Graham's Upbeat took interbreed in pedigree competition

Inter-breed judge Chris Penny from Powys in Wales, praised an outstanding display of stock throughout every breed before he tapped out a yearling Limousin bull from Robert Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Stirling as his overall champion.

Graham’s Upbeat, brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett, was on his second outing after taking the reserve senior title at Stars of the Future. Out of Dinmore Elle and sired by Ampertaine Elgin, this embryo calf, is bound for the Carlisle Bull Sale in February.

The reserve overall title went to the Aberdeen Angus Champion from Mike and Melaine Alford Reserve overall went to the Aberdeen Angus champion, Foxhill Princess Caroline, from Mike and Melaine Alford who defied the weather and travelled up from Devon. This 10-month heifer, is sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay and is an embryo-born calf bred from Blelack Princess Caroline, a cow bought for 28,000gns. She was junior champion at Stars of the Future, junior female at Borderway Agri Expo, champion at the National Expo, and pedigree native female champion at Agri Fest in Exeter.

The inter-breed pairs title was won by the British Blues and made up of the two junior bulls, Solway View Unrivalled and Stoneybyres Utah, from Kevin Watret, Annan and Blair and Shona Comrie, Lanark.

They stood ahead of the Limousin pair from Robert Graham, Stirling – Graham’s Umandy and Graham’s Upbeat.

MV inter-breed went to this Blue Texel from the Firm of G Gray This calf competition was staged alongside a strong show of pedigree lambs, which saw the MV accredited championship presented to a Blue Texel ewe lamb from the Gray family from Sunnycroft, Selkirk. Purchased at the Northern Supreme sale in August, she is by the 8000gns Matts Hitman.

Alan Clark, Garngour stood reserve in the MV section with a Texel ewe lamb. A daughter of Sportsmans Grand Slam, which was bought at Lanark last year for 20,000gns, her dam is by Knock Diablo. Her granddam was champion at the Great Yorkshire Show and inter-breed champion at Biggar both in 2022.

Judge Dougie Fleming of Nisbet Farm, Coulter, found his non-MV accredited champion in a Bluefaced Leicester ram lamb from Alec Kirkpatrick, Barr.

Reserve honours went to John Guild, Laight with a Mule ewe lamb.

This Bluefaced Leicester tup lamb from A and A Kirkpatrick, Barr stood non-MV champion

Leading Awards

Pedigree calves

Galloway (Judge: S Mitchell, Grassknop, Penrith). Champion – J and S Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead with Lady Diana 2773 of Romesbeoch, a yearling heifer by Strathurr Yogi. She was breed champion at Dumfries Show and class winner at Stewartry Show. Reserve – D and C Logan, Greenhead, Alva with the November 2023-born heifer, Rogan Katie 3. By Blackcraig Kodak she is bred from Barlaes Katie 42, and was champion any other breed at Stars of the Future. Senior bull – 1, D and R Cornthwaite’s Upperclass of Balgray. Junior bull – 1, Klondyke Farms Klondyke Instinct; 2, J Campbell’s Kypehill Stetson; 3, Klondyke Farms Klondyke Impact. Senior heifer – 1, J and S Ross’ Lady Diana 2773; 2, D and C Logan’s Rogan Katie; 3, 3, D and R Cornthwaite’s Ufemia of Balgray. Junior heifer – 1, D and C Logan’s Rogan Laura 2; 2, Klondyke Farms' Klondyke Tia; 3, Klondyke Farms' Klondyke True.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: J Rae, Castle Douglas). Champion and reserve – M and M Alford, Foxhill, Devon with the top spot going to Foxhill Princess Caroline, a 10-month heifer, by Kilmaluag Eriskay, out of Blelack Princess Caroline, a cow bought for 28,000gns. She was junior champion at Stars of the Future, junior female champion at Borderway Expo, champion at the National Expo, and native female champion at the Devon Agri Fest. Runner up was Foxhill Princess Carina, a 15-month-old heifer by Weeton Evolution. She was calf champion at the National Angus show at Kelso in the summer and senior champion at the Winter National show. Senior bull – 1, Brailes Livestock with Brailes Lord Richard. Junior bull – 1, G Gray’s Ettrick Ringleader; 2, D Strachan and Son’s Shawtonhill Norris; 3, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lionheart. Senior heifer – 1, M and M Alford’s Foxhill Princess Carina; 2, G Gray’s Ettrick Bella. Junior heifer – 1, M and M Alford’s Foxhill Princess Caroline; 2, Braille’s Livestock Brailes Ellie; 3, W and R Dunlop’s Auchengray Emma.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge – J Rae). Champion – B Wear, Hilltop with Redhill Taunton, a 15-month-old bull by Fearn No Limits. He was senior champion at Stars of the Future and calf champion at Turriff show. Brought out by Richard Rettie, Taunton has been sold to James Porter, Uppermile, Northern Ireland for an undisclosed sum. Reserve – J Frame, Little Gala with Westbroad Victor by Shawhill Leroy. This March-born bull, was making his show debut, and was bought alongside his mother at the Westbroad dispersal sale at Stirling in October. He is a full brother to the farm stock bull which was purchased for £15,000 in Stirling in February. Senior bull – 1, B Wear’s Redhill Taunton. Junior bull – 1, J Frame’s Westbroad Victor; 2, J Frame’s Galla Vader; 3, J Frame’s Westbroad Vaughan. Senior heifer – 1, J Wightman and E McAlister’s Islahill Velvet; 2, J Frame’s Galla Venus Telluria; 3, J Wightman and W McAlister’s Islahill Vera.

Hereford (Judge: J Rea). Champion – Brenda Wear’s Hean 1 Eir, a March-born heifer calf by Hean 1 Takoda, out of Hean 1 Eira. Bought as a calf at the Hean Castle dispersal sale in August, she was on her first outing. Reserve – Margaret Galbraith with the April-born bull, Craigdhu 1 Bracken, by Gouldingpoll 1 Duncan. First at Agri Expo. Junior bull – 1, M Galbraith’s Craigdhu 1 Bracken; 2, D Holmes Back O Hill Bengal. Senior heifer – 1, EE Burgess’s Criffel 1 Bondi, Junior heifer – 1, B Wear’s Hean 1 Eira; 2, D Holmes Back O Hill Frances.

Any other native breed (Judge: J Rae). Champion – J and S Ross with the 13-month-old Belted Galloway heifer, Romesbeoch Honey, on her first outing. Her sire is Culloch Braveheart. Reserve – R Forster, Dyke, Falkirk with the December 2023-born heifer, Elgany Rosehip, by Gruige Inis. Junior bull – 1, SRUC Easter Howgate’s Howgate Drumnadrochit (Luing). Senior heifer – 1, J and S Ross’s Romesbeoch Honey (Belted Galloway); 2, R Forster’s Elgany Rosehip (Belted Galloway). Junior heifer – 1, A and S Campbells’ Crawlaw Kerrera (Belted Galloway); 2, S and R Hunter’s Bo Fhionn of Hunters (Highland); 3, S and R Hunter’s Firth of Hunters (Highland).

Limousin (Judge: J Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith). Champion and inter-breed champion – Graham’s Upbeat, from Robert Graham, brought out Stewart and Lynsey Bett. This yearling bull, sired by Ampertaine Elgin, was only on his second outing after taking the reserve senior award at Stars of the Future. He will be sold in Carlisle in February. Reserve was his stable-mate, Graham’s Umandy, a yearling heifer, sired by Tattoo, that was second in her class at Stars of the Future. Senior bull – 1, R and J Graham’s Graham’s Upbeat. Junior bull – 1, J Wight and sons’ Midlock Vinnie; 2, R and J Graham’s Graham’s Valient. Senior heifer – 1, R and J Graham’s Graham’s Umandy; 2, R and J Graham’s Graham’s Unexpected; 3, I and A Nimmo’s, Maraiscote Usahfr. Junior heifer – 1, R and K Davidson’s Corsairtly Valyn; 2, A and K Rhind and sons Struthers Vogue.

British Blue (Judge: J Hendry). Champion and reserve – K Watret, Maulcastle, Annan with the supreme going to the October 2023-born heifer, Solway View Taffy, by Boherard Overdose. She was senior champion and reserve senior continental champion at Stars of the Future. The reserve was the January-born bull, Solway View Unrivalled on his first outing, he is sired by Tattoo. Senior bull – K Watret’s Solway View Titus. Junior bull – 1, K Watret’s Solway View Unrivalled; 2, A and CS Comrie’s Stonebyers Utah; 3, A and I Macinnes’s Ruaig Union Jack. Senior heifer – 1, K Watret’s Solway View Taffy; 2, C Hunter’s Red River Totally Ice Baby; 3, A and CS Comrie’s Stonebyers Tamara. Junior heifer – 1, G and G Scott’s Thistle Unbelievable; 2, K Watret’s Solway View Unique; 3, A and I Macinnes’s Ruaig Ulva.

Charolais (Judge: S Mitchell). Champion and reserve inter-breed – M and M Alford’s Foxhillfarm Victorious, by Lochend Nighthawk and out of Gretnahouse Masweety. This April-born heifer remains unbeaten in her class and was continental calf champion and inter-breed champion at Devon Agri-Fest. Reserve – K Watret, with the November 2023-born heifer, Annanview Ugem. A daughter of Allanfauld Neptune and out of Harestone Royal Gem. She was reserve senior female at Stars of the Future. Senior bull – R McCornick’s Ricnick Uhtred; Junior bull – Brailes Livetock’s Gower Vimto. Senior heifer – 1, K Watret’s Annanview Ugem; 2, Brailes Livestock’s Brailes Unity.

Simmental (Judge: S Mitchell). Champion and reserve – G Brown, Springfield, Penicuik, with Springfield Prada taking the top spot. By Islavale Jabba and out of Springfield Italia, this 15-month-old heifer was on its first outing and is bound for the Next Generation Foundation female sale next Summer. Runner up went to the July 2023-born bull, Springfield Pentagon. By the same sire he is bred from Springfield Joline and will be sold at Stirling in February. Senior bull – G Brown’s Springfield Pentagon. Junior bull – R Hamilton’s Drumclog Richard. Senior heifer – G Brown’s Springfield Prada. Junior heifer – J and E Dyet’s Merkland Flora 24.

Young handlers (Judge – A Allan, Blairshinnoch, Dumfries). Aged between 12 and 15 – 1, Lucy Clark, West Shawtonhill; 2, Craig McKinnel, Garrarrie; 3, Cameron Harrison Littleinch. Aged between 16 and 18 – 1, Amy Scott, Hawhill; 2, Thomas Goldie, Maulcastle; 3, Grant Rhind. Galloway cattle society young handler aged 26 and under – 1, Lloyd Ross; 2, Ramsay McKinnelll.

Pedigree lambs

MV accredited (Judge: D Fleming, Nisbet Farm, Coulter). Champion – Firm of G Gray, Sunnycroft with a Blue Texel ewe lamb purchased at the Northern Supreme sale, sired by 8000gns Matts Hitmasn. Reserve – A Clark, Garngour with a Texel ewe lamb by Sportsmans Grand Slam, bred from a ewe by Knock Diablo.

Texel – Ewe lamb – 1, A Clark, Garngour; 2, Firm of G Gray, Sunnycroft; 3, J Orr and Partners, Wester Walston. Ram lamb – 1, M and G Ballantyne, East Cauldcoates.

Beltex – Ewe lamb – 1, J and D Hodge, Dykes; 2, A Baillie, Carstairs Mains; 3, M Russell, Ashley. Ram lamb – 1, A Baillie, Carstairs Mains; 2, R and J Hamilton, Midshawtonhill; 3, M and G Ballantyne, East Cauldcoates.

Any other continental – Ewe lamb – 1, Firm of G Gray, Sunnycroft; 2, J and D Hodge, Dykes; 3, R and J Hamilton, Midshawtonhill. Ram lamb – 1, R and J Hamilton, Midshawtonhill; 2, Hamish Currie, Edendales.

Any other native – Ewe lamb – 1, J and D Hodge, Dykes. Ram lamb – 1, JJ Barclay, Mid Brockloch.

Non-MV accredited (Judge: D Fleming). Champion – A and A Kirkpatrick, Barr with a Bluefaced Leicester ram lamb. Reserve – J Guild, Laight with a Mule ewe lamb.

Blackface – Ewe lamb – 1 and 3, G and S Donald, Windhill; 2, R and B Dickie, Spango. Ram lamb – 1 and 2, A Boswell, Burnhead; 3, DC and JJ Marshall, Blendewing.

Bluefaced Leicester – Ewe lamb – 1 and 2, A and A Kirkpatrick, Barr; 3, D Bryson, Grasmillees Way. Ram lamb – 1, A and A Kirkpatrick, Barr; 2 and 3, D Bryson, Grassmillees Way.

Mule ewe lamb – 1, 2 and 3, J Guild, Laight. Any other continental breed ewe lamb – 1, J Guild, Laight. Any other native breed ewe lamb – 1 and 2, D Bryson, Grasmillees Way.