A phenomenal run of success saw Perthshire showman, Wilson Peters secure a fifth cattle championship in eight years, when his home-bred Limousin cross heifer was tapped out supreme overall at LiveScot, last weekend.

This year’s event, again staged at Lanark Auction Mart, was, though, completely different to previous events in that no spectators were permitted due to the continued social distancing rules.

It did, however, attract a huge online audience watching from the comfort of their own homes as well as many local butchers who helped support the trade throughout the sale.

Judge, Sam Carlisle, of Border Meats, Lockerbie, gave the winning slap to Mateus Rosie, a 20-month-old heifer from Mr Peters.

“She is an outstanding animal, with a tremendous top line and she’s well covered throughout. She has just a good body of beef and a nice presence about her,” said Mr Carlisle.

The heifer, a daughter of Carmorn Lionbar, is out of a Limousin cross dam and passed the weighbridge at 608kg before going on to sell for the top price of £6600, or £10.86 per kg to North Yorkshire butcher, Anthony Kitson, Southside, Hutton Rudby, Yarm.

The Scottish Farmer:

Reserve supreme from Stewart and Lynsey Bett

Mr Kitson also went to £3000 or 427.4p per kg for the reserve champion, Red Hot Ruby, another Limousin cross this time from Stewart and Lynsey Bett, Newmills. Similarly aged, she weighed in at 702kg and is by Derrygullinane Kingbull, and out of a British Blue cross dam.

“Although she was a bigger type of heifer, she had a great loin, but just lacked the rib cover compared to the champion,” added Mr Carlisle.

Red Hot Ruby was bred by WP Hughes and Sons, Fferam Uchaf, and was bought last year at the Welsh Winter Fair, where she stood second in her class.

Topping the steer section and the award for the best native, was The Black, a pure Aberdeen-Angus from George McFadzean, Woodhead of Mailer, Perth. His home-bred September, 2018-born entry, weighed in at 676kg, and is by Glenbuchat Black Bruce, out of Cherrybank Patsy Annie. He later sold for £1710.28, or 253p per kg to John Scott Meats, Paisley.

Taking the blue and white sash amongst the steers was the 18-month-old Limousin cross, Diplo, from Stewart Dunlop, Holehouse, Ochiltree. This home-bred 622kg stot is by Brutus Hashtag and sold to Fleming Butchers, Arbroath, for £1617.20, or 260p.

The Scottish Farmer:

Gavin Scott, Gateside won the Butchers' championship

Butchers champion was a 602kg Limousin cross from Gavin Scott, Gateside, Linlithgow. A son of Barrons Ninja, out of a dam bred by Hugh Dunlop, Holehouse, she made £4000.29 or 664.5p per kg to Mathiesons Butchers, Edinburgh.

Taking the reserve among this section was an Aberdeen-Angus cross heifer weighing 612kg from Blairsgreen. She later went on to sell for £1999.40 or 326.7p to James Alexander, Randalstown.

Wilson Peters also bagged the ‘Housewives Choice’ title, judged by Scott Watson, with Coilavoulin Elle, which was bought from Willie Stevenson, Coilavoulin, at UA’s Stirling sale in the spring.

This April, 2019-born Limousin cross heifer is by Naby Director and passed the scales at 548kg to achieve £4100.14 or 748p per kg when selling to local butcher, Jimmy Cairns, Law.

The family’s winning streak continued when James Peters, Cuilt, took the young producers championship with a 614kg Limousin cross which went on to sell for £2087.60 or 340p to Messrs Howison of Newmains, Wishaw.

Overall 46 cattle sold to average 304.27p per kg, up 48.32p for eight more sold, with a 98% clearance.

LEADING awards

Haltered cattle – Native bullocks – 1, G McFadzean, Woodhead of Mailer; 2, C and K Malone, Pitcairn; 3, S and R Hunter, Barnhill. Heifers – 1, G McFadzean; 2 and 3, Sheep Park Farms.

Continental cattle – Bullocks – 1, S Dunlop, Holehouse; 2, A Ireland, Feoch ; 3, D and P Blair, Littleinch. Heifers – Heavy – 1, W Peters; 2 and 3, A Ewing, Dumbretton. Light – 1, S and L Bett, Newmills; 2, A and E Vance, Bridgehouse; 3, J and E Wight, Townfoot.

Unhaltered cattle – Native – Bullocks – 1, Blairsgreen; 2, J Paterson, Garrionhaugh; 3, G McFadzean. Heifers – 1, Blairsgreen; 2, W Peters.

Continental – Bullocks – 1, JH and NT Turnbull, Meadowend; 2, G Scott, Gateside; 3, S Barr and Son, Woodhouse. Heifers – 1, G Scott; 2, W Peters; 3, JH and NT Turnbull.

Young producers’ – 1, James Peters, Cuilt; 2, David Cunningham, Walkerdyke; 3, Malcolm McFadzean, Woodhead of Mailer.