Well-known Banff breeder Graham Morrison has been crowned top of the flocks in the North of Scotland Texel Club’s annual flock competition.
Mr Morrison, who runs the Deveronvale flock of pedigree Texels at Inchbruich Farm, near Cornhill, was crowned overall champion in the contest by judge Robert Cockburn who runs the Knap flock near Perth.
No stranger to success, Mr Morrison holds the current record for the highest-priced sheep in the world.
He set the record in 2009 when he sold Deveronvale Perfection for a massive bid of 220,000gn.
More recently, Mr Morrison has enjoyed success selling a tup lamb – Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds – from his 40-ewe flock for 50,000gn at Lanark in August last year.
He also achieved an average of £2,689 when he sold 13 females in December.
When asked what he looks for in a sheep, Mr Morrison, who started his Texel flock in 2000, said: “I’m looking for good skins, good bodies and good legs.”
As well as running his Texel flock, Mr Morrison runs a pallet business and he has recently established a pedigree herd of Limousin cattle.The full flock competition results were:
Ewe lambs (small flock) : 1 – W.J. and M. Hunter, Hunters flock, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond; 2 – Gavin Buchan, Pennan flock, Wyreena, Clinterty; 3 – Keith Ingram, Aultmore flock, 2 Balloch View, Grange.
Ewe lambs (medium flock): 1 – Brian Buchan jun, Clinterty flock, Wyreena, Clinterty; 2 – Graham Morrison, Deveronvale flock, Inchbruich Farm, Cornhill; 3 – Kenny Pratt, Hilltop flock, Oldtown Farm, Peterculter.
Ewe lambs (large flock): 1 – Robbie Wilson, Milnbank flock, North Dorlaithers, Turriff; 2 – R. and K. Davidson, Corsairtly flock, Corsairstly, Keith.
Champion pen of ewe lambs: Robbie Wilson, Milnbank flock.
Small flock: 1 – W.J. and M. Hunter; 2 – Keith Ingram; 3 – Gavin Buchan.
Medium flock: 1 – Graham Morrison; 2 – Brian Buchan jun; 3 – Kenny Pratt.
Large flock: 1 – Robbie Wilson; 2 – R. and K. Davidson; 3 – Matthew Seed, Auchry flock, Home Farm, Auchry.
Champion flock – Graham Morrison’s Deveronvale flock.
Champion stock ram: Robbie Wilson with Strathbogie Yes Sir; reserve – Matthew Seed with Canllesfaes You Are The One.
Show competition champion: Graham Morrison, Deveronvale flock.
Reserve champion show flock: Jemma Green, Corskie flock, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Best show attendance: W. and C. Cruden, Upper Kirkton flock, Upper Kirkton, Dyce, Aberdeen.