AYRSHIRE Association of Young Farmers Club’s County Rally saw members gather at Craig Wilson’s Ayr Market for a full day of events and competitions culminating in Crossroads YFC lifting the overall title.
Results from previous competitions combined with those at the rally saw Crossroads YFC amass 567 points, while Mauchline YFC were placed second with 534 points, and coming in third with 333 points were Ayr YFC.
New Cumnock YFC lifted the small clubs award, with Beith following in second.
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Among the calves, it was a special day for Daniel Hodge, Dykes, of Mauchline YFC, who lifted three of the four top awards to include the hoof and hooks championships and reserve hook honours.
In the hook competition the judge, James Young, South Threave Farm, Girvan, found his champion in a 550kg home-bred Charolais cross heifer, which stood third in the hoof competition.
READ MORE: Ayr Show attracts beef entries from Devon to Perthshire
Previously unshown, this 12-month-old is a daughter of Hodge’s Optimus Prime and out of a home-bred Limousin cross cow.
The hoof champion and the award for the reserve on the hook was awarded to the same animal, this time a black Limousin heifer which crossed the weighbridge at 585kg. This similarly aged heifer again from Daniel, is sired by Lyonpark Manor and is also out of a home-bred Limousin cross cow.
Judge, John Currie, Southhook Farm, Kilmarnock, awarded the reserve hoof champion ticket to a Limousin cross bullock from Andrew Nisbet of Kilmaurs YFC. His 15-month-old weighed 585kg and was reserve champion at both Beith and Neilston Shows last month. Named Strawberry Ice, he is home-bred being sired by US Heit Van Kendo and out of a heifer that was purchased privately from Andrew Bunting.
Heather Thom, of Ayr YFC, was presented the trophy for the best shown animal, judged by Sophie Harvey, Stirling. Following closely behind in second was Glen Martin of Crossroads YFC.
In the sheep lines, a pair of Scotch Mule ewe hoggs from Kelsie Guild of New Cumnock YFC, took the top ticket. Both ewe hoggs were bought privately with one having landed the championship at Ayr Show earlier this month.
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Judge, William Linton, tapped out his runner up in a pair of February-born prime lambs weighing 42kg from Scott Anderson, Crossroads YFC.
Leading Awards
Suckled calves
Hoof – Champion – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC. Reserve – Andrew Nisbet, Kilmaurs YFC.
Hook – Champion – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC. Reserve – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC.
Overall beef from dairy herd (hoof and hook) – David Stevenson, Ayr YFC.
Best shown animal – Heather Thom, Ayr YFC. Reserve – Glen Martin, Crossroads YFC.
Industrial section
Handicrafts (A night at the movies theme): Judges – Sharon Young and Carol Speir. 1, Mauchline YFC; 2, Kilmaurs YFC; 3, Ayr YFC.
Baking (Judges: Ayrshire WRI). 1, Mauchline YFC; 2, Kilmaurs YFC; 3, Ayr YFC.
Overall winners
Rally Queen – Beth Kerr, Kilmaurs YFC.
Winner of the hockey – Mauchline YFC.
Winner of the netball – Kilmaurs YFC.
Industrial section – Mauchline YFC.
Overall sports – Crossroads YFC.
Champion sheep – Kelsie Guild, New Cumnock YFC.
Best shown animal – Heather Thom, Ayr YFC.
BFDH carcase – David Stevenson, Ayr YFC.
BFDH hoof – David Stevenson, Ayr YFC.
Any other breed – Ross Montgomerie, Kilmaurs YFC.
Overall Limousin – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC.
Overall suckled calf hook – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC.
Best novice performer in beef section – Ross Raeside, Kilmaurs YFC.
Overall suckled calf hoof – Daniel Hodge, Mauchline YFC.
Overall suckled calf competition – Glen Martin, Crossroads YFC.
Highest placed calf fed on Carrs feeding on the hoof – Craig Hodge, Crossroads YFC.
Stock demonstration – Crossroads YFC.
Stoddarts live winner – David Smith, Crossroads YFC.
Stoddarts dead winner – Glen Martin, Crossroads YFC.
Overall dairy calf – Chloe Dean, Mauchline YFC.
Showmanship dairy calf – Max Bryson, Mauchline YFC.
Valuation and mock auction – Mauchline YFC.
Questionnaire – Crossroads YFC.
Member accumulating the most points – David Smith and Scott Anderson, Crossroads YFC.
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