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Robert Millar casts his eye over a class of four-year-olds, which he eventually placed XAYB |
KINTYRE and District Ayrshire Breeders Club held its annual stock judging at Machribeg Farm, Southend on Monday evening.
In the absence of chairman Hamish Smith, owing to illness, vice-chairman Robin Barr welcomed all present and introduced the master judge for the competition Robert Millar of High Cattadale.
Although Mr Millar prefers to milk a herd composed of a rival back and white breed, he had quite recently gained first-hand experience of milking some Ayrshires on a temporary basis and it is rumoured that he has been heard quietly admitting to being favourably impressed by their performance.
Some 96 competitors took a keen interest in placing six different classes of traditional-style Ayrshires after which prizes were presented as follows.
Gents: 1 equal and winners of Ayrshire Cattle Society Cup: Thomas Ralston, Dhurrie and Andrew Ralston, Dalivaddy, each receiving semen vouchers to the value of £100; 3 John Armour, High Tirfergus, £50 voucher.
Ladies: 1 Tracy Millar, Ballygreggan, £50; 2 Catherine Ralston East Drumlemble, £30; 3 Alison Ronald, High Cottage, Keil, £20.
Young Farmers: 1 Peter McKerral, Dundoaran, Southend, £100 voucher;2 Kevin Graham West Backs, £50 voucher; 3 Iain Smith, Wallace Cottages, Southend, £25.
Juniors: 1 equal, Aaron McCallum, Hill Cottage, Keil, £15 voucher each;3 Graeme McMillan, Balloch Cottage, £5.
Pairs
In a further competition sponsored by Davidson Brothers (Shotts) Ltd, pairs of four mothers and four daughters were also inspected and placed.
Thirteen competitors’ cards agreed exactly with the verdict of the master judge and after a draw the five lucky winners of £10 each were: William G Ralston, Darlochan; Archie Millar, Ballygreggan; Robert Millar Jnr, Brunerican; John Armour, High Knockrioch and Thomas Irwin, West Drumlemble.
John Ralston, chairman of the Kintyre Holstein Breeders Club then ably announced the final placings over the three local club stockjudgings held during the past 12 months.
Gents: 1 Thomas Cameron, Gartvaigh; 2 William G Ralston, Darlochan; 3 Sandy Pirie, Machrihanish.
Ladies: 1 Iona Barr, Calderglen, Clochkeil; 2 Joan Pirie, Machrihanish; 3 Catherine Ralston, East Drumlemble.
Young farmers: 1 Thomas J Cameron, Gartvaigh; 2 Robin Barr, Calderglen; 3 Rachael Pirie, Machrihanish.
Juniors: 1 Graeme McMillan, Balloch Cottage; 2 Jennifer Littleson, Killegruer; 3 Greg Gillespie, Campbeltown.
Overall most points and winner of the Gartvaigh Cup: Iona Barr; winner of the James Wilson Memorial Cup for highest score in young farmers’ section: Thomas J Cameron.
Following a well-supported raffle, Willie Ralston then proposed a vote of thanks, Willie Ralston then proposed a vote of thanks to all concerned in making the evening such an enjoyable occasion and made special mention of the role of club treasurer Archie Reid in helping before hand to prepare the 20 animals on display during the various classes.
The club was also indebted to Hamish Smith for so diligently seeking sponsorship for the event from Cattle Services (Ayr) Ltd, Semex UK, Alta Genetics, World Wide Sire, Cogent and Cattle Information Service Milk Records Division.
The next meeting of the club will be the annual general meeting on Monday March 3 in the Argyll Arms Hotel, Campbeltown, at 8pm when the guest speaker will be John Hunter, Ardmore, County Antrim, the current president of the Argyllshire Cattle Society. All are very welcome to come along for what should be a most enlightening talk on his year in office and also on the farms at home in Northern Ireland.
