Aberfeldy farmer tastes hoof and carcase glory

Aberfeldy farmer Roddy Thomson was left celebrating after winning both the hoof and carcase championships in the Royal Northern Spring Show’s prime hoggs contest.

Mr Thomson, of West Park, took champion and reserve in both the live and dead contests with Beltex crosses by a Tiree tup and out of a Beltex cross ewe.

Other prizes in the lamb section included the best pair of suffolks award to R and D Farquhar, Tewel, Fetteresso, Stonehaven, and the best pair of Texels prize to David Black, Minard, Cortachy Road, Northmuir, Kirriemuir.

The prize for the best pair of hoggs of any other breed went to some Cheviot crosses from J and E Forrester, Aldie Farm, Cruden Bay, Peterhead.

In the cattle section the top title went to a Charolais cross heifer from Bill Cameron of Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith.

The reserve champion was a Limousin heifer from Messrs Ellis and Kerr, Cairncoullie, Glenkindie.

Other cattle prizes included the bullock champion prize to Alexander G Douglas of Crimonmogate Mains, Lonmay, Fraserburgh, with Bill Cameron in reserve.

The prize for the best killing out percentage went to Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch with 66.28%.

The entry with the highest combined score on the hoof and hook was the champion bullock from Alexander G Douglas.

All animals were killed at the Scotbeef Inverurie abattoir, however poor weather meant the carcase viewing evening was cancelled. The Royal Northern Agrcultural Society also cancelled the Young Farmers stockjudging.