Thousands of farmers flocked to Thainstone Mart for the Royal Northern Spring Show.
The event, organised by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society and staged at ANM Group’s headquarters, marked the return of agricultural shows after two years’ worth of Covid-induced event cancellations.
RNAS secretary, Alison Argo, said almost 5,000 visitors attended the event.
“We were absolutely delighted with the attendance on the day,” she said.
ANM Group chief executive, Grant Rogerson, hailed a successful event and said: “I’m delighted to see people back at Thainstone; it’s nice to see people smiling and having an enjoyable day.”
The event featured a show and sale of pedigree cattle judged by Orkney farmer and cattle dealer Liam Muir from Upper Onston, Stenness.
He awarded his overall champion rosettes to the leader from the Charolais section, which he described as a bull “oozing with power and style”.
This was April 2020-born Elgin Robocop, by Caylers Noah, from the Milne family’s Elgin herd at Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde.
He sold for 7,000gn to J & J Henderson, Udale Farm, Poyntzfield, Dingwall.
The best price of the day was 8,500gn for a first prize Charolais bull from Keith breeder Garry Patterson.
This was July 2020-born Aultmore Reputation, by Blealck Immaculate. He sold to the Coopers at Govals, Kincaldrum, Forfar.
Other leading Charolais prices included 7,000gn for the reserve Charolais champion – Elrick Royal, by Maerdy Gouverneur, from Mike Massie at Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon. He sold to John Anderson at Broynach Farm, Thurso.
The judge – Liam Muir – then paid 6,000gn for Auchincrieve Rivaldo, by Auchincrieve Manhattan, from Huntly breeder Charles McCombie.
Simmentals sold to a top of 8,000gn for the breed champion – Islavale Loki, by Corskie Highlander, from the Stronach family at Berryleys, Grange, Keith. He sold to the Chapmans at West Cockmuir, Strichen.
Other leading Simmental prices included 7,800gn for the reserve champion – Backmuir Lewis, by Islavale Imperial, from Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir, Keith. He sold to W & V Leitch, North Crannoch, Keith.
The Greens, who run the Corskie herd at Garmouth near Fochabers, sold to a top of 6,500gn for Corskie Lomax, by Drumagarner Hughes. He sold to the Frasers at Auchnarrow Farm, Glenlivet.
Brechin breeder Heather Duff sold to 6,000gn for Pitmudie Lonestar, by Hiltonstown Irish. The buyer was A J Blackhall, Millhead, Tarland, Aboyne.
Limousins topped at 6,000gn for the breed champion – Westpit Rocknrolla, by Vagabond, from the Gammies at Drumforber, Laurencekirk. He sold to A Mackay & Son, Strath Farm, Watten.
Other leading Limousin prices included 5,000gn for Ronick Rhinestone, by Ampertaine Jamboree, from the Dick family at Mains of Throsk, Stirling. He sold to M G Reid, Gyratesmyre, Fordoun.
The Cruikshanks at Clury Farm, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown, sold to a top of 4,500gn for the reserve Limousin champion. This was Clury Robin, by Larry, and he sold to the Beverlys at Cottown Farm, Rhynie, Huntly.
Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold to a top of 3,800gn for Blelack Pirate, by Tonley Jester Eric, from the Massie family at Blelack Farm, Dinnet, Aboyne. He sold to D & G Campbell, Lynemore, Glenrinnes, Dufftown.
Entries from the any other breed section topped at 2,500gn for the section champion – a Beef Shorthorn bull from Fiona Davidson, Fordie Beef Shorthorns, Mintlaw. This was Fordie Puma, by Coxhill Luke, and he sold to Liam Muir in Orkney.
RESULTS
Charolais – R A Milne, Kennieshillock, Lhanbryde, Elgin, with Elgin Robocop, by Caylers Noah. Reserve – Mike Massie, Mains of Elrick, Ellon, with Elrick Royal, by Maerdy Gouverneur.
Limousin – Messrs A & J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk, with Wespit Rocknrolla, by Vagaband. Reserve – W F Cruikshank, Clury Farm, Dulnain Bridge, Inverness, with Clury Robin, by Larry.
Simmental – W S Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith, with Islavale Loki, by Corskie Highlander. Reserve – Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, with Backmuir Lewis, by Islavale Imperial.
Aberdeen-Angus – Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch, with Ballindalloch Epic, by Wedderlie Timaru. Reserve – Karl Scott Esq, Foggie Farm, Turriff, with Foggie Enoch, by Foggie Deveron.
Any other breed – Fiona Davidson, Fordie Beef Shorthorns, Mintlaw, with Fordie Puma, by Coxhill Luke. Reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with Spartan Prefect, by Housebyres Jethro Tull.
Overall bull champion – Elgin Robocop from the Milne family.
Breeding sheep – William and John Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, with a pen of three Cheviots. Reserve – William and John Brown with Texel crosses.
Prime hoggs (on the hoof) – Susan Smith, Drummies Blues, Brumnahive, with Beltex crosses. Reserve – D & J Thomson, West Park, with Texel cross Beltexes.
Carcase cattle – James and Belinda Muir, Honeyneuk, with a Limousin cross heifer. Reserve – A & E Cumming, Tillydesk, with a Limousin cross steer.