Breeders from the north led the charge in the Simmental show ring at the Stirling Bull Sales.
Judge Steven Sandison, who runs a 100-cow commercial suckler herd of Simmental and Salers, awarded the coveted overall champion rosette to the senior champion.
This was March 2017-born Islavale Islander from the Stronach family’s 120-cow herd at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith.
Previously unshown, he is the third son of the 8,000 euros Curaheen Giant 2, whose first sons averaged 13,500gn and out of Islavale Briana.
Mr Sandison said: “I was looking for bulls with length, shape and a nice clean back. And if it’s a nice dark red colour that’s the cherry on the cake for me.”
The reserve overall title went to the junior champion from Geoff and Kate Anderson of Myreside Farm Cottage, Elgin.
The leader from their three-cow herd was October 2017-born Woodhall Instinct, by Islavale Frontier and out of Woodhall Eva.
He was bought by Mr Anderson, who works at Pitgaveny Farms near Elgin, as a calf at foot with his mother for 5,000gn at the Woodhall dispersal last February.
The intermediate championship was won by July 2017-born Finlarg Icon from Robert and Hazel McNee’s 10-cow herd at Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee.
By the privately bought Team Drambuie, he is out of the 4,500gn Dirnanean Lotti.
Reserve intermediate went to August 2017-born Kilbride Farm Ireland from the Robson family at Doagh, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. He is an AI son of Crugmelyn Brenin, which has bred sons to 22,000gn, out of Kilbride Farm Eunice.
The reserve senior champion prize went to April 2017-born Wolfstar Irn-Bru from the King family at Wolfstar, Ormiston, East Lothian. He is an AI son of the Stronach family’s Curaheen Bandit, out of Wolfstar Flame.
The reserve junior champion was November 2017-born Islavale Ironclad from the Stronachs. By Islavale Echo, out of Islavale Giggles, he is a half brother to the overall champion last February.
Lastly, both the overall and reserve female champion rosettes went to heifers from the McMillan family’s Brandane herd in East Hertfordshire. Champion was Sterling Fcuk Impuls, bred by Boddington Estates, and reserve was Brandane J-Lo.
Meanwhile, the overall champion title in the Salers section went to the senior champion from Rigel Pedigree, Leven Fields, Yarm.
This was August 2016-born Rigel Lancer Poll, by Rigel Officer, out of Rigel Jolene.
Reserve overall and junior champion was July 2017-born Cumbrian Moonraker, by Lataster Hector, from Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitlaw Farm, Selkirk.
Other prizes included: reserve intermediate for May 2017-born Darnford Mack, by Fangio, from David Watson, Darnford, Durris, Banchory; and reserve senior for October 2016- born Tolquhon Lancelot, by Tolquhon Christophe, from Jack Sleigh & Sons Ltd, Newton of Tolquhon, Tarves.
