Nearly 1000 beef cattle have been entered, with Aberdeen-Angus leading the way with 124 entered, with Highland cattle coming next with 115 followed by British Limousin cattle with 113.

2 J and S Montgomery with Lorabar Monarch Prince J348 (by Wedderlie Eroseric C618)

3 Neil Massie with Blelack Elmark J127 (by Netherallan Peter Pershore)

4 Alistair Clark with Duncanziemere Jaguar J306 (by Aln Governor D833)

5 Stuart Addison with Castlegate Europa J021 (by Rawburn Rommell E423)

It’s a shame in many ways, but many exhibitors aren’t suprised by it’s demise at all.

It may be the end, but as the live coverage of the Royal Highland Show was such a huge success, we’re hoping to bring you the same for tomorrow’s judging. The action kicks off at 9am and the classes and standard looks strong, so fingers crossed the breed has yet another successful show. We’ve had a pretty good run in the interbreed of late, so who knows what this year will bring!!

Having almost “fallen in love” with Penguin Dolly C133 at the recent Royal Highland Show, Mr Wallace later secured her in a private deal from Shropshire-based breeder Bob Lane. This before Dolly later went on to win the cow and calf class.

“I saw and I really liked her. She’s a powerful yet balanced cow with a good calf at foot and is just the type of female maker I’m looking for,” Mr Wallace told the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society.

Dolly is sired by the Papa Equator 2928 son Penguin Toney Bear Y181 and is out of Dolly W22 of Penguin, who is by Perryville Nimrod 29C.

She will return home to Northern Ireland where she will join Mr Wallace’s two most recent additions from Bernard Mairs dispersal sale, the two year old TLA Northern Samurai daughter Croftburn Blackbird H331 and the successful show cow Huxton Blackbird B081 ho is sired by Rawburn El Cid Z432 out of Rawburn Blackbird.

Speaking of his plans for his new Aberdeen-Angus herd, Mr Wallace says he doesn’t want to run too many cows, possibly 10 maximum and plans to start showing next year.

The company has gone into partnership with trustees of the Dumfries House Estate in east Ayrshire, Scotland, to use 700 acres of land for farming and farming research and are looking to start a pedigree and commercial herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle alongside Beef Shorthorn cattle and native breeds of sheep.

Working alongside this project will be the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s patron HRH Prince Charles, who has a vested interest in Dumfries House.  

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Morrisons CEO Marc Bolland told the Society’s chief exec Ron McHattie that experiments in animal feeding, housing and welfare, are under discussion with the Scottish Agricultural College. Plans are also under way to start stocking the farm with stock as well as sourcing a new stockman.

Marc Bolland meeting with Ron McHattie and William McLaren

Jim McLaren, president of the Scottish NFU, said: “It is extremely good news for the agriculture industry that one of the country’s leading retailers is willing to engage at this level.”

At the same time, Morrisons announced the launch of ‘Morrisons Farmer Groups’ for “supply chain dialogue… to encourage working across the supply chain”.

The first groups, for dairy, beef, poultry and egg farmers, are now being set up, through Morrisons suppliers, and the company expects to do the same later for lamb and pork producers and the crop sector.

As well as dialogue, it promises “investment in applied farm research, organised through Morrisons Farmers Groups and working in partnership with leading agricultural colleges”.

The ‘Morrisons Farming Programme’ also promises a new website for livestock farmers to trace carcase data, to check if they are getting the best quality ratings and best prices. It will start with beef.

Lead out by John Lascelles, the two year old bull Balmachie Keystone G041 from Messrs J F Lascelles family and Pip Robson and family was tapped out behing the Galloway bull who took the top spot under judge and Charolais and Saler breeder Peter Donger.

This a tremendous day for native beef breeds, as the Galloways had previously taken the red ticket in the groups, also judged by Mr Donger. A delighted John Lascelles punched the air as he stepped out as reserve. Readers of previous Highland posts will know this one is by The Moss Mr Eshton out of Kim of Fordafourie. For first time Highland Show exhibitors John Lascelles and family, this surely is a tremendous day.   Mr Donger said “the bull was a worthy reserve champion to the Galloway, showing great style and good movement.”

Tapping out the champion

Owned in partnership with Pip Robson and family, Keystone was purchased in Perth for 13,000gns. He is by The Moss Mr Eshton, a bull owned in joint partnership between James Porter and the McLaren family, out of the famous cow Kim of Fordafourie, owned in joint partnership with John Lascelles and the McLarens. Kim herself is one of the most prolific cows in the breed, having grossed almost £200,000 in progeny sales.

Keystone has already had championship results under his belt, by taking the male top spot at last year’s Turriff Show. Speaking to the AACS after his win, John Lascelles said he was absolutely delighted to have won the championship. “When two genetic giants come together like Kim and Mr Eshton you have a sneaky feeling you’re going to produce a cracker, but it’s never a given. We have calves on the ground by keystone and are incredibly pleased with his performance so far.”

Balmachie Keystone

Taking the reserve overall spot was the female champion Drumdow Elsa G458 from Willie Brown. This April 07 two year old is by The Moss Mr Espresso (making it an excellent day for The Moss team as well) and is out of Drumdow Elsa B118. The male and female champion are out of full ET brothers bred at The Moss.

Reserve champion Drumdow Elsa

Taking the reservefemale championship was the second prize heifer in that class, Carlhurlie Dardanius G628, who is by Blelack Blackstock out of Carlhurlie Dowitcher.

Standing second was Donald Gotts with Ladysmith Pedro B044, a 7year old bull by Edward of Bridgefoot out of Rawburn Pitter-Patter.