Recently in Royal Highland Winter Fair Category

Here are the results from the individual beef classes earlier in the day...

Class 1: Steer, sired by an Aberdeen Angus Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's End of the Line; res, Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's Homer.

Class 2: Steer, sired by a Galloway Harvey Cattle's Ben Lomond Cheeky; res, J Paterson & Son's Superstar

Class 3: Steer, sired by a Highland Mr Alan Kennedy's beast (entry 14); res, Mr Alan Kennedy's beast (entry 11).

Class 4: Steer, sired by any other native breed R J Wright's Elmford Lord; res, Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's The Friesan.

Class 5A: Steer, sired by a Charolais Mr David Blair & Son's Foo Fighter; res, E Macpherson & Sons' Golden Delicious.

Class 5B: Steer, sired by a Charolais Mr Hugh Dunlop's Mr Brightside; res, Mr W owen's Dazzler.

Class 6A: Steer, sired by a Limousin James Nisbet's Swagger Jagger; res, Mr Gavin Scott's Wonder Pants.

Class 6B: Steer, sired by a Limousin Mr & Mrs M J Alford's I'm Your Man; res, Mr Gavin Scott's Perfect Package.

Class 6C: Steer, sired by a Limousin Messrs Sedgewick & Slack's The Real Deal; res, Aileen Ritchie's Johnny Cash.

Class 7: Steer, sired by a British Blue Mr A & Miss L Bothwell & Allan's Look At Me; res, R J Wright's Ice Man.

Class 9: Young Farmers Steer, any breed or cross Miss Jennifer Hyslop's Mickey Finn; res, Messrs Craig & Gary Hendry & Wright's Dode.

Class 10: Heifer, sired by any native sire Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's Upsy Daisy; res, Mr & Mrs M J Alford's Foxhill Doreen 1st.

Class 11A: Heifer, sired by a Charolais Mr Hugh Dunlop's Hips Don't Lie; res, James Nisbet's Edge of Glory.

Class 11B: Heifer, sired by a Charolais Mr Hugh Dunlop's Queen Bee; res, Mr Hugh Dunlop's Eclipse.

Class 12A: Heifer, sired by a Limousin Mr Craig Malone's Foxy Lady; res, Mr & Mrs J. & C. McKechnie's Lucksafortune.

Class 12B: Heifer, sired by a Limousin Messrs Hyslop & Richardson's Mistique; res, R J Wright's Red Mist.

Class 13: Heifer, sired by a British Blue Philip & Beverley Robson's Lady Gaga; res, Mr Donald Morrison's Little Hooker.

Class 14: Heifer, sired by any other continental breed E Machperson & Sons' Tixylix; res, Mr David Hall's Penny Lane.

Class 15: Young farmers heifer, any breed or cross Miss Jennifer Hyslop's Miss Dynamite; res, Miss Clare O'Brien's Red Lace.

A limousin heifer put forward by the showing syndicate Messrs Hyslop & Richardson, Balluskie Farm, Ayrshire, was crowned beef champion at this year's Royal Highland Winter Show in Edinburgh.

 

Bought in Carlisle in March this year for 2,700gns, Mistique is by Limousin bull Brontemoor Andover and out of a Limousin cross cow.  This one weighs in at 540kgs and was shown today by 18-year-old Jennifer Hyslop, and today's success follows on from winning the Limousin National Show in Carlisle in July.

Taking reserve beef champion, and continuing with their success on the winter showing circuit, was a Limousin x steer from Michael, Melanie and Charlotte Alford, Foxhill Farm, Devon.

Weighing in at 550kg, I'm Your Man is by a Limousin bull and out of a Limousin x cow.  He was bought privately from the Blanfords of Worcester, and today's success follows on from being crowned reserve champion steer at Countryside Live, Harrogate.

Judge Wendy Hunter, Spott Cottage, Angus, said:  "They are both outstanding animals, but I chose the champion because her lines were really good and she was slightly lengthier and a fraction more modern. It really came down to fine points."

A pair of two pedigree Beltex lambs from Mr Andrew Bishop, Epitfield Farm, Gloucestershire, scooped the sheep championship at this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair.

The pair weighed in at 103kg and are by the farm's home tup Luggsmill Dylan.  Coming to the Edinburgh show for the first time ever, Mr Bishop said it had been his ambition to come and win in Scotland, having won championships at other shows south of the border in the past.

Judge Joanne Hall, Inglewood Edge, Dalston, Cumbria, a regular on the showing circuit, said of the winning pair:  "I noticed them from the first time they cam out in their class, and they were a very good, even pair.  Every where I touched them was meat, and they stood out to me right from the start."

Taking reserve sheep champion at the show was a pair of light Beltex ewe lambs from Mr Andrew Morton, Lochend Farm, Denny, Stirlingshire.  These two weighed in at 85kg and are by Beachy Norman, who was bought by Mr Morton for 3,200gns.  Mr Morton won the championship at last year's show.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE SHEEP CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

An eight-month-old heifer from Mr Hamish Sclater, Denhead, Turriff, secured the championship at the Aberdeen Angus calf show at this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair in Edinburgh.

Deveron Elize was homebred by the Sclaters and is one of only two progeny by Deveron Jackson Eric - a bull which sold for 5,000gns at this year's Perth Bull Sales in February.  She is out of Deveron Elize (H241) and today's success follows on from coming first in her class at the National Winter Show in Carlisle.

Mr Sclater, who keeps 60 cows, including 12 cross cows for embryo work, said he plans to take her on to Black Beauty Bonanza this weekend and the Royal Highland Show next year. This one is by the same Elize family that won the female championship at this show in 2008.

Judge Mrs Kay Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Angus, said:  "I just thought she was very stylish and if I was to take an animal home to breed that was the one.  She is pretty perfect in every way, and oozing with breed character."

Taking reserve was a seven-month-old heifer from Messrs W & D McLaren, Netherton Farm, Perthshire.  Netherton Blackbird is a product of the McLaren's embryo programme and today's win follows on from taking junior female champion at the Stars of the Future show in Forfar.

Mr Willian McLaren said:  "Her dam (Netherton Blackbird (D309)) got sold to the Savills herd, and her grand-dam sold for 12,000gns."

He plans to keep her as a show heifer, taking her to next year's shows, before entering her into the farm's embryo programme.

There's a hub of activity around all three rings in Ingliston today, with the championships due to start at 2pm.

Here are the individual sheep results so far, I'll add more as I get them.

Blackface - Pure Bred

Class 26 (pen of two lambs born in 2011, not exceeding 75kg total live weight) Mr H F Hamilton's lambs; res, Messrs R & B Dickie's pair.

Class 27 (pen of two lambs born in 2011, weighing between 75kg-82kg) Mr Finlay Smith's pair; res, James Warnock & Son's pair of lambs.

Class 28 (pen of two lambs born in 2011, weighing over 82kg) Messrs R & B Dickie's pair; res, Mr Finlay Smith's pair.

Swaledale - Pure Bred

Class 29 (pen of two lambs, born in 2011) A Mr Christopher Akrigg's pair; res, Mr J G Thirlwall's pair B Mr D M White's pair of lambs; res, Mr Christopher Akrigg's pair.

North County Cheviot - Pure Bred

Class 30 (pen of two lambs, born in 2011) Douganhill Farms' pair; res, Douganhill Farms' pair.

South County Cheviot - Pure Bred

Class 31 (pen of two lambs, born in 2011) Bridgewater & Wood's lambs; Mr & Mrs B & M Cockburn's pair.

Mules & Crosses

Class 32 (pen of two lambs, born in 2011, progeny of Border Leicester or Bluefaced Leicester Ram and Blackface Ewe or Blue Faced Leicester Ram and Cheviot Ewe) J & G Sinclair's mule lambs; res, James Warnock & Sons' Scotch Mule pair.

Class 33 (pen of two lambs, born in 2011, progeny of Bluefaced Leicester Ram and Swaledale Ewe or Northumberland type Blackface Ewe.  Lambs to be bred by a registered member of the North of England Mule Sheep Association) M W & C M Ridley's pair; res, R D Archer & Son's pair.

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE RESULTS  

Taking the championship and a prize of £300 in the butchers' cattle classes was a Limousin x heifer put forward by Mr Wilson A Peters, Cult Farm House, Perthshire.

Lady Ginger was born in April 2010 and is by a Limousin bull Normade Adventurer and out of a limousin cross.  She will be sold at tonight's auction.

Taking reserve champion today was another heifer, this time bred by Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean, Woodhouse of Mailer, Perth.  This one will also be sold at tonight's auction.

Butchers' Cattle Classes

Class 16 (steer) Aileen Ritchie's Rod-rico; res, Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's steer

Class 17 (heifer) Mr Wilson A. Peters' Lady Ginger; res, Mr & Mrs G & A McFadzean's heifer

Continuing their winning streak on the winter showing circuit, the Alfords from Devon have taken the title of baby beef champion at this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair with their Limousin cross steer Pokemon.

 

This one was put forward by Michael, Melanie and Charlotte Alford, and weighs in at 395kg.  Today's success follows on from baby beef championship wins at Countryside Live, Agri Expo and English Winter Fair.

Mr Michael Alford said:  "Pokemon has won all four major shows that he has entered.  We are really chuffed because most of the best show cattle in this country are in Scotland, we love coming up here."

Judge Christine Williams, Lodge Hill Farm, Shropshire, said:  "This one was tremendous - very stylish with a tremendous top and good conformation.  It just has that presence."

Taking reserve baby beef champion and best animal bred by exhibitor was Eliza Doolittle, a Limousin x British Blue heifer from John Robertson & Co.  This is the first time the Robertsons have shown at Royal Highland Winter Fair, although they have bred two previous winners at the show.

This one weighs in at 395kg will be kept as a breeding animal for the Robertson's herd of 160 Limousin cows.

Baby Beef Class Results

Class 18A (heifer born on or after 1 January 2011, weighing 300-350kg)

1st: Messrs W McLaren's Limousin cross heifer Ruby

2nd: Mr & Mrs M J Alford's British Blue x Limousin cross heifer Pokerdoll

Class 18B (heifer born on or after 1 January 2011, weighing over 350kg)

1st: John Robertson & Co'x Limousin x British Blue heifer Eliza Doolittle

2nd: Mrs Jacqueline Adamson's Limousin x heifer Black Betty

Class 19 (steer born on or after 1 January 2011)

1st: Mr & Mrs M J Alford's Limousin cross steer Pokemon

2nd: Mr Fred Murray's Limousin cross steer Black Bandit 

The judging is well underway at this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair in Edinburgh.  I'll be keeping you up to date with the results as they come in and pictures of the champions...

The champion from today's Royal Highland Winter Fair Aleandro from the Alfords has sold at £10,500 to Stillmans Butchers, Somerset, the butchers owned by Mike and Melanie Alford.

The reserve, Lady Big Bucks, from Phil and Sharon Sellers then sold at £7000 to the same buyers.

In the lambs the champions from Andrew and Hilary Morton made £380 apiece.

Here are the final few cattle results from here at the Royal Highland Winter Fair.

Taking the best purebred title were Mike and Melanie Alford, Devon, with their Galloway steer Super Mario. This 560kg steer was bred by Kilnstown Farms.

The best purebred Angus title was George and Aileen MacFadzean with their steer by Cherrybank Flyer. He weighed 590kg.

The purebred Galloway winner was Super Mario, with Dandy from J and S Ross in reserve, is is a 575kg steer.

Purebred Highland and reserve honours went to Her Majesty the Queen, with a 550kg steer winning ahead of a 530kg entry.

Then winning the Contiental purebred award were the MacPhersons with Charolais heifer Carrie's Pride, she weighed 565kg.

Winning the YFC title was Jennifer Hyslop and Andrew Richardson with Limousin cross heifer Sassy. She is a 480kg entry by Brontemoor Andover. Reserve here was James Nisbet with Liitle Boots, a Limousin cross heifer by Silex and weighing 635kg.

Across in the sheep rings it was a first time win for Andrew and Hilary Morton, Denny, Stirling. This pair of Beltex, one pure and one crossbred, weighed in at 101.5kg, with one being by homebred sire Lochend Nijinsky and the other by Culsh Local Hero, a tup bred by John MacLean, New Deer. They are out of Beltex cross ewes and were previously second at the East of England Winter Stock Festival. They took the Butchers lambs championship on their way to the top title.Reserve overall were the champion pair from the Hill section, a pair of Blackface lambs from Brian and Elma Dickie. This 82kg pair are by a Gosland tup and are from the Dickies 4500 ewe flock at home at Sanquar.Reserve in the Butchers lamb champions was a pair of Beltex crosses from Richard and Granville Colegrave, Inchture. This pair weighed in at 94kg and are by a Balrig tup bought out of Carlisle three years ago. Reserve in the Hill section were a pair of North Country Cheviots Messrs Bridgewater and Wood, these weighed 89.5kg.

Mike and Melanie Alford have capped a successful day here at the Royal Highland Winter Fair with their heifer Aleandro. This one bred by Stephen Lee, Alnwick, is by a British Blue x Limousin sire and out of a crossbred dam. Previously champion at Agri-Expo, Carlisle, she weihed 520kg today and took the lightweight heifer title on her way to the overall heifer championship and then the overall ticket. She was bought privately.Reserve overall was the reserve heifer champion from Phil and Sharon Sellers. This was Lady Big Bucks, a British Blue cross by Auchenlay Vagabond and out of a Limousin cross dam. She was bred by the Richaradsons at Ghyll House and was previously champion at Countryside Live, having been bought for £8000 at Penrith in the spring.Steer champion was Black Magic, a Limousin cross by Crillaune Armani and out of a Limousin cross dam. Shown by Ewan MacPherson and Sons, Oban, he was bred by James Alexander in Nothern Ireland and was again a private purchase, this one was heavy steer champion. Reserve steer was another Limousin cross, Apache from Richard Wright, Somerset. This one is by Bailie Spinkie and is homebred, he was intermediate steer champion.

Lightweight steer winner was Meat Loaf from Hugh and Lynn Dunlop. He is by Silex and out of a crossbred dam.

Reserve intermediate steer winner was Mr Mojo from the Sellers team, he is a Limousin cross by Cloughhead Titanic and was bred by the Scotts of Thirwall Castle. Reserve heavy steer was James Nisbet with Rough Diamond, a Limousin cross by Killerton Travis and out of a crossbred dam. He was bred by N Carswell.

 In the lightweight heifers the reserve was Pussy Cat Doll from the Paton family, Spott. This one is by Saunders Bandit and out of a crossbred dam. She was bred by W D Stephen and Co. Reserve in the heavy heifers was Doodle Bug from Neil Slack and the Richardson family. Sired by Castell Mawr Victor, this Charolais cross was bred by the Richardsons.

The Butchers cattle championship here at the Royal Highland Winter Fair has gone to Wilson Peters with Mozie Mel, a Limousin cross heifer by Normande Adventurer. This one weighed in at 635kg.

Reserve spot went to Gavin Scott, Linlithgow, with a 530kg Limousin cross heifer.

Limousin sired cattle were champion and reserve in the Royal Smithfield Club's Beef Ribs competetion here at the Royal Highland Winter Fair, with the championship honours going to a set of ribs from a 318kg Limousin steer from A Purdon and Sons. This one was May 2009-born.Reserve was a set of ribs from a 351.2kg Limousin heifer from J Spence and Sons, this was a September 2008-born beast.

The ongoing success story that is Neil Slack's March born Limousin cross steer Alfie, saw another chapter written here at Ingliston a few moments ago when he claimed the Baby Beef title here. This is the fourth win of the year for Alfie, a 360kg Fieldson Alfie son, with this homebred steer having already won at Countryside Live, Agri-Expo and the English Winter Fair, as well as being reserve at the East of England Winter Stock Festival.Standing reserve here was Poker Dot, a Limousin cross from Charlotte Alford, Devon. This one was bred by W A Fettes, Buckie, and is by an unregistered French Limousin bull owned by Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms. March-born heifer Poker Dot was bought privately earlier in the year.

Here are a couple of the first of the sheep results from this morning's judging.

In the Ryelands the championship went to Raymond Aitken with his ram lamb, while reserve was H Mattinson with a shearling ewe.

In the North Country Cheviots the championship went to the Thomson family with their shearling ewe, reserve was Mary Coltman with her two shear tup.

More results to follow in due course.....

I've yet to confirm this with anyone at the RHWF, but the Scotsman is today reporting that this year's Royal Highland Winter Fair will be a free entry event.

This was being mooted as the case at Stirling earlier in the week, with somee suggesting it was as much of a cost cutting exercise as a move to tempt more visitors to the show - apparently is was costing nearly as much to collect the money as was being earned from charging an entry fee.

The question is will this be enough to draw more visitors to the show or has the rot set in too deep already? I'll be intrigued to hear your thoughts, but I fear that unless the event can draw more trade stands it may well already be too late......

The domination of Phil and Sharon Sellers in this season's primestock show cattle championships and Andrew and Becky Bishop in the sheep championships has got me thinking about whether such exceptional runs of form are a good or bad thing.

Does the continual winning by one exhibitor serve to encourage others to try and beat them or turn potential exhibitors away from events because they don't beleive they have a chance of winning?

I sit fairly firmly in the first camp and strongly beleive that anyone, no matter what they're showing is always able to be beaten provided you put the effort in. Now, obviously in the commercial cattle scene there is the small matter of money too, with many of the top animals often costing a pretty penny (I think my thoughts on this are well enough known).

But overall while the big spenders may have the upper hand when it comes to buying, they still have to feed the cattle right and bring them out in top condition on the day. After all there have been plenty of big money cattle which have never grown into their potential or been overdone - and that's true of the pedigree world too!

When it comes to the sheep lines, there is first and foremost, a darn sight less money floating about, with most of the lambs being homebred, or bought at reasonable store lamb prices. But once again the same skill in feeding is needed to get the lambs to be spot on - particularly in making them handle as pairs.

I sincerely hope the great success enjoyed by both the Sellers and Bishops doesn't deter others from having a go, after all it may just be that next year is your year, or maybe even next week at AgriLIVE Smithfield!

 

Apologies for not getting the top prices from the sale to you yesterday, unfortunately I had to dash back to the airport to get the flight home again - as it was I needn't heva rushed with the plane delayed!

However, back to the reason for the post - the auction results. The champion made £3100, leaving the show organisers with a £100 bill as they guarantee the champion to make £3200.

And the reserve went unsold at £2400, which bearing in mind she cost £4100 is no great surprise.

Butchers champion Oor Rob from Gavin Scott made £2900 and the reserve butchers champion, Lady Ga Ga from Neil Slack made £3000, having cost £5000 in the spring.

Overall it looks like a fairrly unexciting sale.

Champion in the Baby Beef championship here at the RHWF was Monzie Spinner, a Limousin cross steer from the Paton family, Spott. This one was born in August last year and weighed in at 525kg.