TAKING the suspreme championship before selling for the day's top price of £4100 at the Premier show and sale at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, was a Charolais-sired heifer from Jim McLaren, Murrayshall.

The September-born heifer named Empress first lifted the Charolais and senior championships before she was tapped out for the supreme by judge, Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, who described her as “a very good heifer with an exceptional top and loin on her that is at a good stage for the Christmas shows.”

Sired by Falleninch Empire, that also bred Jim’s £9500 Gingerbread sold here back in 2012, she is out of a Blue cross dairy cow and went on to top the sale at £4100 when knocked down to June Downie, Baluskie, Barrhill.

The reserve senior that was also Limousin champion from the Robertsons at Newton of Logierait followed Empress through to take the reserve supreme honours. That was a September-born heifer by Powerhouse Harlequin, a full brother to Powerhouse Elite, and out of a home-bred cow.

Among the spring-born cattle, it was the reserve Limousin champion from Monzie Farms, Gilmerton, that was awarded the tri-colour ticket. Brought out by Wilson Peters, this March-born bullock is among the first crop of calves by Westside Irvine, and is out of a Blue cross Angus bullock.

The Robertsons were back in the tickets when their second prize Limousin bullock went on to stand reserve spring-born champion. This April-born son of Powerhouse Harlequin previously stood first in his class at Aberfeldy Show.

Adding to the celebrations for the Newton, they sold the next two top priced calves at £2200 and £2100, the only other calves to break the £2000 barrier other than the supreme champion. Dearest at £2200 was the first prize spring-born Limousin heifer that is sired by Cowtham Justice while making £2100 was the second prize senior Limousin heifer, again by Powerhouse Harlequin.

Best of the British Blue cattle was a yearling heifer named Toots from Colin, John and Alistair McCallum, Strathnafanaig, while Stephen Taylor, who paraded the champion from Murrayshall, was the best turned out stocksperson.

See next week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, out September 10, for the full report, results and pictures.