Aberfeldy sheep farmer, David Murray, Lurgan, enjoyed a cracking day at Dalmally Show, taking the overall championship in the biggest section in what was only his second year exhibiting here, the Blackface sheep competition which attracted an entry of more than 200 head.

His leader, a home-bred gimmer from the 700 Blackface sheep flock at Lurgan, stood reserve champion at Aberfeldy on her sole previous outing and is by an £1800 Loughash sire.

Top cattle animal was the Highland champion forward from an entry of just short of 100 head. This was the two-year-old heifer, Ban Righ of Mottistone, from retired insurance businessman Michael Poland, who not only runs 250 Highland cows on the Isle of Wight, but a 70-cow fold at Benderloch, Oban.

Just pipped at the post, the reserve was the commercial supreme from Network Rail welder, Martin Hall, who runs just 12 cows at Tombuie, Stronmilchan, Dalmally. His February-born red Limousin cross stot was bought for £3000 with his dam, a Limousin cross cow at a breeding cattle sale at United Auctions, Stirling, from Wester Thomaston.

For full report and pictures see this week’s paper, out Friday, September 10.