Turriff Show prepares to welcome more than 3000 animals this summer
Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural show will have an impressive number of livestock entries lined up for the more than 1500 classes taking place.
Turriff Show’s entry numbers are now confirmed, with over 300 cattle, nearly 800 sheep and 700 horses and ponies.
All exhibitors will now be preparing for the main ring.
Turriff is always popular for national breed shows and this year is no different with the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix National, being judged by Paul Rainey of County Derry.
Thomas Illingworth, Scottish chairman of the Limousin Grand Prix, said: “I’m the third generation in my family to be involved with breeding and showing Limousin.
“The Glenrock herd was established in 1982 by my grandad, a butcher at the time he first noticed Limousin cattle had a leaner meat and higher killing out percentage compared to a lot of the native cattle at the time meaning less wastage chucked away.
“I’ve been involved in every aspect of Limousins at home since I can remember, we do two to three summer shows which has led to us doing well at Royal Highland Show and Great Yorkshire Show.
“We held a world record for a Limousin heifer - Glenrock Illusion - sold in 2014 for 125,000gns.
“The committee on the Scottish Limousin club has been made up of a lot of younger, keen, dedicated members for quite a few years now and that trend’s just continued on with me going on the committee, to vice-chairman and now in the first year of a two-year chairmanship role.”
The breed was introduced to Scotland in February 1971; 179 pure-bred bulls and heifers arrived at Leith Docks in Edinburgh.
The excellent qualities of the breed such as easy calving, hardiness and their ability to produce well marbled, quality meat with a low proportion of bone and fat was so impressive that demand grew rapidly.
By 1986, the Limousin took the number one beef AI position nationally and knocked the traditional Hereford into second place.
The Limousin has the ability to survive and thrive in many different terrains while achieving top prices in breeding, fat and store rings on a weekly regular basis.
Thomas added: “Every judge with have slightly different preferences on type, but main principles with be a structurally correct and functional animal, with that added extra ring presence and style. While combined with a great carcase full of width, meat and soft fleshing throughout.
“This year will be the first time I have attended Turriff Show but I’ve heard great reports about the outstanding quality of livestock, hospitality and support the show brings each year.
“I’m very much looking forward to witnessing the fabulous stock in the north of Scotland, particularly the strong show of Limousins that will be travelling from throughout Scotland to compete as I have never been before.”
The full entry number breakdown by class is - cattle (333), sheep (798), horses and ponies (699), goats (55), pigeons (232), rabbits and cavies (999), Clydesdales (40) and Collie dogs (nine).
Adding to the celebration of the region’s beef farming, the presentation of prizes for the show’s annual carcase cattle and butchery lamb classes will take place at the Woodhead Brothers stand on Sunday, August 3 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, August 4, and rests in the hands of Donald Young from Perthshire.
This will include all champions from the cattle, sheep, ridden pony, in-hand pony and Clydesdale sections.
John Ledingham, president of Turriff Show said: “We’re delighted to host the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix and, again, it’s really uplifting to see such large entry numbers for all classes again.
“The quality and quantity of the livestock is what really makes our much-loved show so distinguished from all the other agricultural events.
“We’re very thankful for the time and energy exhibitors put into preparing animals for the two-day show and will be ready to welcome them to the main ring next month.”