More than 50 cattle will go on show at the young farmers’ overwintered cattle show and sale at Thainstone next week.
The event, which is organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts and sponsored by Ledingham Chalmers, has attracted 54 entries from young farmers’ club members aged between 14 and 30.
The stock on offer was purchased by the youngsters at the autumn sales at Thainstone, before being reared over the winter months in preparation for the show.
This year’s show, which takes place on Thursday March 17 at 6pm, will be judged by Martin Barker of Middlebank End Farm and Derek Nelson of Mains of Lundie, Edzell.
Mr Barker will judge the classes and the champions, while Mr Nelson will deliberate over the best presented and paraded animals.
Highest average daily weight gain and feeders’ margin elements will also be scrutinised as part of the judging process.
The show, which has 28 steers and 26 heifers forward, will be followed by a sale the following morning at 10am at Thainstone.
At last year’s fixture the overall champion rosettes were awarded to Ally Fraser, Easter Clune, Lethen, Nairn – his 11-month-old Limousin cross steer, weighing in at 456kg, went on to sell for £4,000 to Blair Duffton, Bogie Street, Huntly.
Meanwhile, the heifer champion at the 2015 show – a 10-month-old Charolais cross weighing 472kg – from James MacIver Jnr, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss, Forres, sold to the show judge Harry Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, for £2,600.
The home-bred class was won by Grant Morrison, Newtack, Crossroads, Keith, with his 11-month-old 426kg Limousin cross heifer which sold for £1,700 to Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie.
“We are delighted with the number of entrants for this year’s event which provides valuable experience for the region’s young stock handlers. Through our newly launched marts website, we are all set to broadcast the show judging and sale live to those unable to attend,” said Aberdeen and Northern Marts auction operations manager, Alan Hutcheon.
“We are proud to continue supporting the next generation of young farmers and pleased to see their enthusiasm and commitment to rear and present livestock in preparation for a show and sale in direct competition with their peers.”
