The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Premier Meat Exhibition attracts bumper entry
Stirling: Thirty more exhibitors than last year at 25th anniversary show
Scotland’s Premier Meat Exhibition has attracted a record entry of 301 prime beef cattle and 266 prime sheep for its 25th anniversary show.
There will be 30 more exhibitors than last year at 165 compared with 135 in 2016 from throughout Scotland and the north of England.
Judging of the live cattle and sheep in the M&S-sponsored competition will take place at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, on November 15, and the judging of the carcases at Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan, on November 18, when all exhibitors are invited to a lunch and presentation awards.
“The Premier Meat Exhibition is one of the largest shows of its kind in Europe and the record entry confirms the event’s unique reputation as a show which combines judging on the hoof with judging on the hook,” said Hugh Dunlop, chairman of the Scottish National Fatstock Club, organisers of the exhibition.
“The show is set to demonstrate all that is best in Scottish beef and lamb production. We look forward to welcoming a large audience to the live judging at Stirling and to the awards presentation lunch at Scotbeef.”
The live judging of the cattle will be in the hands of beef cattle showman Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, and the live sheep will be judged by Haig Murray, lamb procurement manager for Dunbia in Scotland.
The beef carcases will be judged by Richard Moore, managing director of of Linden Foods, Bangor, Northern Ireland, and the lamb carcases by Jacques Guilbaud from the Carrefour supermarket chain in France.
The total entry comprises 261 in the cattle classes and 229 in the sheep classes plus 40 cattle and 33 sheep in the young livestock producers’ section.
“We are particularly pleased to see so many entries in the young producers’ section for exhibitors aged 16 to 26 years,” said Mr Dunlop.
“This section was introduced in 2013 to encourage the younger generation into beef and sheep production and the attractive prize money has proved a real incentive to youngsters to take part.”
The live judging of the prime sheep at Caledonian Marts is scheduled to start at 3pm on November 15, followed by the prime cattle at 4pm. All exhibitors are invited to inspect the winning carcases at Scotbeef’s meat plant at Bridge of Allan during the morning of Saturday November 18, prior to the presentation of awards and lunch.