The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Calf show chance to find animals full of potential
Eight pedigree breed societies to be represented by just under 360 entries
The Stars of the Future has gathered considerable momentum on the show calendar over recent years, and the 2016 event is gearing up to prove no different.
Eight pedigree breed societies will be represented by just shy of 360 entries, split between three show rings – with proceedings set to begin at 8.30am, at UA’s Stirling venue, next Saturday.
“It is very encouraging to see flourishing support for the show,” said organising committee chairman Adrian Ivory, of Strathisla Farms, Meigle.
“We have cattle coming from as far afield as Orkney and Devon.
“In what has traditionally proved a relatively quiet time of year, the show provides pedigree livestock breeders with a stage for younger animals that might have little or no show ring experience. “It’s also a good social occasion too.” As previously, there will be classes for both young bulls and heifers ahead of the selection of interbreed senior and junior champions for continental and then native sections respectively.
The Joe Watson Memorial Trophy presented by DC Thomson, publishers of The Courier and The Press and Journal, will once again be handed to the overall pair.
Mr Ivory added: “We’ve built upon the show year on year, but more than anything it’s gathered a reputation as a friendly show and farmers really welcome that.”
One such advocate is showman and breeder Andrew Hornall, of Falleninch Farm, who plans to take around five of his home-bred Charolais a mere stone’s throw to the event.
He previously produced Falleninch Isabella to stand overall junior interbreed champion in 2013.
Home-bred out of Falleninch Daniella (by Gower Armarni), she was the first calf by Falleninch stockbull and former Stirling Show interbreed winner Dereskit Fernando.
Isabella’s full brother Falleninch Landslide was also latterly sold for the breed’s highest private sum.
“The show is unique in its format at this time of year being for pedigree animals,” said Mr Hornall.
“It sits well on our show calendar, giving us an opportunity to focus on the next batch of animals that were too young to exhibit during the summer season.”
Mr Hornall said he also enjoys the event as a pedigree shop window.
“It’s a good stepping stone ahead of the sales in April, giving animals their first taste of an atmosphere, but it also gives you a good opportunity to see animals in their early stages and maybe follow their progression,” he said.
“Personally, I keep an eye out for calves with potential as I do like to buy animals young – it gives me an opportunity to implement my own management and health strategy.”
Douglas McMillan, who owns the Coldrochie Beef Shorthorn herd, has similarly had success at the Stars of the Future and will be making a return to Stirling to support this year’s event.
“Whilst showing our animals is really secondary to our ultimate aim of
The show is unique in its format. ANDREW HORNALL
breeding and selling good quality animals, it’s certainly nice to be able to support local events,” he said.
“We also show locally at Perth, Alyth and Stirling, as well as at the Royal Highland each year.”
Mr McMillan runs the herd, which was formerly located in Gloucestershire and known as Coln Valley Shorthorns before relocating in 2010, from Moneydie Roger, at Luncarty, with assistance from stockman Charlie Reed.
This year, they achieved the top price Shorthorn female sale at the Stirling Bull Sales in October, selling Coldrochie Grace Beauty, an 18-month-old heifer by Knockenjig Foremost, for 11,000gns.
“We’ll be taking two or three of our younger animals to the Stars of the Future to give them a first outing,” Mr McMillan said.
“We don’t push them on for showing at all but as with most events, it’s an opportunity for livestock breeders to gain recognition for the quality of the stock they produce.”
At last year’s event, Mr McMillan won two championships within the Shorthorn ring – Coldrochie Princess Royal stood senior female champion, while Coldrochie Catriona Rosebud was reserve of the junior females.
This year, as ever, it is not only the calves that are the stars of the future – it’s the young handlers too.
“We’ve always traditionally had a champion for each of the two young handler age groupings (11 to 14 years and 14 to 18 years) but this year we will also crown a supreme between the two.”
Mr Ivory added: “The formula for the show has proved really successful, it draws lots of people, but we’re happy to look at what can add to the show each year and this new trophy is one to support future generations too.”