BLACKFACE breeders will flock to Stirling Agricultural Centre, next Sunday, for the breed’s National Show, which is staged every five years.

Originally due to start in 2001 to commemorate the centenary of the association, it was postponed until 2002, due to Foot and Mouth.
This will be the fifth National Show since, with the event, on Sunday, July 23, commencing at 11am.

Once again, there are three sections of competition, to include south-type, north-type and North of England-type sheep.

Commenting on the event, breed promotions manager and secretary, Aileen McFadzean, said entries are up on the previous event, staged at United Auctions, Stirling, in 2012.

“Overall entries are up, with the biggest increase being seen in the south-type section of the breed, which has attracted 268 entries from 48 exhibitors, which is 46 more entries than at the 2012 event.

“In the Perth, or north-type section, there are 98 entries, while the North of England-type has 79 entries, and both of these are similar to their respective entries at the previous event.”

There will be three judges, one for each division, and these will be made up of; Allan Wight snr, of Midlock, Crawford, Biggar; Mark Smyth, of Cam Blackface, Coleraine, Northern Ireland; and Robert Raine, of Townfoot Farm, Northumberland.

Mr Wight, who will be judging the south-type section, runs three units at Midlock, Grains and Crimp Cramp, and oversees the running of 2500 Blackface ewes, as well as flocks of pedigree Texels and Bluefaced Leicesters.

Commenting on his judging stint he said: “I am honoured to be asked to judge the National Show and I am looking forward to the challenge as I know there will be some tremendous stock forward.”

Mr Smyth, who will be judging the north-type section, previously won the Northern Ireland National Show in 2015, in the north section, with a gimmer.

He also owns Shields Farm, here in Scotland, which is run by John McDougall. 

On being asked to judge at the show, Mr Smyth said: “It is a privilege to be asked to judge at the 2017 National Show, and I would just like to wish everyone good luck in the show rings!”

Judging the North of England section will be Mr Raine, who farms 450 acres at Townfoot.

He has previously sold tups to a top of £10,000 at Hexham Auction Mart, while pens of draft ewes regularly top the show and sale at Hexham.

He is also a former champion winner of the breed at the Great Yorkshire Show, with what was his first attempt in the Harrogate show ring. That year, he took the tri-colour, with a home-bred gimmer.

Speaking prior to the show, president of the association, Pamela Nicol, who manages Doldy Farms, at Glenisla, in the Angus Glens, said: “The show will provide the very best of all three kinds of Blackface sheep that will come from the top of Scotland to the North of England. 

“This will be a great spectacle for both exhibitors and spectators alike, and will offer the rare opportunity to see the very best of the Blackface breed in one show.”