An increased entry of 80 calves will be forward for next week's Young Farmers' annual overwintering show and sale at Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ Thainstone Centre.

The event, on the evening of Thursday, March 24, and during the day of Friday, March 25, regularly attracts entries with future show potential with this year's total featuring 48 heifers and 21 steers as well as six home-bred heifers and a further five home-bred steers, from 16 novice exhibitors.

Members from Deer and District JAC, Echt, Forfar, Garioch, Keith and District YFC, Kinneff, Lower Speyside, Ross-Sutherland, Strathbogie JAC, Strichen, Turriff and District JAC, Udny JAC, and Vale of Alford, will be competing for a huge array of silverware and prize money.

The animals forward were purchased by the young farmers at the autumn sales at Thainstone, before being reared over the winter months in preparation for the show.

All classes of cattle will be judged by Ian Wainwright, Todhall, Cupar, Fife, including the best presented and paraded section.

John Angus, head of livestock at Aberdeen and Northern Marts, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this event once again and it’s pleasing to see such a strong entry of calves from young farmers throughout the north area who have worked hard throughout the winter months to get the animals to this stage.

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“These calves have been sourced from some of the best commercial breeders in the country and will be suitable for further showing or as breeding cows. Please note that our online bidding system is still in place here at Thainstone and is easily accessible on sale days.”

At last year’s event, held within Covid-19 guidelines, the winner of the Calladrum Cup for the best overwintered animal was Strichen YFC member, Jenna Ross, Wardhead, Strichen.

Sale leader at £3600 was a British Blue cross heifer from Garioch YFC member, Finn Christie from Newton of Balquhain, Pitcaple, Inverurie.

Bred at Balgairn Farm, Ballater, she sold to Gary Bell, Haas-side, Lockerbie.

Finn also received £2800 for his overall champion, bred by Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, which was purchased by Backmuir Livestock, Keith.

This year’s proceedings will commence with the show held in the Exchange at 7.30pm, followed by the sale the following morning alongside the firm’s weekly store cattle sale.