Prosecco sparkles at Cowal blackface show
LAST year’s Mid Argyll and Lorn show champion came up trumps again at the Cowal Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association Show.
Around 20 blackface sheep breeders from across Argyll and further afield gathered to show off their best animals last Saturday at Clachan, Cairndow.
Judge for the day was Derek Brown, who looks after 1,500 blackies on 3,600 acre Moorfoot Farm near Peebles. In front of a healthy number of spectators, boosted by a display of vintage tractors and cars – more on page 13 – Mr Brown selected the proven champion belonging to J&J MacPherson, Balliemeanoch, Loch Awe. Named ‘Prosecco’, this three-crop ewe is off a £6,000 Connachan sire and out of a Lurg-bred ewe. Loch Fyne-side farmer Donald McVicar, Lephinchapel, won the confined championships, and the re- serve overall, with his sookit gimmer. The best opposite sex to the champion in both confined and open categories was a shearling tup from Pole Farm, Lochgoilhead.
The organisers thank Ardkinglas Estate and the Jacksons, Pole, for the of the show field.
Results – overall champion: Prosecco, ewe from the MacPherson family at Balliemeanoch farm. Sired by a £6,000 Connachan out of a Lurgbred ewe. Overall reserve champion: D McVicar, Lephinchapel, with a young ewe bought in lamb from Crossflatt, sired by Shotgun. Overall male champion: The Jackson family, Pole, Lochgoilhead, with a shearling sired by £18,000 Pole out of a ewe by £10,000 Dyke.
Confined – Old tup: Messrs Mitchell, Killellan, Dunoon. Shearling: Messrs Jackson, Pole.Tup lamb: Andrew Campbell, Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead.
Young farmers tup lamb: Angus Campbell, Succothmore, Strachur. Ewe: Campbell, Drimsynie.Young ewe: McVicar, Lephinchapel. Gimmer: McVicar, Lephinchapel. Ewe lamb: Jackson, Pole. Young farmers ewe lamb: James Mitchell, Killellan.
Group: McVicar, Lephinchapel. Confined champion: Young ewe from Donald McVicar, Lephinchapel. Confined reserve champion: Ewe from Campbell, Drimsynie. Sired by Bolt out of a ewe by Dyke Travis.
Confined male champion: Shearling from Jackson, Pole. Open – Old tup: Donald Shaw, Innisaig, Ardfern. Shearling: Jackson, Pole. Tup lamb: Shaw, Innisaig. Ewe: MacPherson, Balliemeanoch. Young ewe: McVicar, Lephinchapel. Gimmer: McVicar, Lephinchapel. Ewe lamb: Jackson, Pole. Group: McVicar, Lephinchapel.