Keith Show: Simmers Simmental and Cranorskie Suffolk shine

They found their supreme in Reece and Andrew Simmers’ top Simmental show cow, Annick Ginger’s Lucia, which already boasts a kist load of awards including inter-breed beef champion at the Royal Highland and at Turriff last week which featured the breed’s National Show.

Inter-breed sheep was Craig Paterson's Suffolk ewe

“She is perfect in every way, you just can’t fault her,” said Cammy. “She is doing a tremendous job with her calf – I would love to have her as part of our herd at home.”

The inter-breed beef judge, David Leggat, Logiealmond, was also most impressed by the Simmental and by the overall quality of the cattle forward.

“I am over awed by the quality of the beef cattle. Each and every one of the exhibitors have put in a tremendous amount of work, and their cattle have been turned out brilliantly.”

Any other breed champion from William and John Brown, Hilton of Culsh

Supreme sheep was a Suffolk ewe from Craig Paterson’s Cranorskie flock. The home-bred three-crop ewe is sired by Strathbogie Stormzy and has had a successful show season, taking the champion of champions at New Deer and reserve inter-breed sheep at Echt. Overall sheep judge Jonnie Campbell, Bardnaclavan, Caithness said: “From the first time I saw her, she looked outstanding. She’s a great size with scale and everything correct with lots of flesh and well presented well.”

The Highland pony champion Drumbrodie Avalina from Shona Halford, Bogieburn, Upper Braefindon, took the overall horse championship. This three-year-old is a previous breed champion at Nairn, Black Isle and Blair horse trials.

Reserve inter-breed beef champion from Jonnie and Raymond Irvine

Leading Awards

Highland (Judge: G Fraser, Forfar). Champion – A Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle, Lochaber with the yearling heifer Monica 15 of Cnoc Na Sith. Sired by Iain Ruadh of Glengarock and out of Monica the sixth of Cnoc Na Sith. Sole entry.

Aberdeen Angus (Judge: G Fraser). Champion – A and K Rhind, Newton of Struthers, with Newton Struthers Espresso, a two-year-old heifer by Idvies Ed, out of Newton-Struthers Emma. She won nine championships in 2023. Champion at New Deer, Turriff and Nairn 2024. Reserve – H Thomson, South Arddyne, Oyne, Insch with the six-year-old cow Tynet Diana on its first outing. Sired by Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Fearn Abbey Diana. Shown with her calf sired by Tynet Pegasus. Bull – J and A Strathdee, North Retannach, Huntly. Cow, calf – H Thomson. Heifer – A and K Rhind.

Reserve inter-breed sheep was Callum Cruden's Bleu Du Maine

Shorthorn (Judge: G Fraser). Champion and reserve – I Scott, Sandylands, Markethill, Glass with supreme being the four-month-old heifer calf Venice. Sired by a Stephensburn bull and out of the reserve winner Capri. Reserve was a six-year-old cow bred by Willingham Shorthorns in Angus. Sired by Willingham Humperdink and bought at Stirling for 2400gns. All classes – I Scott.

Charolais (Judge: R Crockett, Selkirk). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – J and R Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul with Inverlochy United, a yearling son of the 12,000gns Caylers Napoleon out of Inverlochy Indus. Reserve male and junior champion at the Royal Highland on his show debut and breed champion at Grantown. Reserve – RA Milne and Sons, Kennieshillock, with the 14-month-bull, Elgin Ullapool on his first outing. Sired by the privately purchased £20,000 Thurso Paul, out of Elgin Libby. Bull – J and R Irvine. Heifer – W Kingaby, Mains of Auchmedden, Pennan. Young bull, aged bull – AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon.

Overall horse champion from S Halford, Bogbuie farm, Upper Braefindon

Limousin (Judge: T Illingworth, Lockerbie). Champion – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, with the January 2023-born heifer Corsairtly Universe, a daughter of Whinfellpark Ronaldo out of Corsairtly Orbit. First at the Highland and champion at Nairn, Turriff and Grantown. Reserve – S Irvine, Anside Pedigree Livestock with the nine-month-old heifer Anside UDiamond. Sired by Ampertaine Majestic and out of Anside Saphir. Aged bull – G Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith. Bull, young bull – S Irvine. Heifer, calf – R and K Davidson.

Simmental (Judge: A MacPherson, Croy). Champion, inter-breed beef and champion of champions – R and A Simmers, Keith with the four-year-old cow Annick Ginger’s Lucia, bought at the late Lachlan Quarm’s dispersal. Inter-breed beef champion at the Royal Highland and at Turriff. Sired by Wolfstar Gold Digger out of Annick Coleen’s Ginger. Reserve – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Fochabers with Corskie Namenco, a two-year-old in-calf heifer by Kilbride Farm Hacka out of Kilbride Farm Framenco Ex90. Reserve champion at Black Isle. Aged bull – C Dunbar, Pitgaveny, Elgin. Bull, young heifer – Delfur. Heifer, interbreed pair – W and J Green, Corskie, Fochabers. Cow, group of three inter-breed – R and A Simmers and W and J Green.

British Blue (Judge: T Illingworth). Champion – S Balfour, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul with the British Blue heifer Clifton Starburst, on its second outing after standing champion any other breed at Nairn. Bred by Dylan Townhead. Sired by Dafdd O’Chain and bred from Clifton Lady Luck which was inter-breed champion at Northumberland and Lincolnshire. Sole entry.

Cross cattle haltered (Judge: J Nisbet, Ochiltree). Champion – M Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul, with Vanessa, a 15-month-old home-bred heifer by Homebyres Nistleroy out of a British Blue cross cow. Champion of champions at Nairn, champion at Turriff and Grantown and reserve inter-breed beef at Black Isle. Reserve – G and J Hendry, Keith with Casino Kid, a home-bred black Limousin cross heifer by Garyvaughan O’Jack out of a British Blue cross cow. Reserve inter-breed beef at Echt, reserve at New Deer and first at the Spring Show. Heifer born between September 2022 and February 2023, bullock born between September and December 2023, bullock born 2024 – Fraser family, Easter Clune, Nairn. Heifer born between March and August 2023, bullock born between September 2022 and February 2023 – M Robertson. Heifer born between September and December 2023, heifer born 2024 – Stuart family, Braes of Glenlivit, Ballindalloch. Bullock born between March and August 2023 – G and J Hendry. Young farmers – C Harper, Bridge of Marnoch.

Young handlers (Judge: A MacPherson). Aged 8-12yrs – Erin Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie. 13-14yrs – Max Harrold. 15-16yrs – Anna Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie.

Clydesdales (Judge: F Hardie, Lockerbie). Champion and reserve – G Young, Kinbate Croft, Turriff with the two-year-old Clydesdale filly, Arradoul Concerto, by Collessie Highlander out of Arradoul Elizabeth. Reserve was the three-month-old foal Libretto. Sired by Arradoul Tamnavulin and out of Arradoul Elizabeth. Mare, foal, filly – G Young. Stallion – G and R Skinner, Strathorn Farm, Inverurie. Colt – H Quigley, Walkerdale, Buckie. Young handler – Lexi Currie. Ridden – S Flett, Little Chapleton, Insch.

Highland ponies (Judge: H Duncan, Turriff). Champion and overall horse – S Halford, Bogbuie, Upper Braefindon, Culbokie with the three-year-old filly Dumbrodie Avalina. Sired by Balmoral Major and out of Katrina of Strathmore. Reserve – L Leith, Broomhill Croft, New Deer with the three-year-old Braeford Nightjar. Sired by Braeford Merlin and out of Braeford Forget-me-not. Bought from Amanda King at Lockerbie as a yearling. Mare – B Cole, Smiddybank, Fyvie. Colt, filly or gelding – S Halford.

Shetland standard (Judge: I Spence, Turriff). Champion – C Stewart, Northwells Farm, Rothienorman, with the three-year-old filly Littlewoodend Jesse-belle, by Oaks of Auckhom and out of Whaupsmill Sout. Reserve – C Forbes, 1 Dullenbank, Dufftown, with the five-year-old mare Lynemore Mirrie Dancer. Sired by Lynemore Illusion and out of Lynemore Finesse. Champion at the Spring show and reserve at Banchory. Stallion – C Matthew and L Jack, Newton of Tullynessie, Alford. Mare, foal – T, Pethybridge, Balblair cottage, Croy. Gelding, coloured – C Forbes. Colt, filly or gelding – C Stewart.

Shetland miniature (Judge: J Swan, Connon Bridge). Champion – Lochfleet, Dornoch with the the two-year-old colt Lochfleet Enigma Sage, sired by Kerswell Rebel and out of Enigma Salome. Bought as a yearling at Worcester for 1000gns. Reserve – S Mitchell, Phlair Stud,Conon Bridge, with the 11-year-old stallion Kimrina Romany, by Alanamoor Romany Prince. Stallion, Aged mare or gelding, one-year-old – S Mitchell. Foal, two or three-year-old – Lochfleet.

Blackface (Judge: M Couborough, Biggar). Champion – L Smith, Towiemore, Drummuir, Keith with with a tup lamb, sired by a £35,000 Orchilmore, out of a ewe by a £160,000 Elmscleugh. Reserve – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown, with a one-crop ewe by a £4500 Merkland out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve at the Black Isle and Turriff. Aged tup, shearling tup, ewe – Glenrinnes farms. Gimmer, ewe lamb, tup, lamb – L Smith.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: D Graham, Stirling). Champion – C Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a home-bred gimmer by P3 Dunbrach. Reserve – J Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, with a Dunbrach bred one-crop ewe bought for 5500gns. Sired by the P1 Underwood and out of a Tom Jones ewe. Aged tup, ewe – J Millican. Shearling tup – R Blackhall, The Green, Banchory. Gimmer, ewe lamb – C Millican. Tup lamb – M and C Milne, Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde.

Suffolk (Judge: R Henderson, Huntly). Champion, reserve and interbreed sheep – C Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder with a home-bred three-crop ewe bred from a Strathbogie AK Magic-sired ewe and sired by Strathbogie Stormzy. Champion and reserve inter-breed at Echt and champion at New Deer. Reserve was a gimmer by Ballynacannon Bazinga out of a home-bred ewe by Muirton One Direction. First at Black Isle and champion at Turriff. Shearling tup – N Benzie, Meikle Whiterashes, Turriff. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – C Paterson.

Texel (Judge: A Clark, Carluke). Champion – JC Innes and sons, Dunscroft, Huntly with a home-bred gimmer at its first show. Sired by Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants and out of Milnbank Dance Monkey – ET sister to the £100,000 tup Gypsy King. Reserve – WJ Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie with a three-crop-ewe by Hexel Born to be Wild out of a Clinterty Yuga Khan-sired ewe. Champion at New Deer 2024 and 2023 and the dam of Haddo Falcon the current Texel Sire of the Year. Aged tup – R Blackhall. Shearling tup, tup lamb – J Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch. Ewe, ewe lamb – WJ Knox. Gimmer – JC Innes and sons.

Charollais (Judge: C Ingram, Pitcaple). Champion and reserve – E and E Duncan, Barnyards farm, Clola, Peterhead with a homebred one-crop ewe. Sired by Wern Wee Cracker which was bought at Worcester in 2022. Reserve was a ewe lamb by Foxhill Bandit which was bought at Worcester for 6500gns. Shearling tup, gimmer – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Dulnain Bridge. Ewe, ewe lamb – E and E Duncan. Tup lamb – G and J Singer, Meiklebogs, Rothienorman.

Beltex (Judge: G Burke, Angus) Champion – Z Rennie and N Stephenson, Muiryfold Farmhouse, Grange, Keith, with the home-bred shearling tup Rennies Jock, sired by Borderesk Figaro, out of Rennies Cosmo. Reserve – J Green, Drumburn, 20 Bridge Street, Keith with the aged tup Lurg Hunky Dory bought from Alan Miller at Carlisle for 3800gns. Sired by Woodies Explosion and by Belvoir View Delight. Aged tup, tup lamb – J Green. Shearling tup, ewe lamb – Z Rennie and N Stephenson. Gimmer – Gary Morrison, Keith.

Blue Texel (Judge: M Kay, Bonnybridge). Champion – WJ Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch with the home-bred gimmer Hunters Hot Pants, sired by Stoneycroft Fifa out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve inter-breed at Keith 2023. Reserve – J Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill with the ewe lamb Gems Juicy Lucy. Sired by Carlys Hulk and out of Nantydeeri Going-For-Gold. Aged tup, shearling tup, aged ewe, gimmer – WJ Hunter. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – J Duncan.

Jacob (Judge: M Munro, Ladybank). Champion – I Forsyth, Aulton, Boharm, Craigellachie with the gimmer Salopearl. Bought at Skipton from Tom Lewis for 900gns. Reserve – A and H Scott, Craig Lewie, Cabrach, Huntly with an April-born tup lamb. Sired by Hurrsdale Stormtrooper and out of an Adamski ewe. Reserve at Grantown. Aged tup, gimmer – I Forsyth. Shearling tup, tup lamb – A Scott, Craiglewie, Huntly. Ewe – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Drummuir. Ewe lamb – M Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Drummuir.

Zwartbles (Judge: F Miskelly, Corrybrae, Kildrummy). Champion – S Stewart, Drummuir, Keith with Janetstown Limelight, a gimmer sired by Braehead Joseph and bred from Janetstown Highlight. She was Second at the Scottish National Show as a lamb and champion at Grantown. Reserve – K and W Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr, with the shearling tup, Janetstown Legacy, by Aquila Jumanji and out of Janetstown Juniper. Champion at Turriff in 2023 and Sutherland 2024. Aged tup – C S and I Bissett, Culnaskeath, Dingwall. Shearling tup, ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – K and W Anderson. Gimmer – S Stewart.

Any other breed MV accredited (Judge: C Crawford, Maud). Champion and reserve inter-breed champion – C Cruden, Standingstones, Dyce with Standingstones Winter, an aged Bleu Du Maine ewe by Standingstones Ramos out of a Perdi bred dam. Reserve champion at the Royal Highland, and champion at Echt, New Deer, and Banchory. Reserve – M Hanson and D Irvine, Upper Drakemyres Farm, Fogie with the home-bred Badger Faced Texel gimmer Silvermere Exotic. Sired by an imported Tamtain ram and out of Silvermere Calander Girl. Aged tup – E Riddoch, Seggiecrook, Keith. Shearling tup – T Jackson, Boghead, Lumsden. Ewe – C Cruden. Gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – M Hanson and D Irvine.

Any other breed non MV accredited (Judge: C Crawford). Champion and reserve – W and J Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. Supreme was a three-crop park-type North Country Cheviot ewe bought as a ewe lamb from North Synton. Reserve was the two-shear North Country Cheviot tup Culsh Dynamite, sired by Broomhillbank Am The Man out of a Grimister-bred ewe. Aged tup, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb – W and J Brown. Shearling tup – S Sleigh, St John’s Wells, Fyvie. Ewe lamb – E Paterson, Boghead, Drumblade.

Rare and minority breeds, primitive and northern shorttail (Judge: R Aiken, Alford). Champion – Z Robson, Loanhead Croft, Cairnie, Huntly with the Icelandic ewe lamb Loanhead Ginny, sired by Adinglassie Eric out of Cindchroid Elizabeth. Champion at Banchory. Reserve – Dr JW Graham and L Thompson, Upper Third Croft, Rothienorman with the home-bred Shetland shearling tup Shieling Frith on its first outing. Sired by Brae Xsmolder and out of Brucklay Sandy. Aged tup – I and L Carnegie, Dowmin, Huntly. Shearling tup, tup lamb – J W Graham and L Thomson. Ewe – E Kynoch, Tyle Croft, Elgin. Gimmer – E and C Stables, Taigh Sa Chollie, Keith. Ewe lamb – Z Robson.

Rare and minority breeds, hill and upland (Judge: R Aitken). Champion – S Robson, Loanhead Croft with a Welsh Badgerface Torddu gimmer on its first outing. Reserve – N Robson, Loanhead Croft with the Welsh Badgerface Torwen two-shear tup, Loanhead Ewan. Aged tup, ewe – N Robson. Shearling tup, gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – S Robson

Half-breds and crosses (Judge: J Barnetson, Caithness). Champion – P Duncan, Newton of Haddo, Fogue with a pen of three Suffolk cross gimmers. Reserve – W and J Brown, Hilton of Culsh with a Beltex cross ewe with Beltex cross Texel lambs at foot. Three Greyface, Mule or Halfbred ewes - W and D Moir, Home farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh. Three Greyface, Mule or Halfbred gimmers - D and DM Leslie, Redhill farm, Elgin. Three Greyface, Mule or Halfbred ewe lambs - W Stewart, Bomakelloch, Keith. Three cross ewes any breed, three cross gimmers, three cross ewe lambs any breed, three cross prime lambs, ewe with twin lambs - W and J Brown. Three cross gimmers - P Duncan

Dorset (Judge: C Alexander, Wick). Champion – G and L Pirie, Parkside, Maud with the aged tup Declan on its first outing. Sired by Strathbogie tup. Reserve – F Davidson, Gibston House, Keith, with the polled gimmer, Gibston Flo. Sired by Dunedin Einburgh and out a home-bred ewe. Aged tup – G and L Pirie. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – F Davidson.

Young handlers (Judge: R Irvine, Ballindalloch). Aged 14-16yrs – Finlay Hunter, West Cairnhill. 10-13yrs – Erin Fettes, Braes of Benzies. Under 9yrs – Sarah Fowlie.