The summer show season kicked off amid glorious sunshine at Kilmaurs on Saturday, and the showfield was packed with quality livestock and smiling exhibitors and spectators.

The dairy championship went to Craig Cochrane’s Holstein Friesian winner from his 155 milking herd at Nether Craig, Kilmarnock. Maverick Alf Licorice is a home-bred second calver by Knowlesmere Alf. Giving 57kg daily, she is destined for Ayr Show in the coming weeks.

Standing reserve in the dairy section was Kilmaurs MVP Welcome from Hugh Montgomerie, Newlands, Kilmaurs. This VG86 classified heifer calved in August and is projected to give 8746kg. By MVP, she was reserve heifer last back end at the West of Scotland Holstein Club show.

Leading the commercial cattle was Suzie Dunn of Willowbank, Throsk, with Haggis Bomb. This December 2017-born Limousin cross bullock is by Craigatoke Jamieson and was bred by Balfour Baillie before being bought in Thainstone by Suzie. It lifted a red ticket at the Expo and is destined for the Royal Highland.

Andy Ireland lifted the reserve honours in this section with Shotgun, a similarly-aged Limousin cross bullock by Powerhouse Harlequin and out of Headlind Hiespy, a pure British Blue dam. Bred by the Robertsons of Newton of Logierait it had also enjoyed a successful winter show season.

The Clydesdale section saw victory for Auchengree Bethany from Matthew Burks and Jacqueline Pettigrew, East Bank, Lenzie. This home-bred two-year-old is by Dillars Top Gun and out of Glebeview Emma. This well shown filly lifted numerous show championships last year as a yearling and stood senior champion at Forfar Foal Show in November.

John Graham of Mains of Burnbank, Stirling, took the reserve championship with his three-year-old mare, Doura Joules, a Doura Jackpot daughter.

LEADING awards:

Holstein Friesian (Judge: A Logan, Kilbirnie) Champion – C Cochrane, Nether Craig, Kilmarnock, with Maverick Alf Licorice a home-bred second calver by Knowlesmere Alf. Giving 57kg, she is destined for Ayr Show in the coming weeks. Reserve – M and J Montgomerie, Newlands, Kilmaurs, with Kilmaurs MVP Welcome. This VG86 classified heifer calved in August and is projected to give 8746kg. By MVP, she was reserve heifer last back end at the West of Scotland Holstein Club show. Two or three-year-old in milk, pair, group of three, senior calf – M and J Montgomerie, Newlands. Cow in milk, best bred, milk records – C Cochrane, Nether Craig. Best Friesian calf, overall calf – T Smith, Bottoms.

Ayrshire (Judge: A Logan) Champion – J Cuthbertson, Monklands Farm, Kilmarnock, with a four-month-old unnamed heifer calf. On her first outing, this home-bred calf is by Appleman Red. Best Ayrshire calf – J Cuthbertson.

Commercial cattle (Judge: S Dunlop, Ochiltree) Champion – S Dunn, with with Haggis Bomb, a December 2017-born Limousin cross bullock by Craigatoke Jamieson. Bred by Balfour Baillie it was bought in Thainstone. Reserve – A Ireland, with Shotgun, a Limousin cross bullock by Powerhouse Harlequin and out of Headlind Hiespy, a pure British Blue dam.

Bullock – S Dunn, Willowbank, Stirling. Heifer – D Blair, Ayrshire.