Shetland & Lewis Farmers Take Top Honours

Farmers from Shetland and the Isle of Lewis took the top honours at the Aberdeen & Northern Marts annual show and sale of Shetland and West Highland calves at Thainstone, Inverurie today.

The overall champion and best Shetland calf was a 10-month-old Limousin cross steer, weighing 408kg, from Allie Flaws of Ringesta, Quendale, Shetland.

He was presented with the champion trophy by Jane Hutcheon, the northern territory manager of show sponsors, Norbrook Pharmaceuticals.

His winning animal was later sold for £740 to the show judge, Andrew Bruce of Berefold, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

The reserve champion and best west Highland calf was a Charolais cross steer, weighing 342kg, from Alan Kerr of Barvas Glebe Farm on the Isle of Lewis. It also sold for £740 to A & L Mearns of Lambslack, Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.

John Angus, cattle manager for Aberdeen & Northern Marts said: “There was an excellent turnout of calves with some keen trade.”

Island bullocks (66) averaged 187.2p (-28.4p on the year) and sold to 241.2p per kg for 228kg Charolais crosses from South Scord, Muckle Roe and £740 gross for a 342kg Charolais cross from Barvas Glebe Farm, Isle of Lewis.
Island heifers (44) averaged 162.6p (-34p on the year) and sold to 190.9p per kg for 220kg Charolais crosses from South Scord, Muckle Roe and £770 gross for a 422kg Limousin cross from Ringesta, Quendale
Island bullocks up to 250kg - Heights, Hamar, South Scord £550, Heights 227.3p; 251-300kg - Barvas Glebe Farm £645, 228.3p; 301-350kg - Pobis Geo £680, Barvas Glebe Farm 216.4p; 351-400kg -Ringesta £670, 172p. 401-450kg - Ringesta 181.4p.
Island heifers up to 250kg - Grunnins, Ollaberry £450, 190.7p; 251-300kg - 5 Swainbost, Ness, Barvas Glebe Farm, £500, 5 Swainbost 186.6p; 301-350kg - Barvas Glebe Farm 3540, 176.5p; 351-400kg - Ringesta £660, 170.1p; 401-450kg - Ringesta £670, 182.5p.