A bigger and better show of livestock at Alyth Show, saw the leader from one of largest sections take the supreme cattle and overall champion of champions.

Star of the show was the Aberdeen-Angus best from relatively new breeder Stuart Raeburn, Burnside of Tulloes, Letham. Living up to her name for Mr Raeburn who was not only winning his first breed title but also supreme overall was Blelack Toplass, a four-year-old cow, shown with calf at foot.

Just pipped at the post - when an umpire had to select the overall - the reserve was presented to the supreme sheep, the Suffolk champion from Gordon and Donald Mackie, Drimmie, Forfar. Their leader, a home-bred gimmer is by Strathbeg Allan which stood ahead of the any other breed champion, a Blue Texel shearling ram from David Soutar's Strathellie flock to take the top trophy. It was bred by John Lyle and bought privately.

The same two sections also secured the champion and reserve honours in the inter-breed pairs although from different consignors. In pole position was Steve Smith's pair of February-born Beltex lambs from Scobshaugh, with the blue and white sash presented to a home-bred Suffolk shearling and gimmer from Tom Sands, Southfield.

Wilson Peter's commercial cattle champion, Miss Tees, a British Blue cross heifer was again in winning form to lift the section title and the reserve beef honours.

Aberdeen-Angus were again to the fore in the inter-breed pairs, with a pair of young bulls from Allan Rennie, Mosston Muir, standing in front of two home-bred Highland cattle heifers from Michael and Sally Nairn, Balnabroich.

For full report and pictures see this week's Scottish Farmer