-
-
The record books were thought to have been re-written at the weekend when an entry of over 100 cross-bred cattle were paraded on a new out-of-town show-field, at the Nairnshire Farmers Society's Annual Show, Saturday 26th July. The switch was considered a great success by organisers, exhibitors and public alike, allowing space for everyone to enjoy both the warm weather and the occasional cooling shower of rain.
An amazing 14 calves in the Bullock calf born after 1st March class for judge Alistair Vance, Bridgehouse, Newton Stewart, Wigtonshire, to scrutinize. Although he found his champion elsewhere in the class for Bullocks born between 1st September 2007 and 30th November 2007. The steer, named Harlequin, sired by Linarn Unique was one of nearly 2 dozen exhibits from Andrew Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin, Morayshire. After Andy giving himself some competition from his own camp, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd in his class he then stormed to Male Champion, before going on the Overall Champion ahead of the Female Champion from Messers Munro, Invercarron, Ardgay, Ross-shire. The first time exhibitors were to have their hopes dashed of claiming the Reserve Overall title as the Reserve Male followed his conqueror to the title. This was a much admired and deserved winner of the largest class of the day and was exhibited by the breeders of last years champion, Messers McArthur, Mid Fleenas, Littlemill, Nairn with a 4 month old Limousin cross calf.
As well as the strength and depth of the classes the most encouraging aspect of the day was the amount of young people involved throughout the day and in the Young Stock-persons classes being judged both on the quality of their calves and their skills in presenting and showing their exhibits - in separate classes. With 12 forward this demonstrates that the skills and enthusiasm will continue in Nairnshire for many years to come.
To top off a quite amazing day for the Anderson family their Bullock then beat off fierce competition from the assembled pedigree section champions to claim the award for Overall Beef Champion.
All this after a reserve placing for the inter-herd group of three animals from the same exhibitor, both times put under the watch-full eye of former Smithfield winner Scott Watson of Carnousite, Angus. This time giving way to a very powerful Group of Three Simmental females with calves at foot from the Green family at Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers - a member of which was Simmental section leader and Runner-up in the Overall Beef Champion to the cross bred bullock. As both animals will be entered for Turriff Show on Monday 4th August, it will take some exceptional exhibits to come in their way and prevent a rematch.
-
-
Hi all - just a quick post to tell you all about me. As the 'Bio' says I'm a Cattle breeder and enthusiast from the North East of Scotland.
It's a long way from England's North-east (Geordie-land!) and where I'm from cattle are king. The Aberdeen-Angus breed was founded here, (the name is a dead give away, yes!) still having a sizeable representation in the area, with a lot of quality pedigree herds producing stock that is being sought-after Europe-wide at present.My own background has come from 'feeding' cattle but when the commodity crash of the mid-nineties made them unviable our set-up changed slightly. Having established a career off-farm I now have a small herd of coos which I breed from and show. They're not blue-grey though - that particular affection comes from a song penned by a local celebrity to chapter the arrival of the continental-type cattle from Europe in the late-sixties / early seventies, when our native breeds fell out of favour amongst the cattle breeders of the time.
My intention meantime is to keep you all posted as to how our local shows are going up here as It's a favourite summer pastime of mine (and my family) to get out and about, show our cattle and meet friends, old and new, for a bit of fun. If the occasional beer can be squeezed in then all the better!
Enjoy - B-GCoos.