Exhibitors presented top-quality prime cattle and sheep today at the Aberdeen Christmas Classic at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie – hosted by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association and sponsored by Northlink Ferries, operated by Serco Ltd.
Judged by Hugh Black, Hugh Black & Sons, Lanark, and Murray Lauchlan, David Comrie & Son, Comrie, Perthshire, the open haltered beef cattle class saw Cheeky Kiss, a 610kg Limousin cross heifer from Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, claim the overall champion title. The heifer went on to achieve the day’s top price of £4,600 to both judges. The reserve champion, presented by Work & Son, Mains of Dumbreck, Udny, was Sarah, a 634kg British Blue cross heifer which sold for £2,600 to the judge Hugh Black.
The Butchers’ cattle class champion title was awarded to D Work & Son, Mains of Dumbreck, Udny, for their 575kg Limousin cross bullock named Harvey, which sold for £3,000 to Forbes Raeburn Butcher, Huntly. Exhibited by Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, the reserve butchers’ cattle champion was Cotton Tail, a 570kg Limousin cross heifer which went on to realise £2,300 from Mr A Bruce of Bruce the Broch, Fraserburgh.
In the Young Farmers prime cattle section, judged by Gunthrie Batchelor from Fleming Butchers, Arbroath, the overall championship was awarded to Sarah Balfour, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, for her 610kg British Blue cross bullock named The Bandit, which realised £2,000 to C G Fleming, West Port, Arbroath. The reserve overall champion title was awarded to a 704kg Limousin cross heifer called Little Mojito, presented by Jack Hendry, Keith Commercials, Heads of Auchdinderran, Keith, which also sold for £2,000 to G Dinnie, Bridgeton, Alford.
A 554kg British Blue cross heifer from W A Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie, won the championship title in the unhaltered beef cattle section judged by John MacIntosh, Aberdeen, which sold for £1,705 to Cormack & Swa, Harpsdale, Halkirk. The reserve championship was achieved by Spitfire, a 554kg Limousin cross heifer, exhibited by Sheep Park Farms, Bridge of Marnoch. The reserve champion went on to sell for £1,650 to Mr A Bruce of Bruce the Broch, Fraserburgh.
Prime and cull cattle manager Tim McDonald, said: “Prime cattle realised a first-class trade, with the sale, supported extremely well by butchers and wholesalers across Scotland. We are pleased with the results, and all the exhibitors should be proud of their accomplishments achieved the Classic.”
Prime lambs also met a steady trade at the Christmas Classic today. Judges Louise Forsyth of W T S Forsyth, Peebles, and Ben Wight, Midlock, Biggar, made an excellent job of judging. The Overall Champion title was achieved by a pair of Suffolk cross lambs from W & J Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer. The champion pair weighed 56kg and realised £200 per head to Judge Louise Forsyth. The reserve champion pair were the Beltex cross entry from C Angus, West Mey, Thurso, which realised £150 per head to John Scott Meats, Paisley.
The Butchers’ Champions title was awarded to Rory Gregor, Ranch House Cottage, Thainstone, for his pair of lambs which made £180 per head to I J McIntosh Butchers, Fraserburgh. The reserve champion was a Beltex pair which came from C Angus, West Mey, Thurso, and realised £130 per head selling to Judge Louise Forsyth.
Young farmers prime lamb champions came from John Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, and sold for £170 per head to Messrs Gordon Waterside, Alford. Mr Brown also had the reserve champions which sold for £130 per head to Hugh Black & Sons, Lanark.
Colin Slessor, deputy head of Livestock, said: “We saw an increased entry of top-class prime lambs during this year’s Christmas Classic which went on to achieve a steady trade this afternoon.”
Prime sheep champion