Glory for north-east breeder at show and sale of Suffolks

Stirling: Judge praises the quality of livestock on display

A breeder from the north-east took the champion title for the best ram lamb bred in Scotland at the national Scottish show and sale of Suffolks in Stirling yesterday.

Jim Innes, who runs the Strathbogie flock at Dunscroft, near Huntly, took the accolade with a home-bred January-born lamb by the 19,000gn Muirton One Direction and out of a Deveronside ewe, by Strathisla Speed, which stood first as both a ewe lamb and gimmer at the Highland Show.

The winning Strathbogie ram lamb is a half brother to the 20,000gn Strathbogie Jackpot.

Meanwhile, the luck of the Irish prevailed throughout the rest of the show with breeders from Northern Ireland taking home the bulk of the champion rosettes in the main sections.

Judge Claude Vanwijnseberghe, who keeps 20 Suffolks at home in Belgium, said he had seen “some cracking sheep” in the show.

In the end he selected a December 2015-born ram lamb from father and son duo Alfred and Norman Robinson’s Benrafton flock in Co Down as his overall champion.

He described the champion as a “sheep you can use on everything” and said it had a very good top line.

The lamb, which landed the Robinsons their first ever championship at the Stirling fixture, is by Cairness Ignition and out of a ewe by Strathisla Sea Bird.

Standing reserve overall was a January-born ram lamb from S and W Tait who run the Burnview flock in Co Tyrone.

This one is by the 5,500gn Birness Murray, which has previously bred sons to 14,000gn, and out of a ewe by Forkins Ferrari II.

He stood reserve male champion at the Omagh Show and was third in his class at the Northern Irish championships.

The sale takes place today and a full report will appear in The Courier next week.

Picture: Ron Stephen. Michael Leggat with Jim Innes’ champion.