A STRONG show of 43 Young Farmers' cattle was forward at the Angus Tayside overwintering competition held at Lawrie and Symington's Forfar mart, where the championship ticket went to Forfar JAC's Andrew Beattie.

Securing a win for Andrew was a 465kg, Limousin cross heifer tapped out by judge, Steven Smith of The Byre, Sunnyhill Croft, Turriff. Bred at the Beatties' farm, Tullywhanland, and bought in November for £780, she was knocked down to David Peters, West Bog, Kirriemuir, for £1460.

Robbie Wills, a fellow Forfar member, picked up the reserve championship with a Limmy cross bought from Meikle Coull, for £890. Scaling 500kg on the day, she was also snapped up by Mr Peters. 

Topping the trade within the section, however, was Forfar JAC's Daniel Fleming when he sold his 490kg heifer for £1600, achieving the best gross margin in the competition. 

Overall, Young Famers' calves saw the 30 bullocks cash in to average 227p per kg or £1061.19 with the 15 heifers at 251p or £1226.67. 

Held alongside was the show and sale of 599 store cattle, judged by Derek Nelson, Mains of Lundie, Edzell. His champion was a 545kg Limousin cross bullock from P Cooper and Sons, Govals, which Mr Nelson later purchased for £1340, while the reserve, a 520kg Limousin cross heifer from the McLarens, Muirhouses, made £1320 to David Peters, West Bog, Kirriemuir. 

See the April 8 issue of The Scottish Farmer for all the leading awards and prices.