Husband and wife team Hugh and Lynn Dunlop, Ochiltree, Ayrshire, have just taken the overall cattle championship here at the Royal Highland Winter Fair.
Their winner was homebred steer Soutar Johnny from their 150-cow suckler herd. This one, which notched up the couple's third championship win at the event is by Limousin sire Silex and out of a Limousin cross cow. He tipped the scales at 675kg.
Standing reserve overall was the overall heifer champion Just Dance from Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon. This one was bought from Ruthin in the spring and stood heavyweight heifer champion before going on the take the overall heifer award.
Standing reserve overall steer champion was another from the Alfords and another bought from Ruthin, Paparatzi. This British Blue cross was born last May and tipped the scales at 610kg.
Reserve heifer champion was Mama Mia from Jennifer Hyslop and Andrew Richardson. She was bred by John Smith Jackson and was bought in the spring having been calf champion at Countryside Live last year.
Don't forget to enter the AgriLIVE Smithfield judging competition which includes the Dunlops' last Smithfield winner
Well done team D! There must have been a powerful lineup at the end, especially going by the weights.
Indeed it was BGC, steer is one big body of beef all the way through. Heifer's a good beast too, good loins and ends on the pair of them, a close call between the two I'd say.
Good show overall then? TC make a good job?
Yep BGC, good show of cattle all the way through, some cracking calves in the second ring too. TC made a fair job of it, didn't follow every class, but when was the last time anyone agreed with a judge in every class. At the end of the day he had two very good champions in his steer and his heifer and either would have looked the right winner. He was going heavy all the way, but there's nothing wrong with that when there's as good as these and far better than going for the lightweights which aren't a real commercial proposition.
Thanks J great to get that hot off the press. Makes up for an insufferable wait for you posts earlier today!
Here here!
Any news if the champion was sold? Looks a fair Champion!
Any news if the champion was sold? Looks a fair bullock!
Good looking champ but the heifer would be my pick
great length and a lovely head.Any word of the auction
Good looking champ but the heifer would be my pick
great length and a lovely head.Any word of the auction
I also like the look of the heifer, steer could be 50kg too heavy, difficult to cut a 12oz sirloin steak off this one! The question is will The Alford's win a supreme champion with one of their tremendous team this winter?
to the terminator
"steer 50kg too heavy" is there such a thing?
when the cost to kill one beef animal is the same no matter what the weight!
That's a very good question TT. Would have to say as a team they are an outstanding line up. Could be a case of them being the last man standing when it comes to AgriLIVE if they don't pick up supreme in Wales.
I would have to agree with the terminator on this. In my own personal opinion I would put the bullock a bit on the heavy side, a very big carcase, and maybe not the best on them legs, however taking nothing away the Dunlops achievement a great beast, and photos dont always do justice either. Reserve has great presence and style, a real show beast.