A Beef Shorthorn bullock from Ross Bros family, Wardhead, Strichen, landed the overall championship at the Royal Northern Agricultural Society’s carcase competition judged on the hook.

The competition which followed the live event at the society’s Spring Show at Thainstone Centre, was staged at Woodhead Bros, Turriff, where the judges Sandy Milne and Mike Riddell of Millers of Speyside selected the winners.

The supreme cattle which stood first at the Spring Show, was bred by D Mitchell, West Park, Auchterarder and produced a 387.1kg carcase with a U+4L grade.

The Scottish Farmer: Ian Stott (left) won the prime hogg carcase competition pictured with judges Sandy Milne and Mike RiddellIan Stott (left) won the prime hogg carcase competition pictured with judges Sandy Milne and Mike Riddell

A home-bred Limousin cross heifer from Harry Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, bagged the reserve. Full sister to last year’s live champion, being sired by Craigatoke Jamieson out of a Limousin cross Angus cow, it weighed in at 369.9kg and produced a -U4L carcase.

Cheviots from Ian Stott, West Latch, Newburgh, Ellon, topped the sheep. First prize medium hoggs in the live section, they weighed in at 24.5kg and with E3L grades.

Roddy and Hugh Thomson’s reserve winners in the live section took the same award on the hook. April-born Beltex crosses they killed out at 22kg with E3H carcase grades.

Leading Awards

Carcase cattle

Native bullock – 1 and overall champion on the hook, Ross Bros; 2, Ellis and Keir, Cairncoullie; 3, W and J Cameron.

Continental bullock – Light – 1 and 2, B Duffton and S Smith; 3, G and A Davidson, Auchtydonald. Medium – 1 and reserve bullock, G and D Anderson, Brucewells; 2, W and J Cameron; 3, Ross Bros. Heavy – 1, R and D Farquhar, 2, H Brown; 3, Ellis and Keir.

Native heifer – 1 and reserve champion, H Brown; 2, Ross Bros; 3, W and J Cameron.

Continental heifer – Light – 1, W and J Cameron; 2, B Duffton and S Smith; 3, Auchtydore Farms. Medium – 1, M Penny, Shannas; 2, Auchtydore Farms; 3, Ross Bros. Heavy – 1 and reserve overall carcase champion, H Brown; 2, Auchtydore Farms; 3, G and D Anderson.

Prime hogg pairs – Light – 1, 2 and 3 and reserve overall carcase champion, D and J Thomson. Medium – 1, 2 and overall carcase champion, I Stott; 3, D and J Thomson. Heavy – 1 and 2, J Forrester, Aldie; 3, I Stott.

* Angus Beattie, Biewhill, Gollanfield won the hay competition at the Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone and not as previously reported.