With it officially less than 4 weeks until Christmas we can start to look forward to what will hopefully be a busy and fun filled festive period. Keep an eye out on social media as we will be bringing you our own Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Christmas campaign that we look forward to many of you getting involved in!
It’s been a busy couple of weeks here at the Society with the highly anticipated Black Beauty Bonanza taking place amongst lots of preparation for the 101st edition of our Review publication! Take a look at what’s been going on in and around the Society over the last 14 days.
101st Aberdeen-Angus Review: Deadline is today!
The deadline for booking adverts for the Aberdeen-Angus 101st edition of the review is today so if you have not already done so make sure to get your booking forms and artwork to Michael at Denvir Marketing as soon as possible! If you have booked and not yet sent your advert artwork, this must be done in the next week so please make sure to send it as soon as possible.
If you would still like to place an advert then please feel free to get in touch, but please move quick!
Michael can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phoning 01786 448160.
News Roundup
The highly anticipated Black Beauty Bonanza took place on Friday 23rd of November at Thainstone Exchange in Inverurie. The event was a huge success with over 100 entries, showing some of the best the breed has to offer. Taking home Heifer Calf Champion was Tulloes Pride U003 by David Raeburn. The Champion Yearling Heifer was Kilmaluag Lady Ruth T207 by Donald Rankin. Male Calf Champion was Blelack Dakota U898 (ET) by Messers N F Massie & Sons. The Yearling Male Champion was Logie Dynamite T740 by AJR Farms.
To have a look at the full results, head to our Facebook page where the live results were posted.
Aberdeen-Angus swept the boards to take both Championship and Reserve in the UK’s premier beef carcase show at the annual Scottish National Fatstock Club’s Premier Meat Exhibition held at Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan. The event attracted more than 300 entries from farms up and down the UK. Taking home the Scotbeef Silver Steer trophy was Champion Aberdeen-Angus heifer from leading Aberdeenshire producers, Alan and Gavin Ross, of Ross Brothers, who run a large-scale beef and lamb finishing enterprise from Wardhead, Strichen. Taking Reserve Carcase Championship was Andrew Purdon and Partners, Stravenhouse, Law, Carluke. The award for the best pure bred Aberdeen-Angus went to M and HD Currie, Skewbridge, Mouswald, Dumfries.
To keep up with all other news from the Society as well as all the latest updates from shows, sales and other events, just head over to the appropriate sections on our website:
News and features: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/
Show and Sales news: http://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/news/show-and-sales/
News and Notices from the CEO
- The review process is still ongoing with the finalisation of articles and content being gathered together in readiness for the printer, this is a time consuming job in its final stages and hopefully when it lands in January you will enjoy the read and all the effort will be worthwhile!
- On Saturday the 17th November the CEO visited breed veteran Willie McLaren at Netherton and was treated to his presentation on the history of Aberdeen-Angus, a very interesting catalogue of where the breed has been, what it’s gone through, and where it is today. The pancakes and home baking were a very welcome accompaniment to a morning’s education on the breed history.
- Saturday 17th November also saw the winners of the Premier Meat Exhibition announced at Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan where some 400 guests from the trade, press and meat industry met to witness a fantastic occasion. Aberdeen-Angus carcasses fared very well under the auspices of judge Neil Stoddart. The CEO and president were on the guest list, with displays on meat quality and M&S retail in the chillers alongside the display of the best carcasses around, good educational experience for many, congratulations to all the winners in this prestigious competition.
- A couple of busy office days then of to the Black Beauty Bonanza to witness the best of the North East Scotland and surrounding areas offering of Aberdeen-Angus. Congratulations to the club for their organisation, hard work and hospitality in the club exhibition unit which buzzed along all day. Congratulations to all the exhibitors for the very high standard of stock on show giving Judge Rob Bishop a task not to be envied!
- Thanks to Andrew Reid and family of Logie fame for inviting me to join them for dinner on the Friday evening after the Bonanza, the roast beef dinner was very welcome and beautifully cooked, as was the evening spent with them.
- Saturday 24th saw the CEO travel down to Ayr to join the South West Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Club at the AGM were after a hearty meal and some general table talk and club business concluded, the CEO shared some of his visions for the future. Thanks to all the members for the warmth of the welcome afforded to me and the hospitality in “Burns country” which was much appreciated.
- The car is packed and ready to roll down South to represent the Society on the stand at the East of England Smithfield festival at Peterborough on Friday and Saturday this week. The festival is growing each year and the best of the stock for all breeds is on show, if you are in the area or just need a day off the farm then I look forward to welcoming you to the stand for a chat. With the fingers and thumbs of the CEO and the help of our Facebook Guru, Amy Johnston we will be bringing you the results as they happen.
- Next week sees the Committee meetings on Wednesday 5th December and the Council meeting on Thursday 6th December with many topics to be covered on both days. Many thanks to all of you who have submitted thoughts and ideas for council to discuss.
Notes and Actions from Laura Stewart
- Council Nominations have now closed for the vacancies in the Scotland, England and Wales constituencies. Thank you for the nominations received. Results will be announced at the Society’s AGM in February.
- The Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association Council Nomination paper for 2019 has been mailed out this week. Please act quickly and return any nominations direct to Kathryn Bradshaw, Secretary, The Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association, Main Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.
- Society Council meetings are being held next week on 5th & 6th December – any member wishing to raise any matters for the attention of Council should do so through the Council member in their constituency (contact details on the website if you are unsure who you should contact).
News and Notices from Angela Cumming in the Finance Department
- Angela has had a busy couple of weeks with year end and then the Auditors have been in for three days.
- It is subscription time again in January.
News and Notices from the Registrations Department
- Bull sale entries have been coming in thick and fast so thank you all for your co-operation in getting this done. Any further entries are welcome as soon as possible please.
- Could you please adhere to the following when submitting samples to IdentiGEN they have asked us to ask you to include a note of samples enclosed and the name and address of the sender.
- Back to Bull sales again could you please Email Caroline your completed health declaration forms if you have not already done so to those that have we thank you for your help!
News and Notices from the Pedigree Cattle Services Team
- The interest lately from new breeders starting performance recording has been brilliant so if you are in two minds just do it! Barbara, Amy and Helena are there to help you.
News and Notices from Gayle Bersey YDP Co Ordinator
- We are looking for members of the YDP who would like to take up the added benefit of a recognised award for your effort’s and training. For more details on the City and Guilds award contact Gayle.
- Eoin Cumming former winner of the YDP final for 2017 has just set off on his travels to Australia and New Zealand to see what the world of Aberdeen-Angus is like down under. We hope that he has a great trip and brings us back plenty of experiences to share!
- Ruth Perry the 2016 winner is just almost heading home after her travels to South America where she has been updating us on her tour throughout.
- Don’t forget that this could be you next year so support all the YDP events that you can through the year for a chance to travel the world.
Shows, Sales and Events
Tuesday the 4th of December sees the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Society show and sale at Dungannon Mart of Bulls and Females with a good entry of some of the best Aberdeen-Angus that Ireland has to offer. Get yourselves along and have a pre-Christmas meet up with all the breeders and club members, make sure not to forget the cheque book in case there is something you see that takes your eye!
The main highlight in the events calendar is the Smithfield Stock Festival, which is held at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December. This is the last event in the calendar this year so please come along and make sure not to miss out.
Merchandise
We will be adding to the Merchandise range very soon with a range of clothing that you can order with hopefully a range of sizes and colours that we will embroider to order. Keep your eyes on the Bi-weekly review and when sorted and available we will showcase the new range.
XMAS COUNTDOWN
With Christmas fast approaching, why not avoid the large ques and busy shopping centres and show your love for the Breed by purchasing one of our Polo Shirts for only £15 – a perfect gift for someone this Christmas!
You can purchase by phoning the office directly, speak to Yvonne who can deal with and dispatch your orders for all our merchandise. You can pay over the phone by card or simply add it to your next invoice. Full range of merchandise available to view online at: https://www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/attachments/Merchandise-poster-2018-web.pdf
From all at the Society, have a great weekend!