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Charolais bull Rumsden Fawkes from Rupert Taylor has take the junior interbreed title here at the Royal Highland this morning under judge Arwel Owen. This Thrunton Voldemort son is out of Rumsden Avalon and was also Beefbreeder champion yesterday.Standing reserve to him was British Blue bull Solwayview Fire Cracker. This one, which was British Blue breed champion, is by Gitan P'tit Mayeur and out of Annanwater Wispa.

In the interbreed team of four competition which was judged by John White, Midlock, the championship went to the Limousin team, with the Charolais following up in reserve.The overall interbreed will kick off in about 20 minutes time and there are a few possible contenders for this, with the Charolais, Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorn champions at the top of the order for my money. I'd not be willing to bet against any of them catching John's eye later this morning.

Winning the Beef Breeder championship today was Charolais bull Rumsden Fawkes from Rupert Taylor. This one is by Thrunton Voldemort and out of Rumsden Avalon.

Reserve to him were Robert and Jean Graham with their Limousin bull Grahams Ellesmere, a Millgate Clinker son out of Grahams Alice.

In the native beef team championship the winners were the Aberdeen-Angus team, with the Beef Shorthorn team in reserve.

In the dairy classes the team championship went to Holsteins, with the Ayrshire team in reserve.

It's been a hectic morning here at Ingliston with the sheep breed classes continuing apace and the dairy breed and interbreed being completed too.

In the Texel ring the champion was a one-crop ewe from Thomas McTaggart, with a ram lamb from Robert Laird in reserve.Then in the Hampshire Downs the winner was a shearling ewe from E, B and S A Jones, with a shearling tup from R and J McFarlane standing reserve.Swaledale champion was W Watson with a shearling tup and reserve to it was a shearling ewe from Arthur Slack.Taking the honours in the Bluefaced Leicster ring was a tup lamb from D L and S Currie and reserve was K Smith with a ewe lamb.At the top of the Charollais lines were Angus and Susan Howie with a ram lamb, while reserve was a shearling ewe from the same home.

The North of England Mule champion was a ewe lamb from Colin Dent and reserve was a hogg from R and F Wilson.

As with the beef classes the judges have been busy in the sheep lines too and the first championships have been decided.

Taking the Suffolk title was Sandy Fraser with a ewe lamb, with Robbie Wilson standing reserve with a tup lamb under judge Kenny Mair.

North Country Cheviot champion was a shearling ewe from the Runciman family, with judge Scott Davies picking a two shear tup from the same home as his reserve.

In the Lleyn classes David Alexander found his champion in the McGowan family's old ram and resevre was J J Kingan with a shearling ewe.

And the Ryeland classes have been decided too, with Susan Bryden being champion with her older tup and Alison Robinson taking reserve with her ewe lamb.

UPDATE: I'm just back from the lines and have found the one result I was missing from this morning's classes. The Blackface champion was a shearling tup from the Ramsays, with the reserve being a shearling ewe from the Wights of Midlock.

Judging in the beef rings has just been completed for this morning, with some strong competition in a number of breeds.

Taking the Beef Shorthorn championship was the senior bull Tojan of Craigeassie from the Horrell family, Peterborough. This Belmore Fuel Injected son is out of Kathleen of Craigeassie and was interbreed champion at East of England last weekend. Reserve to him was Gordon Brooke's heifer Holmeere Milicent 12, a Cairnsmore Thrasher daughter.Winning in the Highland lines was Michael Poland's heifer Morag Odmar of Mottistone. This one is by Eoin Mhor of Miungairigh and out of Morag Odmar 2 of Kinrochaid. Reserve to her was D Shuster's cow Albanach Molach 4 of Glenkinglass.Then in the Hereford classes the win went to Messrs Livesy Bros, with their bull Normanton 1 Eastern Promise, the interbreed winner from Three Counties. This Normanton 1 Casa Nova son is out of Normanton 1 Jews Ear. Reserve champion here was Whittaker Farms with their heifer Yalgoo Boulder Z250.Charolais champion was Inverlochy Cathy from the Irvine family. Sired by Gower Versace she is out of Strathlochy Showgirl. Reserve to her was Rumsden Fawkes, Rupert Taylor's junior bull.And in the Simmental lines it was a win for David Craig with his heifer Annick Taras Alice, an Annick Titan daughter out of Annick Helens Tara. Reserve was Boddington Estates with Sterling Rhapsody's Vivian.Across in the Limousin lines the championship honours went to Ian Nimmo with his junior bull Maraiscote Floyd, a Goldies Comet son out of Maraiscote Chanel. Reserve to him was Grahams Butterfly from Robert and Jean Graham.The Blonde championship was won by G and A Hamilton with their bull Hallfield Destiny, a Blackwater Ainsley son out of Hallfield Rhona. Reserve was L Laird and Sons with bull Lochhead Dam Good Bull.

The stage is all set here at Ingliston for the Royal Highland Show and as ever Taking Stock is here to bring you all the results from the livestock lines.

Beef cattle dominate the proceedings on the first day of the show, with a good number of sheep breeds also taking to the rings. Dairy cattle come tomorrow, with the beef and sheep interbreeds taking place on Saturday.

So, if you can't be here in person stay tuned to Taking Stock for the latest results as they happen.

 A half share of this year's Royal Highland Show Aberdeen Angus champion and member of the winning interbreed pairs duo, Netherton Fleur D334, has been sold in a private deal for a five figure sum to Steven and Sarah Medley for their recently established Saville herd at Nether Silton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. This December 2004-born daughter of Netherton Royal Sovereign A072, who is also the sire of 30,000gns Netherton Figo C244, is out of the former record-priced female Netherton Fleur Y298 who was sold for 20,000gns.

She has been sold with her March-born bull calf at foot, Netherton Future Edition K560, who is by Netherton Big Edition H460.

Fleur will remain at Netherton where she will be put in calf before going into the herd's embryo breeding programme, where she will be flushed extensively.

Speaking about the sale Mr Medley said: "Through these genetics and other top females we have bought in the past, we hope to create an elite herd. Fleur will no doubt make a great addition to our genetic base."

As many of you may well already be aware last week's Royal Highland Show sheep section was dominated by talk of short tails and sheep possibly being excluded from the event for being inappropriately docked.

I resisted the urge to make mention of this matter until now so as not to detract from the achievements of last week's winners. But now the show is over it is perhaps appropriate to talk about the issue.

Every sheep arriving at Ingliston last week was, at some point, inspected by Animal Health vets who compiled a list of those sheep with insufficient tail length. By the end of their two days of inspection they had a list of 45 sheep from 25 exhibitors. So, all in all a fairly small minority of the 1600 entries. However, it won't surprise many of you to know that these sheep came from some of the biggest names in a number of high profile breeds.

Negotiations between the show, exhibitors and Animal Health resulted in those sheep on "the list" being allowed into the show rings, but with the warning that there would likely be an on-farm inspection in the coming weeks.

The upshot of all of this is that exhibitors at the Highland and a number of other shows have been warned that short tails will not be accepted at shows. As indeed they were earlier in the year in the pages of FW and other farming publications as the result of a press release from Animal Health.

I think the best tale (excuse the pun) I've heard this year is one class at a south west showing being recorded as "class dismissed" as the judges had been instructed not to award prizes to sheep with short tails - every sheep in the class had a short tail!

All in all it seems the rules, which have after all been in place for a good many years now, are being enforced a little more stringently than they have been in recent years. The simple answer then is that if you have a sheep with a short tail don't take it to a show or anywhere else it will be seen.

The interbreed pairs titles in both the beef and sheep classes have been judged this morning, in the beef lines the winners were the Angus pair, with the Shorthorns reserve. Across in the sheep the championship went to the North Country Cheviot duo, while the Bluefaced Leicesters were reserve. Unfortunately a technology hold up in the form of a crashed computer is preventing me bringing you more detail, but it will follow in dud course.

The interbreed pairs titles in both the beef and sheep classes have been judged this morning, in the beef lines the winners were the Angus pair, with the Shorthorns reserve. Across in the sheep the championship went to the North Country Cheviot duo, while the Bluefaced Leicesters were reserve. Unfortunately a technology hold up in the form of a crashed computer is preventing me bringing you more detail, but it will follow in dud course.

Top spot in the Royal Highland sheep interbreed championship has gone to a familiar family, with the Thomsons of Hownham Grange taking their third title in four years with their homebred North Country Cheviot shearling ewe.

This one, which one the NCC Park section is by Gilston The Midden and out of a homebred dam by Hownham Grange Monarch. She was picked by interbreed judge Sandy Fraser for her excellent top and gigot alongside her tremendous showring presence.

Standing in reserve was the Suffolk champion, Bailey BMW from Myfyr Evans. This shearling tup is by Cairness New Approach and out of a dam by Raeadr Rossi. He was bought as a lamb last year for 8000gns. Mr Fraser said he had a great top on him, but was maybe just to strong in the front leg for him, his gigot was just a shade lacking.

Second reserve was the Texel champion from John Forsyth, Glenside.

The beef interbreed championship has gone to the Hereford champion, Romany 1 Captain from Aileen and Stephen Nesbitt. The couple run 35 Hereford cows at home in Buckinghamshire where Captain is stock bull for the herd. He is by Crickley 1 Figurehead and out of Romany 1 Julia. He was bought for the herd after standing junior interbreed at the Highland two years ago in a private deal for a figure in the region of £8000.

Reserve was the Charolais leader, Olrig Dubarry from Andrew Morris. This one is the result of the purchase of an in-calf heifer at Perth in October 2007. The dam, Maerdy Alien, was bought for 1200gns and the sire is Maerdy Impeccable. She is one of 12 cows run in the Olrig herd by Mr Morris.

The interbreed beef team award here at the Royal Highland has gone to the Limousin quartet, with the Charolais reserve and the British Blue following on in third.

Winning the junior beef title this morning was Inverlochy Diehard from the Irvines. This is Lochend Apache sired Charolais bull which also took the beefbreeder title yesterday.

Reserve was the Simmental, Blackford Aristocrat from Anne MacPherson. He is a Kilbride Farm Strabane son.

Interbreed champion in the dairy lines went to the Ayrshire leader from Robin Barr. This was Calderglen Raffia, a Calderglen Lancelot daughter. This second calver is giving 30kg a day having given 7000kg as a heifer. She was first at Cambletown last year.

Reserve overall was the Holstein champion Parkend Jacob Betsy, a Bilsrow Jacob daughter from Brian Weatherup. This heifer is currently giving 40kg a day having calved in December. Projected to give more than 10,000kg she was champion heifer at Ayr Show.

The Holstein champion also clinched the junior dairy championship, heading this class in front of the Ayrshire junior champion from Jim and Gilmour Lawrie. This was Brieryside Centurion Cherry, a Brieryside Centurion daughter.

The Ayrshires were also successful in the Dairy team of four competition, with the Holsteins in reserve.

The biggest entry of sheep in the show, the Beltex have just finished their judging stint with the overall championship going to the shearling tup from Isle of Tiree-based young breeder Alasdair MacLean.

Reserve in the Beltex was the female champion, a shearling ewe from Stuart Wood's Woodies flock.

Taking the Scotch Mule championship was John Wight and the Midlock team with a ewe lamb, while reserve was a shearling ewe from William Sanderson.

In the Bleu Du Maine champion was Peter Fraser with a shearling ewe, while reserve was William Baillie with another from the same class.

Taking the Hebridean championship was J E M Moorer with a ewe, reserve here was Darren Cassie with a shearling ram.

Zwartbles winner was Molly Campbell with a shearling ewe, with an aged ewe from Charles Scott taking the reserve overall championship.

A couple of beef classes have been judged here at Ingliston this morning, with the Native Interbreed team competition being won by the Galloways and reserve going to the Beef Shorthorn team.

In the Beefbreeder championship the honours went to the Dick family with their Limousin sire Nebo Director. This is a Dauphin son out of Nebo Roberta which was bought at Carlisle in February where he stood senior champion.

Reserve in this competition went to John Irvine with Charolais Inverlochy Diehard, a Lochend Apache son out of Inverlochy Thursday.

A good number of the sheep breeds have been judged this morning with the biggest classes of the day seen in the Texels where the championship went to John Forsyth, Maybole, with an aged ewe from his Glenside flock. Standing reserve was Steven Renwick, with a shearling ewe.

Taking the Bluefaced Leicester championship were Matt and Connell Drummond with their shearling tup, while reserve went to the same exhibitors with their aged ewe.

In the Charollais classes it was a win for Herbie Kennedy with his shearling ewe, while reserve went to last year's interbreed winners Willie and Carol Ingram with their shearling ram.

Leading the way in the Hampshire Down classes was Norfolk-based Jim Cresswell with his shearling ewe and reserve here was myself and Chrissie with our aged tup which made the long trip up from Kent.

And taking the Swaledale championship was agricultural photographer Wayne Hutchinson with his three crop ewe and reserve was Arthur Slack with a shearling ewe.

More results to follow in due course....

As with the beef cattle sheep judging has continued here this afternoon with the North Country Cheviot Hill classes won by James Thomson with an aged ewe. Reserve was C and M Symons with an aged tup.

In the Border Leicesters the champion was S and A Watson with a shearling tup, reserve was James Brown and Others with an aged ewe. Then in the Jacobs the winner was G Connor and S Dalrymple with a shearling ewe, reserve was Helen Baillie with a ewe.

In the Berrichon Du Cher the winner was Iain Johnston with his shearling ewe, then reserve was Mr Johnston again, this time with an aged tup.

Winning the commercial sheep classes was D A Douglas with a Continental cross shearling ewe and reserve went to J L Young with a pair of prime lambs.

Judging has continued in the beef rings this afternoon, with a number of breeds coming under the judges scrutiny.

In the Aberdeen Angus classes it was a win for the McLaren family, Netherton, with their cow Netherton Fleur, taking the female and overall breed championship. Standing reserve was the reserve female champion Blelack Blackbird from the Massie family.In the Galloways it was a win for Dennis Gall, with his cow Silverbell 3 of Gall-Way. This is by Blackcraig Krypton and out of Silverbell 12 of Corrie. Reserve was J  C Thompson with his bull Nancyboy, he is a Kirkstead Nancyboy son out of Kirkstead Nancy.