Judges of this year’s New Deer Show carcase contest have hailed the quality of beasts put forward.
The annual competition, which is judged by Woodhead Bros in Turriff, saw 56 cattle and 26 pairs of lambs judged before and after slaughter.
The abattoir’s general manager, Michael Tough, said: “Every year we have been involved in this we have always thought it couldn’t get any better and every year it has exceeded my expectations. This year’s show of carcases was absolutely outstanding – the best yet. They were very consistent with a large number within the spec of what we look for. It was the most difficult carcase competition I have judged.”
Following judging with operations manager Gordon Taylor, Mr Tough awarded the supreme beef carcase title to David Buchan, of Auchtydore Farms, Easterton of Lenabo, Mintlaw.
His Limousin cross steer weighed 435.7kg and graded E4L. It took the best steer and reserve overall titles while shown live at the show last weekend.
Standing reserve beef carcase champion was A. and E. Cumming, of Tillydesk, Ellon, with a light heifer which weighed 399.8kg and graded U+3.
Meanwhile, the champion title for a beef beast shown live at the show was awarded to Harry Brown, of Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead.
In the lambs section, the three top titles were awarded to AI Genetics Ltd, of Darroch, Huntly.
The company took the champion pair of lamb carcases award with a pair of Beltex cross, which weighed 20.8kg and 19.8kg and both graded E3L.
The reserve champion lambs from the firm weighed 19.7kg and 22.2kg and graded E2 and E3L respectively, while the champion single carcase lamb weighed 19.8kg and graded E3L.
Meanwhile, the champion title for a pair of lambs shown live at the show, was awarded to W. and J. Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer.