Scots make their mark among the beef cattle at the Great Yorkshire Show

Brought out by freelance stockman, Steven O'Kane, and Thor’s son, Frankie aged just eight years old, it was a moment in history for the team. This outfit stood breed champion at the Highland Show last month, being Scottish bred having been purchased from Tom and John Hope, of the Brownhill herd from Strathaven, at Carlisle in 2018. That was the five-year-old cow, Brownhill Netta, a daughter of Hallfield Homer, she is out of Brownhill JO and was paraded with her heifer calf, Newland Tanza, which stood reserve champion at this year’s Highland Show.

"What an outfit. She really is a credit to the breed, we have to remember the commercial attributes, and this was an excellent example of a working show cow,” said Judge, Arwel Owen, Welshpool, Powys, who runs 50 Charolais cows under the Trefaldwyn prefix, along with 400 commercial ewes.

Getting the tap out as reserve was the Limousin breed, which came in the form of another cow and calf outfit from the Jenkinson’s Whinfellpark herd from Clifton Moor, Penrith.

“Another tremendous outfit, the power of the Limousin dominated the ring here today, and probably had more presence than my champion today, but I just couldn’t go past the Blonde,” he added.

The runner up was Whinfellpark Marilyn a 2016 born cow which stood first in her class at the Highland Show this year. She is the result of the sire, Foxhillfarm Jasper onto Whinfellpark Gladoeli. Paraded with her May born heifer calf at foot, Whinfellpark Tigerlilly, which is sired by the French bull, Ionesco.

The junior inter-breed title went to the same breed, this time in the form of the September, 2020-born heifer, Glenrock Redruby from Stephen and Thomas Illingworth, Howgillside Farm, Eaglesfield. A home-bred female she is a daughter of the French bull, Sympa, and out of Glenrock Jewel, which stood reserve female champion here in 2015. Redruby stood champion at the new pedigree show at Livescot, in November, last year as well as Limousin female champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

The blue and white sash was awarded to the Simmental male champion, Popes Matchmaker 21 from the Wood family of Jimmy and Vicky and children, Harry and Hannah from Preston.

This March 2021 born bull is a son of Denizes Impressive and out of the home-bred dam, Popes Whispers Della which goes back to Banwy Wonderboy.

The Limousin breed secured the senior group of four, with the Beef Shorthorns taking the junior group.

The Blythewood pairs was the final announcement of the week with the native ribbon going to the Beef Shorthorn duo, when Messrs Evans and Price’s Castlemount Matrix Strawberry teamed up with Mark and Tracy Severn’s Coldrochie Leif.

The continental pair of British Limousin was the breed champion, Whinfellpark Marilyn from AW Jenkinson Farms’ and the male champion, Upper Power from Thor Atkinson.

Lincoln Red

Taking the gold among the Lincoln reds was the rising four-year-old bull, Yarn Hill Xodus from Natasha and Richard Mann, Iken, Woodbridge, Suffolk. This boy stood inter-breed at Lincoln and champion at Suffolk and Norfolk shows this year. He is a son of Hemingby Jaguar and out of Yarn Hill Polly and is now destined for the Welsh Show.

The blue and white ticket was presented to the yearling bull, Walmer Alberta from Hedley and Jo Needler, Lincolnshire. This boy is the result of the sire, Houghton Warden onto the dam, Walmer Lass.

Aberdeen-Angus

Having secured the reserve honours at the Highland Show this year Tonley Lady Heather went on to do one better and secured the top ticket among the breed for father and son, Neil and Mark Wattie, Alford.

The cow and calf outfit have also won the national show of Aberdeen-Angus down at Norfolk this year and stood reserve inter-breed at Stirling Show. This three-year-old cow, Tonley Lady Heather, is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull, the 19,000gns Blelack Evermore and out of Blelack Lady Heather, which had been bought at the Blelack reduction sale in 2016. She was paraded with her February born heifer calf, Tonley Lady Heather Y927.

The three-year-old heifer, Weeton Blackbird from Richard Hassall and Rachael Wyllie, of Brailes Livestock, took the reserve honours, with Perthshire’s freelance stockmen, Richard and Carol Rettie at the end of the halter. This girl is a daughter of Rawburn Boss Hogg, and was bought for 3800gns at the Weeton herd dispersal. She was paraded with her February born bull calf at foot, Brailes Fabulous.

The Wattie family took the top ticket in the Aberdeen Angus section Ref:RH140722130 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Hereford

It was another repeat from the Royal Highland Show when the Hereford went on to top the breed once again for Simon and Gemma Hartwright, Oxfordshire. Their February 2020 born bull, Spartan 1 Typhoon is a son of Solpoll 1 Perfection, which stood third in the Poll Bull of the Year race in 2019 and out of Panmure 1 Plum K19.

Scottish breeder, George and Sophie Harvey from Balfron, Stirling, brought the reserve ticket back over the borders with their March 2021 born bull, Harveybros 1 Va Va Boom. This boy is a son of Normanton 1 Laertes and out of Harveybros 1 Crocus E2 which was junior champion at the Highland in 2009. This young bull has already bagged various local titles to include Stirling, Drymen and Gargunnock.

S C and G L Hartwright won the the Hereford section with Spartan 1 Typhoon Ref:RH130722094 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Galloway

Tables have turned among the Galloways since the Royal Highland Show, witnessing the champion and reserve from Ingliston switch roles.

The champion here was Blackcraig Dora May, from John and Anne Finlay, and son Iain, from Blackcraig, Corsock, which also stood reserve native inter-breed at the Royal Highland Showcase last year too. This cow is a daughter of Blackcraig Rasputin which had a half-share sold to the Troloss herd, and her dam, Dora May 8 of Knarie, has already bred a son sold privately for pedigree work at Markdhu.

Having to settle for reserve this time was the rising two-year-old heifer, Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch from Jim and Selina Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries. She’s the result of an ET programme involving her dam, Beauty 1437 of Romesbeoch, which had been champion at the 2015 Highland and her ET work saw 32 eggs produced, 15 of which were fertilised by the 2009 RHS inter-breed champion, Blackcraig Kodiak. This classy heifer was one of seven pregnancies which resulted from that.

The Cow from John and Anne Finlay took the top ticket in the Galloways Ref:RH130722052 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Belted Galloway

Retaining her title was the Royal Highland Show champion, Tottingworth Mary 1 from Jason and Sarah Wareham, Sussex.

This rising two-year-old heifer is from one of the first crop of calves from Shelsleys Eros and out of Tottingworth Mary. Having done the rounds on the local show circuit down south – she stood native champion at the South of England Show.

Tapped out as the reserve champion was the 14-month-old bull, Grassknop Idris from Alison Taylor, Penrith, and children, Sean, Carla and Aiden. This home-bred bull is set to be sold at Castle Douglas later this year being a son of Cairnsmore Fergus and out of Grassknop Mai.

Belted Galloway champion was from Jason and Sarah Wareham Ref:RH130722069 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Highland

It was a day to remember for Stephen and Rosemary Hunter and daughter, Laura from Allanton, near Shotts, when they secured the Highland championship on their first year exhibiting here.

Having stood reserve at the Highland this year, this two-year-old, Alice of Hunters, is by the private purchase, Jura 3 of Thaggnam and out of another private deal which saw Alice Seonaig 12 of Glengorm arrive in their fold.

The male champion went on to take the reserve breed ticket for Simon and Emma Haley, Eggleston, Co Durham. This yearling home-bred bull, Brogach Ruadh Murphy of Seam, stood reserve male at the Highland, being a son of Brogan of Gilden Vale, which was bought out of Wales three years ago and out of Margaret of Seam, which is a previous show cow.

Highland cattle champion was Alice of Hunter from Stephen and Rosemary Hunter Ref:RH130722058 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

South Devon

No unusual to the top saw Dumfriesshire breeder, David Irving, took the double among the South Devons.

The top ticket was awarded to his four-year-old cow, Enterprise Chephira, which stood breed champion here last year. She is a daughter of Malthouse Hurricane, out of Enterprise Cher Ex91 which goes back to a former female champion here. This girl was paraded with her heifer calf, Enterprise Cherrish.

The two-year-old in calf heifer, Enterprise Juin, followed her stable mate in the championship. Due in September to Arncliffee Piper. This girl is a daughter of Aurora Storm and out of the dam, Enterprise Jenna VG85, which is backed by home-bred genetics being sired by Enterprise Condor. This girl previously stood reserve champion at the South Devon Performance championships staged at Beef Expo this year.

South Devon champion from David Irving Ref:RH140722134 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

British Simmental

Popes Princess Lumi lived up to her name for the Wood family of Jimmy and Vicky and children, Harry and Hannah from Preston, when securing the breed champion.

This two-year-old is a daughter of Team Celtic and out of the previous show cow, Popes Princess Celo, which stood inter-breed champion here in 2017. She is due a calf in January to Popes Barclay.

Getting the tap out to reserve was the cow and calf outfit from David and Lesley Sapsed, Hitchin, Herfordshire. This four-year-old cow, Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy is sired by Heathbrow Findlay and out of Heathbrow Girlie’s Fressia, which has bred well for the herd. The February born bull calf at foot, Heathbrow Nationwide is a son of Blackford Kirk.

Simmental champion was from the Wood family Ref:RH130722065 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

British Limousins

Taking the breed champion for the second year on the trot was the Jenkinson’s Whinfellpark herd from Clifton Moor, Penrith.

This year’s winner was Whinfellpark Marilyn a 2016 born cow which stood first in her class at the Highland Show this year. She is the result of the sire, Foxhillfarm Jasper onto Whinfellpark Gladoeli. Paraded with her May born heifer calf at foot, Whinfellpark Tigerlilly, which is sired by the French bull, Ionesco

Reserve was awarded to the male champion, Upperffrydd Power from Thor Atkinson, Cumbria. This stock bull stood inter-breed at Northumberland and South of England shows this year. He is sired by Trueman Jagger and out of Foxhill Josyln which goes back to Loosebeare Fantastic.

Limousin champion was Whinfellpark Marylyn from A W Jenkinson Ref:RH130722063 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

British Blondes

Brownhill Netta, a five-year-old cow from Thor Atkinson, Cumbria, that stood supreme at the Highland took the same ticket home this week.

Brought out by stockman, Steven O’Kane, this girl was purchased from Tom and John Hope, Strathaven, at Carlisle in 2018. A daughter of Hallfield Homer, she is out of Brownhill JO and was paraded with her heifer calf, Newland Tanza.

Following her all day having stood second in the same class was Rosebank Ophelia from Barry Allsop, Melton Mowbray. This 2018 born cow is sired by Budore Jim-Bob, out of Rosebank Legacy and has already had a successful show career throughout England. This girl was bought in privately and was shown with her heifer calf at foot, Glenbarry Tish.

British Blues

Solway View Kesha continued on her winning ways from the Royal Highland Show when she landed the supreme once again for Kevin Watret, Annan, Dumfries.

This seven-year-old cow brought out by stockman, Ali Jackson, is a daughter of Solway View Firecracker, and is out of Bringlee Evadine. She paraded in calf to Tamhorn Sumo.

Kevin and Ali did the double among the Blues taking the reserve honours with the two-year-old heifer, Solway View Pearl. Having stood champion here last year and Highland Showcase champion she is well known in the show rings. She is by the AI sire Dodou De St Remacle and out of Solway View Milly, bred from a top show winning family that was breed champion here in 2019, while the grand dam did the treble, winning the Highland, Great Yorkshire and the Welsh Shows, in 2013.

British Blue champion was from Kevin Watret Ref:RH130722060 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Salers

Father and son duo, Roy and Adam Crockett, Melrose, had a field day among the breed bringing home the championship and reserve trophies.

Their reserve overall title at the Highland Show, Bacardi Miss Moneypenny, did one better this week. This April 2017- born cow is the result of a mating between the French sire, Gulliver, and the 11-year-old dam, Cleuchhead Delilah 3. She was paraded with her December-born heifer calf, Bacardi Rhea, at foot.

Her full brother, Bacardi Rodney, a rising yearling from the same home, secured the reserve breed champion having stood best male at the Highland Show this year.

Salers champion was from Roy Crockett Ref:RH140722136 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Commercial Beef

It was a field day among the commercial cattle rings for Beth Wilkinson, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, at the Great Yorkshire Show when she did the double.

The all-important glory ticket was the Limousin cross heifer jointly owned by Gareth Smalls and Scot, Blair Duffton. This home-bred girl is sired by Ronick Hawk and out of the famous show cow, Pocahontas. Having stood first in her class at the National Beef Expo this year she weighed 702kg.

Following her all day being placed second in her class and lifting the overall reserve champion was the National Beef Expo champion jointly owned by Beth and her brother, Luke. This March 2021 home-bred Limousin cross heifer, Maggie crossed the weigh bridge at 616kg. A Trueman Idol daughter she is out of a previous show cow that stood reserve at the Great Yorkshire as a heifer.

It was a double Scottish win among the steers when Ian and Moyra Nimmo and son, Andrew, from Lanarkshire, got the winning tap out with their Limousin steer, Sid.

This 534kg steer stood second place at the Highland to the male champion and is now destined for the Limousin national show as well as local shows and winter shows come the back end. He is the result of the well known sire, Bassingfield Machoman onto a 23,000gns Goldies Comet daughter.

Ayrshire breeder, Andrew Ireland, Feoch, Darvel, secured the blue and white sash with his Royal Highland Show steer champion, Buckaroo.

This September, 2021-born steer crossed the weigh bridge at 520kg. He is sired by Fieldson Mahrez, out of a Limousin cross dam and was bred by Andrew Marston.

Commercial beef champion was the heifer from Dufton,Small and Wilkinson team Ref:RH120722123 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...