There is just under a month left to enter cattle into this year’s Thainstone Spectacular event.
The annual show and sale of store cattle and weaned calves takes place on Friday, August 21.
This follows a move by organisers ANM Group to bring the date forward to a Friday in August rather than a Wednesday in September.
ANM said the date had been changed due to consignor demand to coincide the event more closely with the end of the summer show season and Friday sales at Thainstone.
This year’s show, which will see classes based on breeds and ages of between three and six animals, will be judged by Gwyn Edwards, Corwen, Wales.
Champions from each section will be put forward to compete for the overall champion Clydesdale Bank award, while the unhaltered section will be split into senior and junior classes.
The mart’s store and breeding cattle manager, John Angus, said: “The Spectacular is renowned throughout the UK as the place to source cattle with excellent future showing potential and we are looking forward to another outstanding event. I would urge exhibitors to get their entries in as early as possible.”
Last year’s show and sale saw a top price of £3,800 paid twice. First at this price was a Limousin cross heifer – Lady Moo Moo – by Haltcliffe Donny. Put forward by Duncan and Grant Morrison, of Newtack, Crossroads, Keith, this one sold to Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, of 2 Bogie Street, Huntly.
Their purchase has proved a worthwhile investment – Lady Moo Moo was crowned champion of champions at Fettercairn a few weeks ago.
The next at this price was a Limousin cross heifer by Proctors Cavalier from Balfour Baillie, Sebay Cottage, Tankerness, Orkney. The buyer was I. S. Sinclair, 3 Clyth Mains, Occumster, Lybster, Caithness.
The closing date for entries to the show is Friday, August 14. Entry forms are available on the ANM Group website at www.anmgroup.co.uk.