ANOTHER impressive show of top quality pedigree calves from eight different breeds was forward for the Stars of the Future Show at United Auctions, Stirling, where the top four awards in the continental and native inter-breed championships went home to herds in the north and south of the country, and across to Northern Ireland. 
With entry numbers as a whole fairly similar on the year, it was the Highland breed which was significantly up on the year, with both the Aberdeen-Angus and Limousin sections attracting the biggest entry. 
Beef Shorthorns and Aberdeen-Angus’ proved to be the star attraction in the native section when, first of all, for the second consecutive year, Duncan McDowell’s Castlemount Matrix Zipy, from across the water in Northern Ireland, was placed native senior champion by inter-breed judge, Jim Goldie, of the Goldies Limousin and Charolais herds, Townfoot, Dumfries. 
This heifer was placed ahead of Steph Dick’s Aberdeen-Angus heifer, Crew Lady Jasmine S247.
There was a swap around of places in the junior section, however, when the Aberdeen-Angus, Tonley Equidora T362 from father and son team, Neil and Mark Wattie, took the lead over the Shorthorn winner, Thomas, Roddick and Laurie’s Shawhill Leroy.
“Both the Aberdeen-Angus and the Shorthorn are very correct and well-balanced animals. They had that extra bit of style when they entered the ring,” commented Mr Goldie, of his two native leaders. 
In the continental section, it was Limousins that picked up both the senior and junior titles, with Garry Patterson’s bull, Aultside Meanmachine awarded the senior title, and Andrew Hornall’s Charolais bull, Falleninch Mars in reserve. 
A similar story amongst the junior continental animals saw Grahams Natalie from Robert and Jean Graham take the lead over Robin and William McMurrich’s Charolais, Formakin Narvana. 
“The two Limousins are both young, breedy animals which move well,” said Mr Goldie, adding that he had judged an outstanding show of calves. 
The Grahams herd had plenty more to celebrate when their duo, Grahams Natalie and bull calf, Grahams Nashville, won the continental pairs before taking the overall title and the Joe Watson Memorial Trophy. 
They were initially placed ahead of a Charolais duo from Jonathon Watson, Bowsden Moor, while the natives were led by two Aberdeen-Angus’ from Richard and Carol Rettie, and two Shorthorns from Jack Ramsay’s Millerston herd. 
The young handlers competition witnessed strong entries throughout all the breeds, where the top title went to the junior winner, 13-year-old Jack Graham, of the Carruthers Aberdeen-Angus herd, Lockerbie, while the best of the seniors was another young Aberdeen-Angus breeder, 16-year-old Graeme Rhind, Newton of Struthers, Morayshire.