The Highlanders head for Oban
Buyers from all over Europe will be heading to Oban this weekend for the Highland Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale.
Organisers are looking forward to welcoming another large entry of high quality Highland Cattle to this season’s 122nd annual show across all classes, with a strong commercial offering in the unhaltered section.
Breeders from all over the country and further afield will be descending on Oban, others will come from nearer, including Duncan Buchanan whose family has reared Highland cattle at Shenavallie farm near Benderloch for three generations and longer than that elsewhere on the Lochnell Estate.
Unfortunately Mr Buchanan had to withdraw his entry for this year’s show after his heifer injured herself on a rope but he will still be taking two calves for another breeder.
‘It’s one of the year’s highlights for Highland breeders. I’m still looking forward to going,’ he said.
As well as exhibitors and buyers, members of the public are invited to go along to Oban Livestock Centre to experience it. On Sunday October 13 the show starts at 10am, with the sale starting at the same time on Monday October 14. Duncan Handley will be the event’s judge and Jimmy Laing will be chief steward.
Trophies and prizes will be presented to winners at the society’s dinner at Oban’s Royal Hotel on the Sunday evening.
World record sales for top-class Highlanders at the peak of interest sat at 20,000 guineas in the 1900s.
Popularity is increasing once again due to the Highlanders being the hardiest of all the British beef breed. Being instinctive foragers and having long productive lives makes big savings on replacement costs which appeals to buyers.