FOUR Aberdeen-Angus are among the 12 sirloins selected in the preliminary judging for the Tesco/McIntosh Donald best Scotch steak competition that will be completed at the Royal Highland Show.

Steaks from the 12 sirloins will be grilled by master chef, George McIvor, on the Tesco stand on Friday, June 22, and judged on quality, taste, flavour and succulence by an expert panel. The winner will be presented with the QMS Rosebowl and a cash prize of £1000.

“The 12 were selected from an initial entry of 180 cattle,” said MacIntosh Donald site director, Alan McNaughton. “The overall quality of the entries was excellent and we are delighted that more farmers are delivering to our requirements and meeting spec.”

Judge Mark Farquhar, who is operations manager with Donald Russell, said he was looking for well-marbled sirloins without too much external fat.

The 12 cattle which produced the sirloins were supplied by the following farmers:

Thomas B Taylor, Northolm of Grange, Pettinain, Lanark (319.7kg British Blue cross steer, -U4L);

M and I Steel, Wickerinn, Raemoir, Banchory (351.5kg Charolais cross heifer, -U4L);

Neish Bros, Bowbutts, Strachan, Banchory (320.1kg Simmental cross heifer, -U4L);

Jim Watson, Pityot, Bridge of Muchalls (313kg Limousin cross heifer, R4L);

Fraser Sleigh, 25 Pringle Avenue, Tarves (339.2kg Charolais cross steer, R4L);

Firm of N Cowie, Bilbo, Crimond (336.3kg Limousin cross steer, -U4L);

B and L Grubb Ltd, Mount Pleasant, Ardallie (298.1kg Hereford cross heifer, R4L);

W Duthie, Mains of Craighall, Gartly (347.5kg Limousin cross heifer, -U4L);

Alan Meston, Chapelton, Dunnottar (378kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer, R4L);

Messrs George Orr, Kaemuir, Avonbridge (341.3kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer, R4L);

L Grubb, Mount Pleasant, Ardallie (288kg Aberdeen-Angus cross heifer, R4L);

H T Pottinger, Greenland Mains, Castletown (360.2kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer, -U4L).