One of Scotland's best Christmas fatstock shows, is going ahead on Wednesday, November, 25, at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, but in a much reduced format.
This year’s Aberdeen Christmas Classic, organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association, has attracted an entry of 45 prime cattle and 25 pairs of prime lambs and will take place as a non-spectator event with strict Covid-19 restrictions in place.
“The Aberdeen Fatstock Association committee is very pleased to be able to hold a reduced and condensed Aberdeen Christmas Classic in light of COVID-19,” said Ross Williams, chairman of Aberdeen Fatstock Association.
“This prestigious event is regarded as Scotland’s premier show of prime animals and is a great opportunity for butchers and processors to buy the very best of Scottish beef and lamb.”
He added that this year’s event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Fatstock Association and has a cash prize fund of more than £2000, as well as an array of silverware.
The show of 45 unhaltered prime cattle and prime lambs will be held on Wednesday, November 25 at 7pm in Ring 2, followed by the sale on Thursday, November 26 alongside the firm’s weekly prime sales.
Judging will be streamed live and can be easily accessed on the Aberdeen and Northern Marts website.
Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith, is judging the cattle, while Charles Anderson, Nether Stenries, Carrutherstown, Dumfries, will head up the sheep classes.
Prime and cull cattle manager Tim McDonald, said: “Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding Covid-19, Aberdeen and Northern Marts is pleased to still be offering another terrific entry of prime animals for sale at this year’s small-scale event.”
The sale of 200 pedigree in-lamb females from leading flocks was staged on Monday, November 23 with online bidding available through the Thainstone Online Platform.
It sold to 3800gns on two occasions for a gimmer and a ewe lamb from George and Melvin Stuart's Birness flock from Ellon. Texel females peaked at 2700gns for a gimmer from Jim Innes' Strathbogie flock from Huntly.
For full report see this week's Scottish Farmer
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