REGULAR exhibitor at the Spring Show, David Black, from Northmuir, Kirriemuir, went one step further this year and took the supreme honours in the prime sheep having been reserve in the section last year.
Weighing in at 44.5kg, his Texel cross Beltex duo were picked out by judge, Mrs Susan Dykes, South Slipperfield, West Linton. They were bought from the Thompsons, of West Park, at Forfar, last September.
Father and son team, Bryan and Andrew Wylie, Balbrydie, Kirriemuir, who are often behind the breeding of the prize winners at Thainstone, stood reserve with a pair of home-bred heavyweight lambs. Their almost pure Beltex pair hit the weighbridge at an average of 50.75kg.
The Sutherland family, Kenneth and sons, Stephen and Kenneth, from Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso, had plenty to celebrate when they scooped both the champion and reserve tickets in the breeding sheep.
Picking up the supreme title as selected by Mrs Joanna Gall, Kininmonth, Mintlaw, was a pen of Texel cross hoggs bred by George Smith, West Bolton, Alnwick, Northumberland, purchased last August as ewe lambs at Longtown.

The Scottish Farmer:

Breeding sheep trio from the Sutherlands

Having stood reserve last year, this year the Sutherlands winning prize group was another buy from Longtown, with a trio of Cheviot Mules bred by Michael Ainslie, who also hails from Northumberland.
 
LEADING awards:
Prime hoggs (Judge: Mrs S Dykes, South Slippefield, West Linton, Peebles). Lightweight – 1 and 2, S Milne, Parkdargue, Forgue, Huntly; 3, D Moir, Home Farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh. Medium weight – 1, champion and best pen of Beltex hoggs, D Black, Minard, Cortachy Road, Northmuir, Kirriemuir; 2, JE Forrester, Aldie Farm, Cruden Bay, Peterhead; 3, S Milne. Heavyweight – 1 and reserve champion, B Wylie, Balbrydie, Kirriemuir; 2 and best pen of Texel hoggs, A Greenlaw, Sheep Park, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly; 3, A Greenlaw.
Breeding sheep (Judge: Mrs J Gall, Newton Cottage, Kininnmonth, Mintlaw). Texel or Texel cross hoggs – 1 and 2, champion, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso; 3, D Black, Minard, Northmuir, Kirriemuir. Greyface or Mule hoggs – 1 and 2, D Black; 3, J Gordon. Cheviot Mule hoggs – 1 and reserve champion, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso; 2, C and A Webster, Ardhuncart, Kildrummy; 3, S Hunter. Any other hoggs – 1, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso; 2, W and D Moir; 3, G Breathet, Woodside Croft, Blackpark, Ardersier.