It may have been a few years in the making but for once, Muirkirk Show enjoyed a good dry day and some warm sunshine to add to the glow later in the day...

Always a cracking show of Blackface sheep, it came as no surprise when the breed leader went on to be crowned supreme overall champion of champions. This year's winner, a tup lamb from John Murray, Crossflatt, was a real show stopper too and backed by some of the best genetics in the business. First in his class at Peebles Show and reserve male, he is a son of the £160,000 Dalchirla, bought last year at Dalmally, bred from a ewe by a £26,000 Crossflatt.

Overall judge, Allan Wight (snr), Midlock, found his reserve supreme in the beef cattle champion, a previously unshown Limousin cross yearling heifer from Shona Laird, Carbello/Sunnyside. Home-bred and by the stock bull, Hudscales Argonaut, which had been bought at Carlisle as a calf, she is out of the British Blue cross Limousin cow bought from Craig Malone, as a heifer.

A good show of Beltex and Texel sheep was led by Daniel Hodge, Dykes, Cumnock, who won the top tickets in both sections.

FOR FULL REPORT and PICTURES see this week's SCOTTISH FARMER