Aberdeen-Angus breeders from the north-east reigned supreme on the opening day of the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
The junior, intermediate, senior and female champion titles went to beasts from Aberdeenshire and Orkney, with the overall male champion title awarded to an April-2014 born bull from Neil Wattie at Mains of Tonley, Alford.
Judge John Lohoar, of Glenbervie Home Farm, Drumlithie, Stonehaven, described the bull as an “outstanding champion” which stood apart from the rest.
He praised the overall quality of stock forward and said there had been strong classes in each section.
The champion bull from the Wattie family, as shown by Neil’s son Mark, was home-bred Tonley Evor which is by the 18,000gn Blelack Evor and out of Tonley Elma. Tonley Evor, which was first crowned intermediate champion, took second prize at the Carlisle national calf show and his sire has previously bred sons to 12,000gn.
Standing overall reserve champion was the reserve intermediate champion from John Gilmour, of Penston, Macmerry, East Lothian.
This one comes from being in livery at Richard and Carol Rettie’s Aberdona Mains, Alloa, where Mr Gilmour’s whole herd of cows are housed.
Belhaven Quebec is a May-2014 born home-bred son of Billinge Magic Jack Eric, out of Belhaven Quintessence. He was first at the Fife Show last year.
In the senior section, the champion title went to February-2014 born Ballindalloch Edward from Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch.
The farm is home to the world’s oldest long-standing herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, and managed by David Johnstone.
David’s wife Susan showed Ballindalloch Edward, which is an AI son of Haymount Willinger and out of Ballindallock Eliza. He took the male champion and best home-bred Aberdeen-Angus prizes at the Black Isle Show last year, and also stood first in his class at Nairn and third at the Black Beauty Bonanza.
The reserve senior champion title went to Stuart Addison of Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed.
March-2014 born Castlegate Franz Ferdinand is a home-bred son of Castlegate Eureka and out of Belhaven Franciscan. He is the final animal to be sold from Mr Addison who recently sold all his cows.
In the junior section, the champion rosettes went to Neil and Graeme Massie of Blelack, Farm, Dinnet, Aboyne. August-2014 born Blelack Mr Braveheart is a home-bred son of the 10,000gn Warrenho Emperor, out of Blelack Miss Bangle. He is the first Emperor son to be sold by the Massies and he previously stood junior champion at the Turriff Show and reserve at the Black Beauty Bonanza.
The reserve junior champion was July-2014 born Linton Gilbertines Destroyer from Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston.
The farm is owned by the trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke and managed by John Elliot.
Destroyer is a home-bred son, previously unshown, of Linton Gilbertines Rowan and out of Linton Gilbertines Dame Janet.
Lastly in the female section, the champion rosettes were awarded to Orkney breeder Colin Davidson, of Skaill Farm, Sandwick.
Skaill Diana is an April-2014 daughter of Skaill Doublea Willieboy, out of Skaill Diana. She was sold in-calf to Rawburn Boss Hogg.
The reserve female champion title was awarded to June-2014 born Carlhurle Elite from Alexander Grieve, Carlhurle, Lundin Links, Fife.
This one is by Skaill Dido and out of Carlhurlie Elicited.