Tankerness farmer has top price at Thainstone Spectacular

Balfour Baillie from Tankerness topped the sale of exhibition cattle at the Thainstone Spectacular on Friday.

The February-born Limousin cross heifer from Sebay View sold for the top price of £8,000 at the annual event, held by Aberdeen & Northern Marts.

The heifer which scaled 330kgs, and achieved third prize during the judging, was sold to Susan and Allan Campbell, Alt na Craik, Corrow Farm, Lochgoilhead.

The overall spectacular champion was awarded to a Limousin cross heifer from J. Robertson & Co, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry. The September 2025 born heifer, sold for the third top price of the day at £7,500.

Beyond the top priced animal, the Baillies had a successful day with their other cattle as well.

The 2026 born champion Limousin cross heifer from J. S. Baillie & Co, Sebay Farm, Tankerness, sold for £5,000. The heifer scalling 384kgs sold to AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon.

Two calves were cashed out at £4,000, the second of which was a Limousin cross heifer from Balfour Baillie, selling to C. Sinclair, Brewthin, Cullerlie, Skene.

In the bullock section, Sebay Farm’s champion, a Limousin cross steer scaling 294kgs, sold for £3,200 to BMD Livestock, 2 Bogie Street, Huntly.

The annual event saw heifers average 8.847 per kg or £3,930 and bullocks level at 6.047 kg per kg or £2,579.17 per head.

In total 31 calves forward sold to the average 7.79 per kg or £3,407.10 (+£149.96 on the year).

Scott Chapman, auctioneer at Aberdeen & Northern Marts said: “This year’s sale saw electric trade throughout for an exceptional show of cattle forward, with producers being rewarded for their efforts.”