YOUNG FARMERS INVITED TO REGISTER FOR POPULAR ANNUAL STOCK COMPETITION

Young farmers are being urged to register their interest in Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ popular annual overwintered cattle competition.

The event is run in conjunction with the Young Farmers and generous sponsorship for 2007-08 is being provided by Johnston Carmichael chartered accountants and business advisers.

Open to competitors aged between 14 and 30 and culminating in a show and sale at Thainstone Centre in March next year, the competition gives participants hands-on experience in the selection and preparation of cattle for show and sale. In addition it widens knowledge of the business skills needed to operate a successful beef finishing enterprise.

As well as prizes for champions, an award will also be presented to the best overwintered animal (outwith the champions) based on a points system which takes account of liveweight gain, presentation and parading, gross margin and the quality of the animal.

Prospective participants in the 2007-08 competition have until the end of November to buy store cattle of weaned calves from any Aberdeen & Northern Marts sale to be entered in the event. Entries may also be home-bred.

Commenting on the launch of the 2007/2008 event Johnston Carmichael lead agricultural partner Alex Rennie said: “As a firm of chartered accountants dedicated to supporting the farming industry, Johnston Carmichael are again pleased to sponsor this competition.

“At a time of great turmoil in the industry it is important that our young livestock farmers who are vital to the economy and environment of the North east of Scotland are given every encouragement.”

Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ general manager John Gregor added: “After a difficult few weeks for everyone connected with the industry, I am delighted that we are able to open the competition and continue supporting the next generation.

“The encouragement it provides is evident in the number of young farmers who go on to take part in the Thainstone Spectacular and the Aberdeen Christmas Classic.”

The winner of the 2006-07 competition and the Johnston Carmichael Perpetual Trophy and Quaich, for the third year running, was Ian Thomson, Middleton of Potterton, Potterton. His champion was a March 2006-born Limousin bred by Nairn’s MacArthur Brothers of Mid Fleenas. It tipped the scales at 452kg and sold at £1,600.

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The Scottish Government Directorate has granted Aberdeen & Northern Marts permission to hold a special sale of livestock from the Highlands and Islands at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie tomorrow (Friday, September 14th).

Permission to hold the auction has been given on the basis of risk assessment considering animal welfare and disease control with the activity under veterinary supervision. Only animals that were in lairage at Thainstone Centre prior to the implementation of the movement ban yesterday will be sold, but they may not be moved outside Scotland. No other animals may be brought to the Centre and offered for sale.

The sale will begin at 9.30am with the auction of 50 OTM cows, followed by 260 store cattle. A sale of 2,000 store lambs and ewes from the islands will follow at 11.30am approximately.

For further information on the sale, call Aberdeen & Northern Marts at Thainstone Centre on (01467) 623700.

As Caithness Livestock Centre celebrated its 15th anniversary on Monday (September 10th), Aberdeen & Northern Marts reiterated its commitment to the future of livestock auctions in the north of Scotland.

Following the closure of Thurso mart, last year’s anniversary show and sale saw the launch of the company’s consultation with farmers in the north to ensure best possible provision of livestock sales in Caithness. Responses were then used when devising the 2007 sales calendar, which has been well received by buyers and sellers and has attracted increased numbers.

“When we embarked on this exercise we never expected our plans to be halted by Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey,” said ANM Group Ltd chief executive Brian Pack during Monday’s show and sale. “However, by listening to the needs of those in the area we were able to deliver amended dates to best suit the needs of producers in the county, without disadvantaging buyers. We from head office greatly appreciate and value the close affinity John Bremner and his team has with the county.”

Mr Pack continued: “In line with our promise to do all we can to grow livestock auctions in Caithness, earlier this year the board approved an extension and enhancement of facilities for livestock handling at Quoybrae. An investment of more than £150,000 has been completed to ensure we can deliver an efficient, modern service. Assistance was provided by HIE Caithness & Sutherland, whose original support was vital to the initial establishment of this Centre 15 years ago.

“Our general manager John Gregor masterminded the improvements with much help from John Bremner and his team who managed the day-to-day activity. Once again, we greatly appreciate the craftsmanship and organisation of John Gunn & Sons Ltd the contractor.”

Mr Pack concluded: “With producers in the north, we look forward to a positive future for livestock production in Caithness.”

The anniversary show and sale attracted an entry of 1,600 store cattle and was once again sponsored by Harbro.

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ORKNEY EXHIBITOR SCOOPS DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

With an Orkney farmer scooping the steer and heifer championships and prices reaching £6,000, Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ 2007 Spectacular has been hailed as a success.

The afternoon show and evening sale of store cattle and weaned calves suitable for further showing was again sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, and managing partner Iain Clark was on hand to present prizes to the champions. Judges for the day were Alistair Vance, Bridgehouse, Sorbie, Wigtonshire (steers) and Mark Hallam, Meadowhurst, Wetton, Asbourne, Derby (heifers).

The steer and overall champion, which won the Clydesdale Bank Perpetual Trophy and the Sir C. M. Barclay Harvey Perpetual Cup, was Mr Baillie’s February 2007-born Belgian Blue cross by Oxcroft Tom. It tipped the scales at 376kg and was bought for the second highest price of the sale (£1,900) by well known cattle exhibitor Bert Paton of Spott, Glenprosen, Kirriemuir.

Mr Paton was also the buyer of a 376kg November 2006-born Limousin cross from G. M. Henderson of Castletown, Caithness, paying £1,400.

The overall heifer champion – also bred and exhibited by Mr Baillie – was a December 2006-born Limousin cross by Salomon which weighed 422kg and was bought by heifer judge Mark Hallam for £750.

But the sale leader at £6,000 was the reserve champion heifer, a 454kg September 2006-born Limousin cross by Linarn Unique and out of a Belgian Blue cross cow. Bred and exhibited by Andrew Anderson of Smallburn Farms, Elgin it was bought by Harry Emslie junior, Kinknockie, Mintlaw.

Mr Anderson also took home the reserve steer championship with another Limousin cross by the same sire and the 472kg November 2006-born yearling fetched £1,500 to Crieff’s Wilson Peters.

Unhaltered champion and winner of the Dr Cooper Perpetual Rosebowl for father and son team John and Colin Stuart, Belnoe, Glenlivet was a 406kg November 2006-born Limousin cross steer by Lumbylaw Shot Putter. It sold for £680 to Blair Duffton, Bogie Street, Huntly.

With a total of 13 animals selling at £1,000 or above, other leading prices included £1,600 for a 242kg March 2007-born Limousin cross heifer calf from Nairn’s Macarthur Brothers and another £1,500, this time paid by Stewart Brown of Little Roepark, Brechin for a 452kg September 2006-born Limousin cross from Harry Brown junior, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead.

Commenting on the event, Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ general manager John Gregor said: “The staging of this year’s event was in doubt just two weeks ago and we were delighted to be able to go ahead. The fact that the Spectacular drew its traditional high quality turnout of cattle is testament not only to the standard of livestock in the North and North east, but also to the stockman skills of those involved.”

The overall averages were as follows:
36 steers averaged 193p/kg (£872.50); 27 heifers averaged 223.51p/kg (£961.85).

The full prize list was as follows:

Unhaltered
Heavy Steer – 1 November 2006-born Limousin cross from J. Stuart, Belnoe, Glenlivet (406kg, £680); 2 November 2006-born Charolais cross from Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin (460kg, £900); 3 October 2006-born Charolais cross from Callum Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour (423kg, £630).

Heavy Heifer – 1 February 2006-born Limousin cross from Mr & Mrs W. E. Thompson, Nether Glasslaw, New Pitsligo (514kg, £730); 2 April 2006-born Limousin cross “Little Blue Girl” from Sarah & Anna Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (418kg, £640); 3 December 2005-born Belgian Blue cross from Gary Raeburn, Bogie Street, Huntly (522kg, £820).

Haltered
Senior Steer – 1 September 2006-born Limousin cross “Red Jack” from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (526kg); 2 September 2006-born Blonde d’Aquitaine cross from Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin (524kg); 3 May 2006-born Limousin cross “Maverick” from Mr & Mrs B. S. Paton, Spott, Glenprosen, Kirriemuir (656kg, £840).

Intermediate Steer – 1 September 2006-born Charolais cross from D. & R. Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet (516kg, £820); 2 September 2006-born Limousin cross “Timbaland” from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (506kg); 3 September 2006-born Limousin cross from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (498kg, £800).

Junior Intermediate Steer – 1 November 2006-born Limousin cross from Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin (472kg, £1500); 2 September 2006-born Limousin cross “Hamilton” from Harry Brown Jnr, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead (452kg, £1500); 3 September 2006-born Limousin cross “Alonoso” from Harry Brown Jnr, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead (462kg, £1000).

Junior Steer – 1 December 2006-born Limousin cross from Balfour Baillie, Sebay Cottage, Tankerness, Orkney (418kg, £900); 2 November 2006-born Limousin cross from J. Stuart, Belnoe, Glenlivet (448kg, £800); 3 August 2006-born pure registered Limousin from Gaich Farms, Grantown-on-Spey (448kg, £700).

Steer Calf – 1 February 2007-born Belgian Blue cross from Balfour Baillie, Sebay Cottage, Tankerness, Orkney (376kg, £1900); 2 January 2007-born Limousin cross from Colin Mackay, Westburn, Murkle, Thurso (378kg, £1150); 3 November 2006-born Belgian Blue cross from William Robertson & Son, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul (388kg, £600).

Baby Steer Calf – 1 March 2007-born Limousin cross from Colin Mackay, Westburn, Murkle, Thurso (274kg, £800); 2 March 2007-borrn Limousin cross from Macarthur Bros, Mid Fleenas, Littlemill, Nairn (266kg, £1100); 3 March 2007-born Limousin cross from Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin (264kg, £1350).

Senior Heifer – 1 February 2006-born Limousin cross from Donald Morrison, Cairn Nulla, Burnside, Kinlochbervie (538kg); 2 May 2006-born Belgian Blue cross from Craig Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith (520kg); 3 June 2006-born Limousin cross from G. M. Henderson, Murrayfield, Castletown, Caithness (504kg, £740).

Intermediate Heifer – 1 September 2006-born Limousin cross from Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin (454kg, £6000); 2 September 2006-born Limousin cross from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (475kg, £800); 3 April 2006-born Charolais cross from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (456kg, £720).

Junior Heifer – 1 December 2006-born Limousin cross from Balfour Baillie, Sebay Cottage, Tankerness, Orkney (422kg, £750); 2 September 2006-born Limousin cross from J. & J. Wilson, Wester Cairnglass, Gollanfield, Inverness (412kg, £660); 3 September 2006-born Limousin cross from Barry Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, Inverurie (420kg, £580).

Heifer Calf – 1 March 2007-born Limousin cross from Macarthur Bros, Mid Fleenas, Littlemill, Nairn (300kg, £950); 2 March 2007-born Limousin cross “Lexie” from Barry Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, Inverurie (296kg); 3 March 2007-born Limousin cross from Colin Mackay, Westburn, Murkle, Thurso (280kg, £750).

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SHOW AND SALE HERALDS RETURN OF STORE CATTLE SALES

Thainstone Centre’s first sale of store cattle following the lifting of Foot and Mouth restrictions saw the show champion sell for £940.

The inaugural August show and sale of store cattle was sponsored by UK Farm Finance and judged by Ian Pirie, Overton of Bruxie, Maud. Mr Pirie was the buyer of the overall champion, a 658kg Limousin from Huntly’s Blair Duffton which took prizes at this year’s Banchory, Black Isle and New Deer shows.

The reserve championship was awarded to Murray Rainnie of Loanhead, Logie Coldstone and his 526kg Charolais cross heifer sold at £700.

Commenting on the event, Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ general manager John Gregor said: “We are delighted that our sales schedule has resumed after three weeks without auctions at Thainstone Centre. Although slightly down on the year, trade was significantly better than we expected and there was an excellent turnout of buyers at the ringside.”

The full prize list was as follows:

Single steer – 1 B. Duffton, Bogie Street, Huntly (658kg, £940); 2 B. Duffton, Bogie Street, Huntly (552kg, £725); 3 J. Stuart, Belnoe, Ballindalloch (526kg, £675).
Single heifer – 1 M. Rainnie, Loanhead, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne (528kg, £700); 2 G. I. Low, Cruehill, Toab, Orkney (572kg, £725); 3 M. Rainnie, Loanhead, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne (458kg, £585).
Pair of steers – 1 G. I. Low, Cruehill, Toab, Shetland (571kg, £748); 2 Sheep Park Farms, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly (507kg, £648); 3 New Alves Farms, Mosstowie, Elgin (487kg, £620).
Pair of heifers – 1 A. & W. Campbell, West Murkle, Thurso (452kg, £600); 2 S. Flett & Son, Redbanks, Tankerness, Orkney (466kg, £575); 3 A. & W. Campbell, West Murkle, Thurso (448kg, £595).

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ENTRY OF 1,600 AS CENTRE CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Caithness Livestock Centre will continue its busy run of autumn events with a show and sale of 1,600 store cattle on Monday (September 10th).

The event – which is again sponsored by Harbro – was originally due to take place on Monday, September 3rd but was postponed due to rescheduled sales as a result of Foot and Mouth restrictions.

Classes for singles, pairs, pens of four and pens of eight will be contested, with the Perpetual Trophy and £100 to be presented to the exhibitor of the champion animal.
The consignor of the reserve champion will receive £50.

The show – to be judged by Bill and David Henderson, Hillbrae Farm, Bourtie, Inverurie – will begin at 8am and the sale will begin at 9am.

Commenting on the event, Harbro sales director Ian Mennie said: “We are very pleased to sponsor this anniversary sale in what is a very important part of our trading area. We are also pleased to support W & A Geddes Ltd, who are our agents for Caithness and Sutherland.”

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