More than 100 entries converge on Black Beauty Bonanza

The Aberdeen-Angus breed put on its best ever show at the 18th Black Beauty Bonanza at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, and attracted more than 100 entries from leading herds throughout Scotland.

“It was an excellent show of cattle with outstanding champions in each of the four sections,” said judge Jim Ford, procurement manager with meat processors, AK Stoddart, who sources 250 Aberdeen-Angus cattle a week for the company’s meat plant.

Mr Rankin’s winning heifer, Weeton Princess Chartreuse R467, an 18-month-old daughter of Retties JFK M195 out of Blelack Princess Chartreuse G793, was brought out by Richard and Carol Rettie and son, Jamie, who run a successful livery on a farm near Alloa preparing bulls of all breeds for show and sale.

The couple are due to move to Perthshire shortly and yesterday scored a double success when their own homebred heifer, the 15-month-old Retties Lady Ruth R329, by Duncanziemere Edwin J311 and out of Wall Lady Ruth E397, stood second in the same class as Mr Rankin’s champion and followed right through to stand reserve for the yearling heifer championship.

Enjoying a highly successful day, the Retties also won the heifer calf championship for David Lucas and daughter, Sian Sharp (coincidentally secretary of the Highland Cattle Society) from Cheeklaw, Duns, and the yearling bull championship for HB and I Hodge and Son who are shortly due to move their herd from East Anglia to a farm at Bankfoot, near Perth.

Black Beauty Bonanza – Prize list Heifer calves Jan 1-Feb 28 and heifer calf champion – David Lucas, Cheeklaw, Duns.

March 1-13 – C and A McCombie, Auchincrieve, Rothiemay.

March 15-April 8 – Schivas Estates, Ythanbank, Ellon.

April 15-May 12 and reserve heifer calf champion – Hamish and Margaret Sclater, Denhead of Dunlugas, Turriff.

Yearling heifers and yearling heifer champion – Donald Rankin; Bull calves Jan 2-Feb 18 and bull calf champion – NF Massie and Sons, Blelack, Dinnet, Aboyne.

Feb 20-March 15 and reserve bull calf champion – Ballindalloch Home Farms, Ballindalloch.

March 16-25 – C and E McCombie.

March 30-April 13 – Ray Gardiner and Craig Smart, Newton Smiddy, Lyne of Skene.

April 14-May 12 – Neil Wattie. Yearling bulls March 4-17 and reserve yearling bull champion – M Bruce and Partners.

April 5-June 23 and yearling bull champion, HB and I Hodge and Son, Bankfoot, Perth. Commercial cattle Heifers – J and A Strathdee, North Retanach, Rothiemay. Steers – Robert Marshall, Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown.

Pair of bull calves – C and A McCombie.

Pair of yearling bulls – AC Grant and Son; res – Donald Rankin.

Small herds’ award – Glenrinnes Farms Ltd.