A YOUNG bull with a pedigree for red rosettes at the Agri-Expo secured Martin McCornick his best ever result when the bull was given the slap on the rump as overall champion in one of the largest of the calf shows, the Aberdeen-Angus Winter National.

Having already headed up the male and yearling championships when brought out by daughter Gemma, the result was almost a foregone conclusion for Martin, who runs 60 pedigree Angus, 15 Charolais and 50 commercial cows at Boreland, Newton Stewart. His winner was McCornick Kerry's Boy, a March, 2016-born son of the home-bred McCornick Kedge, which was used at home for two years before being sold on, while the dam is McCornick Kerry, which had been exhibited here the three years before and always landed a red ticket, including with Kerry's Boy at foot. This was his first outing since and he's destined for the February sale at Stirling.

Following him through from the yearling championship to stand reserve overall was the Allen family's Stouphill Patsy, a similarly aged heifer that marked a cracking debut at the Expo for Billy and Kate, Dallas and Ruth, of Humbleheugh, Alnwick. Among the first crop of calves by the 7000gns Duncanziemere Jigsaw, whose first three sons averaged £5005, and out of a previous Patsy, this powerful heifer already has a number of tickets to her name, including the reserve honours at the Border Union. The follow the leader theme continued as the second prize bull, Hamish and Margaret Sclater's Deveron Eldon, from the senior yearling class went on to stand supreme. This first prize winner from the Highland that also stood reserve in the native Beef Breeder for the Sclaters, of Denheads, near Turriff, is among the last bred by Belhaven Dryburgh Abbey, a 10,000gns purchase when he stood senior champion at Stirling. Bred from a strong maternal line being out of Deveron Elize, he will also be on offer at Stirling.

Going on to stand reserve female was another from the yearling section, Tree Bridge Polly Perkins from past society president, David Evans, and wife Penny, from near Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough. Sired by the AI bull Oakchurch Evor and out of the three times North of England Cow of the Year, a Chapelton Dark Mahmoud-sired Polly Perkins that is also an inter-breed champion at Lincoln Show. This Polly Perkins is also something of a show stopper, having secured the championship at Stokesley and placed second at the National Show at the Three Counties.

LEADING awards:

(Judge: Alan Lawson, Hallington herd, Newcastle upon Tyne).

Bulls – Yearling bull born January 1 and July 31, 2016 – 1, yearling male champion, yearling champion, male champion and supreme champion, MR McCornick’s McCornick Kerry’s Boy; 2, reserve yearling male and reserve male, HW Sclater’s Deveron Eldon; 3, JR Galloway’s Cardona Edwin. Yearling bull born August 1 to December 31, 2016 – 1, A Mylius and Partners’ St Fort Earl Phoenix; 2, Messrs Graham’s Carruthers Jon Eric; 3, JN and GM Hadwin’s Aulthurstsude Drumbeat. Bull calf born January 1 to February 28, 2017 (split in two) – A – 1, bull calf champion and calf champion, Temple Farm’s Temple Jupiter Eric; 2, JN and GM Hadwin’s Aulthurstside Drum Major; 3, CAH Rodger’s Comlongon Julius Eric. B – 1 and reserve bull calf, A Shufflebottom’s Cheerbrook Luther; 2, Mr BK and Mrs JCM Musk’s Park Wall Peter Pan; 3, Messrs Graham’s Carruthers Eden Park. Bull calf born March 1 to March 31, 2017 – 1, Temple Farm’s Temple Prime Time; 2, D Whiteford and o’s Borewell Exocet. Bull calf born April 1, 2017, onwards (split in two) – A – 1, Mrs H Heerema’s Balavilhouse Postman 2, HW Scalter’s Deveron Rockstar; 3, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lucky Rascal. B – 1, Mrs H Heerema’s Balavilhouse Banksy; 2, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Judge; 3, Dr W and Mrs M Taylor’s Crook Hill Red Barolo.

Heifers – Heifer born January 1 and December 31, 2015 – 1, JR Galloway’s Cardona Jewel Erica; 2, J Walsh’s Buckhurst Lady Heather. Heifer born January 1 to July 31, 2016 – 1, yearling female champion, reserve yearling, female champion and reserve supreme, WD Allen’s Stouphill Patsy; 2, D Rankin’s Kilmaluag Etta; 3, J Walsh’s Buckhurst Jury Erica. Heifer born August 1 to December 31, 2016 – 1, reserve yearling female and reserve female, Mr and Mrs D Evans’ Tree Bridge Polly Perkins; 2, Mr and Mrs D Evans’ Tree Bridge Jena; 3, Mr and Mrs A Price’s Oakchurch Delia. Heifer born January 1 to February 28, 2017 – 1, heifer calf champion and reserve calf, R and C Rettie’s Retties Ruisseau; 2, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lady Rose; 3, AS Hodge’s Rulesmains Kerry. Heifer born March 1 to March 31, 2017 – 1, O Tunney’s Morpheus Rosebud; 2, Mrs H Heerema’s Balavilhouse Toplass; 3, A Shufflebottom’s Cheerbrook Miss Essential. Heifer born April 1, 2017, onwards – 1 and reserve heifer calf, HW Scalter’s Deveron Estorella; 2, Mirs H Heerema’s Balavilhouse Miss Bangle; 3, JR Galloway’s Cardona Jill.

Pair – 1, HW Sclater; 2, Mrs H Heerema; 3, R and C Rettie.