A strong entry of pedigree female sheep was exhibited today at the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjuction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association.
Sponsored by Northlink Ferries, the event saw top quality Texel, Suffolk, Beltex, Blue Texel, Charollais, and Berrichon pedigree female sheep paraded and sold to a packed ring-side audience at Thainstone Centre this afternoon and evening.
Aberdeen & Northern Marts, deputy head of livestock, Colin Slessor said “Congratulations to all the winners and participants of today’s show and sale of pedigree female sheep. We were pleased to see such a large audience of buyers attend from all over Scotland and the fantastic trade achieved across all classes. Top Texels met an excellent demand, while Suffolk gimmers and ewe lambs realised an electric trade, with buyers bidding keenly for Beltex and Blue Texels.”
Texel female entries were judged by Robin Orr, Halbeath Farm, Dunfermline, who selected Mr Kenny Pratt, Oldtown, Petercutler, gimmer as champion. Mr Pratt’s champion gimmer went on to realise 2,000gns, selling to J Foster, Castlederg, Co Tyrone. The reserve champion came from Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, which also sold for 2,000gns to D Webster, Reiss, Wick.
The day’s top price of 3,500gns was achieved by a Texel gimmer from Mr G Morrison, Inchbruich Farm, Banff, which was purchased by E H Alexander, Auchenbreddie, Insch. This was followed by a notable price of 3,000 gns achieved by a Texel gimmer from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, which sold to S Ferris, Dromore, Northern Ireland. Another one of Mr Morrison’s gimmers went on to realise 2,200gns from Highfield Farming, The Knock, Berwickshire.
The Suffolk class saw 65 entries and was judged by Mr Iain Bissett, Mariain, Evanton. Taking the champion title and top price of 2,400gns in this section was a Suffolk ewe lamb exhibited by George L Stuart, Milton of Birness, Ellon, which sold to L M MacAullay, Elgin. Another top ewe lamb from Mr Stuart achieved 2,100gns in the ring from F Christie, Pitcaple, Inverurie. Mr Stuart continued his good run with a further Suffolk gimmer realising 2,000gns paid by R McLaughlin, Malin Town, County Donegal. A price of 1,600gns was realised twice. Once for a gimmer from C G Paterson, Aberchirder, Huntly, which sold to R McLaughlin, Malin Town, County Donegal, and a second time for another gimmer from J G Douglas, Cairness, Fraserburgh, which went J A Gibb, Cairnton, Fraserburgh.
Judged by Mr Gordon Carroll, Edendiack, Huntly, the Beltex champion title was awarded to S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, for his Beltex gimmer which sold for 2,300gns to the judge. The champion was selected among the outstanding 30 Beltex entries this year. A respectable price of 1,000gns was paid for the reserve Beltex from C G Mair & Partners, Muirfield, Cuminestown, again to the judge.
Blue Texels sold twice to 1,000gns, from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, selling to Anside Pedigree, Braehead, Drummir, and S Moyes, Woolhillock, Skene, going to T Smith & Son, Netherton, Whitehouse, Alford.
