"Outstanding," was how judge Jimmy Stark of Paisley Meat Wholesalers described his champion and reserve pairs of lambs.

This year, some 46 pairs of top quality prime lambs were forward, which again saw Beltex take the cream of the trophies, with the top performers being heavy lambs from William and David Moir, Moir Livestock, Fraserburgh.

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"Normally I would always go for 16-21kg carcase lambs, but I couldn't go past these winning lambs. They are absolutely outstanding with great length adn depth of gigot, but I have to say it was close between the champion and reserve winners," said Mr Stark who buys 1200-1500 lambs per week of which 99% are purchased through the live mart.

Taking all the plaudits was a pair of 52kg home-bred April-born Beltex cross wedder lambs from the Moir brothers who were winning their first supreme here, and won five of the 10 sheep classes. Their overall winners, by a home-bred sire sold for £420 per head to Ian and Gavin McIntosh of IJ McIntosh Butchers, Fraserburgh.

The same buyer also went to £240 per head to buy the champion Young Farmers’ lambs, Beltex crosses from James Lowe, South Tarwathie, Strichen. March-born ewe lambs, they are by a Culsh sire bought from John McLean.

The judge bought his choice of reserve winners at £250. These were 50kg April-born Beltex crosses shown by Cameron Muir (13) and Fynn Leslie, for Cameron's grand-parents Jim and Belinda Muir, Honeyneuk, Maud.

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It was very much a ladies day amongst the butchers lambs, when Emma Smith (16) and her sister, Laura (14) were presented the tri-colour for their 48kg Beltex cross ewe lambs. Born in April and sired by a tup bred by Gary Morrison, Bush of Muldearie, they sold for £250 per head to Jamie Scott, John Scott Meats, Paisley.

Runner up in this section were 38kg Beltex crosses from Ryan Shand, Lythebrae, Aberchirder, Huntly, purchased by Mr Stark for £170.

Faye Wilkie, Braigiewell, Echt, landed the blue and white sash amongst the Young Farmers with a pair of 46kg ewe lamb bought privately from Stuart Wood in September.

LEADING awards

Two continental lambs – Light – 1, R Shand, Lythebrae; 2, R Wilkie, Tillyboy; 3, G Morrison, Bush of Muldearie. Heavy – 1, Moir Livestock; 2, R Wilkie; 3, J Bywater, Corbanchory.

Two Half-bred, GF or Mule lambs – 1, Moir Livestock. Two Down cross lambs – 1, Moir Livestock; 2, R Wilkie. Two Chev lambs – 1, Moir Livestock. Two BF lambs – 1, R Wilkie; 2, Moir Livestock. Two Charollais lambs – 1, C Bacon, Hillhead of Cannahars; 2, Leanne Keir, Conval Street, Dufftown; 3, Scott Robertson, Conval Street.

Butchers lambs – Light – 1, R Shand; 2, C Bacon; 3, J Bywater. Heavy – 1, Messrs Smith, Drumnahive, Kildrummy; 2, Moir Livestock; 3, R Wilkie.

Untrimmed – Native – 1, R Wilkie; 2, Moir Livestock; 3, G Morrison. Light continental – 1, R Wilkie; 2, R Shand; 3, G Morrison. Heavy continental – 1, J and B Muir, Honeyneuk, Maud; 2, R Mackellar, Eldonbrae; 3, Moir Livestock.