Blue Texels in debut success

The show again played host to busy day, with hordes of spectators enjoying the sunshine and a notable increase in livestock entries. That was, in part, due to the introduction of the Blue Texels and Kerry Hills to the sheep lines, progeny shows for Bluefaced Leicesters and the Hereford breed ‘national’.

A mark of the quality on parade was the large number of livestock entries which had previously picked up winning tickets at this year’s Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows.

With a total of 917 entries in the sheep section, Russell Gray, from Lanark, had his work cut out to choose a winner, but he found one in the shape of a one-crop ewe Blue Texel, which was bought from the Rooks flock at Carlisle last year by Robbie and Susan Dodd. The winning ewe bred the first prize prime ram lamb at the show and was sired by a Dutch imported ram.

The blue and white colours were awarded to Alec Brown’s champion Bluefaced Leicester crossing type, a £12,000 Carry House shearling tup that is shared with John Park, Dalpeddar, and John and Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld.

The inter-breed beef section saw a return to the winner’s spot for Monaduffhouse Ingot Gold, a five-year-old Charolais cow, brought out by the Goldie family, Newbie Mains – she won it also in 2015.

The judge, Martin Irvine, from Drummuir, awarded the winner’s sash to the home-bred cow, a son of Doonally New and out of Monaduffhouse Dolly, before awarding reserve to the winner of Hereford section, which came from a strong turnout of 35 cattle to mark its annual Scottish show. This was the heavily decorated bull, Coley 1 Pilot, a 19-month-old bull owned by Heather Whitaker, Coley Walks Farm, Halifax.

In the dairy lines, Gilmour Lawrie, Monkton, Prestwick, and Ian Watson, Coleraine, found their inter-breed leader in the Holstein champion from Brian Yates, East Logan, Castle Douglas. This was Logan Integral Jodie 3, which stood inter-breed heifer champion at the Royal Highland.

Reserve dairy was the Ayrshire champion, Willowfields Winnie 2, a third calver which also won at the Royal Highland and inter-breed at the Great Yorkshire, jointly owned by William Lindsay, Lanark, and Howard Batty, Derby.

Margaret Hardman, from Sheffield, found her goat champion from a big show in a two-year-old British goat, Treval Aliola, brought out by Val Wood, County Durham.

LEADING awards:

Ayrshire (Judge: G Lawrie). Champion and reserve dairy inter-breed – DM Lindsay with the five-year-old cow, Willowfields Winnie 2. The third time calver is jointly owned by Howard Batty, Derby, and was champion at the Royal Highland and inter-breed champion at the Great Yorkshire this summer. She is by West Mossgiel Modern Reality and is producing 52 litres daily. Reserve – I Service’s three-year-old cow, Poppy Eldorado. Shown by dairy man, Andrew Kyle, she was sired by Brocklehill Eldorado and is producing 32 litres of organic milk daily; reserve at Wigtown and Ayr shows. Junior heifer stirk, yeld stock championship – Auchencairn Ayrshires. Senior heifer stirk, breeder’s club special class – J McGarva. Cow-in-calf, cow-in-milk, pair of females and group of three animals – DM Lindsay.

Holstein (Judge: I Watson). Champion and dairy inter-breed – B Yates with his 2½-year-old heifer, Logan Integral Jodie 3. She is by Blondin Integral and out of Sterndale Sterling Jodie. She was inter-breed heifer champion at the Royal Highland and third at Dairy Expo in the spring. She is due to calf in December and is producing 40 litres daily. Reserve – B and V Davidson’s four-year-old cow, Errolston Mincio Lena, which calved in February this year and is out of Errolston Revelation Lena and by Bertaiola Mincio. From a herd of 200 Holsteins, she is producing 55 litres daily and 10,500 litres in her first lactation. Heifer, heifer-in-calf and progeny – D and J McCormick. Cow-in-calf, cow not in milk, heifer-in-milk, cow-in-milk third calver and best animal – B Yates. Cow-in-milk second calver, bred cow-in-milk and pair of females – B and V Davidson.

Jerseys (Judge G Lawrie). Champion and reserve – I Heuchan’s second calver, Gerranton Topeka Courtesy. She is a home-bred cow by Heartland Merchant Topeka, an American bull and is out of Gerranton Courtesy. Producing 34 kg daily and 10,500 kg in her first lactation, she runs with 30 Jerseys and 200 Holsteins. Reserve was Gerranton Barnabus Megan, a heifer-in-milk which calved in April. She also has US breeding and is by Jars of Clay Barnabus and out of Gerranton Legacy Megan. She is producing 28 kg daily. Heifer and progeny – TA Jackson. Heifer-in-calf – RH Dick and Sons. Cow-in-calf – H Graham. Heifer-in-milk, cow-in-milk and pair – JR Heuchan and Son.

Juvenile classes (Judge: K Lawrie, Maybole) Champion – Brian Yates. Reserve champion – R D Fleming. Ayrshire heifer calf – W Sloan and Co. Holstein heifer calf – RD Fleming. Jersey heifer calf – TA Jackson. Ayrshire heifer – R McGoldrick. Holstein heifer – B Yates. Ayrshire heifer – W Sloan and Co. Holstein heifer – D and J McCormick. Jersey heifer – A and W Padkin, Drumcork, Thornhill.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: D Biggar, Castle Douglas). Champion – D Graham and Son’s 18-month-old bull, Carruthers Eden Park. Hailing from a herd of 55 pedigree Angus, he is home-bred by Morven Kilo Master and out of Carruthers Elspeth; reserve junior male champion at the Stars of the Future, last November, he will be for sale at Stirling in October. Reserve – C Rodger with the bought in cow, Dalcrest Joy Lady Erica L221. She is out of Dalcrest Joy Lady Erica G809 and by The Moss Mr Eshton. She will next be at Westmorland for the breed’s national show. Bull – D Graham and Son. Cow – C Rodger. Heifer – I and A Burgess.

AOB beef (Judge: D Biggar). Champion – D Irving with his three-year-old South Devon cow, Enterprise Stella, giving him his third consecutive championship for the AOB section for his 12-strong herd at Thornhill. She is by Malthouse Hurricane and out of Welland Valley Dallas, and was shown with her October-born calf at foot, Aurora Storm, which was junior male champion and reserve overall at the Great Yorkshire. Reserve – Mr Hulland’s 5½-year-old Longhorn cow, Well N-Dless, by Raincliffe Harry. She was bought in October and made her show debut at Dumfries with her May born heifer calf at foot, Whiteyard Ameila. Native bull and native female – D Irving.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: G McCulloch, Thirsk). Champion – Thomson, Roddick and Laurie’s 17-month-old bull, Shawhill Leroy, a home-bred bull carrying Canadian breeding from the Braebank herd, Alberta. He is by Shawhill Henderson and out of Shawhill Dewdrop Jasmine, and was champion at Stars of the Future and Agri Expo, and second at the Great Yorkshire. Reserve – B and J Landers’ 16-month-old heifer, Cairnsmore Lois, a home-bred daughter of Cairnsmore Libby Beyonce and by Chapelton Dauphin. She was junior inter-breed and reserve native at Stranraer, and Wigtown. Bull over two and cow over three – D and R Dickie. Bull under two – Thomson, Roddick and Laurie. Heifer classes – J Landers.

Belted Galloways (Judge: T Oliver, Newcastle Upon Tyne). Champion – Mochrum Estate’s Mochrum Layla, a rising three-year-old brought out by stockwoman, Helen Ryman, to secure her first senior championship. She is by Maybeck Andrew and out of Mochrum Lilac 6, which was champion at the Royal Highland in 2017, when Layla was junior champion. Reserve – G Milroy’s two-year-old heifer, Lipwood Tilly, out of Braesteads Angel and by Barwise Jambo Habari. Bull, heifer stirk and pair – A Bell. Cow-in-milk and heifer-in-milk – Mochrum Estates. Calf – G Milroy.

British Blue (Judge: M Telfer, Stocksfield). Champion – D and L Watret’s Criffelview Kendra, a home-bred female by Cromwell Fendt and out of Criffelview Gracious, which was reserve female at the Great Yorkshire. She was brought out by David and Lynne’s sons, 12-year-old Ross and nine-year-old Gregor; reserve at the Great Yorkshire and champion at Lesmahagow and Biggar. Reserve – I McGarva’s 16-month-old home-bred heifer, Abington Maisey, by Tweeddale Ebony and out of Abington Harriet; reserve female at the Border club calf show in January. Two/three-year-old heifer – D and L Watret. Heifer under two – I McGarva.

British Simmentals (Judge: A Houston, Gretna). Champion and reserve – J and P Goldie’s home-bred cow, Newbiemains Designer Wag. This six-year-old female was champion at Dumfries as a three-year-old and previously was reserve heifer at the Great Yorkshire. Shown with her April-born calf at foot, she is by Blackford Albatross and out of Newbiemains Wag. Reserve was the 16-month-old bull, Skerrington Iceman, which was reserve male at the Great Yorkshire and champion continental at Wigtown. He is by Sowenna Aristocrat and out of Skerrington Rhona 32. Bull, cow or heifer over three – J and P Goldie. Heifer under two – N and N Gwynne.

Charolais (Judge: A Houston). Champion and inter-breed beef champion – J and P Goldie’s five-year-old cow, Monaduffhouse Ingot Gold. She was a present to Jim Goldie junior from his godfather in Ireland three years ago, and previously won at Dumfries as a two-year-old, taking the inter-breed championship in 2015. Sired by Doonally New and out of Monaduffhouse Dolly, she was shown with a three-month-old heifer calf at foot. Reserve – R McCornick’s 16-month-old home-bred bull, Ricknick Nelson, by Thrunton Fairfax and out of Ricknick Jump. Bull under two – R McCornick. Cow over three – J and P Goldie.

Galloways (Judge: A McConchie, Gatehouse of Fleet). Champion – Troloss Farm’s five-year-old bull, Blackcraig Dec, brought out by stockman, Joe Cockburn. He is by Blackcraig Sid and out of Blackcraig Noreen. Crowned champion at the Royal Highland, Dumfries is only his second outing this year. He was bought for £3000 and has so far produced more than £70,000 worth of stock. Reserve – J and S Ross’ Nerys 1921 of Romesbeoch, a rising two-year-old heifer by Penninghame Winword and out of Nerys 1306 of Romesbeoch. She was reserve junior female at the Royal Highland and junior champion at the Great Yorkshire. Bull – Troloss. Cow-in-milk, heifer calf, heifer, heifer stirk, bull calf and pair – J and S Ross.

Hereford (Judge: W Livesey, Leicester). Champion – H Whitaker’s 19-month-old bull, Coley 1 Pilot. Brought out by stockman Andrew Hughes, he was champion at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire, as well as inter-breed champion at the latter. He is out of Romany 1 Ishbel and by Coley 1 Maverick. Reserve – JRB Wilson and Sons’ nine-month-old heifer, Romany 1 Lucy R38. On her show debut, this home-bred heifer is out of Romany 1 Lucy J57, which was reserve female champion to her daughter at the show. She is by Barwise 1 Lancer. Best pair and group of three – T and D Harrison. Heifer under one, bull under one and yearling bull – JRB Wilson and sons. Yearling heifer – Harvey Cattle. Heifer under two – JA Cameron and Son Baldinnie. Heifer under three – H Elliot. Bull under two – H Whittaker.

Highland (Judge: G McCulloch). Champion – Blairlogan Highlanders with their 4½-year-old cow, Solas Emma 1 of Blairlogan. The home-bred animal was brought out by Carolyn Ross with its first calf at foot, January-born Better of Blairlogan. The cow was reserve at the Great Yorkshire and won here last year at Dumfries. Reserve – D Fountain with the home-bred two-year-old heifer, Boidheach Ruadh 4 of Broomrigg, on her debut outing. She is by Jock of Inversnaid and out of Boidheach Ruadh 1 of Broomrigg. She will next be shown at the Highland club show at Pollok. Cow-in-milk and calf – Blairlogan Highlanders. Heifer under two – D Fountain.

Limousins (Judge: A Houston). Champion – A and S Stevenson with the 14-month-old heifer, Burnbank Neve. Purchased at the weaned calf sale in December, she stood reserve at Ayr early in the season and runs with the a 230-cow suckler herd. She was sired by Maraiscote Letissier and out of Burnbank Jen. Reserve – D and R Cornthwaite’s two-year-old heifer Maybe Magdelen, a daughter of College Sadie and by Bremore Artist. Female over two – D and R Cornthwaite. Heifer under two – A and S Stevenson.

Prime cattle (Judge: M Telfer, Stocksfield). Champion – J Hyslop’s 14-month-old pure limousin heifer, Nikita. Bred by John Smith Jackson, Hexham, and purchased in March, she is by Shire Apollo; first at the Great Yorkshire and champion at Wigtown. Reserve – A and E Vance’s Too Glam to Give A Damn, a 15-month-old Limousin heifer which took the inter-breed at Stranraer this summer. She is out of a British Blue-cross dam and by Artnagullian Icebop.

Juvenile classes (beef) (Judge: M Irvine, Drummuir) Champion – Finlay Gordon. Reserve – Carolyn Stevenson. Best Calf bred from Continental Sire or Dam – Carolyn Stevenson. Best Calf from any other beef Sire – Finlay Gordon.

Beef Young Handler (Judge: M Irvine, Drummuir) Champion – Logan Ross, who won here previously in 2017. Reserve – Gregor Watret. Best Handler of calf bred from Continental Sire or Dam – Gregor Watret. Best Handler of a calf from any other beef Sire – Logan Ross.

Cheviot (Judge: M Little, Langholm). Champion – J Common and Son with a two-crop ewe. Reserve – RH Paton with a ewe lamb. Aged tup, two-shear tup, gimmer – RJ Menzies and Co. Shearling tup – J Wood. Tup lamb, ewe – J Common and Son. Ewe lamb – RH Paton.

Blackface (Judge: W McClymont, Selkirk). Champion – W Ramsay and Sons’ Cara, a gimmer by a £16,000 Dyke and out of a dam by a son of a £26,000 Crossflatt; champion at Stranraer and first at the Royal Highland. Reserve – IRS Bond’s ewe lamb by a £4500 Auldhouseburn and out of a dam by a £14,000 Elmscleugh. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer – W Ramsay and Sons. Tup lamb – RG Carruthers. Ewe lamb – IRS Bond.

Suffolk (Judge: W Fleming, Carluke). Champion – L Harkness with a tup lamb by Craigdoo Rocket and out of a home-bred dam by a Conveth sire; first show. Reserve – P and D Reid’s Sweet Pea, a three-crop home-bred ewe by Cairness Custom Made and out of a dam by Cairness Liam; first at five shows this year. Tup – T Fitzimon. Tup lamb – L Harness. Ewe – P and D Reid. Gimmer, ewe lamb, group – G Hiddleston.

NCC (Judge: R McKenzie, Munlochy). Champion – G McCornick in her first year showing from her 10-ewe flock, with a home-bred gimmer by Humblehaugh Streaker and out of a Carruthers-bred dam; champion at Wigtown and reserve at Stranraer. Reserve – Philiphaugh Estate’s ewe. Aged ram – N MacDonald. Shearling tup – R Strawhorn. Tup lamb, ewe – Philiphaugh Estate. Gimmer – G McCornick.

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type (Judge: I Minto, Dolphinton). Champion and reserve overall sheep – J and A Brown’s shearling tup, a £12,000 Carry House sheep bought at Hawes last year and shared with John Park, Dalpeddar, and John and Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld; first show by new owners. Reserve – S Park and E Mills’ ewe lamb by J22 Old Hemley and out of a dam by G6 Old Hemley; first show. Aged ram – J Thomson. Shearling tup, group – J and A Brown. Tup lamb, ewe lamb, gimmer – S Park and E Mills. Ewe – Mrs S Hamilton. Progeny show – Champion – A McQuistin’s ram, the £5500 Blairnavaid J14, which is shared with Alan Shennan, and shown with a pair of ewe lambs by him; and reserve with the same ram and a ewe and tup lamb. Group of three tup lambs, group of three ewe lambs, pair of lambs – A McQuistin.

Bluefaced Leicester traditional type (Judge: N Robinson, Hexham). Champion – R Neill’s one-crop ewe by the home-bred sire, Rossiebank G11 and out of a dam by Hazelwood Z1. On her first show this year, she was never beaten as a gimmer, being champion at Black Isle, Perth and Fife last year. Reserve – FD Kennedy’s home-bred gimmer, by the £2500 Mossermains Jack the Lad and out of a home-bred dam by a Cassington sire; first show. Aged ram – AM Brown. Shearling tup, ewe lamb – RA McClymont and Son. Tup lamb – M Quinn. Ewe, group – R Neill. Gimmer – FD Kennedy. Progeny show – Champion – R Neill’s pair of ewes by the same sire, Rossiebank G11. Reserve – FD Kennedy’s pair of gimmers by Mossermains Jack the Lad. Pair of ewes, pair of lambs – R Neill. Pair of gimmers – FD Kennedy. Pair of shearling rams, three ewe lambs – RA McClymont and Son. Three ram lambs – M Quinn.

Kerry Hill (Judge: D Steen, Moffat). Champion – S and A Burgess’ home-bred gimmer by a Whitcastle sire and out of a Mowhaugh dam; reserve at Penrith. Reserve – CR Graham and Sons’ tup. Tup – CR Graham and Sons. Ewe, gimmer – S and A Burgess. Ewe lamb – Mrs C Kewley.

Texel (Judge: N Hamill, Crumlin). Champion – Douganhill Farms’ ewe lamb by the £70,000 Teiglum Young Gun and out of a dam by Cairnam Tavish; first at Stewartry. Reserve – Douganhill Farms’ gimmer, by Baltier You’re the One and out of a dam by Cairnam Tavish; champion at Stewartry. Aged tup – J Austin. Shearling tup – E MacTaggart. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – Douganhill Farms. Group – J Sugden.

Blue Texel (Judge: J Tough, Carluke). Champion and inter-breed sheep – R and S Dodd’s one-crop ewe which was making her show debut after being bought from the Rooks flock at Carlisle last year for 900gns. She is by a Dutch imported sire and also bred the first prize ram lamb. Reserve – R and S Dodd’s gimmer, Sams ET, which was bought last year as a lamb. Tup, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – R and S Dodd.

Scotch Mule (Judge: S Guild, Cumnock). Champion – J and A Brown’s ewe lamb, by a home-bred son of C18 Highberries and out of a home-bred Blackface. Reserve – G Allan’s gimmer which was bought privately off Assloss, by a home-bred son of Midlock Mustang. Ewe – D Bryson. Gimmer – G Allan. Ewe lamb – J and A Brown. Pen of three ewe lambs – W Lockhart and Co. Progeny show – champion – RJ Shennan and Sons’ three ewe lambs by the Blairnavaid sire out of Blackface dams. Reserve – Philiphaugh Estates’ pen of three out of Cheviot ewes.

Charollais (Judge: Miss L Coghill, Orkney). Champion – B Radley’s two-shear ram, Loanhead Rising Star, which was bought at Worcester for 2200gns in 2016. By Rhaeadr Orlando and out of a dam by Midas Touch, he was reserve male at the Royal Highland and male champion at the Great Yorkshire this year. Reserve – B Radley’s ewe lamb by the champion, called Loaningfoot Tickety-Boo, and out of an Aberkinsey ewe by Mr T. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb, group – B Radley. Tup Lamb – HW Sloan. Ewe – JD Clanachan.

Beltex (Judge: G Anderson, Dumfries), Champion – A and J Campbell’s champion from Wigtown and reserve at Stranraer, a one-crop ewe, Cree Bingo, by Woodies Alfred and out of a home-bred dam. Reserve – JL McMillan’s shearling tup, the 1000gns Cromwell Carl, by Woodwick Alpha; first at Stranraer on his only other outing. Tup – A Jackson. Shearling tup, tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb, group – JL McMillan. Ewe – A and J Campbell.

Lleyn (Judge: Mrs L Jenkinson, Kirkby Stephen). Champion – D Steen’s shearling tup, by a home-bred sire; first show. Reserve – T and I Walling’s gimmer. Aged tup, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group – T and I Walling. Shearling tup – D Steen.

White Ryeland (Judge: Mrs C Bateman, Brecon). Champion – E and J Henderson’s gimmer, Landrigg Xanadu, by the home-bred sire Landrigg Tullibardine out of a home-bred ewe; reserve at the Royal Highland. Reserve – Mrs S Bryden’s ram, Broomwell Wallander, by Broomwell Uther Pendragon and out of a Hayton-bred dam, which was champion at the Royal Highland; also champion at Lesmahagow and Cumberland. Aged tup, ewe – Mrs S Bryden. Shearling tup, tup lamb, gimmer, group – E and J Henderson. Ewe lamb – A and D Mitchell.

Coloured Ryeland (Judge: D Robinson, Wigton). Champion – L White’s gimmer, by Greenlea Ultimate T which was bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle from Fergus Clanachan. Reserve – S and JE Fisher and MJ Hoggarth’s home-bred Greenlea tup. Aged tup – S and JE Fisher and MJ Hoggarth. Shearling tup, gimmer – L White. Tup lamb – Mrs S Bryden. Ewe, ewe lamb – C and R Smyth.

Zwartbles (Judge: S Braid, Moffat). Champion – C Rae’s home-bred gimmer, by an imported sire oput of a Wallridgemoor dam; first at Ayr and reserve at Cumberland. Reserve – Miss R Torbet’s ewe lamb. Aged tup, ewe, group – Messrs Smith. Shearling tup, tup lamb – C and H Duffy. Gimmer – C Rae. Ewe lamb – Miss R Torbet.

British Berrichon (Judge: R Rennie, Kelso). Champion – F Barbour’s home-bred gimmer, by a Shirnock sire, that was first at the Highland and is bred from a dam line of prizewinners. Reserve – R Powell’s five-crop home-bred ewe, by Creigiau Limoges; reserve AOB at the Border Union two years ago. Tup, ewe – R Powell. Tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – F Barbour.

AOB continental sheep (Judge: Miss L Coghill). Champion – I McConnell’s Ian’s Unique, a Rouge de l’Ouest ewe lamb by Ballylane Scotsman and out of a Belgian imported dam. Reserve – A Jackson’s Dutch Spotted gimmer. Tup – K McDermid. Lamb classes – I McConnell. Ewe – MH Neilson. Gimmer – A Jackson.

AOB native sheep (Judge: R McKenzie). Champion – Miss C Carruthers’ Border Leicester tup lamb, by an Intock sire; first show. Reserve – D and W Crew’s Badger Faced gimmer. Tup, gimmer, ewe, ewe lamb – D and W Crew. Tup lamb – Miss C Carruthers.

Young handlers (Judge: AR Gray, Lanark) Champion – Murray Common. Reserve – Thomas Goldie. Handler aged between 5 and 10 – Thomas Goldie. Handler aged between 11 and 14 – Murray Common.

Goats (Judge: M Hardman, Sheffield). Champion – V Wood with her two-year-old British goat, Treval Aliola. A home-bred dairy goat producing 5 kg daily, she kidded triplets at the end of January and one of her kids took reserve best kid. She is by Treval Zachary and out of Treval Alana. Reserve champion went to B Fairley, Avonvale Cottage Farm, Falkirk with her 4½-year-old Anglo Nubian goat, Braynusson Kalamity. She kidded quadruplets in February and is producing 5.5 kg a day, delivering 4% BF and 3.25% P. She was first at the Great Yorkshire and third at the Royal Highland and is by Ivybeck Harlequin and out of Braynussen Isabella. British Saanen – All classes – V Wood. British Toggenburg – Female goat and goatling – A Dick. Kid – A Siekler. Anglo Nubian – Female goat and kid – B Fairley. Goatling – V Wood. Golden Guernsey – A Sieker. AOB – All classes – V Wood.