A YOUNG bull named Knock Nicol has claimed the Limousin championship at Stirling Bull Sales for Albert and George Howie, of West Knock, Stuartfield, Peterhead. 

The leading junior, a 17-month-old which was on his show debut and brought out by William Moir in the Howies' absence, is by the 21,000gns Goldies Goldfinger while his dam is the Newhouse Billy daughter, Knock Hopscotch. 

"He had good power and width with a great head and character. He was also good on his legs and a tremendous bull for his age," said the judge, Michael Robertson, who runs 16 pedigrees and 100 commercials at Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul. 

In reserve was the top intermediate, Ian and Wendy Callion's Lodge Nevada from the 40-cow herd at Bolfornought, Stirling. Paraded by Robbie McNiell, this AI son of Ampertaine Elgin is out of one of the few Ronick Gains daughters left and one of the best breeders in the herd, Lodge Diana. 

The second prize winner to the supreme, John Logan's Fairywater Haig-sired Homebyres Nistleroy from near Kelso, was reserve junior while Ian Nimmo's Maraiscote Nula, a Macschoice Chris son from Bogside, Newmains, Wishaw, was reserve intermediate. 

Among the seniors, Allan Campbell's Ballinloan Jaegerbomb-sired Strawfrank Nevada from Carstiars Junction, Lanark, was champion with Bob and Kay Adam's Newhouse Nash, a Millington Ferrari son from the herd at Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar, was reserve. 

That concludes day one of the Bull Sales. The Limousin sale will commence at 2pm with bulls (66) followed by females (2 + 2 calves), after the sales of Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorns. Tomorrow will also see the Charolais and Simmental breeds take to the show ring before they are sold on Tuesday.