Perthshire Charolais breeder Major David Walter was celebrating at the weekend after his two-year-old heifer won the Royal Highland Show’s highest cattle award, the beef interbreed championship.
Having bred Charolais cattle at Balthayock on the outskirts of Perth for 50 years, it was Major Walter’s best-ever result at Ingliston.
Balthayock is one of the oldest Charolais herds in the country – the farm now carries 100 pedigree cows and 150 cross cows.
“It has been a lovely venture and I have a dedicated team. It was their skill and enthusiasm which won through today,” said Major Walter.
The star of the day was Balthayock Nessie, a daughter of Dingle Hofmeister and Balthayock Jessie, coming hot on the heels of her championship glory at Alyth the previous Saturday. In reserve interbreed place were Devon breeders, Mike and Melanie Alford, with their two-year-old heifer, Foxhillfarm Naomi by Trueman Jagger out of Foxhhillfarm Isla.
Meanwhile, a team of Limousins walked away with the interbreed award, led by Redpaths Nobleman, a two-year-old bull from Keith Redpath, Kelso. Other team members were Bannockburn breeders, McBeath and Jessop’s heifer, Springsett Nancy and two females from the Jenkinson Family at Penrith, Whinfellpark Nerissa amd Whinfell Jeansjiggle.
The Angus team was in reserve place and comprised of Donald Rankin’s heifer, Kilmaluag Lady Iris which is based at Methven; D&K Graham from Stirling with Carruthers Elspeth; Galcantray Bet Maid from David Walker, Nairn; and Cumnock-based Alistair Clark and Sons bull, Carruthers Grenadier.
The junior beef interbreed award went to Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Insch, for the two-year-old Charolais heifer, Harestone Natalie. Rothesay breeder, Tom McMillan took the reserve.
The Queen’s Cup, which rotates across all the livestock and equine sectors at the show, was won by Wynbrook Playfair, a seven-year-old Welsh Section C gelding from Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Produced by Sarah Parker and owned by Nicola Donaldson, the horse has competed at HOYS and Olympia.
Percy Tait from Worcester won the sheep pairs competition with British Rouge shearling rams. In reserve place were William Ramsay from Castle Douglas and Finlay Robertson from West Calder with Blackfaces.