Jacqueline Pettigrew

A MAJOR new feed mill in Ayrshire promises to bring some much-needed competition to the "cosy supply infrastructure" across northern England and south west Scotland.

THERE WAS an optimistic buzz around the ringside at Caledonian Marts' Stirling market on Monday as buyers and sellers mulled over the announcement made by the board of directors last Friday that the preferred bidders for the business were local farmers and livestock dealers, John, Brian and Steven Gilvear, putting an end to months of speculation.

THE hall erupted in cheers and applause as the National Stallion Show supreme championship was awarded to the filly Shielhill Diamond Jubilee - a popular winner, this three-year-old is owned and bred by Robert Sibbald of Thorn, Dollar, and his grandmother, Mrs Rimmer.

WEST HALL, near Cupar in Fife, is a 1450-acre farm with 1150 acres of arable land growing wheat, barley, oats, ware potatoes and broccoli.

NORTH Country Cheviot females met a good demand at Lockerbie last Saturday, selling to a top of 1200gns.

COLLESSIE Jennifer from Ronnie and Pete Black, Newton of Collessie, Fife, continued her winning run at the Lothian and Borders Foal Show under judge Mhairi Barr.

THE North of Fife Foal Show's move this year to the Black family's Nisbetfield Farm near Letham in Fife, proved highly successful with exhibitors and spectators alike who were delighted with the new choice of venue, and none would be happier than the Blacks themselves who took the show's supreme championship with filly foal, Collessie Jennifer.

THIS SPRING saw Keswick farmer, Steven Clarke, take a different direction in diversification when he planted 28 acres of willow.

The 125,000gns Limousin heifer, Glenrock Illusion, selling for a new breed record and indeed a new world record beef price through the ring at on Friday!

KILMAURS GOT the summer show season off to a glorious start on Saturday as exhibitors and spectators basked in the sunshine of the Scott Ellis playing fields, Kilmarnock.