THIS year's North-east show circuit drew to a close at Keith on Monday, where a cracking line-up of cattle, sheep and horses were paraded for one last this summer in front of a decent crowd of spectators who travelled from near and far.

It was a particularly good day for cattle showmen Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith and Blair Duffton, Huntly, when their yearling Charolais heifer Battleford Lola scooped the inter-breed beef championship and went on to win the Scottish Beef Supreme Cattle Championship.

This stylish heifer by Lochend Apache, out of the Thrunton Socrates-sired dam Blelack USP, was bought by the duo at Dungannon, Northern Ireland, last November for 8000gns and was shown with her heifer calf Aultmore Oolala, a May-born daughter of Blelack Immaculate. She already has a few rosettes under her belt to include champion at Echt, overall beef champion at New Deer and she was part of the champion inter-breed group at the Highland.

Firstly tapped out as champion in the beef inter-breed championship by Jimmy McMillan, Craigmore, Farnell, Brechin, who said she ‘moved well’ and had a ‘good back-end’, it was Stirling-based, Dougie McBeath who had the task of judging an impressive show of cattle in the prestigious champion of champions competition.

He said: “The Charolais heifer is an outstanding three-year-old heifer rearing a good calf and she boasts quality, femininity and locomotion.”

Laurencekirk Limousin breeder, Andrew Gammie from Drumforber, also enjoyed a good day when his Limousin bull Westpit Nando was awarded the reserve continental title and stood reserve inter-breed beef and reserve junior inter-breed champion earlier in the day. This May 2017-born son of Dinmore Immense, is out of the Wilodge Vantastic-sired cow Brockhurst Holy and is destined for Carlisle Bull Sales in October.

Securing the junior inter-breed title was the Milne family’s 17-month-old Charolais bull Elgin Neuer from Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde. He is by Woodpark Elgin, out of Elgin Ultra.

The commercial section in the champion of champions competition was won by William Moir, with his 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer Magic Mojo from Home Farm Cairness, Fraserburgh, while reserve commercial was a 14-month-old British Blue cross bullock named Oreo from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch. The native section was won by Ballindalloch Home Farm with their two-year-old Aberdeen-Angus heifer Ballindalloch Ebony, with Richard and Carol Rettie’s Aberdeen-Angus bull Waterend Paton, in reserve.

Aberdeenshire commercial cattle duo Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, scooped another win in the inter-breed groups with Limousin crosses, while Simmentals from the Green family’s Corskie herd at Garmouth, stood reserve.

In the sheep lines, Craig Paterson who runs his 30-ewe Cranorskie flock at Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder near Huntly, bagged his first ever supreme sheep title with a Suffolk gimmer.

She is by Limestone Legend, out of Birness Giggsy and was bought at the Christmas Class last year when she stood reserve champion. She was champion for Craig at Turriff and New Deer.

Sammy Stewart from Butterybrae, Drummuir, near Keith, also ended another summer show season on a high when her home-bred Zwartbles ewe lamb from her 10-strong ewe flock stood reserve inter-breed. Named Janetstown Flame, she is by Aquila Duplicate, out of a Weatheral ewe bred by Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly.

Inter-breed sheep judge Anne MacPherson from Blackford, Croy, said: “The Suffolk gimmer just stood out from the rest and I couldn’t fault her. The Zwartbles is a lovely, sweet ewe lamb and very correct."

LEADINGawards:

Highland Cattle (Judge: K Brown, Ledlanet, Kinross). Champion – S and A Brown, East Tilbouries, Maryculter, with the two-year-old heifer Carlin 4 of Culfoich. She is by Jacob 2 of Benmore, out of Laria 1 Culfoich and stood reserve champion at Echt and New Deer. Reserve – M Middleton, Barna, Mid Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn, with CoirnealNam Beann of Brue, a May 2015-born bull by Siarach of Balmoral, out of Eilidh Nam Beann of Brue. He was male champion at Turriff and has stood first in all his show outings this summer. Bull, yearling heifer – M Middleton. Cow, calf – J and L Fraser and Son, East Tilbouries, Maryculter. Two-year-old heifer – S and A Brown.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: S Dick, Westerton Farm, Cowie). Champion – Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, with Ballindalloch Ebony S499, a home-bred two-year-old heifer by Ballindalloch Earl N397, out of Ballindalloch Erice J315. Brought out by David and Susan Johnstone, she was champion at Grantown and stood reserve female at Nairn. Reserve – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with Tonley Pato, a five-year-old bull by Blelack Ivor, out of Tonley Princess. He was originally sold by the Watties for 12,000gns at Stirling Bull Sales in 2014 when he stood champion but was bought back for breeding. Bull, yearling bull, yearling heifer – M Wattie. Cow, calf – C and E McCombie, Auchincrieve, Rothiemay. Heifer – Ballindalloch Home Farm.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: K Brown). Champion – Glenrinnes Farms, Glenrinnes, Dufftown, with Glenrinnes Loopylou, a March 2017-born home-bred heifer by Chapelton of Glenlivet, out of Glenrinnes Holly. She was reserve champion at Nairn and champion at Tarland. Reserve – J and S Ravenshear, Heatheryfield, Cairnie, Huntly, with the five-year-old cow Greenwall Fanfare Foxglove. By Glenisla Donald, out of Greenwall Fantasia Foxglove, she was second in her class at Turriff and champion here last year. Cow, bull or heifer calf born on or after Aug 1, 2017 – J and S Ravenshear. Heifer – Glenrinnes Farms.

Charolais (Judge: A MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness). Champion, inter-breed champion and Scottish beef champion of champions – G Patterson and B Duffton, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with Battleford Lola, a yearling heifer by Lochend Apache, out of Blelack USP. A part of the winning group at the Royal Highland Show, she was champion at Echt and inter-breed beef champion at New Deer and was shown with her heifer calf Aultmore Oolala which is by Blelack Immaculate. Reserve and junior inter-breed – RA Milne and Son, Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde, with Elgin Neuer, a March 2017-born home-bred bull by Woodpark Elgin, out of Elgin Ultra. He also won the junior inter-breed later in the day and stood reserve continental in the Beef Breeder at the Highland. Bull – RA Milne and Son. Cow – G Patterson. Heifer born on or between Aug 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017 – J Irvine and Son, Inverlochy, Tomintoul. Yearling heifer – Mr and Mrs RS McAskie, Twin Cottage Croft, Hill of Muldearie, Keith.

Limousin (Judge: M Allan, Uppermills Farm, Kintore). Champion, reserve inter-breed beef and reserve junior champion – A Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk, with Westpit Nando, a home-bred 15-month-old bull by Dinmore Immense, out of Brockhurst Holly. He was on his first outing and is destined for Carlisle in October. Reserve – S and D Irvine and Sons, Braehead, Drummuir, Keith, with Anside Monica, a home-bred November 2016-born heifer by Foxhillfarm Impecabull, out of Anside Invelour. Bull – A Gammie. Cow, bull or heifer calf – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith. Yearling heifer – S and D Irvine and Sons. Yearling bull – G Patterson.

Simmental (Judge: T Henderson, 1 Dargill Farm Cottage, Crieff). Champion – L Green, Corksie, Garmouth, with Corskie Iceman, a home-bred 19-month-old bull by Dirnanean Bradley, out of Corskie Clover. He was fourth at the Highland, first at last year’s Scottish National show at Perth and fourth at this year’s National show. His full sister was reserve junior male at the Highland in 2014. Reserve – G and K Anderson, Myreside Farm Cottage, Elgin, with Woodhall Eva, a five-year-old cow by Steinadler, out of Woodhall Banter. Senior bull – Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin. Junior bull – L Green. Cow, yearling bull or heifer, bull or heifer calf – G and K Anderson. Senior heifer, intermediate heifer – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Garmouth.

British Blue – S Balfour, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with Black n Blue Lady Lloyd, a May 2016-born heifer bought at Carlisle. She is by Jiosco De Focant, out of Black n Blue Empress, and was champion at Nairn and Tarland and reserve at Echt and Grantown. Reserve – G Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with Woodend Logan, a December 2016-born son of Attribut, out of Woodend Jamelia.

Any other pure beef breed (Judge: Mrs E Lang, The Bungalow, Rosewells, Ceres, Cupar). Champion – D and R Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, with Cleuchhead Munro, a 16-month-old Salers bull bought with his dam last summer. Champion at Turriff, Grantown and Tarland, he is by Cuil Godfather and out of Cleuchhead Mhairi 1057. Reserve – W Hendry, Ordhill Farm, Longmorn, Elgin, with the five-year-old Gascone cow Borralan Isla, by Borralan Endeavour, out of Tulloch Biasca. Bull – D and R Durno. Cow, bull or heifer calf – W Hendry.

Cross cattle haltered (Judge: D Macarthur, Mid Fleenas, Littlemill, Nairn). Champion – B Duffton and R Stuart of Huntly and Insch. Supreme was the multiple champion winner Shaniqua. She is a 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer bought at Dungannon, and was champion of champions at Banchory, inter-breed champion at Fettercairn and reserve inter-breed at Echt and New Deer. Reserve for Blair and Rebecca was Oreo, a 14-month-old stot by the British Blue sire, Empire D’Ochain, out of a pure-bred Limousin cow. Bought at Dugannon for £1800, he was commercial male champion at Turriff and Banchory and one of the champion beef pair at Turriff. Heifer born on or between Sept 1, 2016 and Feb 28, 2017, bullock born on or between Sept 1, 2016 and Feb 28, 2017, bullock born on or between Mar 1, 2017 and Aug 31, 2017, YFC bullock – B Duffton and R Stuart. Heifer born on or between Mar 1, 2017 and Aug 31, 2017, YFC heifer – Keith Commercials. Bullock calf born on or between Sept 1, 2017 and Dec 31, 2017, bullock calf born Jan 2018 – JA Morrison, Newtack, Keith.

Cross cattle unhaltered (Judge: G Raeburn, Forbes Raeburn Butchers, Huntly). Champion and reserve – A Greenlaw, Sheep Park Farm, Aberchirder, Huntly. Champion was a 10-year-old Limousin cross cow named The Duchess. Bred at Wester Cairnglass, she is by Middledale Toronto, and was first in her class at Turriff and has won at Keith a total of six times. She was shown with her Limousin cross heifer calf at foot. In reserve for Angus was his four-year-old Limousin cross cow bred at Loanhead, Logie Coldstone.

Carcase classes (Judge: Scotbeef, Inverurie). Champion – G Durno, Cuttlebrae Farm, Clochan, Buckie, with a heifer. Reserve – S Smith, The Byre, Sunnyhill Croft, Turriff, with a 24-month-old Limousin cross heifer.

Young handlers (Judge: S Dick). Aged 12 and under – 1, Jayne Mitchell; 2, Olly Patterson; 3, Sophie Adams. Aged 13 and 14 – 1, Rory Milne; 2, Rachael Davidson; 3, Lexie Hutton. Aged 15 and 16 – 1, Richard Davidson Jnr; 2, Craig Coutts.

Blackface (Judge: B Reive, 2 West Cottages, Culbo Mains, Culbokie). Champion and reserve – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown. Champion was a two-shear tup bought for £3200 at Stirling. He was bred at Kirklands and is by a £10,000 Allanfauld. Taking the reserve honours was a shearling tup bought at Lanark for £1110. Champion at Nairn, he was bred at Hartside and is by a Welphill tup. Aged tup, shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – Glenrinnes Farms. Tup lamb – L Smith, Towiemore, Drummuir, Keith.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: H Sleigh, St John Wells, Fyvie). Champion and reserve – M and C Milne, Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde. Champion was Speymouth H7, a home-bred two-crop ewe by G6 Firth, out of B39 Bank Farm. Reserve was a home-bred gimmer Speymouth K1, by Kirkby Redgate Jackpot, out of a home-bred ewe by a Firth sire. She was reserve female at Turriff, last year. Ewe, gimmer – M and C Milne. Ewe lamb – L McKendrick, Bankhead Farm, Cupar. Tup lamb – R and K Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly.

Suffolk (Judge: T Greig, South Tillydesk, Ellon). Champion and inter-breed sheep – C Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Huntly, with a gimmer purchased at the Christmas Classic last year, where it stood champion. She is by Limestone Legend, out of Birness Giggsy and stood champion at Turriff and New Deer. Craig also stood reserve with a home-bred one-crop ewe on its first outing by Muirton One Direction, out of a Strathisla Spielberg ewe. Aged tup – C and G Milton, Tullochallum Farm, Dufftown. Shearling tup – Croal and Taylor, Upper Woodside, Rothiemay. Gimmer, ewe, ewe lamb, tup lamb, pair – C Paterson.

Texel (Judge: C Gill, Rinaitin, Glenrinnes, Dufftown). Champion – G Morrison, Inschbruich, Cornhill, with a two-crop ewe bought as gimmer by Aman Vyrnwy. Out of a Razzle Dazzle ewe, she was champion and reserve overall sheep at Grantown and her dam was bred by Graham and sold for 8000gns in 2015. Reserve – J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with a home-bred gimmer by Glenside Wild Boy, out of a Goldies ewe. She was inter-breed champion at Banchory. Aged tup – S Milton, Tullochallum, Dufftown. Shearling tup, ewe, ewe lamb, tup lamb – G Morrison. Gimmer – J Green.

Charollais (Judge: TA Sands, Southfield, Abernyte, Perth). Champion and reserve – E and E Duncan, Barnyards, Peterhead. Champion for the Duncan sisters was a home-bred gimmer by Logie Durno Outlander, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve was a home-bred tup lamb by Logie Durno Sargant, out of a home-bred ewe by Riverdale Noble. Aged tup – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – E and E Duncan.

Beltex (Judge: J McLean, Mains of Culsh, New Deer). Champion and reserve – R and K Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly. Champion was Langlands Bruiser, a two-shear tup bought at Carlisle, last year, in partnership with Bruce Mair, Jimmy Young, Raymond Flaws and Charles Copland. He is by Smart Arse Alfie, out of a home-bred Langlands ewe and stood male champion at the Highland. In reserve was a home-bred tup lamb by the champion, out of a home-bred ewe by Todhalls Superstar. He was first in his class at New Deer and the Black Isle.

Jacob (Judge: G Connor, Dun-Mor, Linlithgow). Champion and reserve – A Christie, Midtown of Glass, Huntly. Champion was Hope Knockout, a two-shear tup by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie, out of a Hope ewe. This was his third championship of the year. Reserve was Adam's home-bred gimmer named Adamski Lottie. A multiple champion winner, she is by Dunmore Antonio, out of Pentra Candy. Aged tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Christie. Shearling tup – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Drummuir. Ewe – M Milton, Newton of Auchindachy. Tup lamb – L McKendrick.

Zwartbles (Judge: J Pirie, Creagbhalg, Kingussie). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – S Stewart, Butterybrae, Drummuir, Keith, with a home-bred ewe lamb named Janetstown Flame. Sired by Aquila Duplicate, she is out of a Weatheral ewe bred by Kirsty Williams. Flame was first in her class at Grantown. Sammy also stood reserve with a home-bred shearling tup by Aquila Duplicate, out of Janetstown Westend Rocker. She was male champion at the Scottish National at New Deer and first at Grantown.

Any other breed MV acc (Judge: R Dawson, Whinbrae, Huntly). R Cruden, 2 Standingstones Cottages, Dyce, Aberdeenshire, with Dunelm Newbie, a two-crop Bleu Du Maine ewe bought at Carlisle in 2016. Champion here last year, she is by Cyscod Lookatme, and out of Churchill Erina. Reserve – T Jackson, Boghead, Lumsden, with a home-bred five-shear Vendeen tup named Benshill Marshall. Aged tup – T Jackson. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – R Cruden.

Any other breed non MV acc (Judge: R Dawson). Champion and reserve – R Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie. Champion was Raymond's home-bred three-shear Ryeland tup Fetternear Viking, by Fetternear Tickity Boo. Bred out of a home-bred ewe, he has previously stood champion twice at Turriff and first at the Highland. Reserve was a bought-in four-crop Ryeland ewe from Mrs Quigley. She was first at Turriff, Banchory and Echt. Aged tup, ewe, ewe lamb, tup lamb – R Aitken. Shearling tup , gimmer– A Milne, Banchory.

Rare and minority breeds (Primitive and Northern Shortail) (Judge: D Steen, Coxhill, Moffat). Champion and reserve – L Thompson and J Graham, Upper Third Croft, Rothienorman. Champion was a two-crop Shetland ewe named Elf or Derwent. She was placed in her class at Turriff. Reserve was a home-bred Shetland ewe lamb by Rosebank Ragnor, out of the champion ewe. She was first at New Deer, second at Banchory and third at Turriff. Aged tup – K Clarke, Hill of Crudie, Turriff). Shearling tup – I and P Stewart, Burnfield, Rothiemay). Ewe, ewe lamb – L Thompson and J Graham. Gimmer, tup lamb – D and G Collie, Lamington, Insch).

Rare and minority breeds (Rare, hill and upland) (Judge: D Steen). Champion – E Riddoch, Seggiecrook, Grange, Keith, with a home-bred Kerry Hill ewe lamb bought at Carlisle. Reserve – N and Z Robson, Loanhead Croft, Cairnie, Huntly, with Loanhead Yara, a home-bred Black Welsh Mountain gimmer by a Welsh-bred tup, out of Loanhead Pinky. She was reserve champion at Turriff and champion at New Deer. Aged tup – A Barclay and G Stewart, Kinbroom, Rothienorman. Shearling tup – K Milne, Sauchen. Ewe, ewe lamb – E Riddoch. Gimmer, tup lamb – N and Z Robson.

Half breeds and crosses (Judge: G Simpson, Kirkland, Forgue, Huntly). Champion – G Breathet, Woodside Croft, Blackpark, Ardersier, with a home-bred two-crop Texel cross Suffolk ewe and her two Texel cross Suffolk lambs by a Wester Moy Texel tup. The group stood supreme sheep at Sutherland and reserve at the Black Isle. Gavin also stood reserve with Texel cross Suffolk breeding ewe lambs by a Wester Moy Texel tup. This was their first outing as a group of three. Pen of Greyface, Mule or Half-bred ewes – D and C Molne, Newtack, Keith. Pen of Greyface, Mule or Half-bred ewe lambs – M Milne, Honeysuckle Cottage, Grange, Keith. Pen of gimmers any cross, ewe with lambs – G Breathet. Pen of three prime cross lambs – G Morrison, Bush Farm, Keith.

Carcase sheep (Judge: Scotbeef, Inverurie). Champion – W and J Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith, with three Texel cross lambs. Reserve – S Smith, The Byre, Sunnyhill Croft, Turriff, with three Beltex cross Texel lambs.

Young handlers (Judge: G Simpson, Kirkland, Forgue, Huntly). Aged 14 to 16 – 1, Erin Duncan; 2, Ryan Sharp; 3, Liam Shard. Aged 10 to 13 – 1, Faith Miskelly; 2, Charlotte Riach; 3, Gavin Campbell. Aged 9 and under – 1, Isaac Miskelly; 2, Max Harrold; 3, Daniel Riach.

Clydesdale (Judge: S Aitken, Newton Cottage, Memus, Forfar). Champion – J Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Mintlaw, with the six-year-old gelding Collessie Full Monty. Bred by Ronnie Black, he was bought by Mr Gibb as a six-month-old colt and is by Collessie Stepping Stone, out of Sandhill Ellie May. He was champion at Echt, New Deer, Turriff and Tarland. Reserve – I Young, Arradoul, Buckie, with Arradoul Capella, a May 2017-born filly by Arradoul Balvenie, out of Arradoul Symphony. She was reserve at Echt and Turriff. Gelding – J Gibb. Colt or gelding, filly – I Young. Stallion, male or gelding – G and R Skinner, Strathorn, Pitcaple. Young handler – Sophie Mitchell.

Highland ponies (Judge: J Ralston, Moss-side Farm, Methven, Perth). Champion – S MacIntosh, Greystone, Blackhills, Peterhead, with the three-year-old filly Louise of Strathmore by Pipe Major of Whitefield, out of Roisie of Strathmore. She won her class at Turriff in 2017 and was champion at the Neshpes Show. Reserve – J Reid, Rothienorman, with the one-year-old colt Ben Macdui of Strhavon. On his third outing, he is by Dunedin Marksman, out of Esha Ness of Strathavon and was first at Turriff and second at Tarland. Mare – H Duncan, Craignetherty, Turriff. Yeld mare – G and A Towns, Easdale, Turriff. Gelding – F Menzies, Myreton Farm, Insch. One-year-old – J Reid. Two or three-year-old, ridden – S MacIntosh.

Shetland ponies standard (Judge: S Dunnet, Wick). Champion – M Whyte and M Hector, Little Woodend, Drummuir, Keith, with Struie Poppy, a nine-year-old mare by Highfield Delius, out of Struie Pollyanna. Reserve – C Forbes, 1 Dullanbank, Dufftown, with the seven-year-old mare Lynemore Finesse by Abbotsbury Urquhart, out of Kinkell Gina. She was supreme champion at the Welsh Group Show and the Spring Show at Thainstone. Stallion, gelding – C Forbes. Mare, foal, two or three-year-old – M Whyte and M Hector. One-year-old – K Cameron, Balnakyle, Munlochy.

Shetland ponies miniature (Judge: D Burnett, Arn Place, Udny). Champion – S Mitchell, Conon Bridge, with Tillyorn Violet, a seven-year-old mare by Swells Barron, out of South Keithnay Heather. She was champion here last year and was champion at the Black Isle and reserve at Sutherland, this year. Reserve – NS Wilson, Mingulay, Alford, with Mingulay Galaxy, an 11-year-old stallion by Whitehills Badger and out of Mingulay Buttercup. She won several championships last year. Stallion – NS Wilson. Mare, foal, mare or gelding – S Mitchell. Two or three-year-old – M Greaves, Kintore. One-year-old – C Matthew and L Jack, Alford.