Next month, Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural event, Turriff Show, has a great number of livestock entries for the 1,500+ classes it holds at the event which runs on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 August.
Entries are well up on all classes, compared with last year, with over 350 cattle, nearly 900 sheep and over 700 horses and ponies. All will be eyeing their share of the Turriff Show prize money which exceeds £88,000.
Turriff is always popular for national breed shows and this year is no different with the Scottish National Simmental Show, being judged by Mrs Dorothy Moffat of Dunbar. For the sheep, the Scottish Region’s Bluefaced Leicester Progeny Show will be judged by Mr Ian Smith, Alnwick (Traditional Type) and Mr Jack Kay, Lauder (Crossing Type).
Jim Ross, Scottish Chairman of the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association said:
“After a break of seven years the Bluefaced Leicesters are bringing their Progeny Show back to Turriff Show and we would like to express our thanks to them for hosting us this year. The breed has great strength of numbers in the north and highlands of Scotland, and this is our members’ opportunity to showcase their livestock to the wider membership and general public.
“The Bluefaced Leicester is the only sire of the unrivalled UK Mule – the hybrid vigour passed on by the BFL ensures milkiness, prolificacy, and adaptability – making the mule the best lamb producer,” Jim continued.
Jim Dyet, President of the Scottish Simmental Club said:
“The Simmental breed is known for its sturdy and steady nature and is the second largest beef breed in numbers, with an estimated 60 million head spread over six continents.
“It is great to be heading back to Turriff for our Scottish National Simmental Show and our greatest thanks to the show organisers for inviting us. It is always a great couple of days and a fantastic way for us to show what a quality breed the Simmental is and why it is so popular, particularly in Scotland.”
The full entry number breakdown by class is – cattle (356), sheep (891), horses and ponies (700), goats (65), pigeons (179), rabbits and cavies (886), Clydesdales (39) and Collie dogs (11).
Adding to the celebration of the region’s beef farming, the presentation of prizes for Show’s annual carcase cattle and butchery lamb classes will take place at the Woodhead Brothers stand on Sunday 4 August at 1pm. These classes have proven to be as popular as ever, with an increase of entry numbers from commercial breeders and finishers from across the North East of Scotland.
The prestigious role of judging the whole Show’s Champion of Champions will be held in the Main Ring on Monday 5 August, and rests in the capable hands of Mr Dennis Gall of Lockerbie. This will include all champions from the beef, sheep, ridden pony, in-hand pony and Clydesdale sections.
David Allan, President of Turriff Show said:
“We’re delighted to host the Scottish Simmental and Bluefaced Leicester National Shows at Turriff Show this year. It’s a great opportunity for the respective breed associations and their members to showcase the two breeds and for the general public to learn more about them.
“It’s also really encouraging to see such strong entry numbers for all classes again, it really is what makes the show. We’re very grateful for the time and effort these exhibitors spend in preparing animals for the show and are ready to welcome them all with some great prizes to be won”.
More information on the classes and judges can be found at www.turriffshow.org.