Final entries have been announced ahead of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic which will take place at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Monday 25^th and Tuesday 26^th November.

Organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts in partnership with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association and supported by main sponsor Rapid Project Development (RPD), the two-day premier event continues to attract top prime, commercial and pedigree stock with over 430 entries submitted with consignors joining from across the country.

A packed programme of events over the two days will see shows and sales of prime and pedigree livestock. Notable competitions include the Rising Stars Calf Show, open stock judging, and the Young Farmers stock judging competition, with a total of £14,000 in cash prizes available. The event will also feature a sale of Pedigree Heifers.

Additionally, this year’s main sponsor Rapid Project Development (RPD), has kindly donated two new trophies for the Young Farmers section, the first for Young Farmers Champion Haltered Animal and the second for Young Farmers Best Pair of Lambs Bred by Exhibitor.

 “We are delighted to see a tremendous line-up of prime, commercial and pedigree stock forward for this year’s Aberdeen Christmas Classic, with entries up on last year” said ANM prime cull cattle manager, Tim McDonald.

“Over the two days, exhibitors have a fantastic opportunity to showcase their top-quality cattle and sheep to a busy ringside of buyers from across Scotland.

“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors, and we’d like to thank RPD for their support and generosity in donating two new trophies for our Young Farmers categories. We look forward to welcoming exhibitors, farmers, and spectators to Thainstone at the end of the month.”

The prime cattle section has attracted a strong line-up with 90 entries forward. Ewen Mcdonald from Munros of Dingwall is set to judge the Open Unhaltered Beef Cattle section, while Hugh Black from Lanark judges the Open Haltered Beef Cattle and Butchers Cattle categories.

In the Prime Sheep section, 60 pairs of lambs will be judged by Stuart Stark from Bluebell, Alton Farm, Milton of Campsie, Glasgow.

262 pedigree sheep entries were received with Angus Brims of Thuster Mains, Bilbster, Wick judging the Suffolks, Robert Cockburn of 2 Hill of Errol, Errol, Creiff judging the Texels, Anne MacPherson of Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness will judge the Beltex section while the Dutch spotted is judged by Gordon Troup of Shaggart, Sauchen, Inverurie and the Blue Texels are judged by Susan Smith of Drumnahive, Kildrummy, Alford.

Louise Forsyth of WTS Forsyth & Sons, Peebles is set to judge the Younger Farmers categories with Ron Mackay of Clyth Mains, Caithness judging this year’s Rising Stars which has attracted 15 entries of top commercial bullocks and heifers.

Programme of events:

 Monday 25th November 2024

1.00pm Judging of Pedigree Female Sheep: Exchange

3.00pm Sale of Pedigree Female Sheep: Sale Ring No 3

5.30pm Judging of Young Farmers Prime Sheep: Exchange

5.45pmJudging of Young Farmers Unhaltered Prime Cattle, Young Farmers Haltered Prime Cattle and Rising Stars Calf Show: Exchange

Tuesday 26th November 2024

8.45am Judging of Open Unhaltered Cattle followed by Open and Butchers Haltered Prime Cattle: Exchange

9.30am Judging of Open and Butchers Prime Sheep: Sale Ring No 2

1.00pm Presentation of Prizes for Prime Cattle and Sheep: Sale Ring No 2

Followed by Sale of Prime Cattle and Sheep Commencing with Cattle.

Followed by Sale of Pedigree Heifers

7.00pm Young Farmers and Open Stock Judging Competition: Sale Ring No 2

Times are subject to change.