Commercial attributes see Beltex gimmer crowned supreme sheep

A Beltex gimmer from Aberdeenshire breeders Stuart Wood and Stasa Moyse was crowned supreme sheep in front of a huge crowd, with the reserve honours presented to the champion Bleu Du Maine, a gimmer from William Baillie, Thankerton, Lanark.

Judge Jimmy Sinclair, from Crookston, Heriot, said his choice of champion backed all the commercial attributes he looked for on his own farm.

“All the champions are champions in their own right, but the Beltex was a tremendous commercial animal and correct. She was also good on her legs, with a good gigot, and she had a wee bit more class compared to the others,” he said.

Supreme overall from an entry of more than 1,000 sheep and more than 20 sections was Woodies Citygirl, a home-bred female from Stuart and Stasa, Woolhillock, Skene, who were winning their first breeding championship here. She was on her first outing and is by Carrigans Bobleswagger.

Reserve overall was a Bleu Du Maine gimmer from William Baillie’s Calla flock. She was also on her first outing and is by Maximum Obama.

Andrew Baillie, who farms at Carstairs Mains, Carstairs, lifted the second reserve with the commercial champion, a home-bred Millennium Bleu gimmer on her first outing.

Winning the interbreed pairs the following day, judged by Blackface sheep breeder Jimmy Macgregor, Dyke, Milton, Campsie, was the Bluefaced Leicester traditional type, with the crossing type lifting the blue and white ribbons.

Mr Macgregor said his choice of supreme was an easy decision, and that the crossing pairing was a close second. Making up the supreme winners was the champion, a four-shear Burndale ram from Alan Mcclymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow, which teamed up with the reserve winner, a home-bred gimmer from Matt and Connell Drummond, Cassington, Maybole.

Reserve was a duo from Allan and Ben Wight, Midlock, Crawford, comprising their champion, a homebred four-crop ewe by a Hewgill sire and their male champion, a tup lamb.

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All the champions are champions in their own right, but the Beltex was a tremendous commercial animal

Picture: Ron Stephen. Beltex Champion from Stuart Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, Westhill, Aberdeen.