The mid-week excitement returned for Ochiltree Show, with a great turnout of youngsters expressing enthusiasm as well as strong dairy entries despite two years of no show.

The Scottish Farmer: Overall dairy and show champion was the Holstein from Neil Sloan Ref:RH270422068 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Overall dairy and show champion was the Holstein from Neil Sloan Ref:RH270422068 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

The prestigious champion of champions was awarded to the Holstein third calver, Wolfa Unix Deroute form George Templeton and Neil Sloan of Knowe Farm, Auchinleck, Ayrshire, who are running 220 Holstein and Ayrshire cows. The firm wiped the show clean having bagged the champion and reserve honours in the Holstein and Ayrshire sections.

The Scottish Farmer: champion in the the Ayrshire section was from George Templeton Ref:RH270422069 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...champion in the the Ayrshire section was from George Templeton Ref:RH270422069 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

The top honours produced her last calf in February and is giving 44kg, being VG88 classified herself. This girl is sired by Croteau Lesperron Unix, and out of the Ex91 classified dam, Wolfa Golddust Deroute.

The Scottish Farmer: final preps before the inter-breed championship at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422054 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...final preps before the inter-breed championship at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422054 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"We chose the Holstein cow as our champion today as she was a stand out phenomenal cow with more or less no faults. She was paraded with a phenomenal udder on great feet and legs," commented Holstein judge, Alexander Park, Brownhill Farm, Tarbolton.

The Scottish Farmer: Alexander Park and Jake Sayer discussing the two teams in the group of five section at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422065 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Alexander Park and Jake Sayer discussing the two teams in the group of five section at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422065 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

The Knowe team also had the Ayrshire champion which came in the form of the second calver, Knowe Beatrice 51, having last calved in January. This De La Plaine Prime daughter is out of Knowe Beatrice 29, and is now giving 41kg.

The Scottish Farmer: Jake Sayer casting his eye over the group of three in the dairy section at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422064 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Jake Sayer casting his eye over the group of three in the dairy section at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422064 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Taking the reserve inter-breed title was the beef champion, a Limousin cross heifer from Paul McHarg, Crofthead. This September 2020 born heifer, Ginger The Second is sired by Kinniside Mobydick, and was on her first outing.

The Scottish Farmer: Judge for the day at Ochiltree, Jake Sayer, Jim Brown, and Alexander Park Ref:RH270422053 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Judge for the day at Ochiltree, Jake Sayer, Jim Brown, and Alexander Park Ref:RH270422053 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Champion calf on the day was found in the Holstein, Santos, which was brought out by Jack Morton (13), Auchenbay, Ochiltree. This October born calf was on its first outing and is set for a few more local shows this season.

The Scottish Farmer: Judges Jim Brown, Jake Sayer and Alexander Park deliberating what animal to make overall show champion Ref:RH270422066 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Judges Jim Brown, Jake Sayer and Alexander Park deliberating what animal to make overall show champion Ref:RH270422066 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

LEADING awards

Ayrshire (Judge: Jake Sayer, Sandyford Cottage, Mokton). Champion – G and G Templeton, Knowe, Auchinleck, with Knowe Beatrice 51, a second calver by De La Plaine Prime. She is giving 41kg having last calved in January. Reserve – G and G Templeton, Knowe, with the heifer, Knowe White Lily 208, by R DG Aladdin-Red, she is currently giving 35kg. On her first outing she produced her first calf in March. Heifer in milk; Derby; Cow in calf having had two calves– G and G Templeton, Knowe. Pair of heifers – A and D Montgomerie, Lessnessock. Cow in milk having had three or more calves – J Watson, High Mark, Leswalt. In-calf cow; back end calving cow – W and J McHarg and Son, Crofthead.

The Scottish Farmer: Alexander Park judging the dairy calves at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422049 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Alexander Park judging the dairy calves at Ochiltree show Ref:RH270422049 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Holstein Friesian (Judge: Alexander Park, Brownhill, Tarbolton). Champion – G and G Templeton, Knowe, Auchinleck, with Wolfa Unix Deroute, a third calver by Croteau Lesperron Unix. Having last calved in February, she is giving 44kg, being VG88 classified herself. Reserve – G and G Templeton, Knowe, with the heifer, Berryholme Tatoo Maud. A Duckett Crush Tatoo daughter she produced her first calf in January and is now giving 33kg. Heifer in milk; Pair of heifers; Cow in milk having had two calves; Cow in milk having had three or more calves; Pair; Group of three; Group of five – G and G Templeton, Knowe. Derby; in-calf cow; HF bred by exhibitor – R Sloan, Darnlaw. Maiden heifer – Callum Watson, Keyshill.

The Scottish Farmer: The sun was shining at Ochiltree, as Judge Alexander Park takes his final walk down the line up before tapping out his dairy calve winner Ref:RH270422051 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...The sun was shining at Ochiltree, as Judge Alexander Park takes his final walk down the line up before tapping out his dairy calve winner Ref:RH270422051 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Beef cattle (Judge: Jim Brown, Gaindykehead, Airdrie). Champion – Paul McHarg, Crofthead, with a Limousin cross heifer. This September 2020 born girl, Ginger The Second, was on her first outing. Reserve – D Howat, Ochiltree a Beef Shorthorn cross Limousin steer on her first outing. He is set for the Ayrshire Young Farmers Calf Rally in May having been purchased by Kilbank, Carluke. Heifer – P McHarg. Steer; Pair – D Howat.

The Scottish Farmer: Beef champion was from Paul McHarg Ref:RH270422070 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Beef champion was from Paul McHarg Ref:RH270422070 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Calf classes – Heifer calf – Jack Morton, Auchenbay. Bull calf – Jamie Patrick.

Children's classes – Pet dog – 1, Jamie Morton, Auchenbay. Beef calf from dairy animal – 1, James Watson, High Tarbeg. Holstein heifer – Jack Morton, Auchenbay. Bull calf – Jamie Patrick.

Young handers – Juniors – 1, Emma McFarline, Pamerston; 2, Grace Walter, Darnlaw; 3, Katie Watson, Laigh Tarbeg. Seniors – 1, Max Wylie, High Mark; 2, Jack Morton, Auchenbay; 3, William McFarline, Pamerston.

@thescottishfarmer Fun in the sun at Ochiltree Show #ochitreeshow #thescottishfarmer ♬ original sound - The Scottish Farmer