Exceptional line-ups of calves an yearlings were forward for the Stars of the Future Calf Show, at United Auctions' Stirling centre, last Saturday, with busy rings all day.

With two new breeds forward – Salers and commercials – there was a lot of judging to get through, but the judges of the 10 different sections kept it moving for what was a record number of entries.

Adrian Ivory, Moolies, Meigle, Perthshire, had the job of judging the Continental championships, where the Limousin and Salers led the way. His pick of the senior for the inter-breed title was Andrew and Jim Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk, and their 15-month-old Limousin bull, Westpit Orlando. Just behind was the Charolais bull, Falleninch Obby, from Andrew Hornall, Falleninch, Stirling.

The first time of having Salers classes proved worth while, when this breed's junior champion took the overall continental title, with the winner, the yearling bull, Bacardi Nevis, from Roy and Adam Crockett, Deanfoot, Denholm, Hawick.

Taking home the blue and white sash in the continental juniors was once again the Charolais, this time from AJR Farms, managed by Andrew and James Reid, Milton of Collieston, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, with the 10-month-old heifer, Newlogie Princesslaika.

The native inter-breeds saw championship judge, Dennis Gall, Westacres, Lockerbie, tap out the the Beef Shorthorn as senior champion. This was the 16-month-old bull, Eskechraggan Masterstroke, from Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan, Rothesay, Isle of Bute.

The Highland senior champion was reserve. This was the 20-month-old bull, Harry 2 of Gartocharn, from Jim and Catherine McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn.

Starring among the juniors was the 10-month-old Aberdeen-Angus heifer, Tonley Lady Heather, from Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire, which the judge placed just ahead of the reserve native junior champion, the Hereford heifer, Moralee 1 Katy-Perry, from Tom and Dy Harrison, The Old Potato House, Mickley, Stocksfield, Northumberland.

The winning native pairs went on to be the overall pairs winners, taking home the Joe Watson Memorial Trophy – which is in memory of well-known agricultural journalist, the late Joe Watson. This was for a pair of Aberdeen-Angus from Stephanie Dick, Westerton, Cowie, Stirling. Her 10-month-old bull, Stephick Ezra was paired with the similarly-aged heifer, Stephick Emilie, and they were the perfect couple in the eyes of Dennis Gall.

Adrian Ivory chose as his top continental pairing to Limousins from Ian and Andrew Nimmo, Bogside, Newmains, Wishaw. This was for their January born bull, Maraiscote Prince and their February born heifer, Maraiscote Paris.

The hotly contested young handlers section was won by 14-year-old Aimee Stronach, Berryleys, Grange, showing her seven-month-old heifer, Islavale Kenya. Coming in overall reserve was senior young handler, 18-year-old Heather Thom, Goosehill, Maybole, showing her commercial bullock calf, Oreo.