A HOLSTEIN cow added to the Hamilton family’s haul of prizes when she scooped the cattle inter-breed and champion of champions honours at Drymen Show. 

The third calver called Hawksland Dorcy Lisa from the Hamiltons – David and Carolyn Hamilton, as well as herd manager Doug McMillan – was champion here last year and paraded at Drymen yielding 69 litres having calved 70 days previously. She is one of around 800 milkers at Meldrum, which has twice been crowned the AgriScot Dairy Farm of the Year title, both in 2014 and 2017. 

She was awarded the supreme championship by local man, Robert Steel, of Kepculloch, and had already beaten the beef winner, the Graham family’s Burnbank Jojo, in the cattle inter-breed. The now four-year-old Wilodge Fastrac daughter, brought out by Doug and Lynda’s sons, James and John, was following on from her reserve beef inter-breed title at Ayr. 

Sticking with the beef section and the Highlander leader, Jim and Catherine McKechnie’s Catriona 3 of Gartocharn, a three-year-old by Orrison of Culfoich, was reserve inter-breed. There were further celebrations for Limousin breeders when Robert and Jean Graham’s Limmy duo, brought out by Drew and Jennifer Hyslop, won the inter-breed pairs followed by a Charolais pair from Tom and Sheena Gatherer. 

Also forward for the supreme championship was the winner in the sheep section, a Tinnis-bred Mule gimmer from Heather Gray and Lewis Smith, which stood ahead of the Texel leader, a tup lamb named Ballochneck Boaby Dazzler from Donnie Allan. 

The Highland pony champion, the Baird family’s seven-year-old mare, Tiffany of Whitefield, was also in the running for the champion of champions title. 

LEADING awards:

Holstein Friesian (Judge: W Benson, Wellhouse, Kirkholm). Champion, cattle inter-breed champion, champion of champions and reserve – W Hamilton and Sons, Meldrum, Blairdrummond, with Hawksland Dorcy Lisa, a home-bred VG88-rated cow that calved her third 70 days previously and was paraded giving 69 litres a day. Bred from a VG87 dam and with a projected yield of 16,500 litres following a 14,800 litre yield in her second, she was champion here last year. In reserve was a home-bred Cancun heifer which also calved down 70 days previously and was this time yielding 48 litres. Heifer in milk, junior cow in milk, senior cow in milk, pair, bred by exhibitor, bred by exhibitor and never out of possession – W Hamilton and Son. 

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: Mrs M Davidson, Barn Farm, Auchterarder). Champion – R McNeill and J Rettie, Castle Hill, Doune, with Doune Castle Lola, an 11-month-old heifer by Tonley Evor and out of Carhurly Lustro. This was her first outing for the newly established herd, and she will next head to the Highland and Great Yorkshire. Calf, bred by exhibitor – R McNeill and J Rettie. 

Highland cattle (Judge: D Dempster, Keppoch Cottage, Monzie, Crieff). Champion, reserve beef cattle inter-breed and reserve – J and C McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn. Taking the tri-colour and reserve inter-breed tickets for Jim and Catherine was Catriona 3 of Gartocharn, a three-year-old Orrison of Culfoich daughter bred from Morag 44 of Woodneuk. A regular prize winner since a calf, she was paraded with her own calf at foot, Esmi 1 of Gartocharn, named after the couple’s grand-daughter and sired by Brogach 2 of Balmoral. In reserve was another regular prize winner in the shape of the three-year-old heifer, Kirsty 2 of Gartocharn. She is by Brogach 1 of Balmoral and out of Kirsty Morag of Ubhaidh. Cow, three-year-old heifer, pairs – J and C McKechnie. Calf, yearling heifer, junior bull – D Logan, Blairlogan Highlanders, Greenhead, Alva. 

Galloway (Judge: Mrs M Davidson). Champion – Harvey family, Buchanan Street, Balfron, with Harveybros 1 Zsa Zsa, a rising three-year-old heifer by Blackcraig Kodiak. Bred from Ben Lomond Vimto, she was champion here last year as well as native champion at LiveScot last November, and will head to the Highland and the Yorkshire. Heifer – Harvey family. 

Hereford (Judge: Mrs M Davidson). Champion and reserve – Harvey family. Champion was Harveybros 1 Crocus P5, a 13-month-old Venture Nighttime daughter that stood reserve junior female at the Stars of the Future Show last year. She is out of Harveybros 1 Crocus J1. In reserve was Harveybros 1 Nigel, a January, 2017-born bull again by Venture Nighttime but this time out of Harveybros 1 Crocus C4. His full brother was champion here last year and Nigel will be for sale later in the year. Heifer, bull – Harvey family. 

Limousin (Judge: H Hunter, Hallrig, Tarbolton). Champion, beef cattle inter-breed champion and reserve cattle inter-breed – D and L Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Blairdrummond, with Burnbank Jojo, a four-year-old Wilodge Fastrac daughter out of Burnbank Bindy. Shown with her October-born heifer calf at foot by Ampertaine Elgin, she was reserve inter-breed at Ayr a couple of weeks ago to add to her inter-breed title at Doune and Dunblane in 2017. Reserve – R and J Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan, with Grahams Melody, a rising two-year-old heifer by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the multi-champion Millbrook Ginger Spice. Brought out by brother and sister duo, Drew and Jennifer Hyslop, she was first in her class at the Highland last year as well as reserve female at the Scottish Grand Prix held at Dumfries. Junior bull – R Dick and Son, Mains of Throsk, Stirling. Cow with calf – D and L Graham. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – R and J Graham. 

Charolais (Judge: R Reid, High Unthank, Strathaven). Champion – T and S Gatherer, Barnsford, Inchinnan, with Burnbank Meadow, a two-year-old Goldies Eddy daughter bred from Alwent Broom, the mother of the 70,000gns Barnsford Ferny. Breed champion and reserve inter-breed champion here last year, she also stood champion of champions at last year’s Houston Show. Reserve – G Russell, Lesliepark, Denny, with a two-year-old bull, Lesliepark Maverick, which is by Mandela Dillon and out of Balmaud Bettina. He was reserve at Fife and will head to the Highland. Bull – G Russell. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – T and S Gatherer. 

Simmental (Judge: S Graham, West Balgothrie, Leslie). Champion and reserve – J Wightman, Coxhill Farm, Maddison. Champion was Coxhill Innes, a yearling bull by Lopemede Gregg out of the Auchorachan Winger daughter, Team Kasey. He will next head to the Highland Show. Coxhill Imogen, a Coxhill Fortune-sired yearling heifer, was reserve. She is out of Team Kiwi and was on her first outing. Bull, yearling heifer – J Wightman. 

Continental (Judge: R Reid). Champion – M Lyle, Mid Cambushinnie, Dunblane, with Whitebog Lamborghini, a rising two-year-old Salers bull bought at Stirling in February to work on Murray’s 15-cow Loganbar herd. Brought out by Robbie McNeill, he is by Seawell Diplomat and out of Whitebog Diana. Bull – M Lyle. 

Commercial beef (Judge: R Reid). Champion – S and L Bett, Newmills Farm House, Fallin, with Red Hot Diamond, a 13-month-old Limousin cross heifer by Sarkley Digital and bred from a Limmy cross Blue cow. She was reserve Baby Beef at the English Winter Fair and YFC champion calf at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair where she was purchased from Messrs Nash, Shropshire. Reserve – Harvey family with Harveys Neptune, a 13-month-old pure Limousin bullock by Whinfellpark Gainful bred from Whinfellpark Ignatia. Bullock, bred by exhibitor – Harvey Family. Heifer by continental sire – S and L Bett. 

Beef young handlers (Judge: R Steel, Kepculloch Farm Cottage, Balfron). 1, Logan Ross; 2, Megan Rennie. 

Clydesdale (Judge: M Bedford, 22 Anisty View, Whitley). Champion – C Young, Hall Farm, Ayr, with Glebeview Izzy, a two-year-old Glebeview Sir Charles daughter bred from Glebeview Cassie. She was champion at Dundonald and Neilston. Reserve – McMillan family, Greenan Mill, Rothesay, Isle Of Bute, with Mill Miss Keriin a Dillars Scottie Boy daughter bred from a Millisle Solway Bay-sired mare. She was champion at Northumberland as well as reserve at Ayr and the Yorkshire, all last year. Gelding – A Noble, Peggyslea, Penicuik. Yeld mare, best bred by exhibitor – McMillan family. Two-year-old filly – C Young. Yearling colt/gelding – L Wallace, Campbell Christie Crescent, Falkirk. Yearling filly – M Carrick, Little Ward, Thornhill. 

Heavy horse turnouts (Judge: M Bedford). Champion – A Noble’s pair, Andrew and Woody. Reserve – C Young’s single, Jim. Single – C Young. Pair – A Noble. 

Highland pony (Judge: Mrs J Connell, Pitmenzie, Auchtermuchty). Champion – GM Baird, West Whitefield, Burrelton, with Tiffany of Whitefield, a seven-year-old grey mare by Edindurno Benromach out of the prize-winning mare, Money Penny of Whitefield. She has only been lightly shown and stood first in the brood mare class at the Breed Show last year. Reserve – N Luti, Ballater, Livingston Avenue, Callander, with Tuskerbister Jarl Erland, a gelding by Upper Drumbuie Stalker and out of Fourmerk Harriet. Yeld mare – GM Baird. Gelding – N Luti. Three-year-old filly – J Alexander, Fourmerk, Kippen. Two-year-old – R Baird, West Whitefield, Burrelton. Veteran – P Young, Old Smiddy, Drymen. Ridden – A Curle, Avonside, Airdrie. 

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: J Bell, Whelphill, Crawford, Bigger). Champion and reserve – J Pirie, Blarnavaid, Drymen. Jamie’s champion was a March-born ewe lamb by the record-holding Midlock K20 at £37,000, out of a ewe by C8 Highberries bred by Jimmy Bell. This was her first outing and her full brother from the same flush stood reserve, also on his debut. He will be for sale at Hawes later in the year. Aged tup – R Steel, Kepculloch, Balfron. Shearling tup, ewe with lamb – H Gray, Drumnessie, Banton. Gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – J Pirie. 

Scotch Mule (Judge: J Bell). Champion and sheep inter-breed champion – H Gray and L Smith, Drumnessie, Banton, with a gimmer bought as a lamb from Tinnis through St Boswells Mart last year. This was her first outing and she’ll head to the Highland Show. Reserve – A McKenzie and Partners, Ardgate, Gartocharn, with a one-crop ewe bought at Stirling from Shields Farm. First in her class here last year, she is by a Blarnavaid sire and out of a Shields ewe. Single ewe lamb, pair of ewe lambs, gimmer – H Gray. Three gimmers, ewe – A McKenzie and Partners. 

Suffolk (Judge: T MacPherson, Pitsundry, Bankfoot). Champion and reserve – R Bryce, Chalmerston, Stirling. Robert’s champion was a three-crop ewe by the Cairnorrie Olympic Bolt sire that has bred a number of champions while her dam is by Cairnorrie Campbell. As well as taking the championship here last year, she was inter-breed champion at Doune and Dunblane. In reserve was a tup lamb by a home-bred son of Sunnyhill X Factor that Robert later sold for 1300gns at Stirling. His mother is a Strathbogie ewe bought a couple years ago and he will be on offer as a shearling next year. Tup, ewe with lamb, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – R Bryce. 

Blackface (Judge: D McVicar, Kilfinan, Tighnabruach). Champion – J Jackson, Pole, Lochgoilhead, with a rough ewe hogg on her first outing. Got by AI, this daughter of Crossflatt Spectre is out of a ewe by the £50,000 Pole, and will continue the circuit later in the season. Reserve – E McMillan, Lurg, Fintry, with a £22,000 Dalchirla bought as a lamb at Dalmally last year in partnership with Dalwhyne. He is by a £24,000 Connachan and out of a ewe by the £68,000 Elmscleugh. Aged tup (unclipped), shearling tup (clipped), best fleece – JW Bennie and Sons, Merkins, Gartocharn. Shearling tup (unclipped), ewe with lambs – E McMillan. Ewe hogg (clipped), ewe hogg (unclipped), bred by exhibitor – J Jackson. Tup lamb – D Willison, Craigend, Fintry. Ewe lamb – J Pirie, Blarnavaid, Drymen. 

Shetland sheep (Judge: Ms S Meikle, Bowling Green Road, Kirkliston). Champion – Mrs R Douglas, Cedar Cottage, Craigrothie, with Iveydene Patronus, a now three-shear white ram bought in 2014 in a private transaction. Sired by Rigg Gareth and out of the show ewe, Ivydene Marilyn, he was champion here a couple years ago as well as, last year, at both Fife and Kinross shows. Reserve – J and C Steven, Rosebank, Currie, with Galtress Venta Icenorum, a bought-in grey katmoget ram born in 2015 out of Galtress Triple Plea and sired by Galtress Pharoah. This was his first outing from John and Carolyn, and daughter, Rowena’s Rosebank flock. White aged tup, white shearling tup, white ewe, ewe lamb, best fleece – Mrs R Douglas. Coloured aged tup, coloured shearling tup, coloured ewe, tup lamb, group of three – J and C Steven. Gimmer – S Russell, Queen’s Court, Irvine. 

Texel (Judge: I Minto, Townhead, Biggar). Champion and reserve sheep inter-breed – D Allan, Ballochneck, Buchlyvie with a February-born tup lamb which is among the first crop by the Hallrig Atomic tup bought at Carlisle last year. Named Ballochneck Boaby Dazzler, he is out of a Sportsmans Tremendous-sired ewe and will be on offer at Lanark come sale season. Reserve – S Rankin, Deerdyke Cottage, Mollinsburn, with a ewe hogg bred from a Lauder ewe bought at United Auctions’ Stirling centre in December, 2016. On her first outing, she is by Milnbank Wesley. Shearling tup, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – D Allan. Ewe with lamb – A More, Easter Garden, Arnprior. Ewe hogg – S Rankin. 

Continental sheep (Judge: I Minto). Champion – L Daff, Greenside Cottage, Uplawmoor, with a Bleu du Maine ewe hogg. Reserve – C and R Sutherland, Gartartan, Gartmore, with a Charollais ewe. Aged tup, ewe hogg – L Daff. Shearling tup, ewe with lamb, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – C and R Sutherland. 

Native sheep (Judge: T MacPherson). Champion and reserve – B Steel, Powblack, Thornhill. Champion for young Bruce was a January-born ewe lamb named Powblack Delilah. On her debut outing, she is by Bruce’s stock tup, Oberone, and out of one of 14 ewes in the flock. In reserve was a shearling tup by the same sire that was also on his first outing and is destined for Stirling. Shearling tup, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three, best fleece – B Steel. 

Commercial sheep (Judge: S Graham, West Balgothrie, Leslie). Champion – JS and J MacDougall, High Milndovan, Cardross, with a single cross hogg. Reserve – T Buchanan, Wester Kepdowrie, Buchlyvie, with a single ewe and lamb. Ewe with cross lamb, cross-bred ewe – T Buchanan. Ewe with cross twins – D and M Steel. Cross-bred hogg – JS and J MacDougall.

Zwartbles (Judge: M Simpson, Tardoes, Kilmarnock). Champion – Messrs McLaren and Baird, Greystone Cottage, Stirling, with Greystone Finesse, a ewe lamb by the Dutch import known as 290 which stood reserve at the Scottish National last year, while her mother is Greystone Cairn. This was her first outing and she will head to the Highland as Ally hope to secure his third win in a row. Reserve – K Shaikh, Hamilton Road, Uddingston, with Thistledore Ferrero, the second prize ewe lamb from Kaleem’s 10-ewe flock that runs alongside eight Dutch Spotted sheep. Sired by Croy Eddie and out of Winnow Bon Bon, this was her best result so far. Shearling tup – B and H Gibson, Three Views, Gartocharn. Ewe with lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – Messrs McLaren and Baird. Tup lamb, group of three – K Shaikh. 

Sheep young handlers (Judge: R Steel). Aged 10 and under – Cameron Barclay. Aged 11 to 16 – Kate Nicolson. 

Vintage and classic tractors (Judge: D McCulloch, Tillicoultry). Champion – S MacDonald, Union Farm, Thornhill, with a 1971 Massey Ferguson 137 diesel. Reserve – C Mitchell, Blairlinnans, Gartocharn, with a Massey Ferguson 35. Best presented implement – C Mitchell with a two-furrow plough. Best maintained pre-1960 Ferguson tractor – A Pairman, Springfield Cottage, Ballagan, with a 1950 TED20. Best maintained post-1960 Ferguson tractor – S MacDonald with a 1971 MF 137. Best maintained post-1960 tractor (not Ferguson) – I Russell, Woodlee Road, Lenzie, with a 1969 Ford 3000 diesel. Best un-restored working tractor – S MacDonald with a 1964 Nuffield 4-60 1964.