As usual Wednesday’s Ochiltree Show, the largest confined show in the country, did not disappoint with an outstanding turnout of dairy animals and bustling showfield of enthusiasts and local school children.

The champion of champions honours went to the Ayrshire winner from George Templeton of the Knowe, Auchinleck. Knowe Barby 2, is a second calver by Dilandy Fabio. She gave 12,853kg as a heifer and having calved in March, is currently giving 55kg daily.

It was James Nisbet’s beef champion from Orchardton, Mauchline, which stood reserve. This was Made You Look, an 11-month-old Limousin cross bullock by Goldies Oswald. It was bred in Wales by Dai Brook and bought at Brecon calf sale.

Taking the Holstein Friesian championship were Adam and David Montgomerie of Lesnessock, Ochiltree. Their three-year-old heifer, Stairend Select Larette is by Boclair Select and having calved in March is producing 45kg daily.

The Montgomeries had more to celebrate as they took the reserve Ayrshire title with Brocklehill Detour Agnes, a fifth calver by Stonedown Detour which is giving 45kg daily.

LEADINGawards:

Ayrshire (Judge: R Gray, Langside, Kirkfieldbank). Champion – G and G Templeton, Knowe, Auchinleck, with Knowe Barby 2, a second calver by Dilandy Fabio. She gave 12,853kg as a heifer and having calved in March, is currently giving 55kg. She was on her first show outing. Reserve – A and D Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree, with Brocklehill Detour Agnes, a fifth calver by Stonedown Detour which was bought as an in-calf heifer. She calved in February and is giving 45kg daily. Heifer in milk, derby, pair, cow in milk, group of five any breed – G and G Templeton, Knowe, Auchinleck. Back calving cow – J Watson, High Mark, Leswalt. Veteran – A and D Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree.

Holstein Friesian (Judge: A Robertson, Coopon Carse, Palnure). Champion – A and D Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree, with Stairend Select Larette. This Boclair Select-sired three-year-old calved in March and is producing 45kg. Reserve – B and R Sloan, Darnlaw, Auchinleck, with Townlaw Caviar Duchess, a heifer on her first outing by Gillette Caviar which calved in September and is still giving 42kg. Heifer in milk, derby, cow in milk, pair, group of three any breed, best animal outwith first prizewinners – B and R Sloan, Darnlaw, Auchinleck. Pair, veteran, maiden heifer – D Morton, Auchenbay, Ochiltree. Cow in milk – A and D Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree.

Beef cattle (Judge: B Clark, Avisyard, Cumnock). Champion – J Nisbet, Orchardton, Sorn, with the 11-month-old Limousin cross bullock, Made You Look. By Goldies Oswald, it was bred in Wales by Dai Brook and bought at Brecon calf sales in partnership with Blair Duffton. It was on its first outing and is destined for Ayr and the Highland in the coming months. Reserve – P McHarg, Crofthead Ochiltree, with an unnamed 21-month-old Limousin cross heifer, by Emslies Galileo, out of a British Blue Cross dam. Bred by Duncan Semple, Dippen, she was bought in Stirling last year. Bullock – J Nisbet. Heifer – P McHarg.

Calf classes (Judges: L Harvey, Carnah, Ochiltree, and L Montgomerie, Beechknowe, Ochiltree) Beef calf from dairy animal – Jamie Patrick, Spring Garden, Maybole. Back-end Ayrshire calf and best calf in show – Max Bryson, Knowe, Auchinleck. Back-end Holstein Friesian calf – Abbie Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree. Young handler – Brodie Montgomerie, Lessnessock, Ochiltree