Farmers from all corners of Scotland and beyond gathered at the Stirling Livestock Centre yesterday for the opening day of the Stirling Bull Sales.
Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Limousin breeders competed for coveted championship rosettes under the watchful eye of commercial farmers and fellow breeders watching around the packed ringside.
Leading the charge in the Aberdeen-Angus show was the intermediate champion from the trustees of the Late Gordon R. Brooke at Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston, Berwickshire.
March-2016 born Linton Gilbertines President caught the eye of judge Robert Clarke, of Shadwell Estate, Thetford.
An AI son of Netherallan Peter Pershore and out of Belhaven Pole Star, he won the interbreed beef breeder championship at the Highland Show, as well as the male championship title at the Great Yorkshire Show and the overall championship at the Border Union Show.
Standing overall reserve in the Angus section was the junior champion – April-2016 born McCornick Destroyer from Martin McCornick, at Boreland, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart.
By Halbeath Pentagon and out of McCornick Duchess, he was reserve Angus champion at the Border Union and breed champion at Dumfries.
In the Beef Shorthorn section, judge James Nelson, of Carnduff, Larne, placed September-2015 born Grovewood Jackson as champion.
Put forward by Chis Mallaber of Park Farm, Walton Road, Drakelow, he is by Glenisla Explorer and out of Tamhorn Fireworks.
Reserve overall in the Beef Shorthorn section was September-2015 born Chapelton Jacob, from Donald Biggar, Grange, Castle Douglas.
By Chapelton Jacob and out of Chapelton Gem, he was third at the Highland in June.
Lastly, in the Limousin section the top title went to the leader from the intermediate section – Ronick Moose, from Ronald Dick of Mains of Throsk Farm, Stirling.
This April-2016 born son of the 7,000gn Wilodge Granville, and out of Ronick Fallise, was on his first outing.
Limousin judge Chris Pennie, of Gwern Yr Ychain, Llandyssil, Montgomery, then placed the reserve overall rosettes on his junior champion.
This was May-2016 born Whinfellpark Madora, from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith.
On his first outing, this home-bred son of the 30,000gn Lowerfrydd Empire and out of Whinfellpark Genevieve.
Today all Aberdeen-Angus, Limousin and Shorthorn cattle will be sold along with Charolais females.
RESULTs
Aberdeen-Angus – Overall and intermediate champion – Trustees of the Late Gordon R. Brooke, Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston, with March-2016 born Linton Gilbertines President, by Netherallan Peter Pershore. Reserve overall and junior champion – Martin McCornick, Boreland, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, with April-2016 born McCornick Destroyer, by Halbeath Pentagon.
Senior champion – Andrew Hodge, Rulesmains Farm, Duns, with March-2016 born Rulesmains Glen Gordon, by Hallington Edition. Reserve – AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon, with February-2016 born Logie Director, by Idvies Eugene.
Reserve intermediate champion – AJR Farms with March-2016 born Logie Lawyer, by Rawburn Enoch. Reserve junior champion – Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with April-2016 born Tonley King Paco, by Tonley Essien.
Female champion – Neil Wattie with April-2016 born Tonley Fiona by Tonley Essien. Reserve – Neil Wattie with April-2016 born Tonley Kay Pride, by Tonley Essien.
Beef Shorthorn – Male champion – Chris Mallaber, Park Farm, Walton Road, Drakelow, South Derbyshire, with September-2015 born Grovewood Jackson, by Glenisla Explorer. Reserve – Donald Biggar, Grange, Castle Douglas, with September-2015 born Chapelton Jacob, by Chapelton Emperor.
Female champion – Mr and Mrs B. Landers, Bargaly Farm, Newton Stewart, with April-2016 born Cairnsmore Kirsten Averell, by Chapelton Dauphin. Reserve – Thomson Roddick and Laurie, Newlands, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie, with April-2016 born Shawhill Krystal, by Shawhill Freedom.
Limousin – Overall and intermediate champion – Ronald Dick, Mains of Throsk Farm, Stirling, with April-2016 born Ronick Moose, by Wilodge Granville. Reserve overall and junior champion – Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith, with May-2016 born Whinfellpark Madora, by Lowerffrydd Empire.
Senior champion – Ronald Dick with February-2016 born Ronick Merchant, by Rathconville Eugene. Reserve – Stephen Irvine, Braehead Farm, Drummuir, Keith, with February-2016 born Anside Maximus, by Powerful Irish.
Reserve intermediate champion – Ronald Dick with March-2016 born Ronick Mason, by Wilodge Granville. Reserve junior champion – Messrs Jenkinson with April-2016 born Whinfellpark Midas, by Foxhillfarm Jasper.
Female champion – Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, withGoldies Meg, by Goldies Fortress. Reserve – Bruce Goldie with Goldies Marge, by same sire.