Here is your weekly round-up of all that’s gone on in the last seven days, covering everything from a magnificent Youth Development Programme final for 2017 to initial plans being put in place for the next edition of the Aberdeen-Angus Review, which will be the 100th edition!
Show and Sale news:
The Carlisle Show and Sale kicked off today, and we look forward to bringing you a full report of the day’s events next week for what is always one of the standout dates on our agricultural calendar.
We informed you about the Irish 2017 National Aberdeen-Angus Calf Show which will take place on Saturday October 14th at the new venue of Carrick-On-Shannon Mart, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. This year’s show will be the first occasion where calves from Northern Ireland will be in attendance, making it the only show in the country to involve entries from both sides of the Irish border. For further information on the event, read the full piece at: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/launch-of-the-national-aberdeen-angus-calf-show/
We’re still keen to hear about any more local shows and sales that you’d like to be covered here on the Society website. Please feel free to share show dates and then results and photography you might have with our marketing partners at Denvir Marketing and we will facilitate inclusion in the Society news. You can get in touch with Rob or Leanne directly on robert@denvirmarketing.com and leanne@denvirmarketing.com.
The 100th edition of the Aberdeen-Angus Review:
This week, we had a meeting surrounding the 100th edition of the Review and the planning is now well and truly underway to organise the development of the landmark publication. We have already received some requests surrounding advertising space and it’s great to see such enthusiasm and eagerness to be involved in this edition. All members can expect to receive advert booking forms in the next week or so, which can be used to secure space. Adverts will be sold on a first come, first served basis, so please be sure to complete and return the forms in a timely manner to ensure you secure your place in the 100th edition. This will be distributed throughout the country, along with potential international exposure due to distribution to international delegates who joined us here in the UK and Ireland for the World Angus Forum – an opportunity not to be missed!
2017 Youth Development Programme final:
Last weekend was the annual grand finale of our Youth Development Programme which our youngsters work so tirelessly and passionately towards each year, facilitated by United Auctions at Stirling Agricultural Centre. As always, it was a competitive and enjoyable day for all, and a big well done and thank you is expressed to all participants throughout the year and all the finalists and prize winners who competed so admirably on the day. Congratulations to the overall winners in the senior, intermediate and junior groups who were Eoin Cummings, Donald MacLean and Andrew Hamill respectively. You can view the full details of the results here: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/full-results-youth-development-programme-final-2017/
Next week, we’ll be bringing you a full report on the day with comments from judges and competitors alike. In the meantime, we must thank everyone who makes the YDP such a success. We extend our deepest gratitude to the youngsters who take part so brilliantly year-on-year, to the trainers who facilitate the workshops throughout the year and the members who give up their facilities and animals to allow this, to Carol and Richard Rettie, HW & Netherton Aberdeen-Angus, Allan Rennie and Stephanie Dick who kindly donated their cattle for this year’s final, to M&S who sponsored the YDP final for which we are extremely grateful, and to the judges on the day of the final; Society President Alex Sanger, Marie Louise Ryan, John McEnroe, Alistair Cormack, Mark Phillips, Philip Halhead and Aileen McFadzean. Last, but by no means least, we’d like to thank programme co-ordinator Gayle Bersey who works tirelessly to make this possible for our youngsters – your efforts are appreciated very much by everyone. Make sure to check out our website or Facebook page for the full gallery of images from the day!
Other news:
We also brought you a full report from the Ploughing Championships over in Ireland which took place last week. This is the largest event of its kind in Europe, and attendees were treated to an exceptional line-up of pedigree and commercial Aberdeen-Angus cattle. You can read more at: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/irish-aberdeen-angus-a-huge-hit-at-the-national-ploughing-championships/
We also heard from Ian Emslie of Little Barras in Laurencekirk. Mr Emslie, along with wife, Margaret, and son, John, currently finishes 2,350 head a year to Scotbeef in Bridge of Allan for Marks and Spencer, earning a premium of 30-35p per kilogram at deadweight, sometimes as high as 40p. If you missed it the first time, make sure to visit the website to read the full piece and get some insight into the Emslie operation and Ian’s thoughts on the breed: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/little-barras-aberdeen-angus-feature/
Coming up next week…
Next week, we look forward to bringing you more of the great news and activity from within the Society, including an interesting piece from one of our breeders of the future, a full report on the YDP final and the results from the Carlisle Show and Sale.
Have a wonderful weekend!