Bridge of Cally farm’s Wester Bleaton and Soilzarie have been crowned the winners of the Morrisons Beef Shorthorn suckler herd of the year award.
The 200-cow and 800-ewe strong hill and upland units, which span 800 hectares, are run by Perthshire farmer Raymond Martyn.
He was presented with the award during the Stirling Bull Sales in recognition of his improving farming enterprise, which utilises Beef Shorthorn to breed suckler replacements.
Mr Martyn finished ahead of Michael Foljambe, of Osberton, Worksop; Guy Prudom, of Mickleby, Saltburn, and Alex Smith, of Wykeham, Scarborough.
Each of the finalists were judged according to technical and financial management, genetics, herd health, marketing and particularly on the performance and impact of Beef Shorthorn within the suckler herd.
Mr Martyn was awarded £500 cash, while each of the four finalists got a £250 voucher towards the purchase of a Beef Shorthorn bull at a society sale.
Judge Clive Brown, EBLEX senior regional manager, said: “It was a pleasure to see so many quality cattle in such a variety of locations and farming situations.
“Although all four finalists had particular strong points, Raymond had the edge through his all-round performance and determination to continually improve his farming enterprise and for the role that the Beef Shorthorn played in helping him achieve that goal.
“His focus on using the breed to improve such things as feet and milk within the herd as well as continuing to produce quality cattle was particularly noticeable.”
Mr Martyn introduced Beef Shorthorn to his spring-calving herd in 2009 to breed replacement heifers.
This season, he recorded 98.5% calves reared from 200 cows calved. Closing the herd and introducing more milk to the cows have been among the unit’s objectives, as well as breeding females that will put on flesh in late summer to enable them to winter outdoors off their backs.