Organisers of Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural event have confirmed high numbers of livestock entries for the Turriff Show’s 1554 classes, which range from cattle, sheep and horses, through to working dogs, rabbits and cavies.

The show will also host the iconic Highland Cattle National Show, with 62 animals entered and hoping to fare well. The judge for the day is well known breeder Mr Jim McKechnie who owns the Gartocharn fold, near West Dunbartonshire.

Anne-Marie Carruthers, breed secretary of the Highland Cattle Society, said: “It’s the first time the national event has been hosted in Scotland and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of Turriff Show for giving us the opportunity to use the show as a venue.

“Turriff is seen as ‘The Show’ in the north of Scotland and one that everyone wants to be seen doing well at. Exhibitors of Highland cattle, as well as other breeds, are delighted to be back out showing again after a two-year absence – this year’s national show will be extra special for many.”

Read more: HRH Princess Royal adds royal seal of approval to Turriff Show

Other cattle classes at the show which are an equally compelling draw include Limousin (28) Beef Shorthorn (27), Aberdeen-Angus (26), Charolais (16), Simmental (6), British Blue (14) and commercial (34).

Following on from the individual breed judging, exhibitors will have the chance to complete in the groups, pairs and young bull inter-breed, which will be judged by Gordon McConachie, from the Culfoich fold, near Grantown-on-Spey. Taking on the judging of the individual beef champion will be Tom Arnott, from Haymount, Kelso.

Sheep class entries sit at 686 and leading the way is the Blue Texels (63) which was a new section introduced in 2019. Following closely behind, with 61entries, is the Texel, with other popular categories including Beltex (48), Ryland (47), Suffolk (37) and Charollais (34).

Overall and pairs will be judged on the Monday by well-known shepherd and AgriScot director from the Scottish Borders, Hamish Dykes.

On Friday preceding the main show, the carcase cattle and butchery lamb classes will take place at Woodhead Brothers, Turriff and as always it has been proven to be very popular with 35 carcase cattle and 28 lambs entered from commercial breeders and finishers across the North-east.

The prestigious role of judging the champion of champions in the main ring on the Monday will be left in the capable hands of Suffolk breeder Mrs Helen Goldie, from Ayrshire. This will include the champions from the beef, sheep, ridden pony, in-hand pony and Clydesdale sections.

Read more: Alan Gaul: 'Listening to visitors key to successful Turriff Show'

As well as the traditional livestock classes, Turriff Show is a popular event for exhibitors in some more unique categories, including pigeons, rabbits and cavies – however, due to the ongoing issue with avian bird flu, organisers have cancelled the poultry section for this year.

Commenting on this year’s entries, show president, Alan Gaul said: “It’s great to see such a strong entry of livestock. There is a lot of time and effort that goes in at home to prepare stock for coming along to shows like Turriff and we always appreciate the support from exhibitors and are grateful to sponsors and donators who allow us to offer great prizes and trophies across all sections.”

Judges:

Cattle

Beef overall – Tom Arnott, Kelso.

Groups, pairs and young bull inter-breed – Gordon McConachie, Grantown on Spey.

National Highland Show – Jim McKechnie, Gartocharn.

Shorthorn and AOB – David Scarth, Orkney.

Aberdeen-Angus – John Elliot, Kelso.

Charolais and Simmental – Richard Pettit, Fochabers.

Limousin – Tim Russell, Stirling.

British Blonde and British Blue – David Grant, Insch.

Cross-bred (led) – Neil Lloyd, Leominster.

Carcase cattle and butchers lambs – Woodhead Brothers, Turriff.

Dairy and young handlers – Murray Cochrane, Moffat.

Beef young handlers – Mrs Laura Beattie, Garmouth.

Sheep

Overall and pairs – Hamish Dykes, West Linton.

Suffolk – Mrs Caroline Nelson, Kelso.

Bluefaced Leicester – James Nisbet, Cumnock.

Texel – David Preacher, Walkerburn.

Charollais and AOB acc – Robert Paterson, Dunblane.

Beltex – Ian Reid, Perth.

Zwartbles and young handlers – Ally Baird, Dunblane

Blue Texel – Iona Brisbane, Castle Kennedy.

AOB non acc – George Cormack, Thurso.

Blackface and collie dogs – Angus Kennedy, Biggar.

Ryeland – Miss Janice Milne, Stirling.

Bleu du Maine – Mrs Sue McInnes Skinner, Norfolk.

Oxford – James Wilson, Mintlaw.

Small and horned minority breed non acc – Gilbert Meikle, East Linton.

Cross sheep pens – Stephen Sutherland, Thurso and Jonnie Campbell, Thurso.

Horses and ponies

Overall in-hand and young handlers – Mrs Caroline Nelson, Kelso.

Overall ridden – Mrs Marion MacLennan, Inverness.

Highland ponies (incl ridden class) – Bruce Haliburton, Blairgowrie.

Shetland (standard) – Mrs Andrea Foster, Lovaton, Cornwall.

Shetland ridden – Mrs Kay Gibb, Kingswells.

Shetland (miniature) – Corinna Seipp, Darklake, Devon.

Donkeys – Miss Joy Wilcox, Buxton.

Clydesdales – Captain Jim Anderson, Kilmacolm.

Clydesdales ridden – Mrs Pat Watson, Huntly.