Tomintoul farmers G. A. Mitchell of Campdalmore picked up the overall championship during a show and sale of weaned and suckled calves held by Aberdeen & Northern Marts at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Friday (October 14th).

Champion calf and winner of the Atholl Lord Forbes Perpetual Cup and £100 was a Charolais cross steer which weighed 432kg and realised £660 to the judge Ian Glennie, Knapps of Bedlam, New Deer.

Ian Mitchell of G. A. Mitchell was on hand to collect the prize from Charles R. Marshall of show sponsors C. J. Marshall (Aberdeen) Ltd.

The reserve award of £50 went to Messrs D. & R. Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet with a Limousin cross steer weighing 482kg. It was bought for £600 by A. J. Matthew, Whitelums, Gartly, Huntly.

Commenting on the show and sale, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor said: "This event attracted a good show of calves which were met with strong interest from the buyers at the ringside."

The full prize list was as follows:

Single steer -
1 G. A. Mitchell, Campdalmore, Tomintoul (432kg, £660);
2 D. & R. Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet (482kg, £600);
3 R. S. Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet (458kg, £595).

Single heifer -
1 D. & R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet (438kg, £540);
2 and 3 G. Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle (373kg, £500).

Pair of steers -
1 R. S. Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet (432kg, £555);
2 G. & D. Anderson, Brucewells, Netherley (437kg, £555);
3 Sheep Park Farms, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (465kg, £575).

Pair of heifers -
1 R. S. Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet (401kg, £550);
2 G. & D. Anderson, Brucewells, Netherley (406kg, £490);
3 D. & R. Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet (424kg, £500).

Pen of four steers -
1 R. S. Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet (456kg, £630);
2 R. S. Duncan, Achdregnie, Glenlivet (430kg, £550);
3 J. Dick, Northton, Cullerlie, Skene (452kg, £565).

Pen of four heifers -
1 G. & D. Anderson, Brucewells, Netherley (399kg, £475);
2 G. Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle (384kg, £465);
3 D. & R. Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet (430kg, £495).

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Aberdeen & Northern Marts held a busy second show and sale of rams at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Wednesday (October 12th).

An entry of more than 470 was forward for the sale, with the show sponsored by Towns & Carnie Ltd and judged by William Brown of Hilton of Culsh, New Deer.

In the Suffolk classes, the overall champion and reserve champion both came from G. L. Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon. The champion's Charles A. McDonald Perpetual Trophy went to a ram lamb which fetched £350 to D. J. & A. Connon, Broadmyre, Clatt while the reserve champion - also a ram lamb - was bought by S. Durno & Son, Croftbain, Glenlivet for £300.

Mr Stuart also picked up the reserve championship in the Texel section with a ram lamb which realised £220 to W. J. Fraser & Sons, Auchnarrow, Glenlivet while Ron Greig of South Tillydesk, Ellon exhibited the champion which made £260 to Messrs Grant, Druid Temple, Inverness.

Top price of the sale was £420 which was paid for a Lleyn shearling ram from W. P. N. Lawrence, Blackpots, Auchnagatt.

Commenting on the show and sale, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' prime, store and breeding sheep manager Colin Slessor said: "A greatly increased entry saw a good, strong show of all breeds forward with consignors heading home reasonably happy at this difficult time in the sheep industry."

The full prize list was as follows:
Suffolk Shearling Ram -
1 L. Scott, Wester Biffie, Maud;
2 J. G. Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserbugh;
3 W. G. Low, West Mains, Nethermuir, Maud.

Suffolk Ram Lamb -
1 G. L. Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon;
2 G. L. Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon;
3 C. M. & M. Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny.

Texel Shearling Ram -
1 A. G. Howie, West Knock, Mintlaw;
2 W. Willox, Hawthorn Brae, St Katherines, Inverurie;
3 J. S. Youngson, Westerton, Echt.

Texel Ram Lamb -
1 R. Greig, South Tillydesk, Ellon;
2 G. L. Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon;
3 W. J. Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie.

Border Leicester Shearling Ram -
1 L. Scott, Wester Biffie, Maud;
2 A. F. & M. Leslie, Westside of Kingsford, Alford;
3 A. F. & M. Leslie, Westside of Kingsford, Alford.

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Over 530 Aberdeen Angus-sired store cattle were at Thainstone Centre on Tuesday (October 11th) for Aberdeen & Northern Marts' tenth show and sale.

The event was sponsored by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and saw the champion's trophy and £100 go to Orkney's M. W. Flaws & Son, Nisthouse, Evie with a 20-month-old steer which scaled 592kg and sold for £705 to D & V. Buchan, Savock, Longside, Peterhead. The Flaws also picked up the special award of a set of engraved glasses for the best pen of four steers which sold for £640 a head to Alexander Fowlie, Adziel, Strichen.

The reserve champion - from F. J. Ross & Co, Wester Arr Farm, Nairn - was also a steer and the 552kg 17-month-old was bought by show judge Alan Hastings, Beoch, Stranraer for £650.

Commenting on the event, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor said: "Trade was much better than expected in spite of the fact that cattle were more weathered and not shown in the bloom of recent years."

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Thainstone Centre, Inverurie welcomed an entry of more than 200 to its 41st annual show and sale of registered Shetland ponies on Sunday (October 9th) and Monday (October 10th).

The event was held in conjunction with the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society, and buyers and sellers from throughout the UK, Scandinavia, Holland and Germany were in attendance.

Overall champion in the standard section was Wells Prince, a black licensed stallion by Wells Royal Monarch from Mrs J. Sherratt, Pankymoor Villa, Shrewsbury Road, Wem, Shropshire which realised 500gn to Mrs M. B. Johnstone, The Square, Kirkoswald, Penrith.

Picking up the reserve championship was Winnie M. Anderson of Strocherie Farm, King Edward, Banff with Strocherie Elissa. The black filly by Riverston Renegade and out of the prize-winning Westpark Eliza sold for 1,050gn to Mr J. Nicholson, Apple Gart, Allengrove, Headsnook, Carlisle.

Stephen Strang from Stirling judged the standard classes shortly after returning from a judging trip to Finland. This year has also seen him judge in Sweden and Norway, as well as throughout the UK. He said: "Both the champion and reserve ponies moved very nicely and that is important for me. The stallion stood out in his class and the yearling filly was also good, but I tend to go for the maturity which the stallion showed."

In the miniature classes, the overall championship went to the 30 inches bright chestnut mare Narinian Camelia exhibited by James D. Swan, Teanahuan Croft, Old Leanaig Road, Conon Bridge. Bred by Nairnshire's Sam Macarthur, the champion was sired by Firth Honeyclover and out of Fawcett Cowslip.

Following his miniature championship in 2004, John Lawrie of Dalkeith picked up the overall reserve champion in the miniature section with his skewbald filly foal, Milday Look At Me by Tawna Sherbet. The reserve champion was also awarded the Glenbogie Perpetual Cup - presented by E. & G. Milne - for the best broken coloured foal in the 34 inches or under section. Milday Look At Me was bought by J. G. Williamson, Garthvale, Voe, Shetland for 1,600gn.

Judging the miniature entries was Norman Blackburn from Penrith in Cumbria who owns 60 miniature and 60 standard Shetland ponies. He has attended the event as a buyer almost every year during its 41-year history and was pleased with the number of entries that were forward this year, adding: "I was particularly surprised by the high number of entries in the filly foal classes and, in general, judging the classes involved some difficult decisions as the margins were narrow."

Top price in the sale was 2,000gn which was paid by A. Bainbridge, Little Musgrove, Kirkby Stephen for Tawna Yeoman, a miniature skewbald licensed stallion from Mrs E. M. Mitchell, Mains of Findochty Buckie.

Also taking place on Monday was a show and sale of Highland ponies. The champion and winner of the Archibald Cup chosen by judge Hugh Duncan of Craignetherty, Turriff was an eight-year-old yellow dun mare - Glen Sauch Buttercup Bright Eyes - from Lisa McEwan, Gleneffock, Glenesk, Brechin. The champion was sired by Tullich of Glengairn and out of Glen Sauch Buttercup Bunty.

The Shetland pony full prize-list was as follows:

Standard Classes

Colt Foal -
1 Westpark Valdor from Marjorie J. Martin, Hillhead of Auchencrieve, Methlick, Ellon, 180gn to A. & M. Manson, Hestigarth, Skeld, Westerskeld;
2 Ardrone Jester from Mrs Dorothy Edward, Meikle Ardrone, Keith, 50gn to Leanne Dryburgh, West Bogie Farm, Kirkcaldy, Fife;
3 Millquoy Lucas from James O. Slater, Millquoy, Stenness, Orkney, 60gn to Joe Morrison, Heatherfield Road, Ayr.

Filly Foal -
1 Schivas Elaine from Mrs S. Burnett, Ythanview Cottage, Ythanbank, Ellon, 300gn to Mrs M. B. Johnstone, The Square, Kirkoswald, Penrith;
2 Bogs Brona from Elaine Stewart, North-Wells, Rothienorman, Inverurie, 220gn to Brenda Flynn, Tomgarth, Carrick on Shannon, Northern Ireland;
3 Glenbogie Bridget from E. & G. Milne, Old Road, Huntly, 400gn to Catherine Marshall, Struie View, West Mains of Condie, Forgandenny, Perth.

Mare/Filly -
1 Strocherie Elissa from Mrs Winnie M. Anderson, Strocherie Farm, King Edward, Banff, 1,050gn to Mr J. Nicholson, Apple Gart, Allengrove, Headsnook, Carlisle;
2 Westpark Eliza-Jane from Marjorie J. Martin, Hillhead of Auchencrieve, Methlick, Ellon, 700gn to John Sherratt, Pankymoor Villa, Shrewsburgh Road, Wem, Shropshire;
3 Fiona of Balcairn from J. & B. Laing, Eynhallow, Westown, Perthshire, 400gn to G. S. Hart, Cranford, Berwick.

Unlicensed Colt -
1 Pankymoor Ranger by Mrs J. Sherratt, Pankymoor Villa, Shrewsbury Road, Wem, Shropshire, 280gn to D. Edward, Meikle Ardrone, Keith;
2 Strocherie Prefect from Mrs Winnie M. Anderson, Strocherie Farm, King Edward, Banff, 320gn to Michael Barugh, North Farm, North Street, Aldrough;
3 Bayview Jasper from Laura Jane Cromarty, Roadside, Toab, Orkney to 60gn to Leanne Dryburgh, Wester Bogie Farm, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Licensed Stallion -
1 Wells Prince from Miss I. M. Henderson, Burnfoot House, Kinfauns, Perth, 500gn to Mrs M. B. Johnstone, The Square, Kirkoswald, Penrith;
2 Wells Dominator from Neil Brown, Wishart Gardens, St Andrews, Fife, not sold;
3 Sirius of Auckhorn from Mrs Dorothy Edward, Meikle Ardrone, Keith, 140gn to Michael Barugh, North Farm, North Street, Aldrough.

Gelding -
1 Cochno Nemesis from James & Jane Farrell, Smallholding, West Cochno, Hardgate, Clydebank, 220gn to Jo Tonkinson, Millhaugh, Sandness, Shetland.

Miniature Classes

Colt Foal -
1 Narinian Manifesto from S. A. Macarthur, Drumduan Cottages, Auldearn, Nairnshire, 140gn to Mrs W. McLean, Redburn, Drybridge, Buckie;
2 Henson Icon from Mrs S. Henderson, Weston, Deskford, Buckie, not sold;
3 Hazelhead Polo from Mrs J. R. Stewart, West Kingsford, Kingswells, Aberdeen, 220gn to Mrs M. B. Johnstone, The Square, Kirkoswald, Penrith.

Filly Foal -
1 Milday Look At Me from John Lawrie, Arthur View Crescent, Danderhall, Dalkeith, 1,600gn to J. G. Williamson, Garthvale, Voe, Shetland;
2 Narinian Carnation from S. A. Macarthur, Drumduan Cottages, Auldearn, Nairnshire, 600gn to M. S. Lindsay, High Crosby Farm, Crosby on Eden, Carlisle;
3 Milday Molly from John Lawrie, Arthur View Crescent, Danderhall, Dalkeith, 700gn to Mr & Mrs C. J. Seward, Grogwynion, Porthyrhyd, Camarthen, Wales.

Mare/Filly -
1 Narinian Camelia from James D. Swan, Teanahuan Croft, Old Leanaig Road, Conon Bridge, not sold; 2 Leithen Foxgrove from Mrs E. J. Anderson, West Cottage, Carlee Estate, Innerleithen, Tweeddale, 520gn to Mrs P. L. Garrill, Whitworth Way, Markwet Rasen, Lincoln;
3 Kinnoull Tiara from Mrs I. K. Henderson, Burnfoot House, Kinfauns, Perth, 750gn to Mrs E. A. Thackary, London Road, Silk Wiloughby, Sleaford.

Unlicensed Colt -
1 Mingulay Concord from N. S. Wilson, Mingulay, Alford, 220gn to Sean Mallinson, Tabby Nook, Mere Brow, Tarleton, Preston;
2 Barflat Golden Thunder from Mrs Gavin Alston, Kirkhill, Gartly, Huntly, 100gn to Leanne Dryburgh, Wester Bogie Farm, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Licensed Stallion -
1 Tillyorn Domino from Mr J. Burr, Cosyneuk, Echt, Westhill, 550gn to John M. Steel, West Drums Farm, Brechin.

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Huntly farmer Keith Stewart enjoyed a successful visit to Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Tuesday (October 4th), picking up three trophies in Aberdeen & Northern Marts' annual show and sale of commercial beef breeding cattle.

In the show which was sponsored by Inverurie-based accountancy firm Cassie & Co, Mr Stewart of K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh picked up the overall championship with a Limousin heifer with bull calf at foot which realised £1,300 to Messrs Moir, Auchorthies, Keith. The reserve championship was also presented to him, for a red and white Limousin heifer with bull calf at foot. It was bought by show judge Aileen Forrester of Botary Mains, Cairnie, Huntly for £1,550.

The British Simmental Cattle Society Ltd award for the champion Simmental-sired heifer with calf at foot went to Mr Stewart as well and was also bought by the judge, this time for £1,280.

Achieving £1,100 to Messrs Sim, Rorandle, Monymusk was the best heifer, any breed, suckling a calf by a registered Simmental bull which came from E. M. Smith and Sons, Towiemore, Drummuir.

"Over 330 adult head were sold," explained Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor.
"Strong, well-bred units met an excellent trade with thin skinned and plainer types much harder to sell."

The full prize list was as follows:

Red and white heifer with bull calf -
1 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,500);
2 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,200);
3 W. Stewart, Greenfold, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (£1,140);
4 I. & M. Keith, Auchtygall, Peterhead (£1,150).

Red and white heifer with heifer calf -
1 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,280);
2 W. & M. Ewing, South Blachrie, Fyvie (£1,120);
3 W. Stewart, Greenfold, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (£1,220);
4 I. & M. Keith, Auchtygall, Peterhead (£920).

Any heifer (excepting red or red and white) with male calf -
1 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,300);
2 A. Stuart, West Cruichie, Drumblade (£1,650);
3 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,120);
4 W. Stewart, Greenfold, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (£1,000).

Any heifer (excepting red or red and white) with heifer calf -
1 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,600);
2 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,300),
3 I. & M. Keith, Auchtygall, Peterhead (£1,100);
4 K. Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh, Huntly (£1,250).

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More than 4,600 store and breeding sheep were forward for a sale held by Aberdeen & Northern Marts at Kingussie on Monday (October 3rd).

The event saw both HISHA (Highlands & Islands Sheep Health Association) and non-HISHA sheep offered. The day also included a show and sale sponsored by animal health firms Dectomax and Aberfeldy-based Bremner & Black, and judged by father and daughter Mr and Miss Glass of Mill of Fowlis, Alford.

First prize in the ewe lamb section went to John Macpherson of Knockandhu, Tomatin and the winners went on to top their section of the sale, selling for £51.50 a head. The ewe section saw a pen from Mr P. Junor, Balchraggan, Dores pick up first prize and they also sold for the highest price of their section at £49 a head.

Commenting on the day, Gordon Pirie of Aberdeen & Northern Marts said: "Despite the uncertainty in the sheep trade at the moment, well-bred ewe lambs and fresh regular cast ewes met a satisfactory demand at Kingussie. Blackface store lambs also sold particularly well while feeding ewes were stiffer to cash. All in all, however, sellers went home happy."

The full prize list was as follows:

Ewe Lambs -
1 J. Macpherson, Knockandhu, Tomatin;
2 E. Grant, Gaskbeg, Laggan;
3 J. Macdonald, Drumgask, Laggan.

Ewes -
1 P. Junor, Balchraggan, Dores;
2 J. Macpherson, Knockandhu, Tomatin;
3 J. Macdonald, Drumgask, Laggan.

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King Edward farmers Messrs W. and G. Strachan of Mill of Balmaud lifted the overall championship during a show and sale of weaned and suckled calves at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Friday (September 30th).

The event was sponsored by Gray Feed Services and the overall champion and champion steer - which received the C. A. Coutts Perpetual Trophy - was a Charolais cross by Allanfauld Superman from Messrs W. and G. Strachan. It tipped the scales at 436kg and realised £640 to Frank Smart from Torphins.

Winning the Aberdeen & Northern Marts Perpetual Trophy for the champion heifer was a 466kg Charolais cross from Messrs D. and R. Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet. It was bought by A. & J. Matthew, Whitelums, Gartly, Huntly for £520.

Commenting on the event, Aberdeen & Northern Marts' store and breeding cattle manager Allan Taylor said: "A tremendous show of strong calves sold in excess of sellers' expectations."

The full prize list was as follows:

Single steer -
1 Mill of Balmaud (436kg, £640);
2 Auchorachan, Glenlivet (482kg, £590);
3 Mill of Balmaud (492kg, £620).

Single Heifer -
1 Auchorachan (466kg, £520);
2 Auchorachan (516kg, £520);
3 Kincraigie Farms, Lumphanan (424kg, £540).

Pair of steers -
1 Wartle, Lumphanan (508kg, £585);
2 Clashnoir, Auchnarrow (478kg, £560);
3 Spyhill, Durris (499kg, £580).

Pair of heifers -
1 Wellheads, Huntly (385kg, £540);
2 Brucewells, Netherley (464kg, £505);
3 Mains of Cairnborrow, Glass (420kg, £485).

Pen of four steers -
1 Kincraigie Farms (517kg, £615);
2 Auchorachan (488kg, £585);
3 Spyhill (499kg, £580).

Pen of four heifers -
1 Auchorachan (468kg, £525);
2 Wellheads (441kg, £570);
3 Kincraigie Farms (416kg, 455kg).

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Aberdeen & Northern Marts will hold their 41st show and sale of registered pedigree Shetland ponies on Sunday (October 9th) and Monday (October 10th).

The event is being held in conjunction with the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society and the show will take place in Thainstone EXCHANGE from 6.30pm on Sunday.

An entry of more than 210 from as far afield as Shropshire, Doncaster, Cumbria and Orkney has been put forward with classes for standard ponies to be judged by Stephen Strang from Stirling and miniatures to be judged by Norman Blackburn from Cumbria.

Monday (October 10th) will begin with a parade of champions, reserve champions and class winners, followed by an auction of stud books at 9.30am and the sale of registered Shetland ponies from 10am.

Also taking place from 10am on Monday is a show and sale of Highland ponies with the turnout to be judged by H. Duncan, Craignetherty, Turriff. The sale will take place in sale ring three after the auction of Shetland ponies.

Commenting on the shows and sales, Philip Reid of Aberdeen & Northern Marts said: "We expect buyers from Holland, Scandinavia, Ireland, England, Wales and all over Scotland to attend this annual event."

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