumfriesshire.

A delighted Jane Hayhurst said: “He was a great calf out of Whitecliffe Highlight who is producing progeny perfect for meeting todays market specifications.

“His home-bred sons have sold to 6,200gns this year through the ring, are selling just as well from home and he is producing well on other farms too through AI sales.

“We also use him on our sucklers and his first commercial progeny sold this spring at just over 12 months old.

“One went to ABP at 12 months and nine days, with a deadweight of 446kg and making a total of £1,498, while another sold live at 800kg, five days younger for £1,450”.

Next and selling for 5,400gns to PL Heard, Devon, was the February-2016-born, yellow ticket winner Bassett Magnet, from Jean Atkinson, of Malton.

“His sire is Bassett Inspector and his dam Bassett Dolly was sired by Northumberland-bred Thrunton Troubadore.

Sale averages: 15 bulls, £3,304; two cow and calves, £3,203; two heifers, £2,730; five Gretnahouse heifers, £2,331; four Lawersbridge cow and calves, £2,021; five Ashby cow and calves, £2,079; one Ashby cow, £1,890, three Ashby heifers, £1,820.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.