Mauchline Young Farmers reigned supreme at the Ayrshire Association of Young Farmers Club’s County Rally, held at Craig Wilson’s Ayr Market, bagging a total of 566 points, accumulated over various competitions.
The second and third tickets were awarded to Crossroads YFC with a total of 556 points, while Ayr YFC gathered 414 points respectively.
The small clubs award was presented to Beith YFC – their first win of the title since 1967 – followed by New Cumnock in second place.
The calf competition was the main event of the day with no fewer than 84 entries.
In the hook competition, judge, David Cunningham, Walkerdyke, Strathaven, tapped out his red, white and blue-ribbon winner as the 620kg Limousin bullock from James Stalker, seven Cardhu Gardens, Kilmaurs YFC. This 15-month-old was purchased from Shona Stevenson, Sunnyside, Cumnock and is sired to Kinniside Mobydick.
The hook reserve was then awarded to a 13-month-old British Blue cross weighing in at 605kg.
This home-bred bullock from David Smith, Deaconhill, of Crossroads YFC, is named Mighty Mouse. Sired by Bringlee Volkerwagon and out of a Limousin called Deaconhill Raquel.
“Both the champion and reserve stood out from the word go, they are my type of cattle. They are very well suited for the butcher’s market. All the young farmers and cattle involved could easily be shown at national level,” said Mr Cunningham.
Taking control in the hoof section was the judge, Gordon Fraser, Little Croy, Inverness, who tapped out his reserve in the Charolais bullock, Marmaduke, from Ross Montgomerie, Assloss, from Kilmaurs YFC. This 15-month-old crossed the weigh bridge at 635kg. He is a son of Fury Leader and out of a Carbello Limousin cow.
Winning the blue and white ribbons was the Charolais heifer, Ginger Spice from Mauchline YFC duo, Daniel Hodge and Katie Ritchie, Dykes. Their 13-month-old home-bred entry weighed in at 585kg and is sired by Hodges Runrig.
The award for the best shown animal, judged by Andrew Ewing, Drumbretton, was presented to David Smith, Deaconhill of Crossroads YFC. Second place was awarded to James Stalker, Kilmaurs YFC.
Taking the top honours in the sheep lines, was a pair of pure home-bred Blue Texel ewe lambs from Daniel Hodge and Katie Ritchie of Mauchline YFC.
Judge Kirsty Morton, Lochend, Stirling, commented: “The champion hoggs handled really well and were stylish and breedy looking.”
Reserve went to Scott Anderson, Oldwalls, of Crossroads YFC, with a pair of Beltex gimmers, bought privately last year from Alasdair Campbell, Stranraer.
Leading Awards
Calves
Hoof – Champion – Ross Montgomerie, Kilmaurs YFC. Reserve – Daniel Hodge and Katie Ritchie, Mauchline YFC.
Hook – Champion – James Stalker, Kilmaurs YFC. Reserve – David Smith, Crossroads YFC.
Best shown animal – Champion – David Smith, Crossroads YFC. Reserve – James Stalker, Kilmaurs YFC.
Champion sheep – Daniel Hodge and Katie Ritchie, Mauchline YFC.
BFDH carcase – Craig Baird, Crossroads YFC.
BDDH hoof – Craig Baird, Crossroads YFC.
Any other breed – Craig Baird, Crossroads YFC.
Limousin – Heather and Nicola Thom, Ayr YFC.
Overall calf hook – James Stalker, Kilmaurs YFC.
Best novice performer in beef section – Sienna Nisbet, Mauchline YFC.
Overall calf hoof – Ross Montgomerie, Kilmaurs YFC.
Calf competition – Jack Cuthbertson, Crossroads YFC.
Highest placed calf fed Carrs feeding on the hoof – David Smith, Crossroads YFC.
Stock demonstration – Crossroads YFC.
Stoddarts live winner – Scott Anderson, Crossroads YFC.
Stoddarts dead winner – Craig Hodge, Crossroads YFC.
Dairy calf – David Howat, Mauchline YFC.
Showmanship dairy calf – John Caldwell, Mauchline YFC.
Industrial section
Handicrafts (100 years of Disney theme) – 1, Kilmaurs YFC. 2, Mauchline YFC. 3, Ayr YFC.
Baking – Mauchline YFC.
Rally Queen – Heather Thom, Ayr YFC.
Hockey – Mauchline YFC.
Netball – Kilmaurs YFC.
Industrial section – Mauchline YFC.
Overall sports – Mauchline YFC.
Valuation and mock auction – Beith YFC.
Questionnaire – Crossroads YFC.
Member accumulating most points – David Smith, Crossroads YFC.
Points per member – 1, Crossroads YFC 18.2 points. 2, Mauchline YFC 16.9 points. 3, Ayr YFC 11.2 points.
Small clubs – 1, Beith YFC 174 points. 2, New Cumnock YFC 151 points.
Rally winners – 1, Mauchline YFC 566 points. 2, Crossroads YFC 556 points. 3, Ayr YFC 414 points.
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