A Buchan farming family has taken the top prize in the annual North East Scotland Suffolk flock competition.
John Gibb, who runs the Cairnton flock at Techmuiry, Fraserburgh, is the champion in this year’s competition which was sponsored by Norvite.
Judge Mark Priestley, who runs the Limestone flock in Northern Ireland, hailed a successful contest and said he had been impressed with all the sheep on show.
After visiting each of the 11 flocks forward, Mr Priestley gave the nod to the Gibb family.
Together with wife Leah and their three children Elisa, 13, Sophia, 10, and Charlotte, 5, John Gibb runs a flock of 25 pedigree Suffolks and 150 commercial ewes.
The couple both work full-time away from the farm and management of the sheep is very much a family affair, with help also provided by Leah’s father, John Elphinstone.
Mr Gibb, who has been breeding Suffolks since 1999, said: “Leah and our girls help by feeding the sheep and assist at lambing time. Sophia is particularly keen and helps out on a daily basis. Sophia is my shepherdess whatever the weather and has a real interest in sheep. She is an amazing help to me and I couldn’t manage without her.”
He said Sophia had a gimmer named Lily which she took to the New Deer Show this year and went on to win the overall champion title in the young handlers section.
Mrs Gibb said: “John is devoted to his Suffolk flock and is a perfectionist – my family and I are really proud of his achievements and his dedication.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting lots of new people, nationwide, with John when he’s been judging in various places. This year we went to Belfast where he judged at Ballymena. His knowledge of blood lines is amazing, I don’t know how he remembers everything. It’s great that we all work as a team and get a lot of enjoyment from being part of the Suffolk breed.”
Mr Gibb said prior to winning the club competition, Cairnton flock achievements have included selling a ram lamb in Stirling in July this year for 16,000gn, winning the Scottish Suffolk champion ram lamb title in 2007 at Ingliston and selling it for 12,000gn, and winning the Thainstone champion title twice.
RESULTS:
Small flocks of under 15 ewes: 1 – Craig Paterson, Cranorskie; 2 – Nan Moir, Strathbeg; 3 – Robbie Innes, Crossburn.
Flocks of between 15 and 30 ewes: 1 – John Gibb, Cairnton; 2 – Sandy Norrie, Slackadale; 3 – Stewart Duncan, Pennan.
Flocks of between 31 and 60 ewes: 1 – Judith Lorimer, Cadgerford.
Best ewe lambs: 1 – Craig Paterson; 2 – Nan Moir; 3 – John Gibb.
Best ewes: 1 – John Gibb; 2 – Craig Paterson; 3 – Sandy Norrie.
Best stock (proven sire): 1 – Baileys Rock Solid from John Gibb and Jimmy Douglas; 2 – Ballynacannon Boss from Judith Lorimer; 3 – Newwells Iron Man from Judith Lorimer.
Best ram lamb: Cavanagrove from John Henderson’s Bullers flock and shared with Pyestone, Birness, Collessie and Cairness; 2 – Cadgerford Eye Catcher from Alison Dalgarno Cairnorrie and shared with Tillydesk; 3 – Castleisle Real Gold from Stewart Duncan’s Pennan flock and shared with Muirton.
Champion – John Gibb, Cairnton.
Reserve – Craig Paterson, Cranorski.