Entries are now open for this year’s Aberdeen Christmas Classic event.
The two-day Christmas show, organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts (ANM) in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association, takes place on November 26-27 at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
Sponsored by NorthLink Ferries, the fixture includes a showcase of leading prime cattle and sheep from across Scotland, as well as shows and sales of female pedigree sheep, pedigree beef bulls, and the Rising Stars exhibition calf show.
Newly-appointed Aberdeen Fatstock Association chairman, Ross Williams, said: “The Christmas Classic continues to go from strength to strength each year, and I am delighted to be appointed as chairman and work with ANM to deliver this year’s event.”
NorthLink Ferries managing director, Stuart Garrett, said: “NorthLink Ferries is key to the transportation of livestock between the Northern Isles and Aberdeen, and we are proud to continue to support the agricultural industry and build on the strong links with Thainstone.”
ANM prime cattle manager, Tim McDonald, said: “We look forward to what promises to be another successful Christmas Classic featuring a strong line-up of livestock.”
The judges include Hugh Black of Hugh Black & Sons, Lanark, Perth, and Murray Lauchlan, Comrie Butcher, Comrie, for the open haltered cattle category.
The open unhaltered cattle will be judged by John Mackintosh of Goval Farm, near Aberdeen. The Young Farmers’ haltered cattle and sheep will be jduged by Guthrie Batchelor of Fleming Butchers, Arbroath, while the prime sheep judge is Tom Hutcheon of Penman Butchers in Crail.
ANM executive director, John Gregor, said: “We invite exhibitors to put forward their entries for a chance to participate in this prestigious agricultural event and compete for an array of trophies from the £14,000 prize fund.”
The deadline for pedigree cattle and sheep entries is October 22, and November 12 for prime cattle and sheep entries.