The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Bleu Du Maine sheep class to arrive in style at farm show
Turriff Show Preview
Approximately 200 miles north from her home in Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire, Laine Daff has never doubted returning to the Turriff Show with her Bleu Du Maine flock, after two previous years of success and warm welcomes.
“Turriff Show is an example of how agricultural shows should be run and is rising on par with some of the best.
“You couldn’t wish for a better show in terms of organisation and the display of sheep exhibited across the board is phenomenal,” said Laine.
The National Bleu Du Maine show will be held for the first time at Turriff next month, having previously been held at the Yorkshire, Three Counties and Royal Highland Show.
This is the first exhibit in the country that will have classes for Millennium Bleus - a new breed which began to develop in 2000 and is a cross between a Bleu Du Maine ewe with a Beltex ram.
“I’m on the council and suggested we use Turriff because it’s the only other show except the Highland that has Bleu Du Maine classes in Scotland,” said Laine.
Ms Daff, who has bred her distinctive 20-ewe Greenside flock independently for 10 years, has had victory in various show rings over the years, including taking home the reserve male champion title at the Royal Highland Show this year.
Laine also won 2018 championships at the Welsh, Yorkshire and Turriff Shows with one of her ewes, as well as winning Turiff Show in 2017 with an aged ewe.
“Nothing beats going home with a red ticket winner in your float, although it’s nice when success gets shared about and seeing everyone congratulate each other, no matter who wins,” added Laine.
With approximately 10 Bleu Du Maine breeders across Scotland, in areas including Dundee, Aberdeen and Lanark, Ms Duff is looking forward to competing against and socialising with fellow sheep enthusiasts at this year’s national show.
The judge is Richard Pilkington who runs the Aintree flock in Wrexham.
“Turriff Show is an example of how agricultural shows should be run and is rising on par with some of the best”