Shepherds and shepherdesses have less than two weeks left to get their entries in for next month’s online Scottish Agricultural Show.
The virtual show, which takes place on July 3-4, is being hosted by The Courier and the Press & Journal in partnership with the Royal Highland Show.
Sponsored by EQ Accountants, the event will provide a platform for sheep breeders across Scotland to showcase their finest animals and be in with the chance of winning a champion rosette and being crowned top of the flocks.
As well as competitions for sheep, cattle, goats, poultry and horses, the two-day virtual event will feature trade stands, a food and drink section and various other competitions for baking, dogs and vintage farm machinery.
The sheep contest, sponsored by mental health charity Samaritans, features nine classes.
These are: Blackface; Suffolk; Texel; Beltex; Bluefaced Leicesters; commercial sheep; any other breed of sheep; junior young handlers for those aged 10 and under; and senior young handlers for those aged between 11 and 18.
Two well-known breeders have been selected to judge the stock on offer – Robbie Wilson from North Dorlaithers Farm, near Turriff, and Gordon Mackie from Drimmie Farm, near Forfar.
Mr Wilson, who runs the Milnbank flock of pedigree Texels, will judge the Beltex, Texel, commercial sheep and any other breed of sheep sections.
He has enjoyed success at various shows over the years, including six championship wins at the Royal Highland Show, and says he will be looking for an “all-round good, correct sheep, with a nice head and long body”.
He says the sheep should be correct on the legs, ideally “show a bit of spark” and exhibit breed character.
Meanwhile, Mr Mackie – a well-respected Suffolk breeder – will judge the Blackface, Suffolk, Bluefaced Leicester and young handler sections.
The show costs £5 per animal to enter and all entry fees will be donated to the Royal Highland Education Trust – the rural education charity run by the Highland Show’s organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
RHASS competitions manager David Tennant encouraged breeders to get involved.
He said: “It is great to have the virtual show to focus on and try to recreate some of the atmosphere that we would have been experiencing at the various shows this summer.
“I would encourage all breeders to get behind the online show and fill the virtual show rings with the best livestock and equines Scotland has to offer and celebrate what is great about our industry.”
Details, including videos from the judges outlining what they are looking for, are online at scottishagriculturalshow.co.uk
Entries close on June 19, so get your sheep spruced up and your entry forms in. The show must go on.
