Scottish breeders take the top honours at Stirling Bull Sales

Show: Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Simmental champions pick up rosettes

Scottish breeders reigned supreme at the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday with the champion rosettes for the AberdeenAngus, Charolais and Simmental bulls awarded to stockmen from north of the border.

Kicking off proceedings was the pre-sale show of Charolais bulls, judged by Neil Blyth of Middleton House Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool.

He awarded his top prize to father and daughter duo Jim and Alison Muirhead, who run the Firhills herd at Firhills Farm, by Arbroath.

The pair took home their first Stirling championship win with home-bred 17-month-old Firhills Majestic, by the 20,000gn Maerdy Grenadier which is shared with Balthayock, and out of Ugie Heidi.

Mr Blyth said of his champion: “He just had that bit more style and presence than the rest of them.”

Mr Blyth awarded his reserve rosettes to June 2016-born Thrunton Maestro from Ian Campbell and his sons Bruce and Andrew, from Thrunton Farm, Thrunton, Alnwick.

Meanwhile, in the Simmental show both the champion and reserve prizes were awarded to entries from the Stronach family’s Islavale herd at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith.

The champion was 17-month-old Islavale Hijack, by Islavale Echo and out of Islavale Bramble.

Judge Chris Boyd, of Ahoghill, Ballymena, described the champion as a “well-balanced bull with nice style”.

He awarded the reserve champion prize to November 2016-born Islavale Hoogee.

Lastly, in the Aberdeen-Angus show the champion rosettes went to September 2016-born Tonley Ernie from the Wattie family at Mains of Tonley, Alford. He is by Tonley Anelka and out of Tonley Emiline.

Judge Emma Hodge, of Rulesmains, Duns, said: “The champion was a nice, clean bull with a great top line and good shape.”

She awarded the reserve championship prize to April 2016-born Blelack Proteus from father and son duo Neil and Graeme Massie of Firmarron, Aboyne.

Read a full report from the sale in tomorrow’s Courier.

Picture: Ron Stephen. Charolais champion at Stirling May Bull Sales 2018, Firhills Majestic, from Jim and Alison Muirhead of Firhills Farm, by Arbroath.