Aberdeen & Northern Marts (ANM) is preparing to host two major cattle sales next week.
Breeders and prospective buyers will flock to the Thainstone Centre, near Inverurie, on Tuesday, for the annual show and sales of commercial beef breeding cattle, and pedigree bulls and females.
The commercial breeding cattle fixture, sponsored by East Coast Viners, has attracted 280 entries of cross heifers with spring-born calves at foot.
The pre-sale show, judged by Brian and David Barclay of Tullo of Garvock, Laurencekirk, takes place at 9am followed by the sale at 10am.
Meanwhile, the multi-breed show and sale of pedigree bulls and females has attracted 40 entries.
The show, sponsored by Ardene House veterinary practice, takes place at 11am followed by the sale at 2.30pm. The judge is well-known stockman Andrew Reid of Knockdhu, Hill of Logie, Ellon.
He will cast his eye over a line-up comprising 14 Limousin, eight Charolais, seven Simmental, two Salers, and five Aberdeen-Angus bulls as well as four Angus females.
At last year’s fixture the overall champion title went to 20-month-old Charolais bull Harestone Leam from Insch farmer Neil Barclay. He sold for 6,500gn to M.J. Forbes, Drumblade, Huntly.
ANM head of livestock, John Angus, said: “Buyers and sellers can expect to see top-quality bulls from the best herds in the north-east.”