IT'S GOING to be a busy winter for the Rettie family and it started well for them last weekend at the Agri Expo when they brought out the overall champion in the Aberdeen-Angus National calf show and produced a heap of home-bred animals to take home a kist-full of prizes.

But winning the championship against a record entry for the show is only the beginning of their work for the winter, for the Rettie family, Richard, Carol and Jamie, will be moving their operation, lock-stock-and-barrel to new accommodation with Hugh, Irene and Angus Hodge at Glenshochie, at Stanley, near Perth, this month.

Winning the overall last week was Weeton Princess Chartreuse R467, which is owned by Isle of Skye-based Donald Rankin’s Kilmaluag herd and produced from the Retties professional livery business currently at Aberdona Mains, Forestmill, Alloa.

This June, 2015-born heifer was bred by John Loftus and purchased at his herd sale last year, in Stirling. She’s by Retties JFK and out of Blelack Princess Chartreuse G793 and was a class winner at the Highland Show this year.

Reserve supreme was the heifer and overall calf champion, as well as the reserve female championship was Morpheus Rosebud S028, from Cheshire-based Owen Tunney. This January calf is by Oakchurch Evor N123 and out of Elliot Rosebud H847, a cow purchased at the Weeton sale. Coincidentally, this was Owen's only heifer calf born in his seven-cow herd last year.

Reserve calf champion was from Herefordshire-based Jeremy and Ala Price, with Oakchurch Donna S241 shown by Neil Lloyd. This February-born calf is by Oakchurch Equity and out of Oakchurch Donna L179.

Further success came with Oakchurch Dollar Man S249 which won the bull calf championship. He's another by Equity, this time out of Oakchurch Daisy P170.

The Retties paraded the male champion, Wyddial Blackbeard R112, an April, 2015-born Rawburn Lord Ross C216 son for their new landlords, the Hodges. This one is out of Blelack Blackbird F528, a Nightingale Ernie daughter.

The runner up to Blackbeard for the yearling title, held his place for the male championship. This was Gretnahouse Blacklight R806, from near by breeder Alasdair Houston, Gretnahouse, Gretna, which is a son of Nightingale Perry L577 out of Gretnahouse Blackbird N615.

Reserve for the bull calf championship was Northumberland-based father and son team, Alan and Stephen Lawson, with Hallington Philanderer S524, a Warrenho Dalmigavie son out of Hallington Princess N404.

Concluding a strong day for the Retties, the reserve yearling female and reserve overall female championship went to their own Retties Lady Ruth R329, an ET-bred daughter of Duncanziemere Edwin out of Wall Lady Ruth E397 – a dam line which has worked well for them.