Netherton take top honours at National Angus show

This year’s Aberdeen-Angus National Show, held in conjunction with the Border Union Agricultural Show, saw more than 75 head of Aberdeen-Angus cattle forward from all corners of the UK for judge Robert Lane of the Penguin herd, Shropshire, to place.

Mr Lane found his champion in the form of Netherton Focus J491 from Messrs W and D McLaren, Perthshire. Sired by the 36,000gns The Moss Mr Eshton (who was this year’s Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show), this January 2009-born bull is out of Netherton Fleur B199 who sold for 10,000gns to Dr Michael and Martin Sheahan, Ireland, where she was the 2008 female and reserve Supreme All Ireland champion. She is also the dam of Luddenmore Fleur H001, a full sister to Focus, who was Ireland‘s National Calf Show Champion.

Netherton Focus is now destined for the Stirling Bull Sales in October. Describing his champion Mr Lane said: “This bull is a well fleshed, powerful young bull with great locomotion. He will no doubt make a great pedigree stock bull for the future.”

Commenting on his win, a delighted William McLaren jnr said: “We couldn’t have asked for more from this show. Having done so well at this year’s Royal Highland Show it was fantastic to win the championship at the National. We look forward to bringing Focus to the Stirling sales.”

Taking the reserve champion spot was the leader in the female championship, Linton Gelibertines Ella J177 from Gordon Brooke, Malton, North Yorkshire. This March 2009-born heifer is by Rawburn Rommel E423 and is out of the Rawburn Lord Ross C216 daughter Rawburn Ebony F618 who was sold at the Best of Blacks sale in 2008 for 11,000gns. Ella was an embryo inside her at the time.

Mr Lane described his overall reserve champion as: “A great heifer with great breed character. She was equally well fleshed and an easy female champion.” Commenting on the overall standard of cattle in front of him, he added: “There was a great top quality to the classes making this show one of the best standard’s of Aberdeen-Angus cattle I’ve seen for quite a long time, the classes were a pleasure to judge.”  

Having stood second in the same class as the champion, the reserve male championship went to Cumnock, Ayrshire-based Alastair Clark’s Duncanziemere Jaguar J306. Born January 2009, Jaguar is by the Hoff Limited Edition SC 594 son Aln Govenor D833 and is out of the Newcairnie Pastor Z006 daughter Duncanziemere Jody D147.

Taking reserve in the female championship having made the journey up from Romsey in Hampshire was Lockerley Hall Farms, with their February 2008-born heifer Lockerley Georgina H904. By the Netherton Eastern Cruz son Lockerley Mr Big D462, she is out of the Idvies Jester Eric A057 daughter Lockerley Georgina E591.

Commenting on the National Show, the Society’s chief executive Ron Mchattie said: “We were delighted with this year’s National Show. The standard on offer was incredibly impressive throughout the classes. The Society would like to thank the Border Union Show for their hospitality and management for helping make the event such a positive one for the breed.”