ALISON Peters secured the overall championship at the Young Farmers overwintering competitions at United Auctions' Stirling centre, where 32 calves were entered by members from the Perthshire and Fife and Kinross districts. 

Her champion, as picked out by A Paul, Ballingall Mill, Leslie, was a Charolais cross heifer bred by I Richardson, Upper Samieston, and bought last October. Crossing the weigh bridge at 448kg, this entry from the Strathearn JAC member went on to sell for the top price of £1300.

In reserve was a British Blue cross bullock from Craig Drysdale, of Kinross JAC. This stot was bred by the Templetons, Carslae, and realised £1120 at 440kg. 

James Orr, Bell Baxter ADS, had the best return on capital invested as he originally bought his Limousin cross bullock for £200 and went on to sell him for £760, a turnaround of 280%. A Limousin heifer from Ruth Brown, Strathearn JAC, achieved the best daily liveweight gain of 1.34kg. 

In all, the average price for the 32 calves rose by £117.81 on the year to level at £1121.81, broken down to 23 bullocks at £1104.35 and nine heifers at £1153.33. The average profit across the boards was £267.18.

See the April 1 issue of The Scottish Farmer for the full report and list of leading awards.