Aberdeen and Northern Marts has hailed a considerable rise in pedigree female sheep and cattle entries for its two-day winter livestock show.
Pedigree sheep entries to the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, which takes place on Monday November 30 and Tuesday December 1, are up by nearly 70% to 274, from 162.
The largest entry is in the Texel section with 147 lots forward, followed by 58 Suffolk, 37 Beltex, and some Bluefaced Leicester, Charollais and Zwartbles sheep.
The mart’s sheep sales manager, Colin Slessor, said: “Pedigree sheep entries for the Classic are considerably up on the year – with an increase in all the different breed sections. The increased entry will see an earlier start to the sale of 5pm on day one of the Classic.
“The line-up includes a major reduction of the Drumpark Texel flock from Robbie Scott and the complete dispersal sale of Zwartble females from Ross and Kirsty Williams’ ‘Balchurn’ consignment.”
Entries for the pedigree cattle section are also up at 55 lots forward – this includes 16 Charolais, four Limsouin, 11 Simmental, eight Aberdeen-Angus and one Saler.
There will also be two pedigree Limousin cows with calves at foot, a reduction sale of the Bencraig pedigree Limousin herd, 11 pedigree Limousin cows with spring-born calves at foot, and two non-registered pedigree Limousin cows with calves at foot.
The event, which is held in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association and sponsored by HSBC Bank, will also feature a show and sale of prime cattle and sheep and the Rising Stars Exhibition Calf Show.
The closing date for entries of prime stock and exhibition calves is Monday.
JUDGES
Texel: Iain Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Suffolk: Judith and Stuart Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, Aberdeen.
Beltex: Grant Ireland, Blackhillock, Cairnie, Huntly.
Prime sheep and young farmers sheep: Harry Wood, Popes Farm, Longridge Road, Dutton, Preston.
Haltered beef cattle: Jamie Scott of John Scott Meat in Paisley and Scott Jarron of Scott Brothers Butchers in Dundee.
Young farmers cattle: John McIntosh, Goval Farm, Dyce, Aberdeen.
Unhaltered cattle – Frank Ross of ABP in Perth.
Rising stars calf show: Donald Morrison, Cairn Nulla, Burnside, Kinlochbervie, Sutherland.
Pedigree cattle: Robbie Marshall, Kincaigie Farms, East Kincraigie, Lumphanan, Banchory.