Record entry as meat show marks 25 years

Exhibits :300 cattle and 250 lambs make hard work for judges

Farmers from across Scotland and the north of England gathered at Scotbeef’s Bridge of Allan plant for the Premier Meat Exhibition.

Now in its 25th year, the M&S-sponsored carcase show, organised with the Scottish National Fat Stock Club, had a record entry of 300 cattle and 250 lambs.

T he overall cattle champion was a 372.5kg Aberdeen-Angus cross steer from S. Ewart and Sons, Easter Dounie, Ballintuim,

“I was looking for carcases with a little bit off at cover”

Blairgowrie. Their winner, bred by P. Cooper and Partners, Goval, Forfar, classified U+3L and killed out at 60.1%.

Judge, Richard Moore, formerly with Linden Foods in Northern Ireland, said: “I was looking for carcases with a little bit of fat cover to ensure good eating quality. The overall show of carcases was outstanding but a few were just a little too lean.”

Reserve champion was a 369.3kg Limousin cross from A. J. Ingram, East Comalegy, Drumblade, with classified U+3 and killed out at 60.5%.

The award for the best carcase suitable for the Italian market went to a Limousin cross from J. Thompson, Smallburn Farm, Longhorsley, Morpeth, Northumberland, with daughter, Jill, winning the senior championship in the young farmers competition with a Limousin cross.

The championship in the junior young farmers contest was won by Robbie Wills, Meadowend Farm, Clackmannan.

The award for the best cow carcase went to a Limousin cross from Auchtydore Farms, Easterton of Lenabo, Mintlaw.

Leading the show of lamb carcases was a 22kg Beltex classifying E2 from D. S. and R. C. Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill, Muthill, Crieff, with the reserve award going to Mrs Mary Dunlop, Corstane, Broughton, Biggar, with a 21.2kg lamb which classified E3L. The Taylors also took the best export lamb carcase award.

In the young farmers section, the senior championship was awarded to Robert Rennie, Sydenham, Ednam, Roxburghshire, and the junior championship to Gary Whitston, Haswelsykes, Peebles.

The award in the Aberdeen-Angus beef finishing competition was awarded to J. F. Johnston and Son, Taphill, Morpeth, with J. Rhind and Son, Woodend, Kinloss, Forres, taking reserve spot and third place going to H. R. Mowat, Brick House, Orkney.

The Farmer of the Year award for regular consigners went to Emslie Partners, Little Barras, Laurencekirk, who supply Scotbeef with 40 Aberdeen-Angus cattle a week 52 weeks of the year with 90% meeting the M&S specification.

MEAT THE WINNER: Stephanie Ewart of S. Ewart & Sons is presented with her Silver Steer by Steve McLean, head of M&S Agriculture. Far left is Tom Slay, also of M&S, and far right Wilson Peters, Monzie, Crieff, who has donated a new trophy for the class

In the Young Farmer steer competition Garry Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick, Orkney, came first, followed by Beth Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie

Stephanie Ewart and Sons also won the Perpetual Challenge cup for the best Aberdeen-Angus carcase and the M&S award for champion beef carcase

John Buchan from Auchtydore Farms is presented with the Perpetual Challenge cup by Hugh Dunlop, chairman of the Fat Stock Club, for best prime cow