The 2024 ABP Winter Fair – the Premier Meat Exhibition – held at the Bridge of Allan site on 9 November, was a sell-out success once again. Organised by the Scottish National Fatstock Club and sponsored by M&S, the event is now in its 31st year.
In total, 139 cattle, 16 young livestock producer cattle, 173 sheep and 10 young livestock producer sheep, were entered. Live cattle judging was conducted by Will Hamilton at Lanark Auction Mart and beef carcases by Tony Ashton at Bridge of Allan later in the week. Live sheep judge was Alfie Taylor and carcase judge was Stuart Stark.
Over 300 guests, including farmers, ScotGov, M&S, QMS, advisors and mart representatives attended the celebratory lunch, fittingly, a meal of Prime Aberdeen Angus beef and Scotch Lamb from M&S Select Farms.
Commenting on the event Bob Carnell, ABP’s UK CEO said: “this event is a tremendous showcase of the dedication of Scotland’s producers. The demand for beef and lamb is extremely robust both from our domestic as well as our premium export markets and we continue to work closely with our farm suppliers, our retail partners and the wider supply chain to improve the collective confidence in livestock farming. ABP is continuing to invest heavily in automation and state of the art processing facilities in Scotland and throughout the UK.”
Thanking those involved, he gave his deep appreciation of Lawrie & Symington for the live judging and M&S for their longstanding support of the event and its reflection of their sourcing ethos. “M&S is a business that deeply values the provenance, quality and families who produce world class livestock which is merchandised and sold throughout its stores.”
Commenting on the event Steve Mclean, M&S’s Head of Agriculture and Fisheries, said how proud his team have been to support this event for 31 years, adding: “M&S values the relationship with ABP because they have invested in the Scottish red meat sector, and they share our values.”
On the future, Mr Carnell said: “ABP’s commitment to Scottish farmers is steadfast, and I’m saying to you here, today, that we want to work with you to further grow the opportunities for the sale of Scotch and Scottish produce into both UK retail as well as food service, and to work with bodies like QMS to continue to develop new international market opportunities. We deeply value our relationship with over 2,200 farmer suppliers in Scotland and employ 836 people here.”
Alister Vance, Chair of the Scottish Fatstock Club said: “Scottish National Fatstock Club’s Premier Meats Exhibition is the only competition in the country for farmers to showcase the best of cattle and sheep both live and dead. The standard is getting higher every year. It really is a spectacular competition; our livestock producers and meat industry should be very proud.”
The full list of results is below:
BEEF
SHEEP