Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove failed to grab the bull by the horns yesterday when he snubbed the agricultural press at the Stirling Bull Sales.
Thousands of farmers descended on United Auctions’ Stirling Agricultural Centre to witness the pre-sale shows of Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorns.
Mr Gove presented the champion Aberdeen-Angus prize, but refused to speak to journalists.
Leading the charge in the Angus section was May 2016-born Idvies Ferrari from the Fraser family at Newton of Idvies, Forfar.
This previously unshown son of the 10,000gn Gretnahouse Prince Cool, out of Idvies Flora, was intermediate champion.
Standing reserve overall was the junior champion – June 2016-born Duncanziemere Mr Bennet from Alistair Clark and Sons at Avisyard Farm, Cumnock.
By Rawburn Chester Eric, which stood interbreed champion at the Highland in 2014, he is out of Duncanziemere Miss Belinda. He is from the same family as Duncanziemere Magic Boy which sold for £15,000 at two months old at last year’s Highland.
The senior champion prize went to Logie Explosive, by Rawburn Enoch, from AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon. Reserve was Belhaven Dundee, by Retties JFK, from Messrs J. Gilmour and Co. Ltd, Penston, Macmerry.
The reserve intermediate champion was Cardona Edwin, by Nightingale Dunbar, from Robert Galloway, Cardona, Doune. Reserve junior champion was Tonley Emmerson, by Tonley Anelka, from Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford.
The Watties also took female champion with Tonley Princess, by Blelack Evor. Reserve was Wolflaw Jill, by Glassel Bonnie Jacobite, from Messrs Murray, Wolflaw, Forfar.
In the Beef Shorthorn section the over-all champion title went to the intermediate champion – April 2016-born Willingham Kensington from sisters Lois and Alice Haigh, Ashgrove Farm, Market Rasen. An AI son of Willingham Haigh, which only survived to breed three calves, he is out of Glenisla Eva Broadhooks.
Reserve overall was the reserve intermediate champion – Cairnsmore Kestrel from Bill and Jane Landers, Bargaly Farm, Newton Stewart. He is by Chapelton Dauphin and out of Cairnsmore Dena Princess.
The senior champion was Willingham Katabatic, by Fearn Wyvis, from the Haigh sisters. Reserve was Chapelton Kaiser, by Chapelton Emperor, from Donald Biggar, Grange, Castle Douglas. Junior champion was Castlemount Kubota, by Elliot Matrix, from Duncan McDowell, Newtownards, Co. Down. Reserve was Coldrochie Kensington, by Fearn Godfather, from Douglas McMillan, Moneydie Roger, Luncarty, Perth.
The female champion was Millie Floss 18th of Skaillhouse, by Glenisla Faust, from Messrs. C. Macadie and Sons, Skaill, Thurso. Reserve was Lancaster Lix 23rd of Skaillhouse, also by Glenisla Faust, from Messrs Macadie.
