Charolais cross steer takes national title

Top honours at the live judging of Scotland’s 25th Premier Meat Exhibition went to a Charolais cross steer from brothers Euan and Ian Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie.

Runner-up for the championship was a Limousin cross steer from Stephanie Ewart, Easter Dounie, Bridge of Cally, Blairgowrie, which was second in the same class as the champion.

The cattle and sheep were judged on the hoof at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, and will be judged on the hook at Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan, today where the winning carcases will be on display.

The judge, Wilson Peters from Crieff, was full of praise for the show of cattle which he said augured well for the carcase exhibition.

“I was looking for beef cattle to suit the high street butcher – not too big and with a degree of fat cover to ensure good eating quality,” he said.

“My champion fitted what I was looking for, grading 4L, and I’m confident it will hang up well.”

Leading the live show of 250 lambs was a Beltex from R Hall and Son, Inglewood Edge, Dalston, Carlisle, who exhibited the champion lamb carcase last year.

Hugh Dunlop, chairman of the Scottish National Fat Stock Club which organises the event, said the quality of the cattle and lambs gets better every year.

This year’s show has attracted entries from a record number of 165 exhibitors – 30 more than last year – from throughout Scotland and the north of England.

Reserve lamb champion was a Suffolk cross from Jim and Wallace Kennedy, Lyonpark, Ayrshire.