Buyers from all over the UK are set to make every bid count at Thainstone’s 25th Spectacular event as they source top quality cattle.
The annual show and sale, organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts (part of the ANM Group), is firmly established as one of the leading sales of exhibition cattle drawing buyers from all across the UK looking for stock capable of competing at other national events. The event on Friday August 26 at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie will exhibit a line-up of 62 entries including top show stock competing for the supreme title.
John Angus, Auctioneer at Aberdeen & Northern Marts, commented: "We have an outstanding line-up of summer show champions along with many prize winners at this year's 25th Spectacular event taking place here at Thainstone. This is a great opportunity for buyers to purchase top-quality cattle for the Christmas show and sales."
The show will follow the same format introduced last year which will see classes now based on age and breed rather than weight. The champions in each section – judged by Mr Bob Kingston, Somerset – will be eligible to compete for the overall championship.
The timing of the event follows on nicely from the summer show season and is a day in the agricultural calendar not to be missed for purchasing top class cattle in their peak with further showing potential for upcoming Christmas and next year’s spring and summer shows.
The event is once again sponsored by the Clydesdale Bank and supported by several breed societies to allow for a prize fund of £4,000 and a large array of trophies. The judging will begin at 9.30am with the sale and trophy presentations set to start at 2:00pm following the mart’s regular Friday sale.
David Hannon, Head of Agribusiness UK, Clydesdale Bank, said: "The Spectacular is one of the highlights of the year, showcasing some of the best Scotland has to offer, and we are incredibly proud to have been in partnership 25 years. This sector has always been one of the cornerstones of the agricultural economy and despite the headwinds and uncertainty the quality of our farmers and produce will ensure a long and prosperous future."
Last year’s winner, Mark Munro, has entered a team of five from Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, Sutherland. His prized Limousin cross heifer - by ‘Diablo’ - named ‘Kiss My…!’ dominated the North Circuit this year winning Grantown, Nairn, Dornoch, Latheron, and Caithness County shows, and was first in class in all other competitions.
Gordon Hendry, Head of Auchinderran has forward the fancied heifer ‘Ginger Spice’ Charolais cross, born January 2016, which was named this year’s champion at the Turriff Show and reserve champion at the Grantown Show.
From Orkney, a noted industry breeder, Balfour Baillie, will also attend the event with his team of six cattle featuring ‘Wendy’ by ‘Goldies Idol’, a Limousin cross heifer born in March 2016. Earlier this year, Wendy achieved the title of cross-bred overall champion at the Orkney County Show. The team also comprises of a Limousin cross heifer born in February 2016 by ‘Goldies Idol’, which was the overall champion of the East Mainland Show.
An entry of six cattle from Barry Paterson, Cairndaie, Sauchen is also forward which have had a successful summer show circuit.
Mr J. Morrison, Newtack, (the breeder of ‘Lady Moo Moo’), is consigning five animals which include an October born Limousin cross steer, which was the male champion at New Deer Show and also the overall commercial champion at the Turriff Show earlier this year.
A strong team of five will also compete from John Robertson, Logierait, including the Aberfeldy show champion which is a Limousin cross bullock.
Stuart Fotheringham, Ballinloan, Dunkeld, has forward a Limousin cross heifer calf, born in August 2015, which was named the champion calf of Perth Show.
A special buyers’ incentive of £500 from Aberdeen & Northern Marts for any Spectacular entry that goes on to win the Overall Live Cattle Championship at a variety of future shows – including the Countryside Live, LiveScot 2016, East of England Smithfield Festival, Borderway Agri Expo, Royal Welsh Winter Fair and Thainstone’s own ‘Aberdeen Christmas Classic’ – stands again this year. To qualify the winning entry must have been purchased at the Spectacular, exhibited by the buyer, and sold at the event as a champion.