Entry forms and schedules have been sent out this weekend to livestock exhibitors wishing to show at the Aberdeen Christmas Classic.
The event takes place at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, on Monday, November 27, and Tuesday, November 28.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event and special silver jubilee quaichs are being commissioned to present to all championship winners and judges at the show and sale.
The event is expected to attract a large entry of prime cattle and sheep and pedigree beef bulls and Texel, Suffolk and Beltex sheep, as well as entries for the Rising Stars Exhibition Calf Show.
Since its inauguration in 1992 the Classic – organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association – has earned an enviable reputation for the high quality of stock paraded by exhibitors.
The event was conceived by the amalgamation of the association’s Christmas fatstock show held at the old mart in Aberdeen and similar shows held by ANM at several regional marts prior to the opening of the Thainstone Centre in Inverurie.
The association with the city of Aberdeen is maintained by the attendance of the Lord Provost to present the Aberdeen Corporation trophy for the champion haltered beef animal.
Main sponsor of the event for the second year running is NorthLink Ferries who ship thousands of cattle and sheep from Orkney and Shetland to Aberdeen.
“We are very happy to again support the ANM Christmas Classic, particularly in celebrating the 25th anniversary of this premier livestock event and look forward to building on our presence last year when we were able to meet many of our customers,” said NorthLink Ferries managing director, Stuart Garrett.
ANM Group executive director, John Gregor, said he was delighted NorthLink ferries was continuing as main sponsor.
He said: “We look forward to what promises to be a spectacular two days of shows and sales.”
Returning to judge the beef cattle this year will be leading meat wholesaler, James Allan, of Malcolm Allan, Falkirk, who will be assisted by his son Ross. The sheep will be judged by Sam Carlisle of Border Meats Lockerbie, and the young farmers’ cattle by Jamie Scott of John Scott Meats, Paisley.
Entries for pedigree stock must be submitted by October 23. The deadline for primestock, young farmers and rising stars entries is November 13.
