Glorious summer sunshine ensured Ayr Show proved a winner with exhibitors and spectators alike with this year's superior quality turnout of livestock topped by the Limousin champion and inter-breed beef winner – Grahams Ruth.

The four-year-old cow with bull calf at foot from from Robert and Jean Graham's Limousin herd from Stirling, took the show circuit by storm last year by winning numerous local and national events. Inter-breed beef champion at the Royal Highland and the Great Yorkshire, in 2023, she landed the supreme overall at Ayr on her first outing of 2024 when shown by stockman, Stewart Bett and his wife Lynsey.

Just pipped at the post on a points basis by the various inter-breed judges was the dairy supreme, Clydeview Sidekick Matilda, a Holstein from Salvy Esquierdo and Robbie and Margo Scott. Bred by Ewan and Emma Kennedy, she was bought privately after winning the individual cow in the West of Scotland Winter Herds competition. She was also intermediate champion and reserve overall at the Borderway Agri Expo in March.

For the second year in succession, Ben Radley, Loaningfoot, scooped the supreme sheep title with a Charollais. His show stopper was the home-bred gimmer, Loaningfoot Broxi, sired by Foxhill Walkabout.

Also out for the overall champion of champions was the Clydesdale winner, Littleward Katy, a home-bred two-year-old filly by Collessie Monarch, from Matthew Carrick.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer (18th May 2024) or subscribe to our Digital Edition here