The judging of the commercial cattle classes took place in Balmoral this morning with Blackwater Limousins claiming top spot. Tasked with judging the classes was Mark Robertson and after much deliberation tapped out the Limousin-cross heifer, Peppa, from the Williamson family. Born January 2018, this dark red heifer was purchased at the Carrick on Shannon fat stock last autumn. Originally bred by the Tynan family from Mountrath, Peppa is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Craigatoke Jack with the dam an Elite Forever Brill daughter.

Speaking on his champion, judge Robertson said she “carried her weight very well, had power right through” and that she really was the “whole package”. This marks another very successful year for the Williamson outfit who also secured the championship in 2017.

Standing reserve female and reserve overall champion was a Belgian Blue-cross heifer from Strathearn commercials.

Reserve female and reserve overall commercial champion from Strathearn commercials.

Owned in partnership with Blair Duffton, the smart all-black heifer won the junior heifer class of the day. Born June 2018, she is sired by Strathbogie Kansas with the dam a Limousin-cross cow. Originally bred by Craig Robertson, this marks the young heifers first day out.

In the steer championship the top award went the way of Bob Lee Swagger from Mr Alan Veitch.

Overall champion steer from Alan Veitch.

This July 2018-born bull is sired by Limousin bull Trueman Idol and out of a Belgian Blue dam which has bred heifers to 8,000gns.