The annual Young Farmers Overwintering Competition hosted by Aberdeen & Northern Marts will be held at Caithness Livestock Centre, Quoybrae on Monday 7th April alongside the show and sale of 1200 store cattle.

Young Farmers from across the North are set to participate in this year’s competition, which is kindly sponsored by local agricultural contractor A H Mackay, West Greenland and Ross Bremner Transport. A total entry of 24 calves will be featured at the event consisting of 16 heifers and 8 bullocks.

Judging will commence from 8am on Monday 7th April with Craig Buchan, Savoch, Longside set to judge this year’s entries, followed by the Open Show which is kindly sponsored by Highland News Media. The Sale is to begin from 10am starting with the Store Cattle Sale with the Young Farmers Overwintered Cattle being sold at 12noon.

The Young Farmers Overwintering Competition continues to serve as a valuable opportunity for young farmers to develop their stockmanship skills and gain hands-on experience trading through the auction ring.

Young farmers from clubs across the region will showcase their efforts and compete in categories such as best quality animal, best presented and paraded animal, highest average daily liveweight gain, highest feeders’ margin, best overwintered animal, the novice award, the junior Young Farmer award and the Young Farmers Club award.

Scott Chapman, Auctioneer at Aberdeen & Northern Marts, said: “The overwintering competition is a key event giving young farmers the opportunity to develop their stockmanship skills and gain valuable experience in the industry.

We are grateful for the continued sponsorship from Andrew H Mackay, West Greenland and to our new joint sponsor Ross Bremner Transport for the young farmers section and Highland News Media for their generous support of the open section.

We look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators to Quoybrae for what promises to be another fantastic showcase of quality livestock.”