Dry weather with a slight breeze provided the ideal weather conditions for exhibitors, spectators and livestock for Caithness Agricultural Society’s County Show, staged this year at Thurso, where the top cattle champion was crowned supreme overall.
Producing a third overall champion of champions accolade for Iain and Andrew Morris’ small Charolais cattle herd from Olrig Mains, was the 18-month-old Olrig Minny — an ET heifer bred from Blelack Jenny and sired by Blelack Blackberry.
John Bremner, overall judge and retired auctioneer from Harpsdale, Halkirk, said: “There is just something very sweet about the Charolais heifer and she’s got a great body and length. She is an easy winner, but the reserve overall is also a great animal.”
That was the supreme sheep champion, a North Country Cheviot from Andrew Polson’s 150-ewe flock from Smerlie.
Champion crofter’s sheep and overall sheep champion at Latheron Show, his two-crop ewe is by Durran Rover and out of a Biggins-bred ewe bought at Quoybrae.
Overall sheep judge Archie Hamilton, auctioneer at Lawrie and Symington’s Lanark centre, awarded the reserve interbered prize to the Suffolk leader. This was a two-shear ram from Kenneth Sutherland and sons Stephen and Kenneth, of Stainland and Sibmister Farms. He was bought at Kelso ram sales last year from Skelfhill.
Back amongst the cattle, and the overall judges, Anne McPherson and George McFadzean, found their reserve supreme in the Shorthorn best, Todholes Daisy Kirsty a senior heifer, from John Campbell and Co, Todholes.
Overall horse champion was the Highland leader with the Clydesdale champion in reserve.
RESULTS
CATTLEAberdeen-Angus – Robert Coghill, of Meadowcroft, Dunn, with Dunn Proud Julius, a March 2017-born bull by Idvies Collar placed at the Black Beauty Bonanza. Reserve – R Coghill, Meadowcroft, with Dunn Proud Eugene, a similarly aged bull by Idvies Eugene; fourth at the Black Beauty Bonanza.
Shorthorn – John Campbell and Co, Todholes, Thurso, with Todholes Daisy Kirsty, by Lowther Godwin, champion here in 2017; second in the Scottish Herds competition. Sole entry.
Highland – Sheila Gillon, of Lower Toftingall, Watten, with Lulu of Aviedale, a two-year-old heifer by Angus 8, of Dunvegan. Reserve at Latheron.
Reserve – Sheila Gillon with Donald Rhuadh of Aviedale, a 15-month-old bull bred the same way as the champion.
Any other pure native – D, A and K Douglas, of Achnamoine Farm, Watten, with Croasdale Cherub, a 13-year-old Belted Galloway cow bought in 2016 privately from James Nailer, shown. Reserve – The Douglas family with last year’s champion, Achnamoine Oreo, by Saltway Rebel.
Charolais – Iain and Andrew Morris, of Olrig Mains, with Olrig Minny, an 18-month-old ET, by Blelack Blackberry; reserve senior female at the Stars of the Future. Sole entry.
Simmental – Jonathan Gunn, of Mavsey, Lybster, with Mavsey Dancer, a six-year-old cow by Popes Laird. Overall cattle champion here in 2016. Reserve –
Jonathan Gunn with the champion’s January-born heifer calf, Mavsey Jazz Dancer, by Jaergergaard Istanbull.
Commercial cattle – Gordie Begg, Vauldale, Nybster, with Double or Quits, a mid January-born black heifer calf by a Limousin cross British Blue bull bought privately from Ainstable Hall. Reserve overall at Latheron. Reserve – Ronnie Mackay, The Croft, East Markle, with a four-month-old Limousin cross Charolais home-bred heifer calf on her first outing. She is by Lodge Hamlet.
SHEEP
Border Leicester – A Miller and Sons, of Aimster, Thurso, with a home-bred two-shear ram by Ditton Hitman. Reserve – A Miller and Sons with a gimmer by Lammermuir Star.
Suffolk – Kenneth Sutherland and sons Stephen and Kenneth, of Sibmister and Stainland Farms, with a two-shear ram bought at Kelso from Skelfhill for £3.400 last year. Reserve – Angus Brims, of Thuster Mains, Wick, with a home-bred one-crop ewe by Essie Usain.
Half-bred – Iain Miller, of Buckies, Thurso, with an April-born ewe lamb by an Aimster ram bought at Quoybrae. Reserve – A Miller and Sons with a three-crop ewe by a home-bred sire.
Prime lambs – John Campbell and Co with a pen of two April-born Texel cross ewe lambs weighing 43kg. One was by a Cambwell sire with the other by a Knock ram. Reserve – Iain and Andrew Morris, of Olrig Mains, with a pair of two home-bred Suffolk cross lambs.
North Country Cheviot – Andrew Polson, of Smerlie, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Durran Rover. Champion at Latheron. Reserve – DN Campbell and Sons, of Bardnaclavan, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Cairnside Royal Mail.
North Country Cheviot groups – A Polson with the two-shear ram, Durran Rover, the breed champion and a gimmer by Durran Rover.
Cheviot hill sheep – Castle of Mey Trust of Longoe Farm, Mey, with an April-born ewe lamb by Heathmount Patrick. Reserve – WM Sutherland, of Brackside, Reay, with a home-bred two-shear ram by the £10,000 Brackside Special Blend Man.
Blackface – Sandra Sutherland, of Bennachie, Harpsdale, with a ewe lamb by a Chamberwells sire bought last year. Reserve –Sandra Sutherland with the mother of the champion, a Chamberwells-bred ewe.
Any other native sheep – Murdo MacDonald, of Ackron, Forsinard, with a South Country Cheviot ewe lamb by a Chatto tup bought at Lockerbie in 2014. Reserve – Murdo MacDonald with the dam of the champion.
Lleyn – John Campbell and Co with a previously unshown home-bred three-crop ewe by Fort Cassanova. Reserve – John Campbell and Co with an April-born ewe lamb by a Johnston ram bought at Carlisle.
Commercial sheep – William Barnetson and sons James and Wiliam, of Lynegar, with a three-crop Texel cross ewe with March-born Suffolk cross lambs.Reserve – Kenneth Sutherland and sons Stephen and Kenneth with a Cheviot Mule ewe with March-born Texel cross lambs.
Cross sheep – William Barnetson and sons James and William, with a home-bred three-quarter Texel gimmer. Reserve – Kenneth Sutherland and sons Stephen and Kenneth with a seven-eighths Texel four-crop ewe.
Texel sheep (MV) – Amy Gunn, The Shiean Hill of Forss, with a one-crop Milnbank-bred ewe bought at the Christmas Classic last year from Robbie Wilson. She is by Glenside Wildboy. Reserve – Amy Gunn with a tup lamb by Arkle Ying Yang bred from Lower Reiss-bred gimmer by Knock Vantastic.
Texel (Non-MV)– Jamie Coghill, of Burnside, Huna, with Lower Reiss Wildcard, a three-shear ram bought at Dingwall as a shearling ram from his breeder, Douglas Webster. He is by Garngour Nobleman and was champion at Canisbay. Reserve – Ewan Simpson, of Cairnside, Oldhall, with a previously unshown ewe lamb by a Maineview sire.
Any other continental – Donald Spence, of Hillside, Killmister, with the three-shear Beltex ram, Gregors Apollo, bought at Thainstone as a shearling. Reserve – Amy Gunn witha Beltex ram lamb.
NATIVE HORSES
Clydesdale – Michael and Jacqueline Munro, Gersa Croft, Newlands, of Geise, with the four-month-old filly foal, Gersa Lady Lauren by Arradoul Balvenie. Reserve – Michael and Jacqueline Munro with the dam of the chmpion – West Glen Apple Blossom, by Collessie Stepping Down.
Highland pony – Natalie MacDonald, of Bridge Street, Halkirk, with the seven-year-old grey gelding, Braehillor King Duncan, by Belivat Muldonach. Reserve – J Macleod, of 6 Upper Dounreay, Thurso, with Briar Rose of Park View, a four-year-old yeld mare.
Shetland pony – Evelyn and Susan Dunnet, of Lynfield, Lyth, with the five-year-old yeld mare, Anya of Auckhorn, by Eynhallow Majestic. Reserve – Evelyn and Susan Dunnet with Octavia of Auckhorn, a three-year-old filly by the same sire.