In Pictures: Charolais charms the judge to take Keith Show cattle title
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In a showing which was paralleled in the horse section which took place at the same time, this year's Keith Show interbreed cattle champion was out competing for the first time this season.
Judges including Kenny Mair from Turriff and Andrew Weir from Bonnybridge worked their way through the individual categories for each breed as they worked toward the final selection of a breed champion.
In the Highland cattle this went to Eoin Mhor of Black Glen an April 2017 bull by Eoin Mhor 8th of Mothstone out of Ben Right bof Mothstone and shown by Morag Middleton, Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn.
Aberdeen Angus champ went to an April 22 heifer Newton Struthers Espresso, by Idvies Ed out of Newton Struthers Emma and shown by A&K Rhind of Kinloss while the Beef Shorthorn went to a five year old cow,Coxhill Cowla from Fordie Shorthorns, Kirkton Farm, Mintlaw.
The Limousin title was made to the 14-month old young bull Anside Titan from Braehead Farm Keith, while the Simmental title went to the February 2020 cow Brandane Lulu by Sterling Gino out of Sterling Candy FCUK shown by Reece and Andrew Simmers from Keith and which would go on to take the reserve interbreed championship title.
For the British Blue's it was Solway View Rainbow a late 2021 heifer by Solway View Odin out of Solway View Majestic shown by Jack Hendry from Deskford that caught the judges eye and it was a win in the Cross Cattle with a yearling heifer Golden Girl for Blair Dufton from Huntly.
With the breed champions decided it was down to interbreed cattle judge Robert McNee, Tealing from Angus to make the final call.
He said: "It's a privilege to stand in front of such a great line up of cattle at the show.
"When it comes to this part of the show everyone has their own opinion but I am looking for something that catches my eye, parades well and is true to type."
In the end he settled on the Charolais champion Silvermere Solero a February 2021 heifer by Wesley Equinox out of Silvermere Ocala and show by Michelle Hanson and Darren Irvine from Upper Drakemyres, Keith.
The couple have had a highly successful show season with their sheep winning the champion of champions with a home-bred Texel ewe lamb at Nairn last week.
On the win Michelle said: "It's her first time out this year, so this is fantastic.
"She was shown at the Highland last year, but we came with her straight out the field."
The reserve interbreed was awarded to the Simmental which has previously been second in class at the Highland and was the breed champion at Turriff last Monday as well as the reserve overall interbreed champion.
In the main ring later in the afternoon, the interbreed champion would go on to claim the reserve champion of champions title.
The next generation of exhibtors were also welcomed to the show ring by young handler judge Catherine Mckechnie from Gartochan and it proved a family affair for sisters Tara and Sophie Adams from Maryculter who too the up to age 12 and 14 to 15 titles respectively while the 13-14 age group went to Fraser Fettes, Braes of Enzie.
