There was little doubting 2015 will be remembered as the year of the Limousin at the Haugh – with the supreme quality of the breed’s national show Grand Prix leaving an indelible mark on the Turriff Show’s overall prize list.
Romping her way through the card to take first the female and then overall Limousin breed championships, scaling the beef cattle interbreed, and finally lifting the champion of champions award as the best animal in the show was Poolehall Iris, owned and shown by Dougie McBeath and Sara Jane Jessop, of Lower Greenyards Farm, Bannockburn, Stirling.
Iris was the top pick and an “easy winner” for Limmy judge James Hazard, who himself has 110 Limousins at home at Saltby Heath, Grantham, and who similarly judged the breed’s Grand Prix last year at the Three Counties.
“She just oozes quality,” said Mr Hazard, who said the overall standard was very pleasing, but conceded the female entry was certainly stronger than those in the male arena.
“She has style, length, width and squareness, a great top line, full of flesh – and she’s also a good mover,” he said.
Mr McBeath purchased the two-year-old daughter of Haltcliffe Ben and Wilodge Flawless at the Red Ladies sale at Carlisle in December.
She has since rewarded him with a reserve championship at Perth and Gargunnock shows, was first at the Great Yorkshire, second and reserve Futures champion at the Royal Welsh and also scooped a placing at the Royal Highland.
Meanwhile, the supreme reserve champion of champions went to the Holstein dairy champion – a five-year-old Holstein cow from Stuart G Mair and Sons of Kinnermit, Turriff.
Deveronside Drake Grateful is by Far-O-La Debbie-Jo Drake and home-bred out of Deveronside Mascot Grateful.
She is currently giving 52 litres per day.
Judged by a points system, with all of the breed judges involved, the reserve interbreed cattle was won by Her Majesty the Queen’s popular leading Highland Cattle champion Connachat 90th of Balmoral, brought out and shown by stockman Fergie Ormiston.
This two-year-old heifer, by Cliadamh Mor of Balmoral, had played an integral role in the Highland breed’s first ever interbreed group win at the Royal Highland this year, where she also stood reserve female champion.
She then lead the Highland breed at Banchory Show more recently.
Interbreed judge and commercial producer Sandy Brown, of Millbeack, Reidhall Farm, Edzell, was also full of praise for the quality of the Limousin cattle across each of the overall competitions.
His first task involved selecting the overall junior bull interbreed – an accolade which he sent home with Stephen Irvine and Sons, of Braehead Farm, Drummuir, for their junior and male Limmy breed champion Gunnerfleet Joplin.
“He was a great example of the breed,” commented Mr Brown. “He was full of character, well put together and he showed himself well.”
This 18-month-old bull is one of the first sons on the ground by Mavaiscote Graffiti.
Later pulling forward a trio from Ronald Dick, of Mains of Throsk, as his interbreed group champions, Mr Brown said the “well balanced” animals were again “easy winners”.
Brought out by Stephanie Dick, Dennis Gall and James Graham, the winning group comprised yearling bull Ronick Jimmy; 22-month-old heifer Ronick Iola; and 15-month-old Ronick Jingo.
Leading the charge, Jingo had previously stood interbreed champion at Doune and Dunblane and Stirling shows and reserve interbreed just a few days previously at Perth.
A new addition to the schedule for 2015 was the inclusion of an interbreed pairs competition – coupling the male and female champions of each of the 10 beef breeds.
Again, this went to the leaders from the Limousin ring – show supreme Poolehall Iris coupled with Gunnerfleet Joplin.
“This pairing was outstanding,” said Mr Brown. “There was no denying their quality.”
Drawing the male and female champions from the cross-bred beef ring forward as reserve, Mr Brown also applauded Andrew Anderson’s cattle from Smallburn Farms, Duffus, for standing their own as home-bred animals amongst a “very strong” line-up of champions.
In the sheep lines, the interbreed champion rosettes went to the Charollais champion from the Ingram family at Logie Durno Farm, Pitcaple, near Inverurie.
Taking the top title for the second year in a row, the Igrams – William, Carole and their children Gregor, Bruce and Amy – triumphed with their two-year-old home-bred ewe called Loanhead My Fair Lady.
This one is a daughter of Loanhead Midas Touch and out of Dalby Hyacinth. She was champion at the Highland in 2013 and part of the interbreed pairs champion duo at the Highland and Royal Welsh that year.
Interbreed judge Hugh Blackwood of Auldhouseburn Farm, Muirkirk, Ayrshire, said she was an easy winner.
“The overall character of the sheep was excellent. I couldn’t find a serious fault in her,” he said.
His reserve interbreed rosette went to the Blackface champion from Stuart Barclay of South Road, Insch.
He took the title with a home-bred gimmer by a £14,000 Elmscleugh. This follows taking the breed champion title at Banchory.
Results
LIMOUSIN GRAND PRIX
Overall: Dougie McBeath and Sara Jane Jessop, of Lower Greenyards Farm, Old Station Road, Bannockburn, Stirling, with Poolehall Iris, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Haltcliffe Ben and out of Wilodge Flawless, which was bought at the Red Ladies sale at Carlisle in December and which has stood reserve champion at Perth and Gargunnock shows, first at the Great Yorkshire, second and reserve Futures champion at the Royal Welsh and placed at the Royal Highland.
Reserve: Stephen Irvine and Sons, of Braehead Farm, Drummuir, Keith, with Gunnerfleet Joplin, an 18-month-old bullock, which is one of the first sons of Mavaiscote Graffiti and which was bred by Ian Hanley, of Gunnerfleet, out of Gunnerfleet Fortuas. Bought at Carlisle in May, this was his first show outing, but he will be the Irvine’s new junior stock bull.
Male champion: Stephen Irvine and Sons, with the reserve overall champion Gunnerfleet Joplin. Reserve male: Stuart Fotheringham of Ballinloan Farm, Dunkeld, Perthshire, with Ballinloan Jaegarbomb, a 14-month-old bullock, sired by Ampertaine Foreman out of a Neuf-sired cow, which was first in the junior bull class at the Royal Highland and male champion at Perth. Destined for Carlisle.
Female champion: Dougie McBeath and Sara Jane Jessop, with the overall champion Poolehall Iris. Reserve female: Aileen Ritchie, of Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, Aberdeen, with Emslies I Eryl, a three-year-old heifer, sired by Procters Cavalier and out of Emslies Eryl, which was on its first show outing of 2015, but which last year was the Scottish Female Champion of the Year, having stood champion at Echt, New Deer, Turriff and Tarland shows, reserve junior at the Royal Highland and interbreed champion at both Angus and Banchory.
SHORTHORN
Cathryn Williamson, of Alvie Farm, Alvie, Kincraig, with Alvie Lovely Gael, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Glenisla Zin Zan and out of Croxston Park Oregano, which stood champion at the Royal Highland and was female champion at Perth. As a yearling, she also came first at the Great Yorkshire. Reserve: Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, with Lowthers Sally, a six-year-old cow, sired by Blelack Minstrel and out of Lowthers Sally 01, which was on her first show outing of 2015, but which previously stood champion at Turriff in 2013. Shown with an April-born heifer calf at foot.
ABERDEEN ANGUS
Tom Rennie, of Mosstonmuir Farm, Forfar, Angus, with Mosstonmuir Mr Angus, a four-year-old bull, sired by Hoff 1st Edition and home-bred out of Coldstream Miss Annie, which was on his last show outing as the Mosstonmuir cattle will be dispersed at Stirling in October. This bull, which lifted six championships during 2014, has this year stood champion at the Great Yorkshire, Alyth, Angus and Stirling shows and was male champion at Perth. Reserve: R and V Marshall, of Strath Urr, Glenrinnes, Dufftown, with Belhaven Zephyr, a four-year-old cow, sired by Muirhall Double Edition and out of Belhaven Zara Lisa. Shown with her February-born bull calf at foot, she was champion at the Great Yorkshire this year and in 2014 was second at the Royal Highland.
BRITISH CHAROLAIS
John Irvine and Sons, of Inverlochy, Tomintoul, with Inverlochy Ingris, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Maerdy Eryr and home-bred out of Inverlochy Babe, which was reserve champion at Nairn and was placed third at the Royal Highland. Reserve: R Leggat, of Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh, with Bonnykelly Jennifer, a 19-month-old heifer, sired by Kersknowe Clansman and home-bred out of the former Turriff reserve champion Thrunton Ella, which was champion at New Deer.
SIMMENTAL
W.J. and J. Green, of Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, with Bel Dhu Capercaillie, a four-year-old bull, sired by Hockenhull Waterloo and bred by Anne Macpherson out of Blackford Wagtail, which was bought at Stirling when he stood overall champion in 2013. This season, he has stood interbreed supreme at Echt, reserve interbreed at Nairn, champion at New Deer and reserve male champion at the Royal Highland. Reserve: W.J. and J. Green, with Corskie Emerald, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Diranean Bradley and home-bred out of Corksie Jools 2, which was placed second in her class to the overall champion at the Royal Highland, reserve champion at Echt, New Deer and Nairn shows and continental champion at Sutherland. Last year, she also stood reserve junior female champion at the Highland.
BRITISH BLONDE
Alison Watt, of Birkenburn, Keith, with Strathisla Imogen, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Freefield Gopal and home-bred out of Strathisla Becky, which has only been lightly shown this year, but was placed at the Royal Highland. Last year, she stood unbeaten in her classes. Reserve: Alison Watt, with Strathisla Jodie, sired by Hadley Esquire and home-bred out of the renowned show cow Strathisla Venus. This year, Jodie was third at the Royal Highland and champion at Banchory.
HIGHLAND
H M The Queen, of Balmoral Estate, Ballater, with Connachat 90th of Balmoral, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Cliadamh Mor of Balmoral and out of Connachat 73rd of Balmoral, which was champion at Banchory and at the East of Scotland Highland Cattle Club Show. She was also reserve female champion at the Royal Highland, where she was a part of the winning interbreed group of three. Shown by stockman Fergie Ormiston. Reserve: Veronica Thomson, of Clarkraich Cottage, Maud, with Heather 8th of Tordarroch, a five-year-old cow, sired by Craig of Tordarroch and out of Heather 11th of Innisard, which was bought last year at the February sale at Oban, when she had a heifer calf at foot. She progressed to stand first at Banchory, Echt and New Deer and second at Turriff throughout 2014 and this year has been first at Echt and second at both the New Deer and North of Scotland Highland Cattle Club shows.
BRITISH BLUE
Garry Patterson, of Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with Aultmore J-Lo, an 11-month-old heifer, sired by Aultmore Gangster and home-bred out of the former Banchory champion College Valley Gemma, which was placed second at Echt on her only other show outing. Reserve: J.S. Youngson, of Westerton, Cullerlie, Echt, Westhill, with Westerton Laura, a six-month-old heifer calf, sired by Tamhorn Sumo and out of Drumlome Fancy Pants.
ANY OTHER BREED
Auchmacoy Estate, of Auchmacoy, Ellon, with Auchmacoy Usama, a six-month-old Lincoln Red bull calf, sired by the 2011 and 2012 overall Lincoln champion Auchmacoy Lancelot and home-bred out of Auchmacoy Bianca, which was on his first show outing. Reserve: Auchmahoy Estate, with Auchmacoy Bianca, a two-year-old heifer, sired by the 2013 Banchory Show any other breed champion Auchmacoy Langworth and home-bred out of Auchmacoy Bianca. Placed at Lincoln.
CROSS-BRED BEEF
Smallburn Farms, of Plewlands, Duffus, with Liz, an 11-month-old heifer, sired by a home-bred Charolais and out of a Limousin cross British Blue cow, which was reserve champion at Sutherland and which will be destined for the Thainstone Spectacular. Reserve: Donald Morrison, of Cairn Nulla, Burnsidem Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, with an un-named 12-month-old British Blue cross heifer, bred out of a Limousin cow, which was bought at the Spring Show at Carlisle and which was crofters champion at Sutherland.
HOLSTEIN
Stuart G. Mair and Sons, of Kinnermit, Turriff, with Deveronside Drake Grateful, a five-year-old cow, sired by Far-O-La Debbie-Jo Drake and home-bred out of Deveronside Mascot Grateful, which was on her first outing of 2015 and which is currently in her third lactation, giving 52 litres per day. This cow also previously stood first at Turriff in 2013 and 2014. Reserve: Stuart G Mair and Sons, with Deveronside Breet Ada, a two-year-old heifer, sired by Schilldale Shottle Brett and home-bred out of Deveronside Dancer Ada, which is currently in her second lactation giving 48 litres per day. She was first at Turriff in 2013.
DAIRY CALF
Jean C. Baird, of Mains of Clush, New Deer, with Whattonvale Periwinkle 98, a nine-month-old Holstein heifer calf, sired by REW Seaver and home-bred out of Whattonvale Periwinkle 79, which was on her first outing. Shown by Jane Wilson. Reserve: G and A Taylor, of Upper Braiklay, Methlick, Ellon, with Oldmill Janette 9, an 11-month-old Ayshire heifer calf, sired by Haresfoot Simply Perfek and home-bred out of Oldmill Janette 6. Shown by Scott Taylor.
CLYDESDALES
Ian G Young, of Wellheads, Clochan, by Buckie, with Arradoul Caol Ila, a two-year-old filly, sired by Collessie Stepping Stone and home-bred out of the reserve New Deer champion and first placed Royal Highland broodmare Arradoul Symphony. On her first outing of 2015, this filly last year won the CHS Shield at New Deer and was placed at Echt, Turriff and Keith. Shown by George Young. Reserve: Norman Christie, Woodside Croft, Kinellar, Inverurie, with Anguston Amber, a six-year-old mare, sired by Old Greenlaw Lochy and home-bred out of Anguston Amy. This mare was champion at New Deer and Banchory and reserve at Echt. She also stood champion at Turriff last year.
ZWARTBLES SCOTTISH NATIONAL SHOW
Samantha Stewart, Buttery Brae, Drummuir, Keith, with home-bred shearling tup Janetstown Balvenie. This Aquila Action Man son is out of a home-bred ewe. He will be sold at Carlisle on Friday.Reserve – David A Moir and William J Moir, Home Farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh, with gimmer Cairness Barbie Girl. Her mother was bought in-lamb with her in Carlisle in 2013 and she is by Eldenhill I’m Your Man.
SUFFOLK
Jim Innes and Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, with a home-bred gimmer by Ballcanon Commander and out of a ewe which was bought from the Mairs and is a full sister to the champion tup that sold for 20,000gn in Stirling last year. Reserve – Stuart G Mair and Sons, Kinnermit, Turriff, with a home-bred one-crop ewe which is by Rhaeadr Roger Ramjet. Her grand-dam has won at the Highland twice and she won herself at this year’s Highland fixture.
BLUEFACED LEICESTER
Matthew Seed and Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff, with a home-bred one-crop ewe by Cassington D1 and out of a home-bred ewe by Llywgy X1. Reserve – Matthew Seed and Son, with a home-bred ewe lamb, which is also by Cassington D1.
TEXEL
W.J. Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff, with a two-crop ewe by Strathbogie Smokey Blue and out of Kelso President. It was champion at New Deer. Reserve – Jim Innes and Sons, with a gimmer by Strathbogie Untouchable and out of a Clinterty Harr 1 daughter.
CHAROLLAIS
W & C Ingram, Logie Durno Farm, Pitcaple, Inverurie, with home-bred two-crop ewe Loanhead My Fair Lady. She is by Loanhead Midas Touch and out of Dalby Hyacinth. She was champion at last year’s Highland and part of the interbreed pairs outfit at last year’s Highland and Royal Welsh. Reserve – W & C Ingram with a home-bred ewe lamb by Logie Durno Officer and out of a home-bred ewe. She was first at the Highland and third at the Royal Welsh this year.
BELTEX
Colin G Mair and Partners, Muirfield, Everton of Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff, with a home-bred ewe lamb, got by embryo transfer. She is by the 6,000gn tup Corstane Whistler and her grand-dam was supreme show champion at Turriff five years ago. She was champion at New Deer last month. Reserve – Stuart Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, Westhill, with home-bred tup lamb Woodies Aero. This Diablo son is out of Woodies Smokey Blue and is set to be sold at the premier sale in Carlisle next week.
ANY OTHER BREED (ACCREDITED)
Stasa Moyse, Woolhillock, Skene, Westhill, with a home-bred Belgian Texel tup lamb by a Bellyblues tup and out of an imported Belgian ewe. Reserve – Patricia Imlah, 2 Wood Cottages, Kingseat, Newmachar, with home-bred one-crop ewe Rouge ewe Bennachie Nordica, by Broadwood Jason and out of a home-bred ewe. She was female champion and reserve champion at New Deer.
ANY OTHER BREED (NON-ACCREDITED)
Steve Arkley and Deborah Jones of Muirside Lodge, Brodie, Forres, Moray, with an aged Ryeland tup called Langriggs Talisker which was bred by Eddie Henderson at Milnathort. The couple have recently started with Ryelands and this was their first trip to Turriff. Reserve – Allan Grant of Invergellie House, Kilrenny, Fife, with a two-crop Cheviot ewe by a Reaster sire and out of a Smiddyquoy ewe. She was purchased at the special breeds sale in Dingwall in 2013 for 460gn. That year she stood reserve female champion at the Royal Welsh Show.
BLACKFACE
Stuart Barclay, South Road, Insch, with a home-bred gimmer by a £14,000 Elmscleugh tup. She stood champion at Banchory the week before. Reserve – Andrew Walker of Cramie, Glen Prosen, Kirriemuir, with a Dalwyne-bred two-crop ewe which was bough as a lamb in February at Lanark. She is by a £32,000 Crossflatt tup and out of the same ewe as Buffalo.
John Graham and Lois Thompson of Upper Third Croft, Rothienorman, Inverurie, with a home-bred one-crop Black Welsh Mountain ewe by Linton Lammermuir. She was first in her class at Turriff last year. Reserve – Claire Bailey of Cistern Croft, Brucklay, Maud, Peterhead, with a Grey Katmogel Shetland shearling up called Gibson. He is homebred and sired by Ewingston Silver Birch and out of Fieldview Eliza. He won his class as a ram lamb at Turriff last year.
CROSS
W & J Brown of Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, Turriff, with a pen of Texel cross Cheviot Mule gimmers, which were sired by a home-bred Texel. They were champion at New Deer and reserve interbreed. Reserve – W & J Brown, with a Beltex cross Suffolk ewe with a pair of Texel cross lambs at foot. The lambs are by a home-bred Texel sire.