STRONG SMITHFIELD COMPETITIONS AT LIVESCOT 2019
David Dickinson Champion Beef Rib
Robert Struthers takes Saddle of Lamb Championship
The Royal Smithfield Club Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb competitions, sponsored by Kepak-McIntosh Donald, returned to LiveScot, the Scottish National Fatstock Club’s winter primestock event held at Lanark on Saturday 23 November 2019.
Champion Beef Rib from David Dickinson (centre) pictured with (L) Richard Saunders (Club Secretary) & Ben Malone (Judge)
Judge Ben Malone of Malones of Edinburgh, wholesale butchers based in Newmarket Street, Edinburgh, awarded the Beef Rib championship and with it the Royal Smithfield Club Perpetual Trophy to David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees, Canonbie, Dumfries. This was a 432kg Limousin-cross heifer grading -U3. Mr Dickinson finishes around 900 cattle a year selling live at Lanark and Stirling and aiming squarely at the butcher trade, buying in strong 14-15 month old stores from markets including Carlisle, Lanark, Stirling & Ayr. Reserve Overall from the light rib class was Andrew Purdon, Stravenhouse, Law with a 331kg Limousin cross grading -U3.
Champion Saddle of Lamb presentation with (R-L) Robert Struthers, Ben Malone (judge), Iain Struthers & Richard Saunders (RSC)
Having won the heavy lamb class the previous year, Robert, Margaret & Iain Struthers, Collielaw Farm, Carluke took the Supreme Lamb Saddle Championship with their 24.8kg Beltex-cross entry, being a Beltex-sired lamb and out of a Beltex-Texel ewe. The Struthers run a flock of 680 breeding ewes with Texel crosses in the majority alongside a small flock of Beltex crosses. All lambs are sold live through Lanark. Standing Reserve were R&B Dickie, Spango with another Beltex cross at 24.5kg.
The Club extends its grateful thanks to sponsor Kepak-McIntosh Donald, to all the exhibitors for putting entries forward, to Margaret Gray and all the team at the Scottish National Fatstock Club, to Royal Smithfield Club Steward Hugh Black of Hugh Black & Sons Butchers and to Judge Ben Malone for all their efforts in making the event such a success.
Results
Light Beef Rib (up to 360kg cold carcase weight)
1. Andrew Purdon, Stravenhouse, Law -U3 Lim x 331kg RESERVE CHAMPION
2. Andrew Purdon, Stravenhouse, Law -U2 Lim x 354kg
3. John Spence & Sons, Roberthill, Lockerbie -U3 Lim 330kg
Heavy Beef Rib (over 360kg)
1. David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees -U3 Lim x 432kg SUPREME CHAMPION
2. David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees U+3 Lim x 420kg
3. Messrs Taylor, Heathery Hall -U3 Lim x 366kg
Light Lamb Saddle (up to 24kg)
1. Andrew Baillie, Carstairs Mains Farm, Carstairs Beltex x 20.3kg
2. Andrew Dunlop, Corstane Farm, Broughton Beltex x 19.3kg
3. Tom Frame, High Dyke Farm, Sandford Beltex x 21.3kg
Heavy Lamb Saddle (over 24kg)
1. R&M Struthers, Collielaw Farm, Carluke Beltex x 24.8kg SUPREME CHAMPION
2. R&B Dickie, Spango Beltex x 24.5kg RESERVE CHAMPION
3. Kenny Johnstone, Boghouse Farm, Crawfordjohn Texel 24.5kg
Guess The Weight Competition (Proceeds to RSABI)
The Beef Rib weighed 7.225kg. Winner William Purdon. Thank you to all those who entered!