The Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone Agricultural Centre is always one of the highlights of the north-east and this year's event looks set to be just as good, with a bumper line up of competitions and the presentation of a new trophy for the first time in more than half a century.
The one-day event hosted by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society, on Wednesday, February 28 will see the return of a trophy which was last presented when the Spring Show took place at Aberdeen’s King Links in 1970. Originally presented in the Border Leicester sheep classes, the Royal Northern Agricultural Society Challenge Shield will now be awarded in the any other native breed of sheep section, which includes the breed.
With sheep and horse entries up year on year, and a host of new and returning sponsors the Royal Northern Spring Show will again be staged at Thainstone Centre headquarters of the ANM Group, one of Scotland’s largest and most progressive producer-owned farming, food and finance businesses.
The one-day showcase will feature an array of trade stands plus competitions which attract some of the best livestock from across the country. These include a show of exhibition cattle supported by new sponsor JDW Agri Ltd and a show and sale of pedigree bulls hosted by Aberdeen and Northern Marts and sponsored by NorthLink Ferries.
Commenting on plans for the 2024 event, RNAS president Alan Cumming said: “We are delighted that this beautiful trophy has been brought out of retirement in time for this year’s show and we look forward to adding it to the array of trophies, cups and shields which are awarded in recognition of our exhibitors’ hard work.
Junior vice-president Brian Ross added: “We hope that the return of this shield to the sheep classes will encourage more entries in this important section of the competition moving forward, and we look forward to it bearing the name of a new winner for the first time in many years.”
One of the main events, the show of exhibition cattle has attracted a good entry of quality calves, with the pedigree sale of bulls and heifers also boasting big numbers.
John Angus, head of livestock at Aberdeen and Northern Marts said: “We are delighted to see a good entry of 45 exhibition cattle and 104 pedigree bulls and females. The event offers a great opportunity to purchase top-quality stock ahead of the forthcoming show season, so we encourage everyone to come along to view on the day."
Judges
Cattle
Exhibition cattle – James Nisbet, Sorn
Carcase cattle on the hoof – Nigel Cumming, Scotbeef
Carcase cattle on the hook – Sandy Milne, Miller’s of Speyside
Pedigree bulls – Andrew Anderson, Duffus
Sheep
Prime hoggs – Brian McAllister, Northern Ireland
Breeding sheep – Victor Chestnutt, Northern Ireland
Carcase lambs on the hook – Sandy Milne, Miller’s of Speyside
Other sections
Cereals – TBC
Roots & YF box of produce – Gordon Stewart, Inverurie
Silage and hay – Jamie McIntyre, Cullerlie
SWI – Isabel Birse, Sauchen
YF industrial display – Alison Argo, Fettercairn
YF stockjudging – Scott Willox, Netherley
YF carcase stockjudging – Sandy Milne, Miller’s of Speyside
Horses and ponies
Clydesdale horses – Ron Brewster, Methven
Shetland ponies – Eleanor Warren, Kinross
Highland ponies – Marjorie Grant, Perth
Mountain and moorland and young handlers – Nicola Maclean, Keith
Ride and drive and light horses and ponies – Marion Maclennan
Overall horse – John Karwl-Jacks
Programme of events
Tuesday, February 27
Society pedigree bull and female inspections
Charolais – 1.00-2.00pm
Limousin – 2.00-3.00pm
Simmental – 3.00-4.00pm
Aberdeen-Angus
and Beef Shorthorn – 4.00-4.30pm
Wednesday, February 28
8.00 am Judging of pedigree bulls
9.00 am Judging of horses and ponies
9.00 am Judging of sheep
9.00 am Judging of cereals, roots and fodder beet
9.45 am Judging of SWI and YF industrial
11.00 am Presentation of overall pedigree bulls winners
11.30 am Judging of the exhibition cattle
12 noon Sale of pedigree bulls
1.15 pm Young Farmers stockjudging
2.00 pm President’s speeches and presentation
2.00pm Presentation of Long Service Medals in Ring No 2
2.30 pm Sale of exhibition cattle
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