Final preparations are now underway for the annual Aberdeen Christmas Classic which will take place at Thainstone Centre Inverurie later this month.
The two-day premier event, organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association and supported by main sponsor Rapid Project Development (RPD), will be held on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th November.
Over 400 entries have been submitted for the annual event with consignors joining from across the country. A packed programme of events over the two days will see shows and sales of prime and pedigree livestock, including the Rising Stars competition as well as the Young Farmers and open stock judging competition.
“We are thrilled to see a tremendous line-up of prime, commercial and pedigree stock forward for this year’s Aberdeen Christmas Classic,” said ANM prime cull cattle manager, Tim McDonald.
“Over the two days, spectators will have the opportunity to view and source top-quality cattle and sheep. We also have various agricultural trade stands coming along, as well as the Young Farmers stock judging.
“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors and in particular we’d like to thank RPD for their continued support as main sponsor. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Thainstone at the end of the month.”
The prime cattle section has attracted 85 entries and will see Ryan Briggs from Briggy’s Quality Butchers judging the open and butchers’ sections.
Harry Wood from Bowland Foods Ltd is set to judge with the Unhaltered Prime Cattle Classes, while John Carlisle, Border Meats will judge the Young Farmers Haltered Beef Cattle.
In the prime sheep classes, 65 pairs of lambs including the Young Farmers section will be judged by Bill Cameron from Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith.
240 pedigree female sheep entries were received with Mark Wattie from Mains of Tonley, Alford judging the Beltex, Katrina Macarthur from Newton of Budgate, Cawdor, Nairn judging the Blue Texels, Bruce Johnson from Heatherbrae, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland judging the Suffolks and Kenny Duthie from Woodside of Chapelton, Brechin judging the Texels.
Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie will judge this year’s Rising Stars which has attracted 20 entries of top commercial bullocks and heifers.
Programme of events:
Monday 27th November 2023:
- 1.00pm Judging of Pedigree Female Sheep
- 3.00pm Sale of Pedigree Female Sheep
- 5.30pm Judging of Young Farmers Prime Sheep
- 5.45pm Judging of Open Unhaltered Cattle, followed by Young Farmers Unhaltered Prime Cattle, Young Farmers Haltered Prime Cattle and Rising Stars Calf Show
Tuesday 28th November 2023:
- 9.30am Judging of Open and Butchers Haltered Prime Cattle
- 9.30am Judging of Open and Butchers Prime Sheep
- 1.00pm Presentation of Prizes for Prime Cattle and Sheep, followed by Sale of Prime Cattle and Sheep Commencing with Cattle
- 7.00pm Young Farmers and Open Stock Judging Competition