The first calf show of the season — the Winter National, held at Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 31st October 2025 — saw an excellent display of Aberdeen-Angus cattle. A large crowd of spectators enjoyed watching a strong entry, with AW Neish Esq of Rodmead Farm, Wiltshire, claiming the overall championship.
His February-born heifer, Rodmead Edwina B267, impressed the judge, Rob Bishop of the Warrenho herd, to secure Overall Supreme Champion, Female Champion, Calf Champion and Heifer Calf Champion. Sired by Rodmead Prague W012, the Male Champion and Overall Reserve Champion at the 2023 Royal Highland Show, and out of Rodmead Edwina X096, a daughter of Blelack Dual Mine, this heifer went on to win the Pairs Championship alongside Rodmead Black Baldero B286, who is also sired by Rodmead Prague. Rodmead Black Baldero continued AW Neish’s winnings for the day by taking Reserve Male Champion and Reserve Bull Calf Champion.
Bull Calf Champion, Male Champion, Reserve Calf Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion were awarded to Caroline Morton of the Keirsbeath herd, South Lanarkshire, with Keirsbeath Prescot B613. He is sired by Kilmallie Juggernaut Eric Y839, Junior Champion at the 2023 Royal Highland Show, Junior, Male Champion and Reserve Overall Champion at the 2023 Great Yorkshire Show and Junior Champion and Overall Champion at the Summer National 2023, and out of Keirsbeath Pamela S542.
Rob Bishop selected Brailes Black Boy A360 as Yearling Male Champion from Brailes Livestock. He is sired by Tonley Ronald X800 and out of Brailes Black Bee Y245, with Reserve Yearling Male Champion going to Donald Rankin with Kilmaluag Lord Ronaldo A401.
Yearling Female Champion was Tonley Princess A142, bred by Neil A Wattie Esq, sired by Tonley Jester Eric S318 and out of Tonley Princess V601. This April-born heifer also stood as Yearling Champion and Reserve Female Champion. Reserve Yearling and Reserve Yearling Female Champion went to Arradfoot Princess Caroline A486 from Thor Atkinson, while Reserve Heifer Calf Champion was awarded to Melanie and Mike Alford with Foxhill Princess Caroline B287.
Rob Bishop commented that “My champions exhibited exceptional breed character, whilst being thick, well-rounded, and full of muscle from their loins through their backs and over their hindquarters. I am sure they will both go on and be very successful in 2026.”
