Scottish agriculture has ploughed through a difficult six months but
farmers, stockmen and livestock enthusiasts left their worries at home at the weekend and headed to Fife Show to let their hair down and celebrate what the industry does best.
They were not disappointed. The talk round the cattle, sheep and equestrian showrings was of quality, breeding and success. Top exhibitors assessed their chances at important forthcoming events like the Highland Show, and, for the most part, the weather held.
Show committee members were thrilled to see sunshine, enthusiasm and a great turnout of farmers, horse competitors and the general public. Show president Alan Stewart, Kininmonth Farm, Pitscottie, praised the organising team and said he was delighted to see a strong turnout of stock during a troubled farming year.
Even NFU Scotland president Allan Bowie got a day off from the industry’s political and economic turmoil when he took on the even more onerous task of judging the best animal in the showground.
Ever conscious of diplomacy, he claimed it was not an easy job to choose between the top beef and dairy cattle, sheep and horses.
“But the Aberdeen Angus heifer caught my eye,” he said. “She stood out and deserved the honour.”
The interbreed species champion was Belhaven Francophile, a two-year-old
in-calf heifer from Haddington wholesale butcher John Gilmour. He was not at the show to enjoy the glory, but Francophile was brought out and shown to her best by Alloa experts Richard and Jamie Rettie.
“We’re heading for the Highland Show and she won’t be shown again till then,” said Richard.
“And after today’s success we have high hopes.”
Beef interbreed judge David Clark from Carluke described the heifer as “stylish”, with great breed character and no faults.
For his reserve beef overall champion he chose the British Blue champion, a 14-month-old heifer, Nochnarry Katie, from Freuchie breeders David and James McKerrow.
“She’s a tremendous wee heifer, well put together, a credit to the breed,” he said.
Over in the sheep lines the interbreed champion was the Charollais tup which was repeating his supreme success of last year. This three shear tup, Riverdale Novo, was shown by Peter and Linda Wood, Knockhill, Strathkinness. He is by Logie Durno Laird and out of a Riverdale ewe.
Meanwhile, the Suffolk champion won the reserve interbreed honour on only his first show outing. Gordona and Donald Mackie’s ewe lamb is by Forkins Boldboy and out of a ewe by Thurston Calzage.
