A soon to be retired Borders farmer lifted the overall Aberdeen-Angus championship at yesterday’s Stirling Bull Sales.
David Lucas, who farms alongside his wife Christine at Cheeklaw Farm, near Duns, landed his best ever win at the pre-sale show in Stirling.
Mr Lucas, who plans to retire and disperse his herd of 40 cows in October, lifted the title with May-2015 born Cheeklaw Jake Eric.
By Cardona Proud Punch and out of Cheeklaw Haye Erica, he stood interbreed champion earlier in the day.
Standing reserve overall champion was the junior champion from John and Marion Tilson, and their daughter Wanda Hobbs, of Wedderlie, Gordon, Berwickshire.
The family, who run 200 cows, lifted the reserve title with home-bred September-2015 born Wedderlie Evenkeel. On his first outing, he is by Wedderlie Kenyon and out of Wedderlie Evenart.
Both the champion and reserve animals were produced and brought out by the Rettie family – Richard, Carol and son Jamie – of Aberdona Mains, Alloa.
Judge Liam Muir, of Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney, said: “There was not much between the champion and reserve, but the champion was just a wee bit wider. They are two bulls with a lot of potential in them.
“It was a lot of mixed classes but I was trying to go for meaty bulls that had good walking. The champion and reserve were both modern, clean bulls that are not overly done but mobile and smooth showing a bit of breed character about them.”
The senior championship title went to Alastair and Graeme Fraser, who run a herd of 60 cows at Newton of Idvies, Forfar.
March-2014 born Idvies Evolution is by the £32,500 Rawburn Rommel and out of Idvies Evara, which is by the 28,000gn Jeremy Eric of Bridgefoot.
The reserve senior champion rosettes went to an entry from the Trustees of the Late Gordon R Brooke of Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston.
Shown by farm manager Iain Campbell, March-2015 born Linton Gilbertines Prowler, by the 10,000gn Rawburn Black Hawk and out of Rawburn Phillipa.
Reserve in the intermediate section was April-2015 born Eastfield Jockey, by Abberton Proud Nixen and out of Eastfield Jessie, from Messrs T. H. Brewis of Lempitlaw Farm, Kelso.
Standing reserve in the junior section was July-2015 born Keirsbeath Phenomenal from Caroline Orr of Healbeath Farm, Dunfermline. An AI son of Duncanziemere Edwin, by Halbeath Pam.
Meanwhile, in the female section the champion rosettes were awarded to two-year-old Border Lyne Gentle Julia from the Story family at Hobbiesburn, Longtown, Cumbria. An AI daughter of Netherallan Peter Pershore and out of Border Lyne Jasmin, she is in-calf to August Netherton Federation.
Reserve in the female section was two-year-old Liley Eye Spy from Marsdens Farms Ltd of Liley Farm in Sheffield. By Lockerley Kougar, she is out of Belhaven Eye Catcher.