A new Rising Stars calf show will launch at this year’s Christmas Classic, organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM).
The two-day event, which will this year take place on December 1-2 at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, will feature a new calf show on top of traditional Christmas show and sales of prime cattle and sheep, pedigree bulls and pedigree female sheep.
This year’s event, which is organised in partnership with the Aberdeen Fatsock Association and accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, will also be free to attend for the first time in its history.
ANM said the new Rising Stars calf show will offer “an early outing for commercial cross calves” which are set to tour the show circuit in the coming year.
It will be split into open and young farmers sections with homebred and purchased classes – all calves must be born after March 1 2014 and halter-led.
The judge for this new event, which will take place following the young farmers’ prime stock judging on the Monday evening, is Balfour Baillie, Sebay, Tankerness, Orkney.
ANM Group executive director John Gregor said: “There’s no doubt the Christmas Classic is well established as a key date in the agricultural calendar, often attracting significant entries from across our trading area and beyond.
“We are also delighted to introduce the new Rising Stars calf competition which will add interest to the event. It will also provide an opportunity for young farmers and ties in well with the young farmers overwintering competition.”
Judges for the prime stock classes have also been confirmed.
James Allan, Falkirk and John Davidson, Butchers, Inverurie will judge the beef haltered prime cattle classes, while the young farmers prime cattle will be judged by Jim Smith, Wester Campfield, Glassel. The prime sheep classes will be judged by John Worsley, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.