Prize-winning commercial cattle are set to draw in buyers from across the UK at the Thainstone Spectacular on Friday.
The annual show and sale, organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM), will feature around 60 entries of commercial stock, including prize-winners from the summer show circuit in the north and north-east.
This year’s event will follow a new format with all classes judged based on age and breed, rather than weight. The champions from each section will then go on to compete for the overall championship.
The judge for the show, which kicks off at 9.30am, is Gwyn Edwards of Corwen, Wales.
All stock will be then go on to be sold at the mart’s regular Friday sale from 2pm.
Animals previously bought at this annual spectacle have gone on have fantastic show success.
An example of this is 21-month-old Limousin cross heifer Lady Moo Moo, which was bought at last year’s event for £3,800. She has had countless show wins this summer (see page 10-11) and is now set to be used for breeding by a farmer down in Lockerbie.
Among the stock on offer at the 2015 event is Nice N Spicy – a full sister to Lady Moo Moo – from Grant Morrison at Newtack, Keith.
Meanwhile, six entries are forward from regular Spectacular champion breeder Andrew Anderson of Smallburn Farms at Plewlands, Duffus.
Among the lots on offer is Abhoot There – a January-born Limousin cross heifer which stood champion at Grantown and reserve at the Black Isle.
Smallburn Farms will also sell September-2014 born Limousin cross heifer You Beauty, which stood champion at Nairn.
Another regular consigner – Wester Cairnglass – will bring along home-bred September-2014 born Limousin cross bullock Black Magic, which was reserve at Nairn and champion young farmers’ beast at Sutherland.
Last year’s overall champion breeder – John Robertson and son Craig of Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry – will bring out Limousin cross Camera Shy, while J Munro & Sons of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, has a team of seven forward.
ANM will once again offer a special buyers incentive of £500, to be awarded for any Spectacular entry that goes on to win the overall live cattle championship at a variety of shows, including Countryside Live, LiveScot 2015, East of England Smithfield Festival, Borderway Agri Expo, Royal Welsh Winter Fair and the Aberdeen Christmas Classic.
To qualify, the winning entry must have been purchased at the Spectacular, exhibited by the buyer and sold at the event as champion.